Devin Booker is on the precipice of Phoenix Suns history.
It’s something he’s seemed destined for since the second he stepped foot in the Valley. In some ways he’s felt like the franchise’s Thanos, inevitable.
Whether you’re a stathead or an eye test kind of person, you can’t deny Booker’s impact on the franchise over the last ten seasons. He was always ready for the role – coming off confident but not cocky, looking like a star with the game to back it up.
Statistically speaking he has been equally impressive. He already leads the team with the most three pointers ever made, the most points ever scored in a game (a list that he has 4 of the top 5 games on), the most 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 point games and, for good measure, he’s fifth all-time in assists.
Devin Booker’s Path To Scoring Record
A month ago, Booker became the second player in team history to reach the 15,000 point threshold. With just 23 more points, he will pass Walter Davis for first on the franchise’s all-time scoring list.
“Obviously 15,000 is one of those numbers. It’s a pretty big number,” Booker told the media in December. “But to do it all here in one organization is something that’s super important to me. So, you know, it’s been a ride, it’s been a journey, you know, it’s been a roller coaster.”
That roller coaster started its upward climb with his arrival in Phoenix in June of 2015 when the team took him as the 13th overall pick in the NBA Draft. It took just a matter of weeks for his love affair with the Valley to begin. I know because I was there and witnessed it firsthand.
From the second he walked into the team’s facility, it was clear he was something different. He had a maturity about him well beyond the 18 years he’d been alive and a work ethic found in those who find ways to succeed at all costs.
In his first NBA Summer League he caught the attention of fans as he led the Summer Suns to the championship game scoring 31 points in the semi-finals while averaging 16.2 points over six games. But away from the court he won them over with his willingness to grant behind the scenes access and showcase his chill personality.
In a dark period of time in Suns history, he was a bright spot that made it a little less embarrassing to admit you were a fan.
Fast forward to midway through his rookie season. He had played minimal minutes over the first few months of his career as then head coach Jeff Hornacek fought to keep his job and the starting backcourt of Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight fought to not allow the rookie to steal their minutes.
Despite taking it to both players in practice and making it clear with his play he was as good if not better than both veterans even at 19, Book did not get his first real chance to make an impact until late December. That’s when, due to an injury to Eric Bledsoe and a coaching staff shake up, he got his chance to start. He hasn’t relinquished the spot since.
Devin Booker All-Star Weekend Greatness
He took advantage of the opportunity and his shooting prowess from deep earned him a spot in the Three Point Shootout as well as a spot in the Rising Stars game as an injury replacement for Nerlens Noel at NBA All-Star Weekend in Toronto. While Suns fans had taken notice, this would be Book’s first chance to endear himself to the basketball world as a whole.
I was along for the ride covering him in sub zero temperatures as one of my final assignments working for the Suns. Despite being one of the youngest involved in the weekend, with his boyish smile and calm nature, Booker seemed to fit right in with the NBA’s elite.
Book coached in a Special Olympics game at NBA Fan Fest with none other than Suns legend Steve Nash – talk about foreshadowing. The man he’d eventually be in competition with as greatest Suns of all time even gave him advice.
“Steve told me to just keep working,” Booker said at the time. “To keep my head on straight, just keep working and always get better through the process.”
Part of that process was the three point contest in which the rookie went toe-to-toe with the NBA’s best and was the NBA equivalent of a guard on watch at Buckingham. He didn’t flinch, beating James Harden and JJ Redick to reach the finals. His reward was taking on the Splash Brothers.
He didn’t win but it was that moment that he entered the NBA’s consciousness. The attention didn’t matter though. There was only one thing on Book’s mind.
“I’m sorry I couldn’t bring home a win for you guys,” Booker shared with me in the back room of the Air Canada Center. “I’m going to be back next year and get you one.”
Well, he was off a year but he was a man of his word, delivering for the Valley in the 2018 All-Star game by winning the three point contest.
That moment back in that cold winter weekend in 2016 struck me as unique at the time. A player who just performed on the biggest stage genuinely seemed more concerned about the hometown fans than anything else. It was said with such sincerity to it – as if he had let down a friend or loved one, not as a typical press conference quote pandering to gain favor.
From Rookie Phenom To All Time Great
Fast forward ten seasons later. Book has gone from a 19 year old kid trying to find his place to a 28 year old man on the verge of solidifying his legacy. During that time one thing hasn’t changed. He still does everything on the court for his adopted home and the purple and orange clad fans.
“Everybody in the city saw me come in as an 18 year old kid and always fully had my back. Fully supported me,” Booker said on Tuesday after putting himself within striking distance of the franchise scoring record. “Even when we were getting our head beat in, they just trusted me, believed in me.”
Phoenix’s faith as a whole has been rewarded. Booker will break Davis’ record likely Monday against the Portland Trail Blazers or Wednesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder – the basketball gods willing – and he will put himself in a place to be the unanimous pick for greatest player in franchise history.
Maybe his success wasn’t necessarily inevitable. It seemed likely. But what was never in doubt was the love affair between the city and the player who loved it back just as much.
“This [Phoenix] is the best place ever. That’s how I feel.”
