With the NBA All-Star Break upon us, the regular season will be paused for almost a week, allowing teams to rest up for the stretch run of the season. It also provides us with a chance to look back at how teams and players have performed to this point in the 2023-24 regular season.
One team that people were keeping a close eye on was the Phoenix Suns. The Suns made a huge move ahead of the 2023 NBA Trade Deadline, acquiring Kevin Durant from the Brooklyn Nets to pair with Devin Booker. This offseason, they created a Big 3, acquiring Bradley Beal from the Washington Wizards.
While things were rocky in the beginning, as the trio didn’t get on the court too often because of injuries, we have seen just how dominant they can be in recent weeks. There isn’t a trio in the NBA that has the offensive firepower of Booker, Durant and Beal, all gifted scorers in their own right.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker & Phoenix Suns Updates
Now that they were sharing the court, changes and sacrifices were going to have to be made by all three to make it work. The biggest adjustment would be made by Booker, who was effectively taking over as the team’s starting point guard.
Having the ball in his hands is nothing new as Booker has developed into an All-Star and go-to player for the Suns. But, he would now be responsible for getting his teammates going, in addition to himself, as the leader offensively.
To this point, he has taken well to the role change. Booker is one of two players, along with Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks, averaging at least 27 points and seven assists per game. It has been impressive watching Booker adjust his game to his new role, as he is putting together arguably the most impressive season of his career.
The seven assists per game that he is averaging is the most of his career, as is the 2.74 assist-to-turnover ratio he has produced. This season, he has recorded seven 20-10 games, which is as many as he had in the last two seasons combined according to John Schuhmann of NBA.com.
NBA NEWS & RUMORS: Devin Booker & Phoenix Suns Updates
Being surrounded by elite talent certainly makes life easier for Booker. Opponents cannot load up on him knowing he is a more than willing and capable passer and for fear of Durant or Beal going off.
That has translated to the most efficient shooting season of his career. Booker’s 55.7 effective field goal percentage this season is on pace to surpass his previous high of 54.6 which was set last season.
A big reason for the increased shooting percentage is his success in the paint. Booker is shooting 62 percent there, which would also be a career-high by a large margin. With opponents unable to send double and triple teams at him any longer, he is getting to his spots more effectively for easy shot attempts.
With Booker taking another step in his development, the Suns are as dangerous as any team in the NBA heading into the final months of the season. If they can remain healthy, they are legitimate NBA Championship contenders with Booker, Durant and Beal leading the way.
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