Even without Chris Paul, the Phoenix Suns are in good hands thanks to Devin Booker.
Without their all-star point guard in the lineup for Game 1 of their Western Conference Finals showdown with a trip to the NBA Finals on the line, Devin Booker had one of the most impressive performances from a player this postseason.
Not only did Booker drop 40 points en route to a Game 1 win to give the Phoenix Suns a 1-0 series lead, but he also recorded his first career triple-double with 13 rebounds and 11 assists as he admirably carried the Suns on his back.
There was a level of concern entering the series when Chris Paul was ruled out for Game 1 after he entered the NBA’s health and safety protocol. Largely one of the main reasons for the Suns’ success during the regular season and their recent run of success in the playoffs, Paul brings a winning culture and a championship mindset to the Suns as they are a much more dangerous team when Paul is on the floor as he has proven to be a major factor for every team he has played for.
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But Suns fans need not worry about Paul’s absence due to Booker playing at an astronomical level as he is showing no signs of slowing down or letting up. Booker has shown that he is capable of adapting to the pressure-packed moments that the NBA playoffs have to offer as he has shown that he can thrive in these types of games.
Devin Booker has sensational in his playoff debut
What Booker has done in his first career playoff appearance is phenomenal. Not only did Booker help his team take out LeBron James and the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers in the first round but he also dominated in the semifinals against reigning MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets as well.
As for his epic Game 1 performance against the LA Clippers, it appears that Booker is far from done as he is currently averaging 29 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while shooting 92.4 percent from the charity stripe and 38.2 percent from downtown.
So many elements play a factor in why Booker is such a lethal scoring threat every time he touches the ball. His soft touch from midrange with his unlimited range from behind the arc makes him a legit 3-level scorer. The high release on his shot allows him to shoot over smaller defenders and over big men in traffic.
Booker’s elusive dribble combinations with his lightning-quick first step makes guarding him an overwhelming task for any defender and difficult to contain. He is also an electric shot creator who is extremely fundamentally sound from his footwork to his jump shot. Booker also possesses the ability to tear apart any defensive scheme designed to slow him down and has that killer instinct in him that we have seen in the great players in the past.
Booker is making a name for himself as one of the top players in the NBA with this showing in the postseason and also considering the fact that he is only 24 and hasn’t even entered his prime years is truly amazing. It appears that Booker is ready to take the league by storm and lead the Suns to an NBA Finals berth if he continues his dominant level of play.