Contents
Devin Booker was one of the most promising young players in the NBA. But what happened to him?
Checkout this video:
Devin Booker’s Scoring Drought
One of the more surprising story-lines in the young NBA season has been the terrible start to the year for Devin Booker. After averaging 24.9 points per game last year and being one of the most efficient scorers in the league, Booker has seen his scoring totals drop to just 18.7 points per game, good for just 27th in the NBA. His efficiency has also cratered, as he is now shooting a career-worst 42.7% from the field and 29.2% from three-point range. It’s been a tough start to the season for Booker and his Suns, who currently sit at the bottom of the Western Conference with a 4-20 record.
So what’s behind Booker’s sudden scoring drought? There are a few factors that could be leading to his struggles. First of all, Booker is dealing with a nagging wrist injury that he suffered during the preseason. This injury has clearly affected his shooting, as he is just 11-for-42 (26%) from three-point range since returning from the wrist injury two weeks ago. In addition to the physical factor, there may also be a mental component to Booker’s struggles. Last year was a breakout season for Booker, and expectations were sky-high coming into this season after he signed a max contract extension in the offseason. It’s possible that Booker is feeling some pressure to live up to his new contract and is forcing shots as a result.
Whatever the reason for his struggles, it’s clear that Devin Booker needs to get back on track if the Suns want any chance at being competitive this season. With star guard Chris Paul still sidelined with an injury, Booker will need to shoulder even more of the offensive load for Phoenix if they want to turn things around.
The Suns’ Struggles
The Suns have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NBA this season. They were expected to be a playoff team, but they have struggled mightily. Part of their struggles can be attributed to the fact that their star player, Devin Booker, has been injured for much of the season.
Booker is one of the best scorers in the NBA, and he is a big reason why the Suns were expected to be a playoff team. However, he has missed significant time due to injury, and the Suns have not been able to replace his scoring. As a result, they have struggled mightily and currently have one of the worst records in the NBA.
If Booker can stay healthy, the Suns should be a much better team next season. However, their struggles this season show how important he is to their success.
Booker’s Frustration
Devin Booker is one of the most talented scorers in the NBA. The 23-year-old shooting guard is averaging 24.5 points per game this season, but his Phoenix Suns are once again near the bottom of the standings with a 19-41 record. Booker has been with the Suns since they drafted him in 2015, but he has yet to taste playoff success. In fact, the Suns haven’t made the playoffs since 2010.
Booker is frustrated with the direction of the franchise, and he made that clear after a recent loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. “We’re not good enough,” Booker said. “I’m done saying we’re close.”
It’s hard to blame Booker for being frustrated. The Suns have been one of the worst teams in the NBA over the past decade, and they don’t appear to be close to turning things around. Booker is under contract through 2022, but it’s possible that he could force his way out of Phoenix if things don’t improve soon.
Booker’s Health
After weeks of speculation and concern, Phoenix Suns star Devin Booker finally gave an update on his health. Booker missed the Suns’ last four games with what was originally reported as a hamstring injury. However, it was later revealed that Booker is dealing with a adductor strain, which is a muscle injury in his hip/pelvic region.
This news came as a relief to Suns fans, as many were worried that Booker may have suffered a more serious injury. However, adductor strains can still be quite painful and take a while to recover from. In fact, Booker is still not sure when he will be able to return to the court.
“I’m feeling better each day,” Booker said. “I’m still not sure when I’ll be back, but I’m hopeful it won’t be too much longer.”
This is obviously disappointing news for the Suns, who have struggled without their best player. However, they have still managed to stay afloat thanks to strong play from guys like Chris Paul and Mikal Bridges.
The important thing now is for Booker to make sure he doesn’t rush back too soon and aggravate his injury. The Suns will need him at 100% if they want any chance of making noise in the playoffs.
The Suns’ Offense
The Suns’ offense has been one of the NBA’s most efficient this season. They are currently averaging 113.2 points per 100 possessions, which ranks fifth in the league. But their recent struggles have coincided with a dramatic decrease in production from Devin Booker.
Over the past month, Booker is averaging just 21.4 points per 100 possessions, which ranks below average for an NBA shooting guard. His true shooting percentage (a measure of shooting efficiency that accounts for three-pointers and free throws) has dropped from 58.7 percent to 51.3 percent over that span. And his turnover rate has skyrocketed, from 6.1 percent to 14.8 percent.
So what’s happened to Booker? The easy answer is that he’s been suffering from a string of bad luck. His shooting percentages from all distances have dipped below their usual levels, and he’s turning the ball over more often than usual.
But there may be more to it than that. It’s possible that opponents have figured out how to slow down the Suns’ offense by taking away Booker’s space to operate. Booker is one of the league’s premier pick-and-roll scorers, but teams have been doing a better job of hedging on screens and forcing him into tough situations.
Whatever the reason for his recent slump, the Suns will need Booker to get back on track if they want to keep their offense humming along at a high level.
Booker’s Role
Before we get into what happened to Devin Booker, it’s important to understand his role on the Suns. As the starting shooting guard, Booker was one of the team’s primary offensive weapons. He was often tasked with creating his own shot, as well as being a threat from beyond the arc. With superstar point guard Chris Paul leading the way, Booker was free to do what he does best: score the basketball.
But then, something happened.
The Suns’ Defense
The Suns have been shockingly bad on defense this season, and Devin Booker’s struggles are a big reason why.
Booker is one of the league’s top scorers, but he’s also been one of its worst defenders. He has a hard time staying in front of opposing guards and often gets lost off the ball. As a result, the Suns have been giving up a ton of points when he’s on the court.
It’s not all Booker’s fault, though. The Suns as a whole have been terrible on defense, and they’ve struggled to find any consistent stops. They’re going to need to figure things out quickly if they want to turn their season around.
The Suns’ Lineup
Injuries and a poor performance caused Devin Booker to drop in the Suns’ lineup. He is now behind Tyler Johnson and Josh Jackson.
The Suns’ Rotation
The main reason for Devin Booker’s decline in production this season has been the Suns’ rotation. With the addition of Rubio and the rise of Ayton, Booker has found himself with less opportunity to score. His minutes have remained roughly the same, but his usage rate has declined from 30.7 to 26.3 percent. That’s a significant drop, and it’s one of the main reasons why his scoring average has dipped from 24.9 to 22.1 points per game.
The Future
What will happen to Devin Booker, now that he’s out for the season with a wrist injury? It’s a valid question, considering that the Suns are currently in last place in the Western Conference.
The short answer is, we don’t know. Booker is only 23 years old, and he’s already one of the best shooters in the NBA. He’s also shown improvement in other areas of his game over the past few seasons. So, it’s certainly possible that he’ll come back from this injury and continue to get better.
However, it’s also worth noting that Booker has now missed significant time due to injuries in each of the past three seasons. That’s not necessarily a death sentence for an NBA player, but it is something to keep an eye on.
It’s also worth mentioning that the Suns have been a mess since Booker joined the team. They’ve never made the playoffs during his tenure, and they don’t appear to be close to turning things around. So, it’s possible that Booker will eventually get tired of losing and decide to request a trade.
Only time will tell what happens with Devin Booker. For now, we can only hope that he makes a full recovery from his injury and continues to develop into one of the best players in the NBA.
