The performance of Devin Booker in these playoffs are impressive, the back of the Suns being the best scorer (36.8 points on average) since the start of the postseason. But what is even more impressive is the efficiency of the All-Star’s shoot, since he is downright 62% successful, including 51% at 3-pointers!
If we represent the total points scored in the first nine games in the playoffs compared to the TS% (which takes into account the effectiveness of 3-pointers and free throws), we see that no one having accumulated more than 200 points has never been so effective at scoring in his first nine playoff games.
With his 331 points scored in the first nine meetings of the postseason, Devin Booker is nevertheless in 7th position in terms of scoring over this period of matches, behind only Jerry West (392 points in 1964/65), Michael Jordan (362 points in 1989/90, 338 points in 1987/88 and 335 points in 1988/89), Wilt Chamberlain (336 points in 1961/62) and Elgin Baylor (332 points in 1960/61), but therefore with better efficiency.
“I’m just trying to win”yet evacuates Devin Booker when ESPN asks him on the subject. “I always say, and it’s something I will tell KD, throw this efficiency story out the window. I do not care. You just have to continue, attack, be aggressive. »
Monty Williams: ‘He’s looking for those moments, not only to get shots, but also to send a message to his team that he can carry us’
Devin Booker obviously doesn’t have his nose glued to the “TS%” column of Basketball-Reference, but the fact that with his team trailing 0-2 in the series, and while the Nuggets defense could focus even more on him following the injury of Chris Paul, he is able to compile 83 points over the next two games, at 34/43 shooting (79% success) including 8/12 from 3-pointers (67%) is still fabulous.
“I know in which areas I have to be aggressive and in which areas I have to make them pay”develops Devin Booker, also author of 12 assists during Game 4. “I talked about the quick game earlier and about playing faster, so they can’t set up their defense and their two-man tackles. And then usually I don’t have any open shots. KD’s ability to attract on the field is therefore something new”.
Does the attention generated by Kevin Durant help Devin Booker get better shots, and therefore be even more effective? That may be a factor, although the pair are still learning how to play together.
“To be honest, we’re still learning from each other, learning what systems work for both of us, what systems work for our team as well”confirms Kevin Durant. “But basically it’s just about playing basketball, going to our zones and being aggressive. I think that’s what we both do. Book is always comfortable, anywhere on the pitch, and I think that’s the same for me. And the more reps we do, the better we will get. »
Especially since for the back, it is not enough to put a lot of shots, you also have to put the right ones.
“He’s looking for those moments, not only to get the shots right, but also to send a message to his team that he can carry us.”concludes Monty Williams while Devin Booker loves to make shots that demoralize the opponent, like his two 3-point baskets to end the third quarter of Game 4 at +6.
| Devin Booker | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | PHX | 76 | 28 | 42.3 | 34.3 | 84.0 | 0.4 | 2.1 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 3.0 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.3 | 13.8 |
| 2016-17 | PHX | 78 | 35 | 42.3 | 36.3 | 83.2 | 0.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 3.4 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 22.1 |
| 2017-18 | PHX | 54 | 35 | 43.2 | 38.3 | 87.8 | 0.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.7 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 24.9 |
| 2018-19 | PHX | 64 | 35 | 46.7 | 32.6 | 86.6 | 0.6 | 3.5 | 4.1 | 6.8 | 3.1 | 0.9 | 4.1 | 0.2 | 26.6 |
| 2019-20 | PHX | 70 | 36 | 48.9 | 35.4 | 91.9 | 0.4 | 3.8 | 4.2 | 6.5 | 3.0 | 0.7 | 3.8 | 0.3 | 26.6 |
| 2020-21 | PHX | 67 | 34 | 48.4 | 34.0 | 86.7 | 0.5 | 3.7 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 2.7 | 0.8 | 3.1 | 0.2 | 25.6 |
| 2021-22 | PHX | 68 | 35 | 46.6 | 38.3 | 86.8 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 2.7 | 1.1 | 2.4 | 0.4 | 26.8 |
| 2022-23 | PHX | 53 | 35 | 49.4 | 35.1 | 85.5 | 0.9 | 3.7 | 4.5 | 5.5 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 2.7 | 0.3 | 27.8 |
| Total | 530 | 34 | 46.1 | 35.6 | 86.8 | 0.6 | 3.4 | 4.0 | 4.8 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 3.1 | 0.3 | 23.9 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
