The 2015-16 season for the Phoenix Suns has quickly become one to forget about. Their season has been riddled with injuries, drama and lackluster play from a majority of their talent. There has been one bright spot for Phoenix and that’s the play of 19-year-old rookie, Devin Booker. Last night against the Miami Heat, Booker scored 34 points against Dwyane Wade’s team and the rookie relished the opportunity to compete against a ‘living legend’.
Booker has such a great performance, only Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry (42) and Indiana Pacers’ Paul George (36) have scored more points against Miami this season than what Booker had Thursday night.
If you’re a 19 or 20-year-old in 2016 and you grew up as a fan of the NBA, there are a few names that come to mind when you talk about your idols. Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade are names that many, even those into their 30s, grew up appreciating and idolizing. For Booker, you can imagine it was no different.
Following from Paul Coro of the Arizona Central.
“Dwyane is a living legend,” Booker said. “Everyone knows that, especially when he’s here in Wade County. I try to take that challenge. I like to have fun with it. Those are the games I live for – people I grew up watching, admiring this game and now I get the chance to go against them. It gives me that extra oomph every time I play them.”
As booker showed praise for Wade, Dwyane did the same after the game when he was asked about the stellar rookie.
More from Paul Coro.
“There are some good 19-year-olds in this league,” Wade said. “I was impressed with him the first time we played him and I’m very impressed tonight. When you’ve got a young guy who is going through a tough season like that, he’s out there having fun. He’s out there getting better. He is one of the future two-guards in this league. If he continues to take steps, he’s going to be very, very good.”
Booker does have a ton of talent and it’s going to be interesting to see how he develops going forward with a soon-to-be rebuilt Phoenix Suns squad.
