Could Bring the Best Out of Devin Booker
There isn’t much more Devin Booker can do to prove himself as a volume scorer. His average of 24.9 points last season placed him among only ten other players to average at least 24 points at the age of 21-years-old or younger. The list of players includes; Carmelo Anthony, Rick Barry, Anthony Davis, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Michael Jordan, Bernard King, Tracy McGrady, Shaquille O’Neal, and Karl-Anthony Towns.
One of the next steps for Booker will be to become a more efficient scorer, and that can happen multiple ways. Outside of simply getting better with off-season improvement, the simplest way would be to use him more in naturally efficient means for scoring as an off-ball threat. It’s up to Booker to get better, but it’s up to the Suns to simplify the game.
Before the Suns could genuinely use Booker more as an off-ball threat, they will need to field a supporting cast that doesn’t require him to be so heavily involved as a playmaker. Ultimately, that is why the idea of acquiring an impactful point guard should be a priority. Regardless, Phoenix had perhaps the worst offense in the league last season, and more firepower is needed.
The Suns would be able to use Booker more as a spot-up threat. Only 7.7% of his offensive possessions came in spot-up situations, and he produced 1.132 points per possession. His efficiency ranked 49th in the NBA among the 233 players with at least 100 of these possessions. It was his most efficient play type that was a component of his regular tendencies.
Booker has shown multiple dimensions to his spot-up offense. He is effective at knocking down no dribble jumpers, even more so when he is guarded. In addition to that, he thrives at taking dribble jumpers too. These types of sequences also open up favorable driving opportunities as well. Overall, it would help to simplify the game for him.
Devin Booker had an output of 1.132 PPP in spot-up and that ranked 49th out of the 233 players with at least 100 possessions. He has proven to be effective at catch-and-shoot and knocking down dribble jumpers and has shown an ability to drive and finish. pic.twitter.com/4xSJyiivGL
— Grant Afseth Videos (@GrantAfsethVids) July 22, 2018
Phoenix would be able to increase Booker’s involvement in off-screen sequences. He had 12.4% of his offensive possessions come in off-screen sequences, and he produced 1.076 points per possession. His efficiency ranked 8th out of the 19 players with at least 150 of these possessions. Using this sequences more would help to diversify their half-court offense, and more effective layers are needed for a half-court offense that ranked 27th in points per possession last season.
There are a variety of great layers that Booker has to his abilities as an off-screen player. It starts with his proficiency at drilling catch-and-shoot jumpers, even when he has to turn his body in mid-air or when there is a hand in his face. He has also shown a real ability to take the defense off the dribble in these situations. He can create pull-ups or step-backs and can consistently drive to the rim and finish as well.
Devin Booker had an output of 1.076 PPP in off-screen sequences and that ranked 8th out of the 19 players with at least 150 possessions. He has shown to be able to knock down tough catch-and-shoot jumpers, create his own shot off the dribble, and get to the basket. pic.twitter.com/J9hS82PHrg
— Grant Afseth Videos (@GrantAfsethVids) July 22, 2018
Phoenix would also be able to use Booker more as a cutter. He had 2.7% of his offensive possessions come in the form of cuts, and he produced 1.378 points per possession. His efficiency ranked 46th out of the 212 players with at least 30 of these possessions. It is one of the absolute most efficient means for scoring within the half-court for a player and helping Booker get buckets with tactics like this would decrease difficulty for him.
The gravity that Booker commands as an off-ball offensive player because of his shooting ability creates many read-line exploitation opportunities. Being able to play more off the ball with a proficient passing point guard would allow Booker to create simple scoring opportunities on basket cuts. These sequences make the opposition pay for closely face-guarding him and would make defenses pay for not using a conservative approach.
Devin Booker had an output of 1.378 PPP on cutting sequences last season and that ranked 46th out of the 212 players with at least 30 possessions. The gravity that he commands as an off-ball player really opens up read-line exploitation opportunities for basket cuts. pic.twitter.com/3TIij87MT4
— Grant Afseth Videos (@GrantAfsethVids) July 22, 2018
The benefits that could come for Booker with having a reliable starting point guard go beyond the surface. Turning some of the possessions where he has to work hard for his baskets as a playmaker into off-ball sequences would allow him to conserve energy. Perhaps having more energy would let him be more efficient as a playmaker or more active on the defensive end of the floor?
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