Devin Booker scores franchise-record 70 points in loss to Celtics

[sunsfan88]

Tonight last year, Kobe signed his shoes for Dbook saying "be legendary". Kobe #13 pick, Dbook #13, both same size, both youngest players in the draft, both with dads that played in the NBA.

Also, Books night overshadowed Calliparis Kentucky win who didnt even start Book when he was there.

Love Kobe more than anyone but this could get interesting...

He started the Harrison twins over Booker and Ulis...I think Kentucky wins the championship that year if they continued with Booker/Ulis.

 

[SirStefan32]

First off Amazing game by Booker. Second I would rather trade Bledsoe than try and force Booker to SF. He is comfortable and excelling at SG.

Completely agree!

 

[Mainstreet]

First off Amazing game by Booker. Second I would rather trade Bledsoe than try and force Booker to SF. He is comfortable and excelling at SG.

More or less, I was going through a brain storming session of how the Suns could put their best players on the court at the same if the Suns drafted a PG. The Suns might not want to trade Bledsoe immediately as the new PG likely would need time to acclimate.

I agree Booker's home is at SG but I can see the Suns wanting to put their best players on the court at key times to play small ball and perhaps close out games next season.

I can see the Suns wanting to experiment with some quick lineups which could have players like Bledsoe, Booker, new PG (depending on how the Suns draft), Warren and Chriss or perhaps Bender, at center. That would be a very quick lineup. Anyway, it's fun to go through these mental exercises.

If the new PG worked out, then I think the Suns would need to look trading Bledsoe.

 

[devilalum]

I don't know if anybody else remembers this but Robinsons 70 point game was a HUGE asterisk. It was the final game of the season and the other team was letting him score so he could pass Shaq and win the scoring title.

from phone

 

[Yuma]

Among active Players in the NBA right now, Devin Booker has scored the most points in one game. Carmello Anthony has 62 points in a game, and Lebron James has 61 points in a game.

 

[Phrazbit]

I don't know if anybody else remembers this but Robinsons 70 point game was a HUGE asterisk. It was the final game of the season and the other team was letting him score so he could pass Shaq and win the scoring title.

from phone

Nah, it just looked like they were letting him score because it was against the 90s Clippers.

I kinda thought it was that way too, but I just looked up the highlights and they were double teaming him pretty regularly, even late, he was even doubled on the shot he got 71 on. And, to be fair, I'd venture that every game that featured 70+ points had some real stat padding going on.

 

[devilalum]

Nah, it just looked like they were letting him score because it was against the 90s Clippers.

I kinda thought it was that way too, but I just looked up the highlights and they were double teaming him pretty regularly, even late, he was even doubled on the shot he got 71 on. And, to be fair, I'd venture that every game that featured 70+ points had some real stat padding going on.

Both teams knew before the meaningless game that DR needed 70 to win the scoring title. The Clips have always hated the Lakers. How many shots did he take that game?

from phone

 

[GatorAZ]

How does he have a PER under 14 for the season?

B/c he's not an efficient scorer yet.

 

[JCSunsfan]

There have been 11 over 70 point games in NBA history.

100. Wilt. 48 minutes. Philly won 169-147. 36/63
81. Kobe. 42 minutes. 122-104 (win). 28/46
78. Wilt. 63 minutes. 147-151 (loss). 31/62
73. Wilt. 48 minutes. 135-117 (win). 29/48
73. Wilt. 48 minutes. 127-111 (win). 29/43
73. David Thompson. 43 minutes. 137-139 (loss). 28/38
72. Wilt. 48 minutes. 115-127 (loss). 29/48
71. Elgin Baylor. 45 minutes. 123-108 (win). 28/48
71. David Robinson. 44 minutes. 112-97 (win). 26/41
70. Wilt. 48 minutes. 148-163 (loss). 27/38
70. Devin Booker. 45 minutes. 120-130 (loss). 21/40

6 of 11 in wins
5 of 11 in losses
6 of 11 in 15 point or more wins (blowout wins)
0 of 11 in close wins
2 of 11 in close losses
3 of 11 in ten point or more losses
None in less than 42 minutes of playing time



Only one of those games was likely NOT a case of stat padding (Wilt's 78 point game). While the David Thompson game was close, I remember the game. It was the last game of the year and Thompson was chasing the season scoring title.

For the detractors. Which is worse--stat padding when you are losing and trying to get back in the game and going with your best player? or stat padding by continuing to play your best player in a blowout win?

There is nothing in the world the Suns or anyone have to apologize for. From a scoring standpoint, this may be one of the greatest performances of all time given Booker's age, and age and inexperience of the other players on the floor. The only way to detract from it is to rip on the Celtics. They are the ones that could not or would not stop him from scoring.

 

[BC867]

Doesn't it just feel like a Suns type of move to force a player to move to a different position rather than stay at the one that he already excels at?

In its most (or perhaps only) progressive move ever, the Suns moved Walter Davis from Small Forward down to Shooting Guard to make room for the first of the NBA 6'10" Small Forwards, Larry Nance. And it worked out well.

But I would not move a player from a lighter position to guard a heavier position . . . unless he is in the twilight of his career and has gained weight and lost speed. I agree that the Suns should not move the 20 year old Devin Booker to Small Forward.

I equally believe that Eric Bledsoe is a Carmelo Anthony. He'll put up stats but not lead his team to strength in the playoffs. As long as he is playing too-small-for-anything-but-Point-Guard or a small Shooting Guard (and he is not a shooter), he is going to hold us back. And hold back the development of the rest of the young guys like Booker. When Bledsoe plays, Booker is held back. And when Bledsoe plays, we are an unbalanced team with our two leading scorers in the backcourt.

The Suns benched Bledsoe for the development of Booker. To their credit, they knew that was a smart (and necessary) move. Why in the world would they un-do that and go back to a vision of mediocrity after wallowing in it all these years? Eric Bledsoe has to go.

 

[Phrazbit]

Both teams knew before the meaningless game that DR needed 70 to win the scoring title. The Clips have always hated the Lakers. How many shots did he take that game?

from phone

Shaq was on the Magic at the time. My memory matched yours until I looked at the highlights, their defense isn't ferocious by any means, but he is being guarded throughout.

 

[Bert]

Anyone who watched the game saw history. What a great night.

There should be plenty of video replays for those who didn't get a chance to watch it live.

FoxSportsAZ is still playing highlights of the game. Channel 686 on DirecTV.

I missed it. Woke up this morning and check the board and I see this! Man!!!


Just watched the highlights tho, what a freaking game.

 

[Bert]

Jae Crowder is so pathetic instigating on NBA instagram. And these random fans saying how unimpressive 70 points are , how padded the stats are in a loss.

Guy had 70 along with SIX assists and shot over 50%. It was not even like he was hogging. There were many posessions in the 4th where he did not even touch the ball mainly thanks to Barbosa.

Crowder's favorite snack... And Isaiah Thomas was salty too! Jesus. Talk about having no chill. It's one game, you won, why cant you just be like; Yeah that dude was on fire!

Gotta be salty because the Garden was chanting his name? God this generation is a bunch of freaking babies man.

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[Mainstreet]

I missed it. Woke up this morning and check the board and I see this! Man!!!


Just watched the highlights tho, what a freaking game.

I was watching the game but I had no clue Booker would score this many points in the game. He only had 19 points at halftime. Yeah... maybe 40 but definitely not 70 points.

So I was shocked with the ease Booker started scoring in the second half. I think the Celtics players were surprised as well and some even took offense. But the Celtics fans were awesome. They realized they were seeing something great happen and started cheering. I certainly appreciate Celtics fans more.

I swear I saw you at the game though.

You are always there in heart.

 

[slinslin]

by some advanced metrics like GameScore Bookers game was like the 5th best individual stat line in NBA history, or rather since 1964 when they started keeping boxscores.

http://www.basketball-reference.com...cf=Y&c1stat=game_score&c1comp=gt&order_by=pts

It's hilarious how salty some NBA fans are. Mainly Celtics fans, Lakers fans and whoever is insecure about passing Booker in the draft.

 

[slinslin]

It will be intersting what kind of effect this performance will have on

- jersey sales
- allstar voting
- arena attendance
- media coverage (most of the NBA writers that don't really cover the Suns are ignorant as heck about anything Suns related, one of the podcast guys from realgm said last week he doubted that Devin Booker will ever develop into a solid SECOND OPTION.)

 

[RINGLESS]

Forgive me as I am extremely passive in following sports outside of the NFL and Rugby.

My biggest issue with sports like the NBA, MLB etc have been issues with salary cap. How does a team like the Suns, keep and retain players like Booker or get an all-star team together that chooses to remain together. Without spending money like the Lakers, and Heat have in the past?

I know we had to have spent a considerable amount back in the Nash days. How would a team like the Bucks become perennial contenders?

 

[Ronin]

Bob Ryan‏ @GlobeBobRyan
re Devin Booker. However "gimmicked" the 70 was, anything over 50 is damned impressive. Give the young man his due. The Suns have a Keeper.

 

[Bert]

Forgive me as I am extremely passive in following sports outside of the NFL and Rugby.

My biggest issue with sports like the NBA, MLB etc have been issues with salary cap. How does a team like the Suns, keep and retain players like Booker or get an all-star team together that chooses to remain together. Without spending money like the Lakers, and Heat have in the past?

I know we had to have spent a considerable amount back in the Nash days. How would a team like the Bucks become perennial contenders?

It's tough in the NBA. First, there aren't very many superstars anymore, and it's basically impossible to win without one.

The Suns have made attempts in the past few years to get one, although some attempts more half-hearted than others. But we (and other small market teams like the bucks, tho the Suns aren't really a small market, but anyways) are always going to have a hard time getting the stars to come here

So I guess the answer to your question is, you either have to be prepared to overpay guys and take huge Luxury tax hits, but even that doesn't guarantee that the guys will go with you.

The other option is to draft really well and get a core together.

The parody in the NBA is really bad right now. All this stuff with the Celtics challenging the Cavs is comical. It will be Cavs/Warriors in the finals again this year, and probably again next year.

If the Suns can dump some salary, draft Josh Jackson and keep our young core togehter, I see us being a playoff team, but even then, can we beat Golden State? I doubt it.

 

[Mainstreet]

It's tough in the NBA. First, there aren't very many superstars anymore, and it's basically impossible to win without one.

The Suns have made attempts in the past few years to get one, although some attempts more half-hearted than others. But we (and other small market teams like the bucks, tho the Suns aren't really a small market, but anyways) are always going to have a hard time getting the stars to come here

So I guess the answer to your question is, you either have to be prepared to overpay guys and take huge Luxury tax hits, but even that doesn't guarantee that the guys will go with you.

The other option is to draft really well and get a core together.

The parody in the NBA is really bad right now. All this stuff with the Celtics challenging the Cavs is comical. It will be Cavs/Warriors in the finals again this year, and probably again next year.

If the Suns can dump some salary, draft Josh Jackson and keep our young core togehter, I see us being a playoff team, but even then, can we beat Golden State? I doubt it.

This is what the Suns are trying to do (bolded) and Booker is a solid piece. If the Suns should shift strategy they should be fine on the salary front. They have the money to sign a top free agent or star. As you say, attracting them is the hard part. The Suns hope to draft another talent the caliber of Booker in the upcoming draft. Josh Jackson is a good example.

If the Suns want a star (providing one becomes available) they will likely have to trade for one. It helps the Suns have young talent and all their draft picks plus the two Miami picks.

 

[Yuma]

Among active Players in the NBA right now, Devin Booker has scored the most points in one game. Carmello Anthony has 62 points in a game, and Lebron James has 61 points in a game.

I like how this has been going around Facebook. Also, we have seen Bledsoe make points by getting guys to foul him and getting to the line so much. Bledsoe has realized how to get to the upper level of scorers with his play. So far Booker has been having big games based on talent alone. When he gets to the upper level of manufacturing scoring by getting to the line a bunch, he is going to be so much more consistent night after night. You can see where Booker has the potential to be a top ten level scorer in this league.

 

[pokerface]

If the Suns can dump some salary, draft Josh Jackson and keep our young core togehter, I see us being a playoff team, but even then, can we beat Golden State? I doubt it.

I'm hopeful but not overly optimistic that by drafting Jackson and keeping the core together the suns could make the playoffs next season. It's entirely possible.

About GS.. we don't have to cross that bridge until we come to it.

 

[sunsfan88]

The most awesome part in it was watching the Boston crowd root for him. They did the "aweeeee" thing whenever he missed!

Even Booker said that it was amazing to have that.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Bob Ryan‏ @GlobeBobRyan
re Devin Booker. However "gimmicked" the 70 was, anything over 50 is damned impressive. Give the young man his due. The Suns have a Keeper.

This is stupid. He talks about giving the young man his due, but then talks about the 70 being "gimmicked" in the same tweet. How hypocritical.

Again. It was down to a 10 point lead with 1:05 to go. I know Celts fans say the outcome was never in doubt, but two defensive stops and it would have gotten very uncomfortable for them. The David Robinson and David Thompson games were more gimmicked.

 

[WildBB]

Suns were playing to exclusively set him up in the 2nd half. But Devin put himself in that position and put the team on his back. Congrats Devin on one of the great scoring games in history!