It doesn’t get any easier, but Booker is trying to keep perspective. “I’ve been through worse than this,” Devin Booker told Bleacher Report. “Remember those first five years for me? I’ve seen this before. I trust everybody in here. We have the talent to turn it around. I’m not too discouraged, but there’s a pep in our step now. We know we have some work to clean up. It’s better to go through this now than the end of the season.” “The night of [a loss] is always frustrating,” Booker told B/R. “But it always feels better when we all get back together and get in the gym and start cleaning things up. Looking at the history of who we have around here. The likes of Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal and a championship coach in Coach Vogel, I trust everybody in here.”
Source: Chris Haynes @ Bleacher Report
Source: Chris Haynes @ Bleacher Report
What’s the buzz on Twitter?
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
From Friday night:
Kevin Durant draws technical foul after celebrating Udoka Azubuike’s dunk; Devin Booker, Frank Vogel later receive techs all in 1st half of Phoenix Suns loss at Sacramento Kings (w/video) #Suns #Kings azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/hFWrYIawy4 – 9:08 AM
From Friday night:
Kevin Durant draws technical foul after celebrating Udoka Azubuike’s dunk; Devin Booker, Frank Vogel later receive techs all in 1st half of Phoenix Suns loss at Sacramento Kings (w/video) #Suns #Kings azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral pic.twitter.com/hFWrYIawy4 – 9:08 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“I asked Mike Brown during the game. He was trying to give me a compliment and I was like, get the fuck out of here. Stop all that doubling and tripling.”
Kevin Durant on blitzing him and Devin Booker, especially when just 1 out there.
“It’s only going to make us better.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/h21BkCvmDc – 4:11 AM
“I asked Mike Brown during the game. He was trying to give me a compliment and I was like, get the fuck out of here. Stop all that doubling and tripling.”
Kevin Durant on blitzing him and Devin Booker, especially when just 1 out there.
“It’s only going to make us better.” #Suns pic.twitter.com/h21BkCvmDc – 4:11 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“He’s just a force.”
Devin Booker on Domantas Sabonis after his triple double of 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in #Kings win over #Suns. pic.twitter.com/qg5mbpfl3U – 3:24 AM
“He’s just a force.”
Devin Booker on Domantas Sabonis after his triple double of 28 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds in #Kings win over #Suns. pic.twitter.com/qg5mbpfl3U – 3:24 AM
Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Kings 120, Suns 105: Updated story for @sacbee_news
– Mike Brown says De’Aaron Fox is “just getting started” when it comes to breaking records
– Devin Booker calls Domantas Sabonis a “force”
– Kevin Durant has high praise for Keegan Murray
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 3:21 AM
Kings 120, Suns 105: Updated story for @sacbee_news
– Mike Brown says De’Aaron Fox is “just getting started” when it comes to breaking records
– Devin Booker calls Domantas Sabonis a “force”
– Kevin Durant has high praise for Keegan Murray
sacbee.com/sports/nba/sac… – 3:21 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“We just got to do it. That’s what it comes down to. Still not discouraged.”
Devin Booker as he also addressed #Suns fans frustration.
“Just how everyone is emotional, we’re emotional out here. You sit with it for a day, enjoy the holidays with your family and we’ll be back.” pic.twitter.com/xTkJ2Huwwy – 3:21 AM
“We just got to do it. That’s what it comes down to. Still not discouraged.”
Devin Booker as he also addressed #Suns fans frustration.
“Just how everyone is emotional, we’re emotional out here. You sit with it for a day, enjoy the holidays with your family and we’ll be back.” pic.twitter.com/xTkJ2Huwwy – 3:21 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“A lot of transition offensively and defensively. I don’t think we have the right spacing when we’re running our offense in transition and defense, just getting back intelligently, not just getting back.”
Devin Booker on 3rd quarter as Kings led by as many as 29 in win vs. #Suns pic.twitter.com/OQOr9xvlIB – 3:09 AM
“A lot of transition offensively and defensively. I don’t think we have the right spacing when we’re running our offense in transition and defense, just getting back intelligently, not just getting back.”
Devin Booker on 3rd quarter as Kings led by as many as 29 in win vs. #Suns pic.twitter.com/OQOr9xvlIB – 3:09 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
“Don’t try to control the game. Udoka has been waiting all season to play and you shouldn’t penalize the team for being excited for their teammate just as they celebrated when Malik (Monk) dunked it.” Devin Booker.
Got tech after Kevin Durant got one following Azubuike jam #Suns pic.twitter.com/xArfrSnE8w – 3:01 AM
“Don’t try to control the game. Udoka has been waiting all season to play and you shouldn’t penalize the team for being excited for their teammate just as they celebrated when Malik (Monk) dunked it.” Devin Booker.
Got tech after Kevin Durant got one following Azubuike jam #Suns pic.twitter.com/xArfrSnE8w – 3:01 AM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Have player interviews from Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Udoka Azubuike incoming. #Suns – 2:21 AM
Have player interviews from Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Udoka Azubuike incoming. #Suns – 2:21 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Final: SAC 120, PHX 105
Durant: 28 Pts, 7 Reb, 9-14 FG
Booker: 24 Pts, 7 Ast, 9-20 FG
Azubuike: 11 Pts, 11 Reb, 5-5 FG
Sabonis: 28-11-11, 12-15 FG
Suns have lost 8 of their last 11 games – 12:28 AM
Final: SAC 120, PHX 105
Durant: 28 Pts, 7 Reb, 9-14 FG
Booker: 24 Pts, 7 Ast, 9-20 FG
Azubuike: 11 Pts, 11 Reb, 5-5 FG
Sabonis: 28-11-11, 12-15 FG
Suns have lost 8 of their last 11 games – 12:28 AM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 3Q: SAC 103, PHX 84
Durant: 26 Pts, 7 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 18 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-13 FG
Azubuike: 11 Pts, 9 Reb, 5-5 FG
Fox: 23-7-5, 9-15 FG – 12:00 AM
End of 3Q: SAC 103, PHX 84
Durant: 26 Pts, 7 Reb, 8-12 FG
Booker: 18 Pts, 6 Ast, 6-13 FG
Azubuike: 11 Pts, 9 Reb, 5-5 FG
Fox: 23-7-5, 9-15 FG – 12:00 AM
Kendrick Perkins @KendrickPerkins
KD, Book and the Suns are really tappin out on Vogel like this?!! I know they haven’t had their Big 3 this season… but this type of basketball they’re playing makes my damn skin crawl. Carry the hell on… – 11:54 PM
KD, Book and the Suns are really tappin out on Vogel like this?!! I know they haven’t had their Big 3 this season… but this type of basketball they’re playing makes my damn skin crawl. Carry the hell on… – 11:54 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant draws tech after celebrating dunk from bench; Booker, Vogel later draw techs #Suns #Kings azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:50 PM
Durant draws tech after celebrating dunk from bench; Booker, Vogel later draw techs #Suns #Kings azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 11:50 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
On that last transition situation, Booker shaded inside looking at the ball handler and left Murray.
That’s a no-no.
Must stay attached to him.
Murray 3.
Then he hits stepback over Gordon. Has 17 points with 13 coming in the third (3-of-3 on 3s).
#Suns down 96-68.
Wow. – 11:48 PM
On that last transition situation, Booker shaded inside looking at the ball handler and left Murray.
That’s a no-no.
Must stay attached to him.
Murray 3.
Then he hits stepback over Gordon. Has 17 points with 13 coming in the third (3-of-3 on 3s).
#Suns down 96-68.
Wow. – 11:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker scores, but again, Suns don’t get back and Huerter gets transition layup off make.
Vogel talked about the importance of getting back.
Kings have 13 fast break points. Suns have 5.
#Suns down 85-60 with 8:09 left in 3rd. – 11:42 PM
Booker scores, but again, Suns don’t get back and Huerter gets transition layup off make.
Vogel talked about the importance of getting back.
Kings have 13 fast break points. Suns have 5.
#Suns down 85-60 with 8:09 left in 3rd. – 11:42 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns come out of timeout, Allen passes up a 3 to drive and finds Eubanks, who loses ball out of bounds.
Booker scores in transition to finally get #Suns on board in 2nd half. Sabonis answer.
Down 23 as Barnes runs Durant off Sabonis, hits 3. – 11:39 PM
#Suns come out of timeout, Allen passes up a 3 to drive and finds Eubanks, who loses ball out of bounds.
Booker scores in transition to finally get #Suns on board in 2nd half. Sabonis answer.
Down 23 as Barnes runs Durant off Sabonis, hits 3. – 11:39 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Halftime: SAC 65, PHX 54
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 6 Ast, 3-8 FG
Allen: 8 Pts, 2-4 3P
Fox: 19 Pts, 7-10 FG
Only on pace for 76 FT attempts now – 11:19 PM
Halftime: SAC 65, PHX 54
Durant: 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 3-4 FG
Booker: 10 Pts, 6 Ast, 3-8 FG
Allen: 8 Pts, 2-4 3P
Fox: 19 Pts, 7-10 FG
Only on pace for 76 FT attempts now – 11:19 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Vogel tech as he took offense to Kevin Durant being called for over and back being guarded by Huerter.
Durant upset, but he has a tech already as does Booker.
#Suns down 65-54 at the half. – 11:17 PM
Vogel tech as he took offense to Kevin Durant being called for over and back being guarded by Huerter.
Durant upset, but he has a tech already as does Booker.
#Suns down 65-54 at the half. – 11:17 PM
Sean Cunningham @SeanCunningham
Angry Suns as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker pick up dual technicals here in the second quarter – 11:05 PM
Angry Suns as Kevin Durant and Devin Booker pick up dual technicals here in the second quarter – 11:05 PM
James Ham @James_HamNBA
Durant came onto the court cheering on Azubuike after a dunk and was called for a T. Booker wouldn’t let it go and picked up one of his own. – 11:02 PM
Durant came onto the court cheering on Azubuike after a dunk and was called for a T. Booker wouldn’t let it go and picked up one of his own. – 11:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Azubuike with the dunk.
Durant came off the bench onto the court to celebrate the play and Durant was called for a technical foul.
Wow. #Suns down 47-40.
Devin Booker then gets called for a tech talking to the officials.
Wow. Timeout Phoenix. 6:45 left in half. – 11:02 PM
Azubuike with the dunk.
Durant came off the bench onto the court to celebrate the play and Durant was called for a technical foul.
Wow. #Suns down 47-40.
Devin Booker then gets called for a tech talking to the officials.
Wow. Timeout Phoenix. 6:45 left in half. – 11:02 PM
Jason Anderson @JandersonSacBee
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both got hit with technical fouls. – 11:02 PM
Kevin Durant and Devin Booker both got hit with technical fouls. – 11:02 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker attacked the paint, dropped it off to Eubanks, who then dribbled left into the paint, but away from the basket.
That has to be a rim attack. #Suns #Kings. – 10:59 PM
Booker attacked the paint, dropped it off to Eubanks, who then dribbled left into the paint, but away from the basket.
That has to be a rim attack. #Suns #Kings. – 10:59 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Oooh. Vezenkov came high there with the elbow as Booker went down.
Got up, but still.
Metu finishes with two hands over McGee.
#Suns down 10 and have just . – 10:53 PM
Oooh. Vezenkov came high there with the elbow as Booker went down.
Got up, but still.
Metu finishes with two hands over McGee.
#Suns down 10 and have just . – 10:53 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
End of 1Q: SAC 35, PHX 30
Durant: 9 Pts, 7-7 FT
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 2-5 FG
Azubuike: 5 Pts, 1 Blk, 2-2 FG
Fox: 12 Pts, 4-6 FG
Currently on pace for 100 combined FT attempts – 10:48 PM
End of 1Q: SAC 35, PHX 30
Durant: 9 Pts, 7-7 FT
Booker: 6 Pts, 4 Ast, 2-5 FG
Azubuike: 5 Pts, 1 Blk, 2-2 FG
Fox: 12 Pts, 4-6 FG
Currently on pace for 100 combined FT attempts – 10:48 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Durant wants Suns to get into offense quicker.
Didn’t happen that trip, but Booker found Azubuike for dunk.
Then Booket missed open transition layup.
#Suns down eight with 3:10 left in 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/LjfgvicnAr – 10:40 PM
Durant wants Suns to get into offense quicker.
Didn’t happen that trip, but Booker found Azubuike for dunk.
Then Booket missed open transition layup.
#Suns down eight with 3:10 left in 1st quarter. pic.twitter.com/LjfgvicnAr – 10:40 PM
Gerald Bourguet @GeraldBourguet
Really nice pair of assists from Devin Booker to start this one. Finds Drew Eubanks for an alley-oop and then zips one over to Grayson Allen for the corner 3 – 10:13 PM
Really nice pair of assists from Devin Booker to start this one. Finds Drew Eubanks for an alley-oop and then zips one over to Grayson Allen for the corner 3 – 10:13 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker to Allen for corner 3 with Eubanks rolling to rim.
That was because of the first play with Booker to Eubanks lob finish.
Sabonis answers with 3-point play. #Suns down two. – 10:12 PM
Booker to Allen for corner 3 with Eubanks rolling to rim.
That was because of the first play with Booker to Eubanks lob finish.
Sabonis answers with 3-point play. #Suns down two. – 10:12 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Booker pick-and-roll lob to Eubanks for two-handed flush right out the box.
Sabonis flush answer.
2-2 #Suns #Kings – 10:10 PM
Booker pick-and-roll lob to Eubanks for two-handed flush right out the box.
Sabonis flush answer.
2-2 #Suns #Kings – 10:10 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
#Suns starting lineup at #Kings:
Devin Booker
Grayson Allen
Eric Gordon
Kevin Durant
Drew Eubanks
14th different starting lineup for Phoenix as Jusuf Nurkic is out due to personal reasons.
He had started every game. – 9:48 PM
#Suns starting lineup at #Kings:
Devin Booker
Grayson Allen
Eric Gordon
Kevin Durant
Drew Eubanks
14th different starting lineup for Phoenix as Jusuf Nurkic is out due to personal reasons.
He had started every game. – 9:48 PM
Sirius XM NBA @SiriusXMNBA
What is the better bet for tonight?
👑Kings win, Fox over 30.5pts
Suns win, Booker over 28.5pts
Listen to the @RotoWireNBA show tonight at 7pm ET with @wha1en and @BaruthaAlex for more on tonight’s games!
Listen LIVE: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.twitter.com/OyrLcMJS8V – 5:30 PM
What is the better bet for tonight?
👑Kings win, Fox over 30.5pts
Suns win, Booker over 28.5pts
Listen to the @RotoWireNBA show tonight at 7pm ET with @wha1en and @BaruthaAlex for more on tonight’s games!
Listen LIVE: sxm.app.link/nbaradiolive pic.twitter.com/OyrLcMJS8V – 5:30 PM
Mike Prada @MikePradaNBA
Need a last minute gift for your favorite hoops fan? How about a book that explains exactly why there’s so much scoring in the NBA now – and how we got to this point. amazon.com/Spaced-Out-Thr… – 3:14 PM
Need a last minute gift for your favorite hoops fan? How about a book that explains exactly why there’s so much scoring in the NBA now – and how we got to this point. amazon.com/Spaced-Out-Thr… – 3:14 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
Devin Booker getting up shots after morning shootaround. #Suns pic.twitter.com/KUrSf1vfPQ – 2:29 PM
Devin Booker getting up shots after morning shootaround. #Suns pic.twitter.com/KUrSf1vfPQ – 2:29 PM
Duane Rankin @DuaneRankin
From Thursday:
‘Don’t be scared to hold each other accountable’: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns look to regroup at Sacramento as they’re 3-7 in last 10 games and coming off a disappointing loss at Portland (w/Talking Suns and #NBA video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 12:50 PM
From Thursday:
‘Don’t be scared to hold each other accountable’: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns look to regroup at Sacramento as they’re 3-7 in last 10 games and coming off a disappointing loss at Portland (w/Talking Suns and #NBA video) #Suns azcentral.com/story/sports/n… via @azcentral – 12:50 PM
More on this storyline
A combination of limited availability and figuring out how to utilize the talents available has contributed to the Suns’ abysmal start. “I think we still have to find ways to figure it out,” Booker told B/R. “I think that’s how you tell if you’re a good team or not. It’s when guys are out and guys are down and you still find a way to get it done or at least be more competitive than we are right now.” -via Bleacher Report / December 23, 2023
Duane Rankin: ‘He’s been a great leader.” Frank Vogel on Devin Booker’s “don’t be afraid to hold each other accountable” comments. “Everybody has to push each other. We want them challenging the coaching staff and we want the coaching staff challenging them. We want to get this right.” #Suns -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / December 22, 2023
Duane Rankin: “Don’t be scared to hold each other accountable.” Devin Booker. #Suns -via Twitter @DuaneRankin / December 21, 2023