NBA Star Devin Booker's Journey to Becoming an Elite Shooting Guard
I still remember the first time I watched Devin Booker drop 70 points against the Celtics back in 2017. At that moment, sitting in my living room with cold pizza forgotten on the coffee table, I knew I was witnessing something special unfold. Many called it empty stats on a losing team, but what I saw was the raw material of greatness—a young player who refused to be intimidated even when his team was down by double digits. Fast forward to today, and Booker has transformed into what I consider the most complete shooting guard in the game, a journey that fascinates me both as a basketball enthusiast and someone who studies player development patterns.
Booker’s evolution didn’t happen overnight. When he entered the league as the 13th pick in 2015, he was primarily seen as a catch-and-shoot specialist from Kentucky. I’ve followed his career closely since those early Phoenix days, watching him grind through countless losing seasons where his individual brilliance often felt wasted. The statistics tell part of the story—his scoring average jumped from 13.8 points his rookie year to 22.1 by his third season—but numbers can’t capture the subtle improvements in his footwork, playmaking, and defensive positioning that I observed game after game. What impressed me most was his unwavering work ethic during those tough years, the kind of dedication that separates good players from eventual stars.
The real turning point came when Chris Paul arrived in Phoenix before the 2020-21 season. Suddenly, Booker wasn’t forced to create every single possession, and his efficiency skyrocketed. I remember analyzing his shooting percentages that season—he jumped to 48.4% from the field and 34% from three—but beyond the stats, his decision-making matured dramatically. He began reading defenses like a veteran, knowing when to attack, when to facilitate, and crucially, when to take over games in clutch moments. His performance throughout the 2021 playoffs, especially his 40-point triple-double to close out the Clippers, convinced me he had reached elite status.
This brings me to what I find most compelling about Booker’s development—his ability to perform when it matters most. I’ve always believed that great shooters can get hot, but truly elite shooting guards deliver consistently in high-pressure situations. Booker’s mid-range game has become virtually unguardable, reminiscent of Kobe Bryant’s footwork and efficiency from those areas. In fact, last season he shot 52% on mid-range attempts, an absurd number in today’s three-point heavy NBA. His dedication to mastering difficult shots reminds me of the old-school guards I grew up watching, and it’s what makes him so effective in playoff basketball where defenses tighten and easy baskets disappear.
The reference to championship-deciding Game 3 scenarios between league titans makes me reflect on Booker’s readiness for such moments. We’ve seen him in crucial games before—the entire 2021 Finals run, his 47-point explosion in Game 6 against Denver last year—but the question remains whether he can deliver that legendary Game 3 performance when everything is on the line. Personally, I believe he’s built for those moments. His 34-point first half against the Pelicans in Game 6 of the 2022 first round showcased his ability to single-handedly take over elimination games, a quality that separates All-Stars from superstars.
What often gets overlooked in Booker’s NBA star Devin Booker’s journey to becoming an elite shooting guard is his defensive improvement. Early in his career, critics rightly pointed to his defensive limitations, but I’ve watched him transform into a competent, sometimes disruptive defender. His steals have increased from 0.6 per game in his rookie season to 1.2 last year, but more importantly, his positioning and effort have improved dramatically. He’ll never make an All-Defensive team, but he’s eliminated the defensive liability that once made him a target for opposing offenses.
I’ve spoken with several NBA scouts and analysts about Booker’s development, and the consensus is that his mental approach sets him apart. One Western Conference scout told me, “Booker plays with a chip on his shoulder that you can’t teach. He believes he’s the best player on the court every night, and that confidence becomes contagious in big moments.” This mentality reminds me of Michael Jordan’s famous competitive fire, though I’m not comparing their overall greatness. That unshakable self-belief is what allows Booker to take and make difficult shots with the game hanging in the balance.
Looking at the current landscape of shooting guards in the NBA, I’d argue Booker sits comfortably in the top tier alongside players like Donovan Mitchell and Jaylen Brown. What gives Booker the edge in my evaluation is his more complete offensive arsenal and proven playoff performance. While Mitchell is a spectacular scorer, Booker’s playmaking vision—he averaged 6.8 assists last season—and efficiency in the mid-range make him more versatile in half-court settings. Having watched countless games of all these players, Booker’s game feels more refined, more purposeful in critical moments.
As the Suns continue to build around Booker, the ultimate test will be whether he can lead them to a championship. The reference to championship-deciding Game 3 situations between titans hangs over his legacy—can he be the guy who delivers when two heavyweights clash for the title? Based on what I’ve observed throughout his career progression, his work ethic, and his performances in elimination games, I believe he has that legendary Game 3 performance in him. The basketball world witnessed glimpses during the 2021 Finals, and at just 27 years old, his best chapters may still be unwritten. Booker’s journey from a 13th pick to franchise cornerstone exemplifies the growth mindset that defines basketball greatness, and I’m excited to watch the next phase of his career unfold.