Devin Booker is often compared to Kobe Bryant because of their close relationship and the mentality that is shown by Booker on the court. That is a good comparison but there is a player that Booker is even more reminiscent of. A player who played against Bryant in the late 2000’s. Booker’s game is very similar to former Portland Trailblazer, Brandon Roy.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Roy and Booker are very similar in stature. Roy was listed at 6’6″, 215 pounds and Booker is listed 6’5″, 206 pounds. Each player is very athletic with the sneaky ability to dunk on defenders. They are both gifted mid-range shooters with the capability of also shooting threes.
What made Brandon Roy so good?
The former Washington Huskie was a nightmare for opposing defenses.
This video does a great job of showing how Roy always played at his own pace. Roy was an underrated play-maker who was always in a good position to pass or shoot because of his controlled pace. Brandon Roy was also very efficient, shooting 46% from the field and 35% from three for his career. During his best seasons, Roy shot over 47% from the floor and 37% from three.
How are Booker and Roy similar?
This video breaks down Booker’s play in “The Bubble” during the 2020 season.
The similarities between the two players are evident in these videos. Booker plays at a slow pace like Roy when working in the pick and roll which puts him in the best position to score or pass. Booker and Roy also have very similar jump shots. There stats from their best seasons are close as well.
Brandon Roy in the 2008-09 season averaged 22.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. He shot 48% from the field and 37% from three that season. That was Roy’s third season in the NBA.
In the 2020-21 season, Booker averaged 25.6 points, 4.3 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game. He shot 48% from the floor and 34% from three.
Booker is now entering his prime and if he stays healthy will continue to get better. The NBA world did not get to see the best of Brandon Roy as his career was cut short due to knee issues. Devin Booker will show the world what Brandon Roy could have been.
