On Monday, October 16th the Phoenix Suns played their fourth preseason game and second against the Portland Trailblazers. The second game was very similar to the first as the Suns won going away, 117-106. Was there anything to take away from this match-up?
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Devin Booker’s Shooting Is Next Level
Last season in the playoffs, Devin Booker was amazing. He averaged 33.7 points per game, shot 58% from the floor and 50% from three. This was in 11 games during the post season. That could be just a hot stretch. It could of been the affect of playing alongside Kevin Durant and teams not having much time to scout that lineup. All of those things could be true but Booker’s shooting has carried over into this preseason.
Bucket.
15 points already for @DevinBook 🔥 pic.twitter.com/qjN5D5yLRj
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) October 17, 2023
Booker scored 19 points on 5/11 shooting from the floor and 4/6 from three. This followed his last game against Portland where he scored 18 points and shot 50% from three. In the Suns first preseason game, he scored 12 points and also shot 50% from three in that game.
The basketball world should not expect anyone to shoot 50% from three for an entire season but Booker has really made strides with his three point shot. This just expands his already endless offensive arsenal. Don’t be shocked if Devin Booker has a 50/40/90 season. This is when a player shoots 50% from the field, 40% from three, and 90% from the free throw line. That type of season will definitely put Booker in the Most Valuable Player conversation.
The Suns Won’t Give Away Games
This game was the definition of a trap game. The Suns just beat this same team a few days earlier with their full squad. Portland head coach Chauncey Billups decided to rest Deandre Ayton, Jerami Grant, and Malcolm Brogdon in this match-up. This is where a younger team may take it for granted and play down to their competition.
The Suns did not do that. They came out focused and took care of business. They were able to jump on the Blazers early and never let them into the game. That’s what you want to see from a team with championship aspirations.
Grayson Allen Is Much More Than Just A Shooter
Grayson Allen has been playing very well this preseason. He is shooting the ball well from deep at 42%, which is expected but he is also driving the ball the rim with authority.
Grayson Allen got the starting nod over Josh Okogie for the #Suns tonight and has been balling early. Five early points
pic.twitter.com/ujQMJP9LBV— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) October 17, 2023
Allen has always had this ability. At Suns media day he talked about how growing up he pattern his game after Dwyane Wade and you can see that in his high school and college highlights. In the NBA he has become more of “3 and D” guy but maybe he has found that young Allen who can also drive to the hoop.
The driving lanes will be more open with the Suns than they were with the Milwaukee Bucks where Allen played the last two years. The Bucks’ best player is Giannis Antetokounmpo who is not a shooter. So teams of course play to stop him for getting to the hoop which could also make it harder for others to drive in.
Allen will now be playing along side three of the best shooters in the NBA, in Booker, Kevin Durant, and Bradley Beal. So don’t be surprised if we see lots of highlights of Allen driving to the rim for nice lay-ups and filthy dunks.
