In the fourth quarter of last night’s win over the Sacramento Kings, Devin Booker moved his name one spot away from the most points scored in franchise history.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Booker surpassed Alvan Adams for second place all-time in points scored in Suns’ history. After finishing with 25 last night, Booker now has 13,918 career points. Adams, who played for the Suns from 1975-1988, had 13,910 career points.
“Hard to put into words, especially passing Alvan,” Booker said. “(He’s) somebody that I have a high respect for, somebody that’s been around this organization, not just as a player, but as a facility manager, always being hands on. His presence is there and been there from the beginning, so big shout out to Alvan.”
Last night, Devin Booker passed Alvan Adams to become the No. 2 all-time leading scorer in #Suns’ franchise history (did so in 414 less games). Booker needs 1,749 more points to reach the No. 1 spot. pic.twitter.com/SaLPNJNDMr
— Burn City Suns Talk 🎙️ (@BurnCitySuns) February 14, 2024
Only the late, great Walter Davis has more points than Booker in franchise history, as Davis reached 15,666 career points with the Suns.
Adams has by far played the most games in Suns’ history at 988. Davis is next at 766, while Booker has played the ninth most at 574 total.
“It was just a matter of time,” Suns’ coach Frank Vogel said. “I mean, (Booker)’s the best scorer this team has ever seen. It’s just a matter of time before he’s the all-time leader. He’s got a unique knack, and this city, this franchise is very lucky to have him and be able to watch him 41 times a night in this building plus the playoffs. Very lucky.”
Booker has become a big reason for attracting players such as Kevin Durant to Phoenix. Durant shared a similar sentiment to Vogel.
“Just a savant of the game,” Durant said of Booker. “The work he puts in, shows up on game nights every night, and he inspires a whole generation of players. As he gets these milestones, it’s actually what I expect him to do at this point, and he deserves to be the No. 1 all-time leading scorer in Suns’ history with the work he’s put in, so I can’t wait for that day … He hit the ground running as a rookie, and he hasn’t looked back since. And it’s meant so much to the people here in Phoenix, in the state of Arizona. So congrats to him, but I know he wants number one.”
When did Durant realize just how good Booker was?
“I think his first year when he would come in and have little spurts off the bench,” Durant said. “I think we played him earlier in the season, his rookie year. I just remember him having little spurts, leave him open, he hit a 3, or he’d drive to the rim for a layup. You could just see the big glimpses. And then they start playing him more, and he became like, even though he wasn’t an all-star, it felt like he was playing like one. So I want to say probably second year is when I was like, ‘Oh, he’s gonna be around for a while.'”
Booker reflected on his journey until this point of when he realized he could put the numbers up that he is now.
“I’ve always been a confident person, but self doubt has drove me and driven me to the level I am right now,” Booker said. “I remember when I got to Kentucky, I was like, ‘Man, these dudes are good, these dudes are good.’ But then you get on the floor, and, man, that’s just when it becomes my comfort space and something I’m comfortable with. Same thing with the league, a lot of guys I respect here that are super talented. I just want to come in and perform against the best.”
Booker also moved up to third all-time in field goals made during the win, passing Shawn Marion who had 4,879. Davis is first in this category with 6,497 and Adams is second with 5,709 makes.
Continuing to rise in the history books!
Congrats, Book, on moving to third all-time in franchise history in field goals made 👏 pic.twitter.com/XTMBWN1Cuq
— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) February 14, 2024
As he racks up the achievements, Booker wants to make sure it’s known he has a lot of respect for the players that came before him.
“There’s usually a divide between the older generation and the new,” Booker said. “(But) these guys took me in with open arms and showed me love from the beginning, so I can’t thank them enough for that, and that’s part of the reason I call Phoenix home.”
Booker is averaging 28 points per game this season. If he keeps up this pace, he will be the all-time leading scorer in Suns’ history in 63 games.
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Brendan Mau is a senior writer covering the Phoenix Suns and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on X via @Brendan_Mau
