PHOENIX – The biggest controversy surround the NBA in recent weeks has been Miami Heat Bam Adebayo scoring 83 points through countless shenanigans. Many NBA fans weren’t happy, seeing it disrespectful to the game, while other compared it to previous high-scoring games like Phoenix Suns Devin Booker’s 70 vs. the Boston Celtics in 2017.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Former Suns guard and two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas spoke on his podcast “Point Game” about Booker’s 70 and comparing it to Adebayo’s performance because of the hijinks the two players took to get to that mark.
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Isaiah Thomas (3) reacts after making a shot against the Utah Jazz at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Thomas on the similarities between Booker and Adebayo:
Thomas made it clear that he respected going for history and had no problem with it. However, at the time, the 37-year-old was quite honest of being heated at the time. The game turns nine years old today, but already feels like a distant relic with how Booker had grown as a player. The 29-year-old has become a five-time All-Star and two-time All-NBA, but back then he was just a 20-year-old chasing history.
Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) gets fouled by Boston Celtics forward Amir Johnson (90) during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Unlike many high scoring individual games, Booker didn’t get off to a crazy hot start. Adebayo dropped 31 in the first quarter, while the Suns guard only dropped 10. While Adebayo was flirting with 50 at halftime, he hadn’t even crossed the 20-point mark. It took a 51-point half of absolute basketball lunacy to reach that mark.
Mar 24, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) controls the ball while Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) defends during the second half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Twenty-one second half free throws and 14-of-26 shooting from the field, with only three 3-pointer made. Booker scored 28 of the team’s final 31 points, with many similar traits to Adebayo’s game, intentional fouls and plenty of free throws. Does the way Booker or Adebayo got to 70 really matter? No, and Thomas made it clear to point that out.
Booker holds many Suns record, most notably being the all-time points leader in franchise history. He will likely hold the single-game point record for a long time, and as the decades past of his record unbroken, no one will remember how he got there.
Suns vs. Nuggets (3/24) injury report, odds and West Playoff update
Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HERE to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Tanner Tortorella covers general assignment for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @TannerTSports
