Devin Booker's health was a major concern for the Phoenix Suns heading into their season opener against the Dallas Mavericks. The blossoming star had surgery on his shooting hand over the some and there was concern that he would not be healthy enough to play the first few games of the season.
But Booker is playing Wednesday and has full confidence that he's ready to go full speed. He told Gina Mizell of The Athletic:
“I’ve taken plenty of hits in practice now, and now I trust it and believe that it’s ready to go for full contact (in a game). That’s what I’ve been doing the past week.”
This is excellent news for the Suns. The backcourt situation is less than ideal. The team still doesn't have a solid answer at point guard, so Booker will probably have to handle the ball more than he is used to. Elie Okobo, De'Anthony Melton, and Isaiah Canaan will all see time at the point, but they could be overmatched at times.
The Suns recently brought in veteran Jamal Crawford to help solidify the backcourt. He's not a point guard, but he's capable of handling the ball, and perhaps he and Booker can form a formidable backcourt duo when head coach Igor Kokoskov wants Booker handling the ball.
So long as Booker remains healthy, he's key to Phoenix's success. The team is entering the season with instability in the front office and the backcourt. Booker's return will help mitigate some of the backcourt issues.
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