Phoenix Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough certainly has a resolute belief in the talent and potential of his cornerstone star, Devin Booker. So much so that the 37-year-old GM has identified none other than reigning league MVP James Harden as Booker's prototype player.
Addressing the press during the Suns Media Day, McDonough stated his belief that Booker shares a lot of qualities with the Houston Rockets superstar.
“I think, yeah, in terms of the efficiency that Harden plays with,” McDonough told Evan Sidery of Bright Side of the Sun. “How he scores so efficiently from the three-point line, at the rim and the free throw line. That should be the prototype for Devin offensively, in terms of offensive efficiency.”
McDonough went on to describe the parallelisms between Harden and Booker.
“Yeah, that’s the guy. If you look at an offensive guard with similar size, I think at the same stage of their career, I think Devin is a little bit better of a shooter, spot-up shooter.” McDonough said. “Harden is very physically imposing. Devin’s gotten stronger, he’s only 21 years old, but if you look at Harden up-close he’s strong and physical and I think that helps getting to the basket drawing fouls. That’s a guy we certainly look at.”
Finally, the GM admitted that Booker studies some of the outstanding players in the association in an attempt to replicate their strong suits.
“Devin watches as much film and NBA basketball as anybody and tries to steal things, especially from the elite guards around the league,” McDonough said. “I think you’ll see some of that in the way Devin plays and develops, especially as he matures.”
While there is no question that Booker is one of the brightest young prospects in the league today, he still has a long way to go before achieving what Harden has in his career. Nonetheless, having this much backing from his GM should definitely work in his favor.
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