I talked to
@DevinBook
about returning to his long-lost love of competitive Call of Duty, doing so with thousands watching on
@Nadeshot
's stream (who he was a fan of growing up), repping
@100Thieves
and his streaming debut coming soon:
Kevin Durant called Devin Booker a "savant" and said that Booker handles himself like a 35-year-old vet. Said Booker's performance last night showed he's an all-around player who is only getting better.
If Devin Booker doesn't make this banked-in 3, a Rockets win on Tuesday would have eliminated the Suns from the play-in tournament.
Pelicans would have been +33 for the wild card spot, besting the Suns' +31.
But Booker's 3 put Phoenix at +34 and now they should advance. Unreal
Chris Paul: "If I was a betting man, 11 games in a row."
That's now 11 straight playoff games he's lost with Scott Foster refereeing.
"11 in a row is tough" as he leaves the Zoom.
Monty Williams said the Suns decided to give the game ball to Jay Gaspar, the Suns' head equipment manager that has been in the organization for 34 years.
Devin Booker on the Suns postgame show: "It's tough, man. That was the spirit of our team, having those Twins. The only good part of it is that they're still together and they have each other to lean on. They'll be very well missed here in the Valley as everybody knows."
Devin Booker said he’s been through a lot of bullshit and put his head down and worked through it. Said Phoenix is his city and the love has always been there.
Deandre Ayton said he walked over to Devin Booker's locker and told him that this is the beginning and their expectations will be nothing less than playing for a title. Said they will hold each other accountable for the rest of their careers and now know what it takes.
League announces the Suns' first game back from the All-Star break against the Thunder will now start at 8p local time and has been moved to ESPN.
Hmmmm. Curious. Very curious.
The Mercury announce that Suns PG Chris Paul has purchased 500 tickets to Sunday's Game 3 of the WNBA semifinals that fans can pick up on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 10:30a at Desert Financial Arena, the location of the game against the Aces.
Devin Booker said Rajon Rondo was trying to say that Ayton's lob finish wasn't a basket that was going to count, but Booker of course saw Tyson Chandler make that exact play 4 years ago.
"I've seen this movie before."
This is dope. Devin Booker got to check off another bucket list item with the 2K cover by putting on the mocap suit to have his signature moves tracked for the game. Another surreal layer to the experience, I’m sure.
(Via )
Mikal Bridges called Cam Johnson shortly after the trade broke and they got together in the hotel. Said it was a "last supper" vibe with some of his former teammates.
They knew a KD deal meant both moving so they would say to each other, "At least we got us" if it ever happened.
The Pacers have brought out a dinosaur, presumably to defend The Raptor’s honor against Devin Booker. We will be monitoring this developing situation closely.
Devin Booker spoke with Vanessa Bryant before the salute to the Kobe Bryant mural in the NBA 75 commercial. She 100% signed off on it and that made Book feel even better about it.
Just looked it up and, yes, CP would have had it without a few heaves. He had five misses from beyond halfcourt, so it would have been a 50.2 FG% and 40.3 3P% without those.
Torrey Craig said that once the news came down he was traded he got a group facetime call from Chris Paul, Devin Booker and Jae Crowder. As you can imagine, they were excited to have him back.
Devin Booker was asked about looking up to guys coming into the league and how young players now look up to him.
Chris Paul wasn't having it.
"You still young, man! He's still young! He's still young! I'm outta here on that one! He just as young as the ones looking up to him!"
Monty Williams brought assistant coach Randy Ayers with him to his postgame press conference. Ayers has been on Monty’s staff since day one in New Orleans. Ayers had a deep conversation with Monty pregame on all they’ve been through and Monty broke down crying.
Deandre Ayton said the first "Happy Father's Day" text he received was from Chris Paul. At first, when he saw it at 7 in the morning, he wasn't sure if it was for him before he remembered this is his first one as a dad.
I asked Mikal Bridges about the negativity from the fanbase: “I mean, shit, I’d be pissed too. I was pissed. That’s how it is. If you really care about a team and have high expectations, you’re supposed to be frustrated. Especially after that type of L.”
Deandre Ayton said he is really disappointed that he and the Suns have not been able to agree to a deal yet on a new contract extension. He loves Phoenix. Said they were 2 wins away from a title and wants to be respected like his peers in his draft class.
Cam Johnson is a saint. Approaching an hour and I’m guessing over 500 customers at this point. He has handed lemonade and cookies (and taken pictures and signed autographs while being very nice) for each of them and is still going.
I asked Devin Booker about the offensive player Mikal Bridges has become.
Book said Mikal stole one of his midrange moves. I asked if that means we should make it a midrange trio and include Bridges with him and CP3.
"Yeah. We'll talk next year."
(The look on Mikal's face)
Monty Williams shouted out the Suns fans for showing a great deal of respect while cheering on the team. Noted what's been going on around the league lately and it's important for opposing teams to know they can come here and be safe.
Former President Barack Obama is speaking tonight in Phoenix and opened on the rumors of him being a part of a group interested in buying the Suns.
“I didn’t know I was in the market and by the way neither did Michelle. But I will say this: The Suns are looking pretty good.”
The incorrect calls in the L2M report:
-- Keon Johnson should have been called for defensive 3 seconds on Suns' last possession
-- Mikal Bridges did not travel on his travel call
-- Jerami Grant did travel on his buzzer beater