Booker: Suns at ‘whole other level’
Devin Booker described last week’s blockbuster trade the “definition of bittersweet.”
On the one end, Booker lost Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson, two Suns teammates he envisioned playing with until his playing days were over in Phoenix.
“Those two guys are big part of building this organization to what it is today,” Booker said. “I can truly say I love them.”
Then Booker turns the page and sees superstar Kevin Durant is his new teammate.
“I can’t wait to be out there with him,” Booker said.
The two 2020 Olympic gold teammates have already talked.
“He’s excited,” Booker said. Booker answered a series of questions about the trade and more from The Arizona Republic’s Duane Rankin after last week’s win at Indiana that concluded a five-game road trip that saw Phoenix go 4-1.
Q: How are you feeling about the trade?
DB:
“It’s tough, man. Say the definition of bittersweet. Those two guys are a big part of building this organization to what it is today. I can truly say I love them. Those are my brothers that we’ll be in contact forever. The guys I envisioned myself playing my whole career with. It’s tough. What makes it a little easier is they’re together. Mikal is back on the East Coast where he’s from. Probably closer to family. So that’s the beauty in it, but on the other page, you have one of the best players to ever touch a basketball coming in here. It’s exciting times for the Phoenix Suns.”
Q: You’ve said before about wanting a super team to come to you. Now with Kevin, do you sense that?
DB:
“I’ll let everybody else decide that. I know we have a really talented group. I feel like we have enough in this locker room already. We showed that tonight. Adding in one of the most skilled players, like I said, to ever touch a basketball. It’s going to take it a whole other level.”
Q: Have you had a chance to speak with Kevin?
DB: “Yeah. He’s excited.”
Q: He was so excited to be playing with you in the Olympics. How are you feeling about that’s going to be a reality even beyond that?
DB: “I can’t wait to be out there with
him. One of those pick your poison type situations. I think all of our games complement each other, everybody on this team. I’m sure there will be little kinks we’ve got to work out early on, but when it comes down to it, I like what we got.”
Q: You’ve been all about winning a championship. Do you feel that even more now having him on the team?
DB:
“Yeah. That’s always the goal and I can’t stress it enough. That’s one of the best players to ever play this game.”
Q: He was having one of his best defensive years. Do you think having a secondary rim protector at that size, 7 feet, will benefit you guys?
DB:
“Yeah. You know the game. I think early on in your career, people label you and don’t give you props when you improve
on it. I’d say he’s one of the best defenders in the game also. Tough to score on. I’ve played 1-on-1 versus him. He likes to play in that pinch post and elbow area, and he has a 7-3 wingspan. It’s tough to score on him. I think that’s going to be our key, locking in and guarding teams.”
Q: How much of the creative side of his game, and your game and Chris Paul’s game are you looking forward to?
DB:
“I think the thing about our games is none of us force it. We’re big fans of the game. We all watch the game, and we understand how to play the right way. I know his strengths. I know his not many weaknesses. Same with Chris. We have a high respect for each other. We’ve done a
lot on this court and I’m just excited to get out there.”
Q: Do you feel like after the All-Star break when he comes back, 20-something games, do you feel like that’s enough to get enough chemistry for the playoffs?
DB:
“That’s kind of what I just spoke on. We know each other’s games. I’m sure he knows our system. He’s spent time with Coach Monty (Williams). All he does is watch basketball. I’ve been with him a few times, been over to his house. That’s all it is, highlights and games on. That’s the type of people I like to be around. We have that same common interest and love for the game. Just top competitors, we hate to lose and we like to show people what it is.”