There is an unwritten rule among the voters who make up the panel of experts who year after year elect the MVP which comes to say that a candidate must necessarily be on a winning team. That means, roughly, that player must be part of a team ranked at least among the top five franchises in each conference. There were exceptions. Nikola Jokic in 2022 and Russell Westbrook in 2017 they won the award despite their teams finishing the Regular Phase in sixth place. They rarely confirm the rule in a few words.
This means that if there were a recipe to cook an MVP, should meet the following requirements:
- Being a first-line player, i.e. a star (All-Star, All-NBA, All-Defense, etc).
- Sign outstanding numbers in one or more categories.
- Being on a winning team.
The NBA, fortunately, has many players who meet the first two criteria, but fall off the draft list when it comes time to make their team a winner on a regular basis. Only a privileged handful manage to meet all three conditions.
Afterward, what are we doing with Devin Booker?
subscribe to NBA League Pass to see all games: United States | The rest of the world
In all of his last three seasons (including the current one). The Phoenix Suns finished 2nd and 1st of the Western Conference and while these lines are signed those of Arizona have the best balance. For his part, Booker confirmed the high expectations he left at the start of his major league career. Not only that, but he is taking steps forward and maturing as his has become a winning project. Not only is he a better scorer, he is also smarter, knows his opponents better and is much more consistent at the back.
And even more Devin Booker has received 0 first place votes in the last two MVP elections and 2 runner-ups, both last year. For more inri, Derrick Rose It has added more support as a contender for the award than the aforementioned companion.
His simple numbers over those three seasons were:
- 2020-2021: 25.6 points on 54.3% shooting from two, 34% from three, 4.2 rebounds and 4.3 assists
- 2021-2022: 26.8 points on 50.8% shooting from two, 38.3% from three, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists
- 2022-2023: 27.4 points on 51.5% shooting from two, 38% from three, 4.8 rebounds and 5.8 assists
It’s not that he’s “only” been a part of one of the league’s best teams in the aforementioned time frame, but that he’s consistently improved his averages year after year. A continuous progress that is behind the collective success, but also due to the development of other aspects, such as the triple where he was not particularly good.
How many players have managed to have multiple seasons with these records before turning 27? Just six: Bradley Beal (2), Luka Doncic (2), Donovan Mitchell (2), Kevin Durant (3), Jayson Tatum (3) and, indeed, Devin Booker. The difference with the rest is that the Suns player is the one who plus accumulated lessons reaching these numbers since from 2019-2020 chains four campaigns meet the requirements.
Booker’s problem lies in something more abstract, something that also plays into the MVP voting process.: the narrative. This is nothing more than what is said about the player, the story that accompanies him, the strength of his nomination by public and media. In other words, how strong he is his story to gain the support of the fans and the press.
The Phoenix guard is used to holding a low profile since the team took off in the bubble of 2020. No big fanfare, no uncoordinated statements, no pretending to cover more than it really is and being sober. Booker doesn’t have his innocent charisma Nikola Jokicit does not have its natural attraction Joel Embiidhe is not a generational talent and a perennial contender as John Antetokounmpo and it’s not in a historically important market like Boston in his case Jason Tatum.
However, he is one of the most important figures of his generation, one of the three most influential American players today along with the aforementioned Tatum and Ja Morant. And despite the numbers, the progression and all that is on display, his name appears as a footnote among the contenders for the award.
It’s a given that Booker should be performing the way he is because the Phoenix Suns are a well-oiled machine and ready to win. But with Chris Paul beginning his physical decline as a result of seniority, he has been the one who has assumed a greater degree of responsibility as Leader to keep the train on its course. And all thanks to his excellent work ethic as the 26-year-old is playful, someone who lives for him. Which has made the engine in its particular rise to the elite of the competition.
“Being a student of the game has been my only path my whole life.” he said at a recent press conference. “It’s something I prided myself on at a young age. I eat, think and sleep with this game in my head. I wouldn’t have it any other way. This is when I’m happiest.”
“My older brother used to play this and my dad did it professionally. I think at a young age I realized what the game can do for you if you make sacrifices in your childhood.. I made some moves and played in some teams. I didn’t know anyone, but it’s all worth it in the end.” added.
While others wait for them to speak for themselves or for their words to define who they are, Devin Booker does it through the game, delivering the best possible version of himself night after night. As his father taught him and as he later learned from Kobe Bryant, idol and mentor.
Devin Booker is the perennial MVP candidate who has been relegated to the background. So far. Because the 2022-2023 season definitely deserves that attention.
The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of the NBA or its organizations.
