I remember watching Devin Booker drop 70 points against the Celtics back in 2017 and thinking—this kid is different. At just 20 years old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to score 60-plus points in a game, and honestly, I've been tracking his trajectory ever since. The question isn't whether Booker has star potential anymore—we're way past that. The real conversation now centers on whether he's positioned to become the next true NBA superstar, the kind of player who defines an era rather than just dominates a season.
When I analyze his game, what stands out most isn't just the scoring prowess—though his career average of 23.9 points per game through seven seasons certainly commands respect. It's the evolution of his complete package that fascinates me. Early in his career, critics labeled him as just an empty-calories scorer on bad teams. I'll admit, I shared some of those concerns initially. But watching him develop into a legitimate playmaker—averaging 6.8 assists over the past three seasons—and improve his defensive engagement has been remarkable. His transformation reminds me of when we saw players like Kawhi Leonard expand their games beyond their initial specialties, and that's exactly the kind of growth that separates stars from superstars.
The reference to championship-deciding Game 3 situations really resonates when we talk about Booker's ascension. I've always believed that true superstars reveal themselves in those moments where everything's on the line. Remember Game 3 of the 2021 Western Conference Finals? With Chris Paul limited, Booker willed the Suns to victory with 28 points, including that crucial three-pointer over Paul George with about 90 seconds left. That's the kind of moment that transforms a player's narrative. It's one thing to put up numbers in January—it's entirely different to deliver when your team's championship hopes hang in the balance.
What impresses me most about Booker's rise is how he's adapted his game to winning basketball. His usage rate has actually decreased slightly from his early years—from around 32% in 2018-19 to approximately 29% last season—yet his impact has multiplied exponentially. He's learned to pick his spots, to trust his teammates, and to understand the rhythm of winning possessions rather than just accumulating personal statistics. This maturity is something you can't quantify with advanced metrics alone—you have to watch the games, see how he manipulates defenses, how he creates advantages not just for himself but for everyone on the floor.
His partnership with Kevin Durant has been particularly revealing. Since Durant's arrival in Phoenix, Booker's efficiency has reached new heights—his true shooting percentage climbed to around 63% during their first partial season together. Some players struggle to adjust to another elite scorer, but Booker has flourished, understanding how to leverage the attention Durant commands. I've noticed he's getting more clean looks from three and finding driving lanes that simply weren't available when he was the sole defensive focus. This adaptability speaks volumes about his basketball IQ and willingness to evolve for team success.
The championship pedigree question remains the final frontier. Booker came painfully close in 2021, falling to Giannis Antetokounmpo's Bucks in six games. That experience, while disappointing, provided the kind of education that only comes from deep playoff runs. I've spoken with several NBA veterans who've told me that you need to lose at that level before you can win—it builds a resilience that can't be manufactured. Booker now understands exactly what it takes to navigate the two-month grind of the postseason, and that knowledge will serve him well as he continues to pursue that elusive first championship.
When I compare Booker's development trajectory to other modern superstars at similar stages, the parallels are striking. At 26, he's already accumulated 115 playoff points in elimination games—a statistic that places him in conversations with players like Dwyane Wade and Kobe Bryant at comparable career points. His playoff scoring average of 27.3 points across 45 games demonstrates he can maintain production when defenses are specifically game-planning for him. These aren't just good numbers—they're superstar indicators.
The conversation around Booker inevitably touches on his mentality. I've followed his career closely enough to recognize the Michael Jordan-esque competitiveness that drives him. Remember when he went at both Clippers defenders in that memorable 2021 playoff series, scoring 40 points in consecutive games? That wasn't accidental—that was a statement. He carries himself with the quiet confidence of someone who knows they belong among the elite, without needing the external validation that many younger stars crave. This self-assurance, combined with his refined skill set, creates a package that's increasingly rare in today's game.
As we look toward the future of the NBA, with LeBron James and Stephen Curry eventually passing the torch, the league needs new superstars who can carry the narrative forward. Based on what I've observed over these past seven seasons, Devin Booker isn't just a candidate—he's arguably the frontrunner. His game continues to expand, his mentality sharpens with each playoff run, and he's proving he can thrive both as the primary option and within superstar partnerships. The championship will come—I'm confident of that. When it does, we'll look back at games like that 70-point outburst not as a flashy anomaly, but as the early warning signs of a superstar in the making. The story of Devin Booker is still being written, but all indications suggest it's heading toward legendary territory.
