When the Suns officially announced that Paul had a torn fracture of his right thumb, everyone was worried about the Suns, would it fall in the rankings?
The question is simple, before Paul, the Suns were the league's fishy team, and the last time they made the playoffs was in the 09-10 season led by Nash. But in his first season, Paul led the team to the Finals and is now the league's number one.
Looking at Paul's stats this season, the first 58 games have remained full attendance, and today's game is his first absence this season. The 36-year-old veteran, who averaged 33 minutes per game, the most in the past seven seasons, averaged 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, 10.7 assists and 1.9 steals per game, including the first assist in the league. Whenever there is a critical moment, Paul is always able to use the middle distance he is good at to help the team score points.
Seeing this, I believe you all understand why when Paul was injured, the outside world was very worried about the prospects of the sun. But now the sun is no longer a fish belly, the team has a winning culture, and every player has been promoted.
The most obvious of these is Booker, who has learned a lot from Paul and knows how to lead the team to win the game.
When Paul was injured, head coach Monty put him in the starting point guard position, and the change also paid off. Played 38 minutes, 9 of 16, 1 of 4 three-pointers, 6 of 6 from the free throw line, and had 25 points, 5 rebounds, 12 assists and 6 steals, including a career high. And he also became the first player in the history of the Suns to score at least 25 points, 5 boards, 12 assists and 6 breaks in a single game, and accidentally created the first record in team history.
After the game, coach Monti also praised Booker, "I think Booker controlled the game very well. If you look at his assist stats, you'll see he's in control of the ball and finding teammates at the right time. His 6 steals are even more phenomenal. ”
Booker is no stranger to the position of point guard, and he is in this position when Rubio did not come to the Sun. But doing so would also weaken his offensive threat, so the Suns found a way to reinforce, upgrading Rubio to Paul, and the effect was obvious. Booker concentrated on offense, Paul organized, and for the first time in booker's career, he was directly selected as an All-Star (previously a substitute).
Today's Booker is not just an All-Star, so there is a chance to compete for the MVP.
As long as in the following period, that is, Paul's absence, Booker can continue this performance, leading the sun to the top, it is worth giving him a vote. So far this season, Booker's stats are 25.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 4.6 assists.