Devin Booker is a good player on a bad team that’s having another lost season.
So, sometimes, the Suns just play for Booker to do something special.
He scored 70 points in a game two years ago. But that came in a decided loss to the Celtics in which Phoenix repeatedly fouled and called timeouts down the stretch to set up Booker buckets.
With Booker sitting on 56 points and the Suns trailing the Jazz by 31 with fewer than three minutes left last night, Booker checked back into the game. He didn’t push too hard, allowing Jimmer Fredette to shoot more down the stretch. But Phoenix still tried to get him 60.
Booker reached 59 points when the Suns intentionally fouled with 24 and 21 seconds left to give Utah free throws and get the ball back. The Jazz responded by fouling Phoenix guard De’Anthony Melton, forcing him to shoot free throws rather than allowing Booker a chance to score. After Melton missed both free throws, the Suns mercifully let Utah dribble out the final 17 seconds.
I’m personally unbothered by either team’s strategy. This is professional basketball. They don’t need to protect their opponent’s feelings. Booker scoring 60 points would have been a cool moment for him – one the Jazz wanted to prevent.
To whatever degree you think the teams were wrong, they were equally wrong. Both intentionally fouled not in the name of winning, but trying to manipulate whether Booker scored. Again, I’m not offended by their strategies. But neither team can claim the moral high ground.
For Utah forward – and former Boston forward – Jae Crowder, this must have felt awfully familiar.