Moore column: How can the Suns beat LA if Chris Paul is hurt? They’re going play it by D. Book

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker, right, shoots over Los Angeles Lakers forward Anthony Davis (3) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, May 9, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

 (Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP)

How can the upstart Phoenix Suns defeat the mighty Los Angeles Lakers if Chris Paul isn’t at 100 percent?

Simple.

They’re going to do it by the Book.

Devin Booker has the attitude and ability to carry his guys, and anybody who doubts it hasn’t done the assigned reading. There’s nothing in this man’s history that should lead anyone to doubt how he might react under the pressure of being the focus of L.A’.s defense in Game 2.

Devin Booker is used to intensity

A few years ago, Book took a trip up to Las Vegas for USA Basketball workouts. He ended up going at the reigning Finals MVP Kevin Durant in a one-on-one game that put the NBA world on notice that they needed to check out Book. “He is nice,” Durant said on a podcast. “He’s next. I’m telling you.”

This was about a year after the infamous Mexico City practice of 2017 where enforcer PJ Tucker tried to pull Book’s mark by getting in the young guard’s face. In the end, Tucker put to bed the idea that Book was spineless. “It got really real out there,” Tucker said.

Let’s not forget that in the summer of 2019 Booker was recorded by pickup paparazzi getting double teamed by other NBA guys in an open run. He can’t even relax in an off-season workout!

No Suns glow hotter than Booker

Anybody remember March 2019? In 15 games, Booker averaged 34 points on 49 percent shooting. He had seven games of 30 or more points, five games of 40 or more points and two games of 50 or more. There was even a stretch where he scored 59, 50 and 48 in consecutive games.

And last year in the NBA’s Disney Bubble, Booker scored 30 or more five times in eight games, including 35 points in four of five.

Maybe Book is overdue for a scoring outburst?

May 23, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Suns’ Devin Booker (1) argues a call with the official during the second quarter of game 1 against the Lakers at Phoenix Rising Stadium. Patrick Breen-Arizona Republic

 (Photo: Patrick Breen/The Republic) Booker has always been on the ball

Devin Booker played his first four seasons without a true point guard. He finally got a distributor to share the backcourt last season but resumed his PointBook persona when Ricky Rubio was out of the lineup.

There are plenty of people who think Booker is at his best when he initiates the offense, like a beardless James Harden.

Booker is always among the Suns’ leaders in assists, averaging a career-high 6.8 two seasons ago, before Rubio and then Paul joined the club.

Booker’s eight assists against the Lakers were a result of him taking over as a playmaker when Paul was slowed by a shoulder injury.

Never in his career has Booker been surrounded by this many capable shooters. The Lakers can double him or start switching, but Book has experience making the right reads.

“I trust everybody on this team,” Booker said. “When somebody doubles, it’s easy for me to give it up right away.”

Devin and the dudes

For most of his career, it’s looked like Booker was out there by himself. This time he’s pulling up with the fellas.

Deandre Ayton, Mikal Bridges and Cam Johnson combined for 41 points in the Game 1 win over the Lakers.

Call them role players. Call them “The Talent.” Call them the “Essential Workers.”

Just call them tenacious. 

Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams high-fives forward Mikal Bridges (25) after a play against the Los Angeles Lakers during the third quarter of game 1 of the Western Conference first round playoff series in Phoenix May 23, 2021.

 (Photo: Michael Chow/The Republic)

Consider that the Lakers are bigger than the Suns at nearly every position. LA starts two 7-footers (Anthony Davis and Andre Drummond) and brings another (Marc Gasol) off the bench. That doesn’t include LeBron James, Montrezl Harrell and Markieff Morris, who range from 6-foot-7 to 6-foot-9.   

Despite this, the Suns outrebounded the Lakers 47-33. They limited LA’s second-chance opportunities, holding the Lakers to just 10 offensive boards. (For as big as they are, the Lakers don’t crash the offensive glass, and the Suns have quietly been one of the best defensive rebounding teams in the league all season.)

Booker saw his guys out there working.

“I loved it,” Booker said. “I don’t question anybody in this group. We’ve been together for a full year now. We understand each other’s character, how everyone’s built. We have a team full of built individuals who are ready for this moment and have been waiting for it for a long time.”

The Phoenix Suns are up 1-0 in the series. If they’re going to press that advantage against the mighty Los Angeles Lakers, they’re going to do it by the Book.

Reach Moore at gmoore@azcentral.com or 602-444-2236. Follow him on Instagram and Twitter @SayingMoore.

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