Suns’ Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton make bold first impression in NBA Finals

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Devin Booker clearly understands the power of first impressions.

In his first NBA Finals appearance, Booker went off for 12 points and three assists in the first quarter, outdueling rival megastar Giannis Antetokounmpo on the path to a 118-105 win for the Phoenix Suns.

Booker was aggressive in the first quarter, apparently heeding advice from Charles Barkley and Michael Jordan. 

Barkley, the leader of the last Suns team to reach the finals, said he wished he had gotten off to a better start. The 1993 Suns, a group that hadn’t played in the finals, lost Game 1 to the Bulls on the way to dropping the series in six games.

He called playing in the finals “a shock to your system.”

“The excitement. The nerves. The energy. Whatever words you can use, it’s different.”

Barkley said he was reminded of the importance of coming out ready from the opening tip when he watched “The Last Dance,” a documentary series detailing Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls.

The Bulls, a group that was new to championship play, lost Game 1 to the Lakers in 1991.

“We were nervous,” Jordan said.

Hot starts are key

It’s a key game.

Teams that win Game 1 go on to win the Finals more than 70 percent of the time (53-21). If that holds up, the Suns are highly likely to bring Phoenix’s first franchise its first NBA title.

Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker (1) shoots against Milwaukee Bucks center Brook Lopez (11) during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena July 6, 2021.

 (Photo: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic)

Booker took and missed a 3-pointer on the Suns’ second possession.

He scored on a mid-range jumper on the next possession. There was nothing tentative about his game whatsoever.

Chris Paul apparently heeded Barkley’s advice, as well.

He didn’t score in the opening quarter. But he took the shot on his team’s first possession and attacked the Milwaukee defense, pushing the pace each time he had the ball.

Paul finished the first half with 11 points and four assists.

But when the Suns are at their best, they have several players who can put up big games.

Cue Deandre Ayton.

The Suns 7-footer finished the first half with 10 points on 5-of-6 shooting to go with eight rebounds.

Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) lays the ball in past Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton (22) during Game 1 of the NBA Finals at Phoenix Suns Arena July 6, 2021.

 (Photo: Michael Chow-Arizona Republic)

He routinely sprinted past Milwaukee big man Brook Lopez for lobs and layups.   

That trio kept the same energy all game.

Booker finished with 27 points, including 10-for-10 from the line.

Paul had 32 with nine assists.

And Ayton come up with 22 points on 8-of-10 shooting to go with 19 rebounds.

“We’re grateful they’re playing well together,” Monty Williams said. “We hope it continues.”

Bad look for the Bucks 

It was a horrible way for the Bucks to lose, and not just because of the lopsided score.

Their franchise cornerstone, Antetokounmpo, returned to the Bucks lineup after missing two games against the Hawks with a knee injury in the Eastern Conference finals.

Phoenix put Jae Crowder on him much of the night. No. 99 was the boss out there, banging with Antetokounmpo on every play that called for it. Antetokounmpo finished with 20 points on 6-for-11 shooting. Crowder made sure he had to work hard for every basket.

Getting beaten this badly with their best player could lead to Milwaukee doubt, a thread the Suns could pull into unravelling the Bucks for a series sweep.  

But Phoenix would be wise to keep up with the early intensity.

The Lakers won Game 1 over the Bulls in 1991, but the Bulls won the series in five games.

There’s good reason to think the Suns will continue to rise early. 

Suns coach Monty Williams called starting strong “the formula.”

“I think it’s important, and our guys understand that. We need to do it every time we step on the floor.”

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

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