Phoenix’s superstar wants to make this project work. You can see it in the way he plays. Playing alongside a generational passing talent in Ricky Rubio, Booker still often looks to pass first. Booker barely trails his point guard in assist rate. He averages just 10 points in the first half compared with 14 in the second half, and that includes games in which he sat out the fourth quarter of a blowout. The focus for Booker is clearly to spend the beginning of games setting up teammates.
Many point out all the different coaches, teammates, and voices Booker’s seen come through the organization since being drafted in 2013, but my guess is we actually understate it.