Devin Booker Reveals How Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul Helped Him in Incredible Game 1 Win Against LA Clippers

The Phoenix Suns faced off against the LA Clippers tonight in game 1 of their Western Conference Finals. With both the teams missing their best players, Chris Paul and Kawhi Leonard respectively, there was no clear favorite in this game.

The game certainly lived up to all the hype. Despite missing their talisman, the Suns and the Clippers saw players like Devin Booker and Paul George step up in the game. While PG13 scored a team-high 34 points, it was Booker who stole the show.

Scoring a whooping 40 points coupled with 13 rebounds and 11 assists, D-Book notched his first triple double and led his team to an incredible 120-114 win. Given the way he has performed so far in the playoffs, his stock has increased significantly in the league.

Devin Booker speaks about the influence of Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul

This 40 point triple double performance against the Clippers was certainly one of the best by Booker in the course of his short playoff career. Given the progress he has shown in a single playoff campaign, Booker has truly become a top guard in the NBA.

After his incredible performance, the 24-year-old spoke about how Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant inspired him for his incredible performance. “I’ve been a student of the game for a really long time.

“Kobe, obviously, being one of my mentors and Chris being one of my mentors and not being being able to be here with us today. We wanted to do it for him.”

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He added, “We talked about that pregame we knew we were going to all have to give it a little bit more…. Ball security you know my job keeping everybody involved, stuff that’s usually on Chris’s plate you know we all had to make up for today as a team.”

Booker also spoke about how Kobe’s impeccable mentality has helped him. “Just the mentality- people say the Mamba mentality. Just the approach of you know doing whatever it whatever it takes you know at all costs to get a win.”

While he has often showcased incredible scoring touch in his career, in Chris Paul’s absence, Booker showed his pin-point vision and amazing passing skills. With CP3‘s return not confirmed, the Suns will hope that the 2-time All-Star can carry on his fantastic form and lead his team to an appearance in the Finals. Will Booker and the Suns end up in the NBA Finals this season?

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