By Rob Mason, PSO President of Sports Operations
Feb 14, 2021

On a night hyped up as Kevin Durant’s return to Golden St. for the first time since joining the Nets, it ended up turning into an evening full of blowouts. Even the Game of the Day that featured Philly vs. Phoenix failed to showcase an exciting ending that NBA fans have become accustomed to on a daily basis

Brooklyn’s Big 3 all balled out to let the world know who has the most firepower in the league these days and Devin Booker did what he does best as he put Ben Simmons‘ self-declaration of being the best defender in the NBA to the test immediately. 

Cam Reddish and Kevin Huerter had some exciting highlights in their defeat to Indiana, Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz kept on rolling with some excellent ball movement to dominate the reigning Eastern Conference champions, and rookies Immanuel Quickley and Obi Toppin shined in the Knicks big win over Houston. 

Here are the best NBA highlights, facts, performers, and takeaways from February 13th, 2021:

GAME OF THE DAY

Philadelphia 76ers (111) vs. Phoenix Suns (120)

[Highlights] @SUNS (-109; $12.92) d. 76ERS (+109; $10.91) 120-111 [PHX -1.5 | o221]

[Highlights] PACERS (-110; $9.23) d. @HAWKS (+110; $10.34) 125-113 [IND -1.5 | o224.5]

[Highlights] NETS (-153; $8.97) d. @WARRIORS (+153; $8.93) 134-117 [BKN -4 | o245.5]

[Highlights] @JAZZ (-212; $13.70) d. HEAT (+212; $6.97) 112-94 [UTA -6u215]

[Highlights] @KNICKS (+103; $15.16) d. ROCKETS (-103; $8.05) 121-99 [NYK +1 | o213.5]

NBA Game Odds via Vigit App

NBA Stock Prices via FANDEX

 

 

  • The best in the West for a reason

 

 

  • QB Harden finds KD for the TD

 

  • D-Rose dazzles with finish at the rim

[Highlights] SG Devin Booker, PHX (W v.PHI): 36 PTS (14-23 FG | 3-5 3PT), 4 AST, 5 REB, 0 BLK, 0 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] SG James Harden, BKN (W @GS): 19 PTS (6-11 FG | 5-8 3PT), 16 AST, 8 REB, 1 BLK, 3 STL, 5 TO

[Highlights] C Joel Embiid, PHI (L @PHX): 35 PTS (12-23 FG | 2-3 3PT), 2 AST, 8 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 2 TO

[Highlights] PG Chris Paul, PHX (W v.PHI): 18 PTS (8-13 FG | 2-4 3PT), 10 AST, 8 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO

[Highlights] C Clint Capela, ATL (L v.IND): 24 PTS (12-17 FG | 0-0 3PT), 1 AST, 10 REB, 1 BLK, 1 STL, 0 TO

NBA TOP PERFORMERS

DEVIN BOOKER IS ON THE PATH TO BEING THE GREATEST SUNS PLAYER OF ALL-TIME

Who’s the greatest Suns player of all-time? Most would agree it’s currently 2x NBA MVP Steve Nash with Charles Barkley getting an honorable mention for his MVP and four All-Star seasons in the desert. While it’s too early to tell if Devin Booker ever reaches the MVP heights those Hall of Famers did, he’s already the greatest scorer in Suns history.

Saturday marked the 48th time Booker racked up 35+ points in a game, which is already 15 more than any Suns player in franchise history. The Kentucky hooper is only 24 years old and still has plenty of years to develop his skills and elevate himself amongst the NBA’s elite. Current NBA top-10 player conversations don’t include Booker but he has to take it one step at a time. He was awarded an All-Star bid for the first time in his career last year and is now the leader of a winning team for the first time as a pro this year.

Not many people expect Phoenix to do much damage in the 2021 postseason due to their lack of continuity and playoff experience but Booker has that x-factor trait to him that could help him thrive in that kind of environment if he can manage to find ways to get open and overcome the increased physicality that comes with playoff basketball. 

Considering Booker is already the greatest scorer in Suns history, is over halfway there to all-time franchise records just six years in, and continues to get better every year, it seems inevitable the 6’5 Shooting Guard from Michigan will one day be considered the Suns GOAT. 

He still has PLENTY to accomplish to make that a reality but one run to the NBA Finals or one season where he puts up 30+ PPG (like he’s done over various stretches in his career) could be enough to win MVP and increase his case further. There’s an argument Devin Booker is already on the Suns’ Mount Rushmore even if he got traded tomorrow, and with a winning squad finally now that he has high-quality teammates in Phoenix like Chris Paul, DeAndre Ayton, and Mikal Bridges, he should be around for a long time. 

Booker’s biggest reference in culture was when Drake shouted him out on “Sicko Mode,” saying he’s “Wet like I’m Book.” Like Drake also exclaimed in one of his other songs, he’s top-5, top-5, top-5 before clarifying that he’s not top-5, he’s actually top-2, and not 2. That appears to be a similar representation of Booker’s rise among the all-time ranks in Suns franchise history. The best is yet to come in Arizona and Booker has lots to live up to. 

COLORS KEY | FULL SUNS FUTURE OUTLOOK 

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