Former Phoenix Suns player Kevin Johnson placed Devin Booker on a pedestal, comparing him to the legendary Jerry West, who is widely regarded as one of the most adept players in clutch situations. Booker was the leading scorer in the Suns-Toronto Raptors game and helped snap the five-game skid to solidify their place in the play-in rather than a direct playoff spot.
Kevin Johnson Compares Devin Booker to Jerry West
Johnson, one of the most decorated players of the late 1980s and early 1990s, led the Phoenix Suns into one of the most successful eras in the franchise’s history, with the team never dropping below 53 wins in any season between 1989 and 1995 during his tenure.
He is set to appear on the Hall of Fame finalist ballot again in 2026, having previously been a finalist in 2014 and 2016 during his tenure as mayor of Sacramento.
Despite being retired, he remains closely connected with the Suns and has openly advocated for both his former team and the Sacramento Kings, the latter being from his hometown. He also shares a strong camaraderie with Booker, the face of the Suns and a shooting guard averaging 24.8 points this season.
While discussing Booker’s skill set and exceptional competitiveness, Johnson drew a parallel between his younger counterpart and West, the Los Angeles Lakers legend with 14 NBA All-Star selections and numerous other accolades in his repertoire. He said:
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“Let me throw this out at you first, and then you tell me if it doesn’t work. I’m gonna flip the script for you on this one, Jerry West.”
The comparison was probably possible because both West and Booker showed their prowess as mid-range scorers, with the latter combining footwork and tough shot-making in half-court offense. The intergenerational players’ quality of delivering under pressure also fueled the resemblance.
Booker contributed 34 points in a Suns-Minnesota matchup on March 17, but couldn’t help his team snap its losing streak. However, he remained undeterred. Instead, he motivated the Suns to learn and grow together, especially after injury layoffs in the early part of the season.
“We’ve just got to learn how to win together. Still a first-year group that’s dealt with injuries and not much time to go through these stretches earlier in the season together and figure out what works.”
He added optimistically that he would remain committed to the grind and embrace adversity, noting that they have the best job in the world. The Suns’ playoff possibilities are high as they will face the Denver Nuggets on March 24, 2026.
