I’m just waiting for my opportunity.”Īnd he insists doesn’t care whether that’s as a reserve or starter. I feel as great as I’ve felt in a long time. “I’m just grinding and trying to feel as good as I can. “I’ve got something in the tank for sure,” Walker said. Talking with Roderick Boone of the Charlotte Observer, Walker let it be known he has something to give a team. The Pistons and Walker reportedly have talked about a buyout but the buzz is Walker hasn’t signed off, presumably because he has yet to find his next landing spot. Whether that would be enough to get him in the Defensive Player of the Year conversation remains to be seen.Īs you read this, Kemba Walker is still a member of the Detroit Pistons, but there’s not really a role for him there with Cade Cunningham, Cory Joseph and Killian Hayes already on the roster.

If the Lakers’ defense improves this season, Beverley will be a key reason why. Beverley is the guy who can be in the film room and call out LeBron James, Anthony Davis or Russell Westbrook about defensive lapses. Beverley undoubtedly played a big role, but to win the award a player usually has to come from a top-five defense.īeverley is with the Lakers this season and is a perfect fit for what Darvin Ham wants out of the Lakers - relentlessness on defense. The argument against Smart was more that Robert Williams III was more important to the Boston defense, that Mikal Bridges was more critical in Phoenix, or that Rudy Gobert still had a bigger influence on the defense in Utah (same with Bam Adebayo in Miami).īeverley is an unquestionably good defender but his argument was more about changing the culture and lifting up the Timberwolves to a respectable defense last season. Smart was the best defender on the best defense in the NBA, a historic defense in the second half of the season. Smart was a controversial choice in basketball circles - but not because of Beverley. I’ve been sitting right here for years.’ But I respect it. Not from like, I don’t want him to get it, from like, ‘Damn, I’m happy a guard got it, but damn, I’ve been sitting right here. I’d be a fool not to sit-from a competitor’s standpoint, I’d be a cap sitting on here telling you I wasn’t pissed off when that happened. “Part of me was pissed the f*** off, Dray. 'Part of me was pissed the f*ck off Dray!' Patrick Beverley was more than a little ticked off, he told Draymond Green on “The Draymond Green Show.”(Warning: NSFW language in the video below.) Some saw it as a breakthrough for a guard to be recognized. Last season, Marcus Smart became the first guard since Gary Payton in 1996 to win NBA Defensive Player of the Year. Though I would’ve picked Spoelstra this year, there’s no doubt Williams is a good choice and winner nearly everyone will be happy with.

Voters had remorse after choosing the Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau as Coach of the Year over Williams last year. The Suns’ game plans we savvy and well-executed, especially in the clutch.ģ. Williams navigated the Suns through the Robert Sarver investigation and Deandre Ayton’s contract year – issues that could have derailed less-cohesive teams. Phoenix had a sophisticated offense and versatile defense.

Williams had long established himself as favorite for three main reasons:ġ. But this media-selected honor – which counted the Heat’s Erik Spoelstra and Grizzlies’ Taylor Jenkins as other finalists – is the more renowned Coach of the Year. Williams already won his fellow coaches’ version of the award. A formal announcement is expected later today. Phoenix Suns coach Monty Williams has been voted the NBA’s COY, book tells sources. Devin Booker wasn’t even a finalist for MVP.īut Booker did break news: The Suns will claim one major individual award – Monty Williams as Coach of the Year. Cameron Johnson didn’t win Sixth Man of the Year. Yet, to the chagrin of many in Phoenix… Mikal Bridges didn’t win Defensive Player of the Year. To sign up for access to the auction, visit the official auction site Suns were the NBA’s best team this regular season. The website and auction experience is powered by Shopify, a platform that helps entrepreneurs around the world build online businesses, making these iconic sneakers accessible for anyone to bid on.

Devin Booker / Definitive Authentic Certificate of Authenticity.

Includes yellow Nike Air box with clear plastic bag featuring the Phoenix Suns logo, and printed tissue paper with printing that reads, “1.

Left sneaker handwritten messaging: “Be Legendary”, #mambamentality, Devin Booker (signature) #1, “6/3/21”.

Right sneaker handwritten messaging: “Be Legendary”, Devin Booker (signature) #1, Close Out vs.

Auction includes Devin Booker’s “Be Legendary” Nike Kobe 4 Protro sneakers featuring:

Booker suns