Devin Booker Postgame Media Availability vs Golden State Warriors | Phoenix Suns 12-18-25

Devin Booker Postgame Media Availability vs Golden State Warriors | Phoenix Suns 12-18-25

Uh >> Steph Curry wore my shoe, my signature shoe, and signed him for me. >> Yeah. >> Great. >> Um we play him next game. [laughter] just what does it mean for you? >> Uh it’s truly hard to put to words. Um thinking back uh to Olympics and being able to share the floor with them. Um and and not just the floor, getting to know each other off the court too and you know building a a relationship that will last a lifetime with somebody that I’ve idolized um my whole life. So, for it to come full circle to him be competing against me in my shoe, you know, if anything, I thought it’d be the other way around. Um, >> yeah, truly crazy. >> Quick follow. Obviously, the game was crazy and and and the finish u just maybe [laughter] you’re getting used to these these [snorts] wild wacky just out of outer space finishes. >> Uh, no, I’ll never get used to it. Uh, I think we, you know, we’ve talked about it just channeling it the right way. You know, there there’s some great in there. Um, just sometimes the outcome isn’t isn’t the best and, you know, these last two games just the point of the game that they’ve happened in, um, have put us in a tough spot. So, um, we we learn from it. You know, we’re we’re a full unit. We’re not, you know, we’re not we’re not mad at Dylan. You know, we’re asking him to bring bring that energy, bring that fight every night. So, you know, on the other hand, there’s going to be times like this, but it can be controlled. >> Book, you um struggled in the first half. Offensively, there’s a lot of jump defense. There’s a lot of blitz and stuff you’ve seen a few years ago. What did you do to get yourself going in the second half? >> Um, I said in my post, I took my core shorts off. If you’re familiar, it’s like some super tight tights to, you know, restrict you from moving too much because I’ve been coming back from an injury. So, I retired those. Yeah. >> Book um obviously you guys have talked about just what you’re building, the identity and everything, but um do you guys feel that other teams are starting to respect you and respect what you guys are building here? >> Uh yeah. You know, I’m sure it’s on the scouting report that, you know, we’re we’re going to play hard. I think a couple coaches post game have have had comments about it. Um, you know, so, you know, I’m more on the side that we have a lot of talent over here, too. Yeah. The games have been, you know, a little junkyard and and physical, but, you know, we we have some true hoopers over here. Um, you know, so that’s a good combination to have both of those things. And then we talked to Dylan and he was raving about OSO and that OSO kind of screamed at him in that uh in that second quarter and the timeout. Um how’ you sort of see Oso rise to the occasion and just be able to play with that starting unit to close the game out? >> Uh yeah, I mean he’s been working. You know, he he he’s put the work in and you know it’s it’s his time to show it. So, you know, we’ve been seeing it behind the scenes and, you know, a little bit of a slow start, just getting acquainted with everything, but, you know, I think he’s getting more and more comfortable every game. And, you know, he gives us the versatility to be able to play five out, play faster, um, switch a lot of actions, you know, so I like the dynamic of, you know, having Mark and him, you know, back and forth. Hey Buck, can I ask you what was the evolution of why Steph was wearing your shoes? >> Um, he’s a sneaker free agent right now. Um, him and Under Armour have parted ways. So, you know, he’s going on a journey right now that, you know, he’s kind of doing it with the theme that he’s the team that he’s playing against. Um, so you know, right when him and Under Armour parted ways, he actually reached out to me first and I was going to reach out to him um before he did that. So, you know, I like that he actually reached out to me for him. So, you know, I sent him a pack of bunch of shoes I felt good went good with their jerseys and, you know, he sent me a message that they’re comfortable and, you know, he’ll be wearing them here in Phoenix. >> So, is he doing that with other players too on other teams? He has, but I don’t know if he’s played against one of the players of the shoes that he’s worn yet. >> So, you guys wear the same schlies? >> No, they they come in different they come in different size. >> I know, but it’s So, I’m just It’s not your shoes, right? It’s a >> version of my shoe. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. >> Okay. Give me a break. All right. [laughter] >> Book, it’s safe to say you’ve been recruiting for Nike on Nike’s behalf. >> Oh, 100%. um you know, but whoever gets them, you know, that that’s a global icon um with with fan bases all over and I’ve seen that this summer. Um we know how how popular Steph is and has always been. Um yeah, >> and you’ll send him some of the twos in January, I imagine. >> No, I was planning on bringing some in a couple days. He might be one of the first. Yeah, he might be one of the first ones in them. >> Uh, with the the shorts, is that Are those new for you? Have you used them before? >> No, I’ve always declined wearing them. Uh, I wore them last game versus the Lakers. Uh, have you ever tried them? If any you guys ever tried them? You? Yeah, they’re they’re Yeah, they’re they’re tight. I mean, I wear tights already, but they’re they’re super tight. And, you know, maybe it was just an excuse that I was shooting the ball better. what led to the change of heart and like finally accepting to put him on for once. >> Um, not wanting to get injured again. Um, you know, it I hate being on that sideline and you know, I was fortunate enough that it was one of our breaks in the season where we had we had a lot of games. I mean, a lot of days in between games, so only missed three, but you know, if it was next month or what we’re doing coming up, it’ have been seven or eight. So, you know, I don’t want to miss any more games. >> With the junkyard element of games that you’ve been mentioning, it it’s been a signature of you guys, but also at the same time, how are you guys balancing not [clears throat] relying on it, if that makes sense, because it can kind of go either way in in these types of games? >> Yeah. Um, back to we have hoopers, too. You know, that’s what it comes down to. And, you know, we we’ll look at it. We, you know, there’s times of the game to to be more aggressive than others. Um, especially when you’re not in foul trouble. Um, you know, the other team’s not in the bonus. You know, I think that’s a time that, you know, we can up the intensity and get away with a few little tic-tac fouls, but um, other than that, we have the talent to play sound defense, too. And, you know, we’ve shown that, so, you know, we can hang our hat on it. >> Last, >> Devin, along those same lines of defense, I mean, this is the third game this season you guys have had at least 16 steals that leads the NBA in terms of most games. Um just how how fun is it to be a part of that defensive activity? >> Yeah, it’s a lot of fun. You know, I think it’s a fun style of of basketball to watch. Also, um everyone gets easier opportunities when we’re getting steals and you know, people can’t set their defense and we get back and um it’s fun. It’s high energy, you know, it gets the crowd involved and you know, we felt it a lot there in the fourth quarter. Devin, uh, I asked you about the reserve unit a few times before. U, so we can keep it specific to Jordan Goodwin today. Um, it’s not your first time playing with him. What do you see about those kind of qualities, those kind of tough, gritty, blueco collar qualities that he brings that helps for a lineup with him on the court to always be successful? >> Yeah, he’s been showing it all season. Um, we’ve been saying he just has a knack for the basketball. Um, he and it’s a skill. He has a way of finding it without being the tallest or strongest or or most athletic out there. So, you know, he’s a true example of, you know, finding your way uh to be effective. You know, he doesn’t need the ball in his hands. Um but when the ball is in his hand, he’s comfortable. So, um he’s been a great addition for us. You know, I’m happy he’s on our side. And last quick one for you all. We talked earlier about you going against doubles and you talked about having patience versus holding your car, saving some for later at times. Do you think that trust of you being willing to get off the ball so early, even going back to the first game of the season, has kind of played into the way your team plays and kind of building confidence from there? >> Yeah. Um, for sure. You know, that’s that’s my job, you know, to uh obviously to score the ball, but to set up teammates and and make their life easier, especially when teams are throwing those junk defenses. So, you know, I’ve been throwing in the fire through my career. I’ve I’ve seen pretty much, you know, every defense that you can throw. And you know, I kind of know how to generate great looks for other other people. >> Thanks.

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