Devin Booker is not afraid to give Devin Booker a piece of Devin Booker’s mind when Devin Booker isn’t playing as well as Devin Booker should.
Still with me?
The Phoenix Suns’ rookie sensation, all of 19 years old, spoke about being the youngest player in the NBA, per Paul Coro of AZ Central Sports. Specifically, he talked about trying to balance humility as a newbie with remaining aggressive on the court. It’s a dilemma many first-years face, but Booker, having established himself as one of the five best beginners from his draft class, deals with it in many different ways.
And that includes talking to himself:
I’m the youngest kid in the league,” said Booker, 19. “I expect it. If I was playing against the youngest kid, I’d do the same thing. I expect it every time I hit the floor.
“People always think I’m trash-talking but I’m really talking to myself. ‘Let’s go, Book.’ ‘Nobody can guard you, Book.’ I’m just talking to myself. It’s really just something that keeps me going. Some people take it personal but, oh well.”
It’s good that Booker explained that he trash talks only himself. Making that tactic public might save him from a few hard, the-other-team-is-sending-you-a-message,tras fouls.
As for what he actually says to himself, I wouldn’t be surprised if his sentiments differ from the G-rated description he provides. Profanity is everywhere on the hardwood, and Booker may, time and again, need to drop an F-bomb aimed at himself, just to get his mind right. Or maybe he really does keep it clean—totally suitable for work.
Either way, the NBA’s premier foulers (what up, Mason Plumlee?) should take heed: Booker isn’t trolling you.
He’s only trolling himself.
