Devin Booker on what he’s learned from Kobe

Well Phoenix Suns fans, through 53 games, 2016-17 has been another difficult season. There are some good things happening, but Dragan Bender’s recent injury has kind of made me forget those things. You know what also hurts? I was driving in to work this morning and the first thing I heard on the radio was a recap of an awesome night from Isaiah Thomas. Sigh.

Here’s a good thing, though. Recently a lot of people have been drawing comparisons between second year guard Devin Booker and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant. Chop it up if you’d like, but I’m not going to burn the necessary calories to turn that into a negative.

ESPN’s Justin Verrier recently sat down with Booker to discuss what he’s learned from Kobe and other NBA stuff.

"It's unbelievable. It's something I worked for my whole life, and finally getting recognition for it. It feels good, like getting a chance to talk to Kobe. Things of that nature. Getting the chance to talk to LeBron. People I idolized growing up, and now just earning respect from them. I want to be in this league a long time, I want to follow their footsteps. It's kind of saying I'm on the right path. Obviously, I have a long way to go, but that's what's driving [me]."

"I got the chance to talk to Kobe for a minute. I'm more of a visual learner. I just watch people. You hear stories about Kobe throughout the NBA, about LeBron, on the mindset they take to the floor and the extra work that they put in. If I want to be great, you have to follow those footsteps. Every great I hear about has crazy stories of work ethic, something they do in the gym, something they do in the training room. I just try to stay focused and know the goal that's at hand."

Devin Booker’s saying and doing all the right things. It gives me hope. Click on that article above, it’s a good read. I would never steer you wrong unless I stood to personally benefit from it.

Phoenix hosts the Chicago Bulls tonight. They tip at 7:30pm Las Vegas time. You’re going to have to do your own math from there, I’m not a clock.