How do they stack up?
When comparing the duo of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant to the league’s best duos, how do they fare? From what I have observed so far, without delving into the stats, I would say not very well. If I had to choose two players to lead my team to a championship, both Booker and Durant would rank low on my list. This is largely because they haven’t demonstrated anything convincing enough to sway me into considering them a top duo in the league or the Western Conference.
Today’s NBA is all about having the best two players on a team or one great player supported by a well-orchestrated surrounding cast to give fans confidence that their team has a shot at the title. However, after watching the Oklahoma City Thunder and Cleveland Cavaliers duke it out in primetime the other night, it became clear that other teams may fall well below the level of competition those two displayed. That game showcased grit, chemistry, and potential—qualities that some teams, including the Suns, appear to lack at the moment.
Unfortunately, the Suns seem to be on the outside looking in this year. Unless a miracle happens and the team plays lights-out basketball for an extended stretch, changing minds across the league, many of us are already thinking about a potential rebuild. While the star power of Booker and Durant is undeniable, their inability to elevate the team consistently leaves a looming question mark about their long-term fit and the team’s future direction.
This Suns team, to me, is built on the shoulders of its two stars, Kevin Durant and Devin Booker, and how far they can carry us. While an upgrade at the center position might be ideal, it’s not as glaring a need when compared to some of the struggles other teams in contention are facing. For instance, when analyzing the stats of teams I’ve mentioned in the same conversation as the Suns, their rosters aren’t plagued by obvious shortcomings or drastic needs to remain competitive. They’ve built steady foundations to make a playoff push. Meanwhile, the Suns are navigating a center rotation featuring Jusuf Nurkic, who was a DNP in Thursday night’s game against the Atlanta Hawks. Despite this, I’m unbothered by our current situation at the five, nor do I feel desperate for a change there.
The combination of Durant, Booker, and even Bradley Beal should be enough to strike fear into any opponent walking into Footprint Center or any other arena across the country. That level of firepower is a luxury, not many teams can boast. Yet, strangely, it doesn’t seem to have that same intimidating effect on our opponents, and that is the unnerving part. Are we failing to maximize the potential of this trio? Or is the supporting cast too inconsistent to elevate the team to the next level? Questions like these linger, making it imperative for the Suns to sharpen their identity as a team. Whether that means doubling down on this core or exploring other moves, the clock is ticking to align the roster’s strengths with its championship aspirations.
Another crucial factor is chemistry and execution. The individual talent is undeniable, but the game isn’t played on paper. It’s about how well these stars can complement each other on the court and how seamlessly the rest of the lineup can fill in the gaps. Teams that win championships find ways to harmonize their strengths and minimize their weaknesses.
If we are relying on Durant and Booker, as I intend to do, let’s examine how they compare to other duos in the league with 500+ minutes played together.
In terms of Offensive Rating, Booker and Durant, when on the court together, rank 79th in the league with a rating of 114.5 (or tied for 77th).
Notable duos ahead of them include:
- Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs, who boast an Offensive Rating of 114.9.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams of the Oklahoma City Thunder at 116.9.
- Klay Thompson and Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks at 120.
- Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. of the Denver Nuggets at 122.5.
These are one-off tandems, some of which aren’t even the best duos on their respective teams, yet they rank ahead of our two best players.
Defensively, Durant and Booker rank 154th in the league among duos with 500+ minutes played together, posting a Defensive Rating of 114.5. However, the defense has been a glaring issue all season, and at times Durant has been our best defensive player—an observation that highlights the team’s struggles on that end of the floor.
In terms of Pace, Durant and Booker rank 78th in the league.
An assist-to-turnover ratio of 2.1 places them 76th.
And a net rating of 2.3 is 123rd in the league.
While these numbers don’t paint an encouraging picture, I believe this team knows they have room to improve. With a few weeks of consistent play and perhaps a couple of winning streaks, it will be interesting to revisit where Durant and Booker stand statistically. For now, I don’t think they are playing at a level high enough to carry the Suns to a playoff series win. Let’s reassess in a month and see if they’ve made strides in these key areas.