Devin Booker talks Clippers with James Harden, Paul George beef, Kevin Durant workload
The beef between Devin Booker and Paul George made Wednesday night's Phoenix Suns-Los Angeles Clippers showdown at Footprint Center even more intriguing.
Booker addressed playing against the Clippers, the origin of his feud with George and Kevin Durant’s injury after Wednesday’s morning shootaround.
The Suns (18-15) brought a four-game winning streak into their first of four matchups versus the Clippers (20-12), who were 12-2 in their last 14 games entering Wednesday night's game.
“I love it,” Booker said. “It’s a high powered game. A lot of talent on the floor. A lot of bucket getters. It’s going to be fun. Probably one of those teams that, you never know but possibly see in the playoffs. It’s a team I watch a lot of.”
Clippers with James Harden
The Clippers were already formidable with Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook and George.
Now they're even stronger with James Harden.
“They’re figuring it out. They’re building that chemistry. It was a little shaky at first, which is what you expect with an all-new team, but I think they’ve staggered the lineups well now and play to everybody’s strength.”
The Clippers lost their first five games with Harden, who they acquired in a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia 76ers early this season.
They’ve gone 17-5 since with Harden in the lineup.
"That's where it started and it's never been resolved."
Devin Booker on Paul George when they got into it in 2020-21 season vs. Clippers when coming to Cameron Payne defense.
"It's just hoops, man. It's competitive. It never lives off the floor. It's fine." #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/sbBjDaOJWt— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 3, 2024
Origin of Booker-George beef
Booker described the relationship with George being “fun and competitive.”
That went someplace else when Booker and Paul had a very heated exchange in Phoenix’s 112-107 home loss Jan. 3, 2021, to the Clippers during the shortened 2020-21 season amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
George reacted to Cameron Payne falling on top of him after blocking his shot from behind as Deandre Ayton was called for the foul. That led to Booker responding to George. The two needed to be separated as George and Booker screamed at each other from across the court.
“That’s where it started and just never been resolved,” Booker said.
Will it ever be resolved?
“Honestly, I don’t care,” a smiling Booker said. “It’s just hoops, man. It’s competitive. It’s nothing that lives off the floor. It’s fine.”
Their most recent exchange came on social media this summer after George asked Klay Thompson on his podcast about saying “four rings” to Booker during last season’s Suns-Warriors game in which Phoenix blasted Golden State, 134-105 at Footprint Center.
Thompson has won four NBA championships with the Warriors.
Thompson admitted being mad Booker was cooking him as he received his first game ejection in 651 games that Oct. 25, 2022 night. Both Thompson and George gave Booker his props on "Podcast P," but Booker took to Instagram and asked “Is that the answer you were looking for” and tagged George.
In reaction, George said on Twitch, “I asked a question. Klay gave his response. I don’t know what that was supposed to mean. Sorry ass response.”
"He'll never say it, but I think he needs a couple of games, too. He's had a lot on his plate this season with me and Brad being out."
Devin Booker on Kevin Durant, who will miss his second straight game with right hamstring soreness Wednesday vs. Clippers. #Suns #ClipperNation pic.twitter.com/v4QnUS63Ka— Duane Rankin (@DuaneRankin) January 3, 2024
Durant’s injury
Durant will miss his second straight game with right hamstring soreness Wednesday night. Suns coach Frank Vogel said Durant tweaked the hamstring in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s win over Orlando.
Booker addressed the injury in terms of the workload Durant has had so far this season with both he and Bradley Beal missing games due to injuries
“He’ll never say it, but I think he needs a couple of games, too,” Booker said about Durant. “He’s had a lot on his plate this season with me and Brad being out.”
Leading the Suns in scoring at 29.9 points a game, the 35-year-old Durant is also first on the team in minutes played per game at 37.1.
He’s played in 28 games, four more than Booker and 19 more than Beal.
The Suns’ Big 3 of Booker, Durant and Beal have played in only four games together.
“It’s our job to take a lot of pressure off of him and him playing in the high 30 minutes every night isn’t what we need at this point in the season from him,” Booker added.
Have opinions about the current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Devin Booker talks Suns-Clippers showdown, Paul George beef, Kevin Durant workload
