TNT’s Reggie Miller to Suns’ Devin Booker: Keep it going

Ninety minutes before Thursday night’s game, TNT analyst Reggie Miller was talking about Devin Booker and how the Suns guard had the tools to one day be an NBA All-Star.

“But the success of your team will determine that,” said Miller, inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2012. “He’s averaging 21 points, but once your team starts to win and you compete for the playoffs – speak of the devil – you will get more consideration.”

Ahead, Miller spotted Booker walking his direction. The second-year guard was on his way to get up early shots on the main court at Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“See, I’m over here praising you right now, comparing you at 19 and me at 19,’’ Miller said, sharing a quick embrace with Booker. “You’re here (hand held high) and I’m here (hand held low). I’m telling you …”

Booker, 20, was just 8 years old when Miller played his final NBA game, but over the years he has watched enough video to understand the shooting guard’s greatness.

“I don’t compare,’’ he told Miller. “I don’t compare.”

“Keep it up, young fella,’’ Miller said.

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There are similarities here. In college, both Miller and Booker were known primarily as shooters. Miller shot 43.9 percent from 3-point range during his final season at UCLA. Booker shot 41.1 during his only season at Kentucky.

In 1987, Miller was the 11th pick of the NBA draft. In 2015, Booker went 13th. Over an 18-year career – all spent with the Indiana Pacers – Miller played in the All-Star Game five times, finishing as one of the best shooters in NBA history. He also was lethal in crunch time, particularly during the postseason.

Booker’s obviously not at such a level, but through two seasons, he’s off to a strong start. What impresses Miller most is that Booker has produced at a high level under difficult circumstances.

“I was 21 my first year; he was 19 – big difference,” Miller said. “I had four years of college under my belt; he had one. He immediately made more of an impact than I did. I played every game my rookie year, but I had the luxury of learning the game from John Long, who was 38 at the time and a seasoned veteran who knew the game in and out. I was lucky to not have so much pressure on me.”

As a rookie last season, Booker was in a similar situation – he averaged just 12.2 minutes his first full month – only it didn’t last. In fact, before one early season game, as the Suns started to struggle, Miller asked then-coach Jeff Hornacek, “Why don’t you just throw him out there and start him?”

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Eventually, that’s what happened, and Booker responded well. He posted six 30-point games his first season. With the Pacers, Miller didn’t reach that total until his third season. As a full-time starter this year, Booker draws the opponent’s toughest perimeter defender each night. Like Miller, who admits to talking trash to Michael Jordan as a rookie, Booker doesn’t back down. Like Miller, he has experienced red-hot stretches, entering Saturday’s contest at Dallas as the NBA’s only player with multiple scoring quarters of 25-plus points.

Overall, Booker averages 20.2 points, shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 34.3 from 3-point range. In his second season – his first as a full-time starter – Miller averaged 16 points, shooting 47.9 percent.

“He has a much better off-the-dribble game than I did at this age,” Miller said. “I developed that maybe my fourth year, taking the ball off the dribble and trying to be more than just a catch-and-shoot player. He’s always been able to do that.”

At the same time, Miller said it’s important to remember the obvious: Booker still is a “baby going against grown men.” He’s still learning. With most players – even those who are extremely skilled – it takes time.

“I started my second year, but it wasn’t until the third year that everything clicked,’’ Miller said. “I knew how to get my shot off. I knew how to score in traffic … With Booker, you can see that coming.”

Contact Doug Haller at 602-444-4949 or at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter.com/DougHaller.

Saturday’s game

Suns at Mavericks

When: 7 p.m.

Where: American Airlines Center.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR FM 98.7.

Dallas update: Entering Friday’s home contest against Brooklyn, the Mavericks (27-36) had won five of six, including their past three. In Tuesday’s win over the Lakers, forward Dirk Nowitzki (13.9 ppg) became the sixth NBA player and the first international one to score 30,000 career points. On Jan. 12, Dallas beat the Suns 113-108 in Mexico City. PG Deron Williams scored 23 points that night, but he’s no longer with the team. In his absence, Yogi Ferrell has taken over and played well, averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 assists in 17 contests. G Seth Curry has averaged 22.8 points, shooting 57.5 percent, over his past five games. F Nerlens Noel – acquired before the trade deadline – is day-to-day with knee soreness.