“Lose It Every Once in a While”: Devin Booker’s Ex Coach Reveals the Change in Mannerisms in His Game, Amid Ejection Drama

Hours before the game between the Phoenix Suns and the Detroit Pistons, an uncalled event had everyone shaken and pale. Pistons’ Isaiah Stewart reportedly punched Drew Eubanks. He was arrested by the police. The atmosphere was tense since that very moment. Then within the first six minutes of the game, Suns shooting guard Devin Booker was ejected. It was an unfair call, but the pre-events leading up to it had everyone on edge.

It looked like Booker would have one of those big scoring nights. In just five minutes, he had scored seven shooting 40% and getting to his spots comfortably. It was spoilt by the referees who ejected him and took an influential starlet away from the Suns. Even without Book and Bradley Beal, Kevin Durant, Nurkic and veteran Eric Gordon secured a 100-116 win against the bottom-feeding Pistons.

After the game, KD and others gave their opinions of Booker’s wrongful ejection. His former coach and now the head coach of Detroit, Monty Williams also spoke on the situation. While heaping massive praise on the generational scorer, Williams noted how he would keep the All-Star guard in check.

Monty William claims he kept Devin Booker from exploding

Before a historic contract with the Pistons, Williams enjoyed four seasons with the Phoenix Suns. It can be said that it he was pivotal in the transformation of the Suns from the laughing stock to a prolific postseason team. In his four seasons, he helped them make the postseason after a 9-year hiatus. Under him, the talents of the Suns’ young core reached its pinnacle. He transformed the culture and instilled a winning mentality within the organization.

Under his tenure, the Suns made it all the way to the NBA finals in 2021, their first since the days of Charles Barkley. Book in particular was heavily influenced by his coach and became an offensive juggernaut. It helped him develop his game which contributed to winning while simultaneously putting on ludicrous numbers.

Because he worked so closely with the Suns superstar, Williams knows he tends to be emotional on the court. At times, he lets it consume him, leading to reckless ejections. After claiming “he’s different” and saying relishing Booker’s success, Williams spoke about his tendency to get into trouble and how he managed to keep him under control.

“I watch his mannerisms now. I watch him lose it every once in a while. He doesn’t have me over there to tell him cut it out. From time to time he would look over and me and see if I was going to say something and I’d be like ‘Stop!’,” said the Pistons HC.

Even though Booker lands himself in deep waters, Williams said he understood ‘not getting in the way of greatness’. After watching him hit an improbable game-winner over Paul George in the bubble, Williams was convinced he needed to give Devin Booker his space. While the dexterous scorer does wear his emotions on the sleeve, it’s the exact reason he puts up great performances.

Like the greats before, Booker only needs something small and inconsequential to ignite the demon in him. Even this season, he is having a fantastic year averaging 27,5 points despite playing with heavyweights like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal. Booker might step over the line at times, which he didn’t tonight as KD revealed his second tech was assessed while he was talking to him. But there is no denying the leap Devin Booker takes season after season.

READ MORE-Suns-Pistons Brawl Cleared For Devin Booker’s Controversial Ejection, via NBA Pool Report

He is unique, a rare blend of talents who is unarguably the future of the NBA.

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