Devin Booker did not bother hiding his intentions as his first conversation with Coach Bud came to light. And it was related to the 2021 NBA Finals. For those of you who might have been swept up with the other NBA affairs, Mike Budenholzer helped Milwaukee to their first championship in 50 years. And who else but the Phoenix Suns ended up being the ones who got stampeded under the Bucks’ fierce resurgence. Booker also ended up getting swept (albeit an unwilling participant) in what was otherwise a remarkable playoff debut.

Now that the 4x All-Star got Mike Budenholzer at his leisure, Devin’s first words to their new coach were hilarious and yet hinted at the heartbreak he suffered back then. The X page dedicated to Phoenix, @SunsAreBetter, tweeted DBook’s response. “I told him he owes me a ring.” 

Yup. That’s what the 2x Gold medalist reportedly said to Bud in their first meeting. While it wasn’t exactly the former Bucks coach’s fault that the Suns lost in what was a perfect setting to get their first title ever, the underlying frustration on Booker’s part is probably because the then-25-year-old had a spectacular outing.

For example, in his first playoff appearance, Devin Booker surpassed Rick Barry to score the most points (601) in their postseason debut. In addition, he had back-to-back 40-point games, coming up big in Game 4 (42 points) after a forgettable Game 3 (10 points). However, after the 42-point matchup, the Kentucky alum wasn’t the least happy.

“It doesn’t matter at all. I said that after last game too, when I struggled shooting it. The main objective is to win the game. So anything (else) that goes on throughout the game, it doesn’t matter, for real,” Book stated, his frustration seeping through his words.

But since then, DBook has continued to grow, taking the franchise also to new heights and setting a winning culture. And now with the 2x COTY, Budenheizer’s guidance, the 27-year-old is looking to cement his name in the Suns’ history.

Devin Booker eyes Phoenix Suns’ scoring record while pursuing franchise’s first championship

After Book led Phoenix to their first playoff appearance since 2010, the Michigan native ensured they remained in the game for the ensuing years. The team clinched a playoff spot in all the years hence. More importantly, Booker’s stardom attracted top talents like Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal to the ‘Valley’. And as the ‘Big 3’ looks to make an impact this year, Devin is also aiming to put his name up among the greats of the franchise.

And the closest milestone is breaking the Suns’ all-time scoring record. Walter Davis currently occupies the position with 15,666 points in 766 games. Devin Booker, for his part, has 14, 529 points in 598 games. The 2015 first-round pick needs 1,137 points to tie the score. Anything further naturally puts his name at the top. If he can maintain the 27.1 points he averaged per game last season, Booker would surpass Davis in 42 games (1,138 points).

Imagine if he could bring that long-awaited title to the Suns this season, too! Devin Booker will be a name synonymous with the NBA greats. And as we have already seen, Mat Ishbia and the whole organization are right behind him in the endeavor. Some strategic moves in the free agency saw veteran point guards Tyus Jones and Monte Morris land in Phoenix, providing more depth at the backcourt.

In addition, Mason Plumlee will be the backup center behind the Suns’ big man, Jusuf Nurkić. And of course, they have an Arizona native and an NBA champion coach in Bud. Although his first words were that Mike owed him a ring, the rest showed that he trusted him.

“He just wants to win. I’m rallying behind him, what he says. That’s always been my motto. He wants to lead and we want to follow.”