Stephen A. Smith: Devin Booker is the next Kobe Bryant

Devin Booker is getting some high praise as the 2021 NBA Playoffs continue to play out.

Booker proved in series against the Los Angeles Lakers and Denver Nuggets that he’s one of the elite players in the NBA, and he continued that trend as the Western Conference Finals began Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers.

Today, Booker received a huge praise/comparison by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith.

In the first game of the Western Conference Finals, Booker dropped his first career triple-double vs. the Clippers with 40 points on 51% shooting, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists.

In 11 games these playoffs, Booker has averaged 29 points, 7.4 rebounds and 5.4 assists. He is shooting 49.1% from the field and 38.2% from three. He also recently committed to playing for Team USA in the upcoming Olympics.

Stephen A. Smith’s comments here also are ones to think through. Smith isn’t saying he will ever be better than Kobe, but when it comes to scoring and the ability to take over a game at any point, they are both eerily similar.

In what has been a crazy run for Booker in his first ever NBA playoffs, the future is definitely bright with the Phoenix Suns. It’s no secret that he is on the edge of superstardom. If he continues this performance, fully expect that title to be engraved next to his name starting next season.

It has been a small sample size, but receiving this kind of praise definitely sets some lofty expectations. But when you are being compared to one of the greats to play the game, it’s definitely worth watching where his career goes from here forward.

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