One of the greatest trash talkers in the history of the NBA will be calling it quits in the next week when Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers complete their regular season schedule.
Don’t expect Phoenix Suns rookie Devin Booker to be taking over the mantle of the best trash talker around the Association any time soon.
There are some who have taken offense to Booker’s chirping on the court as a rookie. In fact, he leads all first-year players with four technical fouls, the latest coming after a brush up with Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Scott on Thursday.
He’s a pure trash talker, right?
Well, if you ask Booker himself, this couldn’t be further from the truth:
“People always think I’m trash-talking but I’m really talking to myself. ‘Let’s go, Book.’ ‘Nobody can guard you, Book.’ I’m just talking to myself,” Booker said, via Azcentral.com. “It’s really just something that keeps me going. Some people take it personal but, oh well.”
That’s an excuse if we have ever heard one. He’s not talking trash to other players. Nope. Instead, the former Kentucky standout is talking himself up in front of others. Okay, we get you.
Though, Booker made sure to indicate that he’s not about to be pushed around by those more senior than him.
The youngest player in the NBA continued:
“You can’t get pushed over in this league,” the 19-year-old said. “If you have the reputation of being soft, every time you step on the floor, teams are going to try to bully you. I have to let my presence be known.”
In the midst of a solid rookie campaign that’s seeing him average 13.7 points while shooting 35 percent from three-point range, we are surely to continue hearing from Booker. Let’s just not mistake it for him talking to himself.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-CBw1JixSw