Fansided

5 best things from NBA opening week

By Hunter Kuffel

LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets during a game on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 17: Boban Marjanovic #51 of the LA Clippers dunks the ball against the Denver Nuggets during a game on October 17, 2018 at Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 17: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball past Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated defeated the Mavericks 121-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 17: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns moves the ball past Dorian Finney-Smith #10 of the Dallas Mavericks during the second half of the NBA game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 17, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated defeated the Mavericks 121-100. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

3. Fourth-quarter heat checks abound

One of the most exciting elements of an 11-game regular season slate is that we have 11 opportunities to witness a fourth quarter performance like the one we saw from Devin Booker against the Mavericks.

The newly minted franchise guard put up a staggering 19 points in the fourth, leading to 35 points total and a commanding 21-point victory over Dallas. The dysfunction that surrounds the Suns like a congress of ghosts is still there, but a fun team is beginning to show through. Also, isn’t it strange that the collective noun for ghosts is congress? Ghosts weren’t elected.

Booker isn’t new to the role of prolific scorer of course, and I acknowledge the obligatory “it’s only one game” caveat, but something felt a bit different about this game, specifically this fourth quarter. There’s a subtle difference, I believe, between putting up shots to get yours and putting up shots because the game needs to be put away. The Suns have an awfully long way to go before excellence or even consistent competence. However, Booker rising to the level of the contract he signed this summer is a surefire way to speed things along.

Bonus shoutout to Kemba Walker for almost singlehandedly dragging the Hornets to a come-from-behind victory against the Bucks. Walker is a delightfully exciting scorer, whether it’s a gorgeous step back 3-pointer or a drive to the rim or a smooth pull-up out of the pick-and-roll. His 41 points weren’t quite enough to secure the upset against Milwaukee, but if Nicolas Batum makes the wide-open 3 at the buzzer, that’s a different conversation. No man is an island, but sometimes Kemba is almost an archipelago. Archipelago: a congress of ghosts, but for islands.

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