How Devin Booker Is Evolving Into Prime James Harden | Eric Gordon

In this clip, Eric Gordon talks about Devin Booker (Phoenix Suns) reminding him of peak James Hardn on The Houston Rockets.
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[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

Feels like a lot of these comments were made before listening to what EG said. So here it is... 'James is one of the best guards I've played with and I'm starting to see Book transition into that.' He says that's because Book is evolving from pure scorer into a real playmaker, like Harden. At no point did he says he's AS GOOD or BETTER than Harden. I hope this clarifies the take for some people.

[@Adam-qf2rq]

Sorry already made up my mind and donated my Eric Gordon jersey to charity. Not a fan of the comparison.

[@rignips]

@@Adam-qf2rqlmao - are you 5?

[@Justintweaks]

⁠@@Adam-qf2rqwhy tf do u have an eric gordon jersey anyway

[@therebelsheep5761]

Some of y’all are nuts. It’s HIS opinion that Book reminds him of Harden. Agree or don’t, he as a guy who has played with both of them has much more say on the matter than any of us

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

People can have their opinion. But dismissing a guy who played w/ both is strange. Again, I don't think people watched the vid before commenting.

[@anthonysteen56]

IMO if you haven’t done it then you’re unqualified then your take is worth about as much as toddler…actually a toddler probably has a more honest take…”you’re fat”

[@Heehee902]

@@anthonysteen56u just yappin

[@zeus4885]

Haters mad lmao

[@koko_nutty6340]

@@Heehee902lol you salty cause he said you fat

[@cousinilly215]

The fact Gordon been in the league 16 years is telling me that I’m getting old like wtf!

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

same lol

[@NickDeWayne]

The fact that Gordon is a yr YOUNGER than me really makes me feel old

[@DaGoook]

Yep, seems like yesterday I was watching him cook everyone at Indiana. Damn this means I'm almost 40.

[@KGtha1]

It sucks lol

[@christianmoreno3585]

i’m 25 and it makes me feel like i’ve been watching hoops for awhile lol. gonna be crazy when i’m 40

[@garrusv]

Booker controls the entire pace on the floor. It’s an amazing thing to witness, something few players are capable of.

[@zbt62]

Yea, just to name who I think do that, bron Luka harden and SGA

[@brandonmbemba]

@@zbt62nailed it

[@nickfowler547]

@@zbt62joker

[@kevinthenedi]

Unless when he plays with his dad, Luka. 😂

[@_ogzay]

Been saying it for years that cp3 has rubbed off on Book. After watching James in Houston with EG for years I totally see exactly what he sees. Book can easily average 28 & 10 now he’s grown so much.

[@ss-sb5ot]

PreCp3 2019-20 Book: 26.6 PPG, 6.5 APG on 61.8% TS PostCp3 2020-21 Book: 25.6 PPG, 4.3 APG on 58.7% TS Dbook has always been more effective & better Playmaking when he has the ball in his hands he in 97% in league in Potential Assists this season and 98% in On-Ball-Time%

[@zeus4885]

@@ss-sb5otyou are too focused on stats and are unable to see anything beyond them

[@_ogzay]

@@zeus4885 @ss-sb5ot Exactly. This is such an airheaded take. Actually watch the games and you will understand basketball better.

[@nabm4ulerz]

DHO = Dribble Hand Off Just in case anyone wanted to know

[@jonathangalindo7346]

Harden is someone who is a shooter, good at driving, good with pick and roll orchestrates offense and finds open shooters. Very much like harden. Book has leadership values and other attribute like his defense and efficiency that distinguishes them. It’s a respectful comparison but we know they’re both different

[@joshz3788]

Too many nerds in here trying to act like Booker isn't a score-first passing guard, exactly like James Harden, which is exactly why he reminds him of Harden. Some of you people are seriously that silly.

[@weaponxd253]

Yeah people always Hate on Booker they'll bring up that loss to the Mavs 2 years ago but won't talk about the mavs missing the postseason last year lol it's a casual thing probably.

[@queyoung6597]

@@weaponxd253So it’s hate when you talk about a star player having a trash performance in the playoffs? It wasn’t just 2 years ago. Last year in a close out game he goes 4/13 for 12 points. Then the year before that he was trash in the Mavs close out game. Also the year before he goes 8/22 in the close out game of the finals. Dude can put up numbers no doubt, but when his team has faced elimination for the past 3 seasons he’s had underwhelming performances.

[@nomododo]

⁠@@weaponxd253Seriously dude, who knew Booker’s ‘Luka Special’ quote would make him one of the biggest living memes in NBA history. I mean damn, it’s been two years now. I hope he’ll recover from this. But that 25 point blowout against the Nuggets in game 6 didn’t do him any favours. Maybe this year? The slandering of his mother has gone too far.

[@weaponxd253]

@queyoung6597 no I said specifically bringing up that 1 game. I said nothing about the other games. You do realize Lukas last elimination game he went 10 for 28 right? But let me guess he had no help.

[@weaponxd253]

@bdt75 I agree that he needs to be better in elimination games that's no question! I just think the Luka thing is a bit ridiculous.

[@indamaking]

I thought this the other night. Book is scoring so easy right now and playoffs were a glimpse of how good he can be offensively

[@sylvesterstillalone]

we need JH on the pod please

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

facts

[@danialraheem6574]

​@@OLDMANANDTHETHREEmake it happen please 🙏🏽 Young OKC, Rockets v GSW, Nets Big 3, the countless stars he's played with. Harden probably has the most interesting stories in all of the NBA. He's literally seen it all.

[@sylvesterstillalone]

@@danialraheem6574 and the club stories dropping 60 point triple doubles with henny still on his beard

[@andredang7951]

dudes scoring is so clean especially with that jumper

[@deez9805]

Book my favorite player because there’s NOTHING he can’t do and the way he does it anyone can do it if they put in the reps. And now he’s getting smarter and setting things up in ways he wasn’t until last year when he had to pick up the play making slack of CP.

[@Holdemnicely6969]

Brandin Podziemski reminds me of Kirk Hinrich & Rondo with the rebounding .

[@getmoney3806]

I get he meant Booker is transitioning into a scorer playmaker...but theres levels. Harden can pass & set up teammates with the best of them...Booker just swings the ball when he's doubled or someones open. Harden creates on another level.

[@X_KMD]

Not saying he’s passing like prime Harden but he’s doing more than passing out of doubles and swinging the ball. Averaging over 8 assists is not typical for a SG

[@SosaA11]

@@X_KMDhe’s been playing pg since before the bubble

[@X_KMD]

@@SosaA11 That serves my point. An NBA team wouldn’t have had him running point if he could only make the same basic passes every other player can make. He’s a legit facilitator

[@ratcomedy]

At this point he’s making pretty advanced reads and manipulating defenses… it’s different from how he was a few years ago

[@StayTru101]

@@X_KMDnot at hardens level plz stop this nonsense.

[@Seddysaid]

Good questions JJ, was thinking the same thing

[@1solo92]

The caption is clickbait/engagement bait and people are coming to debunk the caption not to actually listen to what hes saying.

[@ahmadsaad7938]

prime james harden was averaging 35 pts and did not have kevin durant on the floor with him...

[@guanoguy4800]

Prime James disappeared during all the big games

[@Mike-tb9rk]

​@@guanoguy4800and? Big shot Rob has 7 rings is he better than harden too?

[@LuisLRC]

​@@guanoguy4800 Devin booker in elimination games 💅💅💅

[@Rickle_Pick23]

@@guanoguy4800did he though lol averaged 30+ in the playoffs and besides SA meltdown, only seemed to ever lose to GS

[@viciousc5261]

*36 dont know why they always say 35

[@KMcNair-zk7cj]

I agree all Devin booker has to do is to continue being a play maker he’s offensively top most skilled in the nba. Eric Gordon knows what he saying he’ll he’s currently playing with book rn . One can argue Devin booker got more of a bag then James harden

[@kdburner1057]

Is Eric talking about MSG or TD in the beginning of the video…

[@pabl0sauced0]

He played with harden for like 4 or 5 years so if anybody knows its him.

[@thenightowls2804]

What an interesting take

[@jaysonjoyce9708]

You haters on here gotta watch more suns ball. Book can very well pass harden all time SG list of he keeps being this efficient and gets a chip maybe maybe

[@ATF-]

Gonna need an mvp and a 35+ppg season

[@johncarlocompetente6543]

looong shot.

[@Beanz06]

@@johncarlocompetente6543not really if he gets a chip before harden then it’s very likely

[@CaliPaliGuy]

If a guy whose played with both guys in real NBA games says one reminds him of the other, then that’s what it is.

[@nbapbaupdate8338]

I hope your guest is Lonzo Ball JJ Reddick 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@maxhunter3300]

Book leveled up his defense waaay past Harden. He has the best defensive efficiency on the team right now. He will ultimately be better than Harden, if he isn't already. Book it 💯

[@ahmedegal6808]

delusion lol hes never even been a top 5 player in the league for one season yet lol

[@maxhunter3300]

@@ahmedegal6808 Fanatical, not delusional. Quite similar though actually 👽

[@StayTru101]

@@maxhunter3300stop this bias you’re speaking nonsense.

[@thegoatproduction6054]

Nobody gone be prime James harden. He was a freaking monster bro booker good but he not as good as harden was

[@sylvesterstillalone]

Come on man with all due respect to book.. James went through a stretch he was the best in the league..

[@ckq]

And Booker is 80-90% of that

[@Steps.To.Sucess]

@@ckqno he’s not even close

[@guanoguy4800]

not with a big game on the line

[@MiguelNava-m5u]

@@guanoguy4800 and harden was so good during big games, gtfo

[@5.kc.5]

you have severe comprehension issues

[@itsjimsley]

I will never forget that JJ Redick termed the coin Sicko

[@uhhLETSKATE]

Luka reminds me of harden

[@DaMeloman32]

So this is the vet JJ was talking abt in the KP interview…

[@TheKennyGM]

nothing like Prime Harden sorry :s

[@MiguelNava-m5u]

He better lol

[@tobiasovergard3244]

Yeah because he litereally better than Harden

[@thabomaqubela6737]

In the regular season, yes

[@TheKennyGM]

@@tobiasovergard3244 jajaja not even close mate

[@TheKennyGM]

@@MiguelNava-m5u jajaja not even close mate

[@damondtrapp170]

All Ik is prime harden with KD not losing

[@ahmedegal6808]

facts loool

[@StayTru101]

Lmaoo facts

[@nazeemfonemgaddafi]

Bro I’ve never heard Eric gordan talk

[@DTS_I]

People don’t watch the Suns enough. It shows.

[@drey_scorchin]

I do but on yt hahaha

[@MunchOnDeezNutz]

Harden is one of the best players to play this game with his play style, you don't have to like it. Book is becoming what prime james harden was. Hes doing it on all levels like harden was.

[@wishyouluck111]

Minus the terrible shooting performances and hero ball. Book is Book. Harden is Harden.

[@skillsmachine9164]

​@darrin6935 book has more dog in him and can see him hitting more clutch shots when it really matters. Harden was a star but faltered in big games. Dbook won't back down.

[@grayfullbuster4512]

@@skillsmachine9164mane after reading this the first thing my mind went to is when James harden shoot over two people in that hou Vs Gsw game ( Ik this doesn’t debunk what you said but I just remembered it so vividly)

[@TriLe-g7c]

One of the worst elimination players in the league and you telling me he won't back down. It's time for you to sit down and watch some basketball instead of typing like a retard

[@carnage3208]

​@skillsmachine9164 Harden is top 10 in playoff clutch points scored and efficiency and top 10 in playoff 40 point games. Y'all gotta stop letting the media influence your opinions lol

[@leon80629]

luka is the modern day harden

[@jchucollection]

Eric Gordon sounds like Drake if you don't watch the video and just listen to him speak.

[@johnlarue3163]

Can seem to figure out exactly how much playoff success prime James harden had...

[@Kobiyashi77]

Bruh... no he aint... LOL. We just throwing out names for no reason.

[@yeetnskeet7261]

the titles an insult to one of the best offensive primes ever

[@moonlemon09]

Booker is better than prine Harden. Harden was worthless without the ball in his hands and didn't play defense. Not a winning player.

[@swanpapi7932]

He's better

[@OLDMANANDTHETHREE]

would you like us to call eric gordon and tell him that his observation is wrong?

[@SunsMIA]

Book > Harden

[@tedted5904]

That's crazy he chose phx over the bucks

[@Mike-tb9rk]

Prime harden is the 4th best guard since MJ (steph, kobe, wade). The disrespect is real by some of the fans.

[@SaulFavela-ld8kt]

People sitting on their coach and bitching in the comments saying that a 10+ year nba vet doesn’t know what he’s talking about 💀

[@iamsedrickb]

I’m saying that’s why I respect the takes of folks like Ryan Rollins, Kendrick Perkins, and Gilbert arenas

[@tanveerbal3678]

“Termed the coin”

[@latneyblunk3643]

Insult me with a complaint.

[@Odhran2017]

No where near hardens level literally didn't make the playoffs in like 7 years before cp3 most overated player in the league

[@Heehee902]

It’s crazy how you can only average 20 ppg twice in your career and make 200 ms

[@zeus4885]

Who are you referring to

[@AMC5274]

I wouldn't want to be compared to Harden cuz he still can't get it done in the most important moments 🤣

[@viciousc5261]

Right like he did to luka giannis or jokic right?

[@thejonesbass]

disagree, booker is like what klay would be if he expanded his game 😂 Book is what a modern 2 guard should like... Luka doncic is like a better James Harden

[@_theBigGOAT]

Here for the casuals telling the players that played their wrong 🤣

[@liamiangaming7931]

People in the comments have no idea what they are talking about. Booker is easily better than Prime Harden. That might sound insane, especially since in the regular season Harden had two seperate seasons of averaging 35ppg, but lets talk about playoffs. In the playoffs, Booker last season averages 34ppg on 58% FG and 50% 3pt shooting, while the best playoffs Harden ever had was on 31ppg on much worse shooting splits. Not to mention Booker can actually play defense.

[@MunchOnDeezNutz]

Stop man you might like Booker more than harden but everyone knows prime harden is one of one, just because you don't like how things look right now doesn't mean he's better than harden

[@liamiangaming7931]

@MunchOnDeezNutz I'm not talking g about Harden rn I'm talking about prime Harden. Prime Harden ain't ever averaged 34ppg on 58-50-85 shooting in the playoffs like Booker did.

[@iamsedrickb]

You’re ignoring and 82 game sample and focused on a less than 30 playoff game sample size? That’s a little crazy lol but whatever fits your narrative I guess

[@johnny_sack]

@@uunameduser_have you seen booker in any elimination game?

[@unspeakablyawesomebros3392]

Harden averaged 28 8 and 8 for his 8 year run in Houston, where his ts was 61 percent (better than league average) while also playing the second most playoff games in that time span. Let’s booker do what he did last year consistently and then we can have a discussion. Not to mention that he isn’t even the player the opposing team is most worried about because of KD, when harden had CP who is far worse than KD, he was cooking in the playoffs and nearly won it all.

[@Tehui1974]

I used to like the Suns, but then KD jumped on another bandwagon and joined the team. As a result, I dislike them now.

[@Miles_305]

I generally can't stand Harden's style of ball BUT even I have to admit this take is trash😅

[@nathanbedfordforest]

Prime James Harden is the all time NBA leader in 50 point triple doubles. Booker not him

[@kingbanksss]

Dissappears in big games... yup reminds me of harden alright.

[@21Invincible259]

And like James Harden, if Devin Booker is your best player your team won’t win anything

[@Lilkhi123]

He’s high

[@FM-sw7oh]

Luca reminds me of harden!! Luca and harden will never win a chip 🏆 . I wouldn’t not want to be compared to harden! Stats man only! He selfish and pushed out all star players and he still didn’t win a championship!!

[@alexandersnow1963]

That’s not a compliment

[@1thoughtfantasy59]

Stop wtf🤣🤣🤣

[@bjensen]

Booker's performances in closeout playoff games also reminds me of a lot of James harden

[@danbobway5656]

So you don't watch basketball congrats

[@Beanz06]

He’s only been in 2

[@yeetnskeet7261]

hes good and all. but that is such an insulting title to prime harden i cant believe it. Prime harden was arguably the greatest offensive player ever, is book even top 3 in scoring right now?

[@yeetnskeet7261]

oh and prime harden (rockets if that isnt clear) didnt have Kevin freaking durant to take defensive attention away from him

[@moonlemon09]

Prime Harden was a massive detriment on defense and offered mininal offensive value when he didn't have the ball in his hands. Amazing regular season player, mediocre playoff player.

[@guilhermerafael7838]

Durant is the reason Booker is not averaging 35 LOL

[@ahmedegal6808]

@@guilhermerafael7838 harden did it with westbrook a guy u can double off with a higher usage than KD while also averaging 8 assists of lol stfu

[@unspeakablyawesomebros3392]

@@moonlemon09he has the highest plus minus of any player in the playoffs between 2013 - 2018. He was the mvp for the the playoffs for his team, Booker can’t even get to the playoffs without KD and CP.

[@raybohlander5502]

When has "prime harden" been a good thing... you mean that ball hog traffic cone that disappeared when it actually mattered?

[@chanceberg832]

Ive been a Big Fan of Devin Bookers since He was Drafted...I always knew he was a All star player ..But, id really really like to See Booker be more Dominant and Consitant in the Playoffs...I feel like When We Lost the Finals and The playoffs He Could have Did Better...Last Year He Did Good But, i want to see Him be Elite

[@DahlinSilesile-rc4lk]

He was elite last year the team was new and had injuries he had one bad game wtf do you watch

[@chanceberg832]

​@@DahlinSilesile-rc4lk I watch F...... Ball for 30 years

[@zeus4885]

He literally had the most efficient scoring run in NBA playoff history last postseason. 34 PPG on 69% TS has never been done before. It amazes me how some of you casual fans don’t understand what you’re watching and miss these things

[@StayTru101]

Yea Book was tuff last year but they didn’t get pass Denver that’s all

[@thelegendoof8744]

Disrespectful to prime harden. I know Eric and harden are boys, but this an L take on his part 😂

[@othellorucker8107]

Being compared to harden is not a good thing lol 😂

[@brandonperez2267]

Their play styles are equally effective in the playoffs too.

[@jaysonjoyce9708]

Finals stats bud

[@jaceygaither2581]

Not even close, Book has more big playoff moments in 3 years than Harden does in his career. People forget Book dropped b2b 40 bombs in the finals on a strained hamstring.

[@deez9805]

We would have won the finals if Giannis didn’t go nuts in B2B games. Book avg 28 that series we not about to blame him for CP playing trash and Giannis, Brook & Bobby running a train on DA. Bro did everything he could.

[@StayTru101]

@@jaceygaither2581please stop Book was a LOOOOSER before cp3 arrived. Harden was contending with trash teammates. The bias is crazy.

[@StayTru101]

⁠@@jaceygaither2581 Harden was also WINNING with top 5 playoff spot every year. Not saying Book isn’t him but he’s missed the playoffs a few times in his career compared to Harden who’s competed. Inflated stats don’t tell the whole story

[@waneselagory9390]

Book is better

[@henryzhao4622]

This reminds me of Draymond doing the tiktok pick 5 players challenge and creating a trash team. Just bc you a great player doenst mean you can always see the game in the big picture as well as someone outside the game

[@sowavychris8413]

Naw he better than harden

[@TrevorEMayo]

If Devin is evolving to be more like The System I guess that means Booker's chances at a title are diminishing.

[@guilhermerafael7838]

The difference is that Booker is not selfish and he can play off ball

[@StayTru101]

@@guilhermerafael7838Booker is nothing close to prime Harden or even current day Harden is still on the same level as him now

[@guilhermerafael7838]

@@StayTru101 like Gordon said in the video, he's EVOLVING into that playstyle. Now, if you actually think Current Harden = Booker... then you have no ideia about basketball

[@cbrend22]

lol, he says it like it's a good thing!! Lol. What has Harden ever won? He is a narcissist gunner who LITERALLY shoots NBA avg from the field and from 3. Not close to, but actual NBA avg. Anyone who shot as often who score as much, period. Add to that his choking in the playoffs and being and absolute liability on D, it's NOT an accident that he moves on every year or two and never ever wins anything. It amazes me that so called experts are too stupid to see it.

[@queyoung6597]

He’s developing a reputation for having underwhelming performances in close out games. I see the Harden comparison.

[@Beanz06]

He’s only been in 2 close out games

[@queyoung6597]

@@Beanz06 Actually three. But that’s how you develop a reputation. He hasn’t been to the playoffs much, but that’s because he couldn’t help get his team above .500 before Chris Paul got there.

[@pablojr-s2d]

ill take book over harden anyday

[@StayTru101]

And you will lose every time

[@TheMissiIe]

Sounds like an insult. Book is 20x the defender Harden was

[@SychoMedia]

Yeah right 😂

[@geog8013]

bullshit

[@cjpeach11]

Devin Booker sucks tbh. Hes not nearly as good as Nash was.... Let alone Prime Harden lol

[@drey_scorchin]

He scored 70 pts before come on

[@gabewashington9416]

NO HES NOT , these players be so disrespectful with these takes 😂

[@moonlemon09]

True, Booker is better. Harden's heliocentric style and lack of defense always flopped in the playoffs. Great regular season player though.

[@guanoguy4800]

yeah, Book deserves better than this

[@thatsubae]

You're right, Booker is better. How disrespectful of EG

[@geog8013]

@@moonlemon09win a mvp first

[@ramaladingdong4998]

With all the turnovers he has he ain’t wrong

[@ratcomedy]

Didn’t realize Eric Gordon was a little country lmao

[@damondtrapp170]

All Ik is prime harden with KD not losing