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Suns Draft Points of View: Jeff Hornacek

The build-up to the 2015 NBA Draft ended on June 25, when the Suns selected Kentucky sharp-shooter Devin Booker with the 13th pick in the first round. This is one part of a three-part series, each of which focuses on the points of view of the Suns' general manager, head coach and rookie during the events leading up to, during and after the draft.

SUNS DRAFT POINTS OF VIEW: Ryan McDonough | Jeff Hornacek | Devin Booker

Jeff Hornacek loves to win, but he wouldn’t have minded losing a few more three-point shootout contests in practice.

Two factors prevented that from happening often in 2014-15: 1) Hornacek is one of the best shooters of his generation and 2) his current players struggled to be consistent threats from downtown.

Sure, it provided some good-natured ribbing during practice, but game-nights were another matter. In an era where the three-point shot is worth more than ever, Hornacek’s team found itself short on cash far too often.

That lack of shooting might as well have been a stop sign to the Suns’ slash-and-kick, pick-and-roll offense.

“If you need some shooting, depending on who your roster is and you’re demanding double teams…and we have two fantastic guards in Eric and Brandon that can break down double teams, there’s always that role,” Hornacek said. “We’re hoping that, with Eric and Brandon and maybe even Markieff in the post or our pick-and-rolls, that you’re going to get open looks.”

Open looks didn’t mean much, however, for a team that hit less than 30 percent from downtown after the All-Star break.

First Look at Devin Booker

Fast forward two months to pre-draft workouts. It was then that Hornacek saw Devin Booker in person, exhibiting as good a stroke as any he’d seen in the recently concluded season. Like, they say, recognizes like. Hornacek, who shot better than 40 percent from three over his own career, couldn’t help but admire the 18-year-old’s veteran-like form.

“It’s a heck of a stroke,” the Suns head coach said. “He gets it up and it’s right above his head where it should be.”

Hornacek was actually slotted as a point guard when he was drafted by Phoenix way back in 1986. His size and jump shot allowed him to be something of a hybrid, which proved helpful when the Suns traded for Kevin Johnson two years later.

Booker is even bigger (6-6 in shoes) and, at just 18 years old, could grow another inch or two before his height taps out. More importantly, Hornacek saw more from the draft’s youngest player than his jump shot. The old-school head coach saw a simple intelligence in decision-making, a trait he values highly.

“He’s a smart player,” Hornacek said. “He knows how to play. He’ll make extra passes. He’ll get in the lane. He’ll know if a guy is on his hip that he probably doesn’t have the shot and he’ll take one or two dribbles and get in the lane.

“When you watch tape, he’s got the ability to avoid guys and get a shot off. But we also saw many times on tape where he just kicked it out to someone else or he made a lob pass…He was trying to make the right plays and that’s the sign of a guy who is going to be a good professional.”

— Jeff Hornacek on Devin Booker

“When you watch tape, he’s got the ability to avoid guys and get a shot off. But we also saw many times on tape where he just kicked it out to someone else or he made a lob pass…It’s not like he just was all about scoring. He was trying to make the right plays and that’s the sign of a guy who is going to be a good professional.”

That showed up in person as much as on the tape. Pre-draft workouts are restricted to three-on-three work. While it doesn’t offer a game-like feel in terms of options and spacing, the principles remain the same.

Booker stood out in those situations as well.

“When we’re doing things in the three-on-three and we’re screening away, the stuff that he would do in a game, he had great reads of going behind [the screen] or under,” Hornacek said. “We just feel that he is the best shooter in the draft and that’s obviously something we need.”

The combination of talent and need wound up as a windfall for the Suns at pick No. 13. Hornacek admitted he thought “Booker was going to go nine at Charlotte. That was the big talk.”

That was all it was, apparently, as Booker – projected by most as a top-10 pick – was still on the board when the Suns’ turn arrived. Now Hornacek has a prospect that boasts a rare combination: ready-to-go skills and further potential for the future.

“I think when you look at a kid who is 18 years old, you have to wonder, ‘Is he really ready for this?’” he said. “When you talk to Devin, when he went through all the psychology tests or whatever it is that they do with him, when you talk to him, you’re realizing this kid is a very mature 18-year-old.

“He could step right in and play.”