The recency effect is a hellish drug.

The 2024 NBA Playoffs have exposed many fans to this experience, as is the case with every playoff run. Did the Olympics offset the recency bias from the rough 4-game playoff sample size?

Despite being swept off the court by Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves, Devin Booker still stands on the throne of the best shooting guard in the NBA.

The gap Is Closure due to the emergence of young stars in the league, but overall performance counts. It’s not just about the recent playoff run or expectations for player development, it’s about results.

The numbers and recent history show that Devin Booker is and has been the best shooting guard in the NBA. With the competition hot on his heels, it is time for Booker’s best season to date to make it clear that he Is this guy.

Photo by Brian Choi/NBAE via Getty Images

RELATED READING: Devin Booker’s Season 10: What Historic Feats Could He Accomplish Next?

The awards

Devin Booker has led his team to a Western Conference championship and a playoff record of 25-22 in his Suns career.

He averaged 28-5-5 on a 49/49/90 shooting ratio in 47 playoff games and averaged 40.0 minutes per game. He finished several series on the road and at home with a great performance. The efficiency Book showed against playoff defenses was simply staggering. (see below)

The absurd numbers he has put up in his playoff career seem to go unnoticed by certain sections of the media until it seems appropriate to shed light on the small sample size of the elimination games.

Look, those games are important too. We can’t ignore them. But if people base their entire argument for his playoff performance on that, then that’s malicious. If you look at his entire body of work, he’s a maestro in the playoffs.

Devin Bookers Achievements in the 2020s:

• 27.0 PPG – the highest value of all SG
• 7,691 points – the highest score of all guard
• 2x gold medalist
• 4x All Star
• 2 x All NBA

Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

At 27, Booker is entering the prime years of his career. In his early and mid-twenties, he has already accomplished a lot and still has a lot to do. Expect him to break some Suns franchise records.

I am looking forward to seeing him in an environment with stars And With the new additions Tyus Jones and Monte Morris, we have set the course for success. Phoenix, health permitting, should be in the midst of tough competition in the West.

The competition

Anthony Edwards and Donovan Mitchell are clearly the top contenders for Booker’s claim to be the best at his position.

Let’s start with Anthony Edwards. He’s the “shiny new toy” that fans adore after his national coming out party. The fact is, he was drafted in 2020 and is much younger than Devin Booker.

Suns fans won’t like to hear this, but he could very well be on his way to surpassing him if he continues to improve his game. The potential and sheer talent is undeniable. He is on track to establish himself as one of the top 15 players in the NBA as early as next season.

The efficiency, playmaking and stamina to repeat what he did last season are the question marks here. Will Minnesota maintain their elite play over the course of 82 games? Can they make another deep playoff run? Those are the questions that need to be answered before Edwards is chosen over Booker, given Devin’s playoff success.

Photo by Kate Frese/NBAE via Getty Images

Donovan Mitchell should not be underestimated either. He is an electrifying goalscorer who can get hot on any given night and do the offensive work of any team.

I give Booker a slim edge in almost every category, and that versatility adds up to a noticeable difference between the two. That debate ended a while ago, but it’s more about the strides Booker has made on offense and in playmaking, as well as the defensive accomplishments, which shift in opposite directions between the two players.

Still, Mitchell is a real challenge for opposing defenses and deserves to be considered in the top tier of shooting guards. Given his track record, there’s a strong case to be made that he should be ahead of Antman as well.

The Others

Kyrie Irving has traditionally been listed as a PG throughout his career, but playing alongside the likes of LeBron James, James Harden, and now Luka Doncic, his game has been more of an “off guard.” He is extremely talented and has arguably the best handle in NBA history. While he is not in the top tier of shooting guards, it would be remiss not to include him in this article.

People like Jaylen Brown And Michael Bridges Profile more like that of a winger than a shooting guard. Desmond Bane is also in the middle of the top 10. I hope for Bradley Beal to land in the lower part of the top 10 discussions again this season.

My breakout candidate to watch out for is Jalen Williams from OKC. He’s next. I expect him to be in the big leagues next season. He’s the real deal.

Disclaimer: If they aren’t on this list, it’s probably because I consider them a point guard or wing player.

The competition is there and will only get tougher, but the front runner in this race is none other than DBook until proven otherwise.

Year 10 will be his best season yet. It’s Devin Booker’s time in the Valley.