Devin Booker

[JMac1]

According to McD on Dough and Wolfe this morning. Archie will have to outplay Booker for playing time. He said it is an open competition between the two of them. I like that

Thats peculiar for McD to say.

1. He's the GM... not the coach.
2. 18 year olds dont get much rotation minutes PERIOD, until the second half of the season when they build up their stamina and body.


If Hornacek said that, I can believe it.


My assumptions.
1. McD usually dont comment on players if they are available for transaction, to prevent other teams removing his leverage.
2. Gerald Green is not going to be resigned... so will Thornton... that means Goodwin and Booker picks up the scrap minutes already, Goodwin already is familiar with the system, so its a no brainer he gets more minutes.
3. McD is shopping Bledsoe.... because Knight, Goodwin, Booker provides a more balanced rotation.
Knight - Leader, can shoot, drive and pass
Goodwin - Long pesky, dynamic slasher who can defend 3 positions
Booker - Specialists shooter, off the ball catch and shoot guy.

He said we only had two guards under contract. Goodwin and Bledsoe. He said Bullock is more of a 2/3 so he didn't count him. I guess that means Thorton and Green are not coming back. He said he have 10 million and could create more room. "we are going to be aggressive in free agency......that's what he said.

[jcsunsfan]

According to McD on Dough and Wolfe this morning. Archie will have to outplay Booker for playing time. He said it is an open competition between the two of them. I like that

Thats peculiar for McD to say.

1. He's the GM... not the coach.
2. 18 year olds dont get much rotation minutes PERIOD, until the second half of the season when they build up their stamina and body.


If Hornacek said that, I can believe it.


My assumptions.
1. McD usually dont comment on players if they are available for transaction, to prevent other teams removing his leverage.
2. Gerald Green is not going to be resigned... so will Thornton... that means Goodwin and Booker picks up the scrap minutes already, Goodwin already is familiar with the system, so its a no brainer he gets more minutes.
3. McD is shopping Bledsoe.... because Knight, Goodwin, Booker provides a more balanced rotation.
Knight - Leader, can shoot, drive and pass
Goodwin - Long pesky, dynamic slasher who can defend 3 positions
Booker - Specialists shooter, off the ball catch and shoot guy.

He said we only had two guards under contract. Goodwin and Bledsoe. He said Bullock is more of a 2/3 so he didn't count him. I guess that means Thorton and Green are not coming back. He said he have 10 million and could create more room. "we are going to be aggressive in free agency......that's what he said.

He said they are going after "all the top free agents"

[Saberestar]

I have seen the press conference and it's true that the kid is smart and matured, I like that a lot.
At the last moment, when he receives the jersey with the #1 number he LOVE it. He asked to Hornacek if it was open that number and after a few seconds Horny answered "It must be..." (probably thinking about Dragic ).

He wasn't my favourite option, but obviously he is great shooter and has a great feel for the game, so hopefully he can be an steal in this draft and he becomes a tremendous player in a few years.

[bigfoot]

I have seen the press conference and it's true that the kid is smart and matured, I like that a lot.
At the last moment, when he receives the jersey with the #1 number he LOVE it. He asked to Hornacek if it was open that number and after a few seconds Horny answered "It must be..." (probably thinking about Dragic ).

He wasn't my favourite option, but obviously he is great shooter and has a great feel for the game, so hopefully he can be an steal in this draft and he becomes a tremendous player in a few years.

I loved how he said the hardest thing so far is changing his diet. No more fast food.

[rsavaj]

Thats peculiar for McD to say.

1. He's the GM... not the coach.
2. 18 year olds dont get much rotation minutes PERIOD, until the second half of the season when they build up their stamina and body.


If Hornacek said that, I can believe it.


My assumptions.
1. McD usually dont comment on players if they are available for transaction, to prevent other teams removing his leverage.
2. Gerald Green is not going to be resigned... so will Thornton... that means Goodwin and Booker picks up the scrap minutes already, Goodwin already is familiar with the system, so its a no brainer he gets more minutes.
3. McD is shopping Bledsoe.... because Knight, Goodwin, Booker provides a more balanced rotation.
Knight - Leader, can shoot, drive and pass
Goodwin - Long pesky, dynamic slasher who can defend 3 positions
Booker - Specialists shooter, off the ball catch and shoot guy.

He said we only had two guards under contract. Goodwin and Bledsoe. He said Bullock is more of a 2/3 so he didn't count him. I guess that means Thorton and Green are not coming back. He said he have 10 million and could create more room. "we are going to be aggressive in free agency......that's what he said.

He said they are going after "all the top free agents"

"We're going after all of the top free agents." -- every NBA GM, every summer.

[nevetsov]

He said we only had two guards under contract. Goodwin and Bledsoe. He said Bullock is more of a 2/3 so he didn't count him.

Didn't he only recently sign McNeal to a partially guaranteed contract...?

[blacksun]

I think Sekou Smith made a good point in the NBA review show that for Booker, its the reputation, more than the actual shooting that we can use him for on the next level. This alone could earn him some minutes next season given the roster shakes up for him

[Saberestar]

He said we only had two guards under contract. Goodwin and Bledsoe. He said Bullock is more of a 2/3 so he didn't count him.

Didn't he only recently sign McNeal to a partially guaranteed contract...?

No one is counting with McNeal. I think he will be attached in a trade or waived before the season begins.

[Damkac]

How I see Suns guard rotation:
Bledsoe-Knight
Bledsoe-Booker
Knight-Goodwin
Every duo plays +-16 minutes so one shooter and one slasher all the time

[carey]

I think Sekou Smith made a good point in the NBA review show that for Booker, its the reputation, more than the actual shooting that we can use him for on the next level. This alone could earn him some minutes next season given the roster shakes up for him

What a funny thing to say. Reputations earned in college are essentially meaningless until you earn them on the next level. If he doesn't come in & make shots right away it won't matter one bit if he was labeled the best shooter in the draft.

[blacksun]

I think Sekou Smith made a good point in the NBA review show that for Booker, its the reputation, more than the actual shooting that we can use him for on the next level. This alone could earn him some minutes next season given the roster shakes up for him

What a funny thing to say. Reputations earned in college are essentially meaningless until you earn them on the next level. If he doesn't come in & make shots right away it won't matter one bit if he was labeled the best shooter in the draft.

Not at all. In Booker's first NBA minutes, i think he will be used as a floor spacer moreso than an actual shooter. But yes, whether he continues to play depends on whether or not he knocks down his shots.

[WeekapaugGroove]

How I see Suns guard rotation:
Bledsoe-Knight
Bledsoe-Booker
Knight-Goodwin
Every duo plays +-16 minutes so one shooter and one slasher all the time

I like that and hope that's exactly how they use the back court.

[WeekapaugGroove]

Not sure if it's been brought up but I think it's a really good thing bookers dad was a guy who had a cup of coffee in the league but ultimately didn't make it. I think it adds to his maturity knowing that it's really hard to make in the NBA and even really good players dont. From everything I've read Devin has a really good head on his shoulders and that's an under rated trait.

I think we saw some of this last year where booker accepted playing as a role player for the Kentucky team. Most highly regarded recruits would pout if put in that situation.

[bhawk]

Not sure if it's been brought up but I think it's a really good thing bookers dad was a guy who had a cup of coffee in the league but ultimately didn't make it. I think it adds to his maturity knowing that it's really hard to make in the NBA and even really good players dont. From everything I've read Devin has a really good head on his shoulders and that's an under rated trait.

I think we saw some of this last year where booker accepted playing as a role player for the Kentucky team. Most highly regarded recruits would pout if put in that situation.

This. Great post. A good family and upbringing is invaluable to a kids long term confidence. Booker seems grounded to me compared to others who were available at 13. If given a choice between a Booker background and a Portis background, I can see why McD selected Booker. Stephen Curry is another kid with a solid family. The more I read about Booker the more I like him.

Hope the coaches slip him some growth hormones, I'd love him at 6.7 or 6.8. 6.9 would be outrageous!

[Blackification]

Not sure if it's been brought up but I think it's a really good thing bookers dad was a guy who had a cup of coffee in the league but ultimately didn't make it. I think it adds to his maturity knowing that it's really hard to make in the NBA and even really good players dont. From everything I've read Devin has a really good head on his shoulders and that's an under rated trait.

I think we saw some of this last year where booker accepted playing as a role player for the Kentucky team. Most highly regarded recruits would pout if put in that situation.

This. Great post. A good family and upbringing is invaluable to a kids long term confidence. Booker seems grounded to me compared to others who were available at 13. If given a choice between a Booker background and a Portis background, I can see why McD selected Booker. Stephen Curry is another kid with a solid family. The more I read about Booker the more I like him.

Hope the coaches slip him some growth hormones, I'd love him at 6.7 or 6.8. 6.9 would be outrageous!

McD also mentioned that there were only a handful of people that asked to hit the gym before their workout to practice their shot and he was one of them. He definitely sounds more mature and intelligent than 90% of the people drafted that are older than him.

[bhawk]

High character, smart, good BB IQ, solid work ethic, great shooter with a high release... The kid has a chance.

[bwgood77]

I think Sekou Smith made a good point in the NBA review show that for Booker, its the reputation, more than the actual shooting that we can use him for on the next level. This alone could earn him some minutes next season given the roster shakes up for him

What a funny thing to say. Reputations earned in college are essentially meaningless until you earn them on the next level. If he doesn't come in & make shots right away it won't matter one bit if he was labeled the best shooter in the draft.

Not at all. In Booker's first NBA minutes, i think he will be used as a floor spacer moreso than an actual shooter. But yes, whether he continues to play depends on whether or not he knocks down his shots.

Well you can't really space the floor unless/until you've proved you can shoot nba range 3s in a real game. They are not going to guard him long based on theory if he is not taking shots.

[bwgood77]

CBS's draft grades mention that "Booker will fit in really well in small lineups next to Eric Bledsoe and Brandon Knight. He'll help to space the floor and open up the lane for those two slashing and carving up the floor." That would be very very small but I suppose I like the idea of being able to range from super small with lineups like Bledsoe-Knight-Booker-Warren-Kieff to pretty big with lineups like Knight-Tucker-Granger-Kieff-Len. That first lineup seems like it would just get chewed up but I guess the versatility is attractive.

Yes, that first lineup might have to match up with GS who had Draymond Green playing center at time in small ball lineups. It is nice we have options.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Last season, rookies who shot >33% from 3 and averaged >5 points.

Hood 36%, 8 points, 21 minutes
Napier 36%, 5 points, 20 minutes
Lavine 34%, 10 points, 24 minutes
Smart 33%, 7 points, 27 minutes

Booker is likely to get a lot less than 20 minutes, so a good contribution may be shooting over 35%+ from 3 and 5 ppg.

[JoRain]

It was a good pick, solid B grade from me. I don't think he's the next Klay Thompson,

At 18 Booker has all of the necessary attributes to be just as good as Klay or Reggie or Ray Allen or Allen Houston...... He is 18. Hell he could grow another inch or two. Wait until he loses that baby fat.

Booker only needs so so handles because he shoots so well, which he will develop because he is a student of the game. You don't need the Kobe Bryant, DWade, MJ ball stoppers anymore in this league. All you need with the new rules and play is a Klay Thompson or Mitch Richmong or bigger John Paxson or Craig Elho, because the game favor GS style. Good pick up.
.

Actually Booker doesn't have the attributes. He has very small standing reach and tiny wingspan. There are only 7 players in the league currently with so small reach and wingspan - J.J.Redick O.J.Mayo and Gary Harris being the best of them. And Booker is taller than all of them.

He will get his shot off, but he'll never be able to finish consistently at the rim against NBA athletes and also will be limited defensively. Booker can become rotation player, but it's extremely unlikely he'll be anything more than that. His ceiling is quite low though his floor might still put him in NBA as well.

Overall not very happy with the choice, but giving who else was available, not gonna cry about it.
Trade for Leuer made draft a bit more pleasant for me, as I liked the Johnny Badger inWisconsin. Could be decent to good help off the bench. overall not very optimistic about draft however.


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