Game 59: Phoenix Suns (18-40) at Utah Jazz (29-28), Wednesday, Feb 14th, 7PM MST

[lilfishi22]

I'm really amazed with how well Payton and JJ has gelled. A lot more so than Warren who I thought would be just as good if not better fit next to Payton.

[thamadkant]

If Jackson can become Jimmy Butler... Then he's already better than current Booker. Because of defense and still able to score 20ppg.

Booker offensively is amazing. But he needs to continue to improve his play making and all around game. Someone who will contribute when not scoring. Warren has this issue... He is a meh player when he isn't scoring because he doesn't do anything else. Jackson provides energy as a bare minimum in both ends. Then he can play elite defense too... Then you see him create passes and plays by pushing the ball to his team mates... Then he also isn't scared to score or try to score.


But yes.. Booker's ability to shoot and score is elite and is up there in the entire league.

[Beetlejuice]

First game with Payton and Booker: It is going to be hard to stay dead last in the standings even with our remaining schedule.

But it`s clear that they havent played with each other yet. I got a sense that balance of BookerVsPayton was a bit off first half of the game, but i think it got better by the end . I`ll count on Triano to let Payton do his thing a little bit more than Utah game, we need to get Book some easier shots to get him going and with Payton we very well may have that opportunity !

[hollywood6964]

If Jackson can become Jimmy Butler... Then he's already better than current Booker. Because of defense and still able to score 20ppg.

Booker offensively is amazing. But he needs to continue to improve his play making and all around game. Someone who will contribute when not scoring. Warren has this issue... He is a meh player when he isn't scoring because he doesn't do anything else. Jackson provides energy as a bare minimum in both ends. Then he can play elite defense too... Then you see him create passes and plays by pushing the ball to his team mates... Then he also isn't scared to score or try to score.


But yes.. Booker's ability to shoot and score is elite and is up there in the entire league.

He doesn't do anything on an elite level right now. So it's all projection. I don't think it's out of the question, but I'd still go with Booker, shooting. Plus it's not like at 21, he's peaked.

[NavLDO]

Biyombo type.

Exactly.

In one of my other 'novellas' I talked about how I was disappointed we didn't work out a deal for Biyombo as well when we got Payton. Something like Chandler + 2nd (or even MIL 1st, I would've been okay w/)...or...BK + MIL 1st would've given ORL a Combo Guard as a back-up plan in case they didn't get who they wanted in the Lottery this year. They save a couple of Million over the next 3 years, get a 1st Rd pick, and some 'insurance'.

We get, a defensive minded Center who is young and can start until our Shiny New Center we draft gets his legs under him, or if he gets injured, ever. To me, that would've made sense.

Have you seen Biyombo's contract

Have you seen BK's?

$2.4M difference next season
$1.4M difference the season after

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/orlando-magic/bismack-biyombo-8057/

http://www.spotrac.com/nba/phoenix-suns/brandon-knight-8058/

Not to mention, the utility of actually having that person play for that money...and I mean, meaningful, solid contribution-like minutes. Not the empty stats and useless future that Chandler provides, if we went that route vs BK.

I get what you are saying; maybe the Chandler move would be not the smartest move, but BK?? Same number of years, and minimal difference in price is worth the contribution Biyombo would provide over BK. If we are going to pay that much money anyway, may as well pay it to someone who helps the team.

[thamadkant]

If Jackson can become Jimmy Butler... Then he's already better than current Booker. Because of defense and still able to score 20ppg.

Booker offensively is amazing. But he needs to continue to improve his play making and all around game. Someone who will contribute when not scoring. Warren has this issue... He is a meh player when he isn't scoring because he doesn't do anything else. Jackson provides energy as a bare minimum in both ends. Then he can play elite defense too... Then you see him create passes and plays by pushing the ball to his team mates... Then he also isn't scared to score or try to score.


But yes.. Booker's ability to shoot and score is elite and is up there in the entire league.

He doesn't do anything on an elite level right now. So it's all projection. I don't think it's out of the question, but I'd still go with Booker, shooting. Plus it's not like at 21, he's peaked.

His one on one defense is immense... But fishes for rebounds sometimes or gets screened off easily too weak at the moment