Booker Discussion, news and highlights

[Saberestar]

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I think Ja Morant was 4th in the fan vote. Do you know who was 4th in the media vote?

Donovan Mitchell.

[Kerrsed]

Wasnt the knock on Booker all these years that he was on a losing team, and therefor didnt really "Qualify" to be an All-star?

Memphis is currently out of the playoffs at the #9 spot with an even record, so how is Morant getting these votes ahead of Booker?

Luka has had some amazing games, yet they havent really translated to wins. Mav's are at 13-15. I understand the fan voting (Somewhat), but Player and ESPECIALLY Media voting for him should have been lower, knocking him down from #2 to around #4 or #5.

SGA got 5 from the media???? He tied with Booker and CP3 from the media vote. OKC is a PALTRY 11-17, making them the 2nd worst team in the NBA, yet he got the same amount of votes from the Media as Booker. Funny how we are told that wins matter when Booker loses out year after year after year, and when he finally gets it and deserve it all of a sudden wins no longer matter to these media members who preached for years that wins matter.

And to go even further, i take issue with Donic (And Simmons for that matter) being listed as PG. Im going to put it under a spoiler tag, so if you want to read it than please do so, but the conclusion is Luka is a Point-Forward, not a PG.

Spoiler:

You are 6'8 and run the point, you are not a Point-GUARD you are a Point-Forward. Lebron runs the point in LA (And pretty much everywhere he has played), yet he isnt listed as a PG is he? NOPE, Small Forward. Simmons starts and plays next to 2 guards (Curry and Green), both under 6'6, yet a 6'11 Simmons is a PG? I think NOT! Dallas's most common played line-up is Doncic playing next to 2 smaller guards (Richardson and Hardaway Jr), both guys 2 inches shorter than him. Thing is that Doncic isnt going to beat out guys like Lebron, Jokic, Davis, Leonard in the battle of Western Frontcourt players, but put him against a weaker guard class and its an easy win for him. Same goes for Simmons. The East was NOTORIOUSLY weak when it came to Guards for years, and that helped make Simmons an all-star. If he was considered a SF there would be no way he would have made it into the all-star game in both 2019 and 2020. Funny thing is now that the Eastern Conference isnt so weak in the guard department with guys like Harden and Westbrook coming over from the West and newbies like Young and Sexton being drafted, Simmons didnt even make the top 10 when it came to guards fan voting despite the Sixers currently being the top team in the East. Luckily the player and media vote bailed him out as he sits in 8th place when you add all 3 votes together. But still when you look at the nominees for the Eastern Frontcourt, he wouldnt stand a chance making the top 10 in any of the 3 votes.

Here are the complete vote totals for the West:




Interesting to see Ayton rank #12 in Player votes and Bridges rank #13. Even more interesting to see our own Ty-Shon Alexander get 2 player votes and rank higher than one Ricky Rubio.

I like many other absolutely HATE the fan voting. It will always be skewed towards teams in cities with higher populations along with players on teams that get more TV coverage. I understand why the NBA does it (To drum up hype around the game), but there is no way that the average fans vote should count as much as a players vote or even a media members vote. And its absolutely despicable that the average fans vote counts as much as the player and media vote Combined! No way it should be weighted like that. Joe Blow who sits on his ass voting as much as he wants to everyday shouldnt be 50% of the reason that a player becomes an all-star. Sure, keep the fan vote, but maybe make it only worth 25% of the overall vote. Make the Players vote mater more, as they are the ones that play with and against these guys everyday.

[nevetsov]

Paul =19/3
Morant =20/3

Yet both have an average 6.5, and Morant is ranked higher?

[bwgood77]

Wasnt the knock on Booker all these years that he was on a losing team, and therefor didnt really "Qualify" to be an All-star?

Memphis is currently out of the playoffs at the #9 spot with an even record, so how is Morant getting these votes ahead of Booker?

Luka has had some amazing games, yet they havent really translated to wins. Mav's are at 13-15. I understand the fan voting (Somewhat), but Player and ESPECIALLY Media voting for him should have been lower, knocking him down from #2 to around #4 or #5.

SGA got 5 from the media???? He tied with Booker and CP3 from the media vote. OKC is a PALTRY 11-17, making them the 2nd worst team in the NBA, yet he got the same amount of votes from the Media as Booker. Funny how we are told that wins matter when Booker loses out year after year after year, and when he finally gets it and deserve it all of a sudden wins no longer matter to these media members who preached for years that wins matter.

And to go even further, i take issue with Donic (And Simmons for that matter) being listed as PG. Im going to put it under a spoiler tag, so if you want to read it than please do so, but the conclusion is Luka is a Point-Forward, not a PG.

Spoiler:

You are 6'8 and run the point, you are not a Point-GUARD you are a Point-Forward. Lebron runs the point in LA (And pretty much everywhere he has played), yet he isnt listed as a PG is he? NOPE, Small Forward. Simmons starts and plays next to 2 guards (Curry and Green), both under 6'6, yet a 6'11 Simmons is a PG? I think NOT! Dallas's most common played line-up is Doncic playing next to 2 smaller guards (Richardson and Hardaway Jr), both guys 2 inches shorter than him. Thing is that Doncic isnt going to beat out guys like Lebron, Jokic, Davis, Leonard in the battle of Western Frontcourt players, but put him against a weaker guard class and its an easy win for him. Same goes for Simmons. The East was NOTORIOUSLY weak when it came to Guards for years, and that helped make Simmons an all-star. If he was considered a SF there would be no way he would have made it into the all-star game in both 2019 and 2020. Funny thing is now that the Eastern Conference isnt so weak in the guard department with guys like Harden and Westbrook coming over from the West and newbies like Young and Sexton being drafted, Simmons didnt even make the top 10 when it came to guards fan voting despite the Sixers currently being the top team in the East. Luckily the player and media vote bailed him out as he sits in 8th place when you add all 3 votes together. But still when you look at the nominees for the Eastern Frontcourt, he wouldnt stand a chance making the top 10 in any of the 3 votes.

Here are the complete vote totals for the West:




Interesting to see Ayton rank #12 in Player votes and Bridges rank #13. Even more interesting to see our own Ty-Shon Alexander get 2 player votes and rank higher than one Ricky Rubio.

I like many other absolutely HATE the fan voting. It will always be skewed towards teams in cities with higher populations along with players on teams that get more TV coverage. I understand why the NBA does it (To drum up hype around the game), but there is no way that the average fans vote should count as much as a players vote or even a media members vote. And its absolutely despicable that the average fans vote counts as much as the player and media vote Combined! No way it should be weighted like that. Joe Blow who sits on his ass voting as much as he wants to everyday shouldnt be 50% of the reason that a player becomes an all-star. Sure, keep the fan vote, but maybe make it only worth 25% of the overall vote. Make the Players vote mater more, as they are the ones that play with and against these guys everyday.

I think fan voting is fine except for the Yao and Kobe days when they were absolutely not starters. I think they pretty much got them right. It doesn't really matter who finished below top 2 in guards and top 3 in centers.

I mean fan voting only plays into starters so the only difference it might make is Luka over Lillard, though they look tied, so I wonder what the tiebreaker is. I would take players/media as the tiebreaker...they both voted Lillard 2 and fans Luka 3...but fans have it reverse. I have a feeling it's the opposite, but I guess it was announced last night and I just haven't looked at results yet.

When they talk about winning, that might be more of a coaches thing, but applies a little more to the MVP vote. The coaches choose all the reserves.

Also, I don't think there is much separation between teams with 16 or 17 wins and those with 11 or 12 wins. I think OKC is overachieving relative to talent. Our previous records were closer to where Minnesota is..we'd have about 8 or 9 wins and won in the 20s. The time we were finally a tiny bit better (last year) we were 11-17, just like OKC at one point, and actually went on to become 11-20 and at the all star game were 22-33. And Booker ended up getting in (as a replacement).

I think the main thing is that maybe Lillard should have been a starter over Luka. Who else would you have had over Luka though? Luka and Lillard have similar #s but they are quite a bit better than Booker or Paul. We do have a few more wins, but Dallas was also missing most of their starting lineup for a couple of weeks and KP most of the season so far.

Player voting is going to come down to who is the hardest to stop and/or possibly to quite a bit lesser extent, who is a dog on defense. I can see why Luka is there because he is impossible to stop when you not only consider him driving or shooting, but also when he decides to pass....they never know what he will do, and not only scoring over 29, but over 9 assists..those are elite very rare #s. I am not sure I can think of anyone else who averaged 29 and 9, at least not in a long time. MAYBE LeBron, but I don't think he quite hits either. Barely anyone hits either # in any given year, but BOTH?

But not only Media had Luka 3rd, players did too. As for positions, Magic was always a PG. I think it just comes down how you are listed and introduced in starting lineups. Not sure they could just decide based on who is the tallest.

Anyways, I see your gripes more if we don't get anyone in. Now I'm not sure who should make it between Booker and Paul but we should probably get one in. It's just tough. They are so close. With defense it's hard not to lean Paul..their offense is somewhat similar, but Paul obviously has a far better ast/to..Booker scores more but they score on about the same efficiency and Paul still scores 17 a game to Booker's 24. Both started slow but have really come on in the last couple of weeks.

Also, when you say "SGA got 5 from the Media?" You do realize only 4 got votes, so he got zero as did everyone ranked 5th (everyone but the top 4).

Weirdest thing to me is Bol Bol getting 2 player votes and NAW getting 3.

[Barkley6]

Wasnt the knock on Booker all these years that he was on a losing team, and therefor didnt really "Qualify" to be an All-star?

Memphis is currently out of the playoffs at the #9 spot with an even record, so how is Morant getting these votes ahead of Booker?

Luka has had some amazing games, yet they havent really translated to wins. Mav's are at 13-15. I understand the fan voting (Somewhat), but Player and ESPECIALLY Media voting for him should have been lower, knocking him down from #2 to around #4 or #5.

SGA got 5 from the media???? He tied with Booker and CP3 from the media vote. OKC is a PALTRY 11-17, making them the 2nd worst team in the NBA, yet he got the same amount of votes from the Media as Booker. Funny how we are told that wins matter when Booker loses out year after year after year, and when he finally gets it and deserve it all of a sudden wins no longer matter to these media members who preached for years that wins matter.

And to go even further, i take issue with Donic (And Simmons for that matter) being listed as PG. Im going to put it under a spoiler tag, so if you want to read it than please do so, but the conclusion is Luka is a Point-Forward, not a PG.

Spoiler:

You are 6'8 and run the point, you are not a Point-GUARD you are a Point-Forward. Lebron runs the point in LA (And pretty much everywhere he has played), yet he isnt listed as a PG is he? NOPE, Small Forward. Simmons starts and plays next to 2 guards (Curry and Green), both under 6'6, yet a 6'11 Simmons is a PG? I think NOT! Dallas's most common played line-up is Doncic playing next to 2 smaller guards (Richardson and Hardaway Jr), both guys 2 inches shorter than him. Thing is that Doncic isnt going to beat out guys like Lebron, Jokic, Davis, Leonard in the battle of Western Frontcourt players, but put him against a weaker guard class and its an easy win for him. Same goes for Simmons. The East was NOTORIOUSLY weak when it came to Guards for years, and that helped make Simmons an all-star. If he was considered a SF there would be no way he would have made it into the all-star game in both 2019 and 2020. Funny thing is now that the Eastern Conference isnt so weak in the guard department with guys like Harden and Westbrook coming over from the West and newbies like Young and Sexton being drafted, Simmons didnt even make the top 10 when it came to guards fan voting despite the Sixers currently being the top team in the East. Luckily the player and media vote bailed him out as he sits in 8th place when you add all 3 votes together. But still when you look at the nominees for the Eastern Frontcourt, he wouldnt stand a chance making the top 10 in any of the 3 votes.

Here are the complete vote totals for the West:




Interesting to see Ayton rank #12 in Player votes and Bridges rank #13. Even more interesting to see our own Ty-Shon Alexander get 2 player votes and rank higher than one Ricky Rubio.

I like many other absolutely HATE the fan voting. It will always be skewed towards teams in cities with higher populations along with players on teams that get more TV coverage. I understand why the NBA does it (To drum up hype around the game), but there is no way that the average fans vote should count as much as a players vote or even a media members vote. And its absolutely despicable that the average fans vote counts as much as the player and media vote Combined! No way it should be weighted like that. Joe Blow who sits on his ass voting as much as he wants to everyday shouldnt be 50% of the reason that a player becomes an all-star. Sure, keep the fan vote, but maybe make it only worth 25% of the overall vote. Make the Players vote mater more, as they are the ones that play with and against these guys everyday.

The Ty-Shon player votes are weird. My guess is those had to come from guys inside the Suns organization, but it speaks to what those guys think of him. To vote for him as opposed to Payne or Moore or Carter. It's still weird...maybe someone was just trolling. I've never seen anything like that before. He got more player votes than DLo, Schroeder, etc.

[bwgood77]

Paul =19/3
Morant =20/3

Yet both have an average 6.5, and Morant is ranked higher?

Fan voting is 50% and the others 25% so you have to count fans twice...which would give them each 26.

[bwgood77]

Booker really needs to work on his game in the off-season. His scoring style is like Kobe's or Kawhi's. Mid-range, post-up and trips to the rack are what he's good. Now he's really skilled at these things possessing terrific balance and strength, outstanding finishing ability with both hands, and he's very very good in the midrange.

The trouble is he's not an elite athlete like Kobe, and he doesn't have the length or strength of Kawhi. So in pressure situations, he struggles to get to his spots, because he doesn't have an elite first step or the length to simply shoot over defenders.

Now the solution to that is to be like Paul or Kyrie i.e. have elite ball-handling skills to consistently get separation.

Booker's ball handling is fine as a secondary option, but if he wants to be a first option type player, he really need to improve his ball-handling to be able to consistently create the separation to get his shots. It'll also reduce his turnovers because he loses the ball twice a game at least because of either trying to barrel his way into the paint or a loose handle.

Alternatively, Book accepts that his game is not tailor made to be a first option, and starts playing efficient ball as a second option type scorer, and reserves more energy on defense. He'd actually be amazing at this role - because he's a fantastic shooter off the catch, and very good when his playmaking is restricted to finding open shooters off drive and kicks.

I doubt however that Booker's ego, and the way he has been developed here, allows him to become that player. Which really only leaves one option - he NEEDS to work on becoming a superior ball-handler, and also to become a more pure point guard the way Harden and Doncic are.

Great post. I agree with all you said. I am just not sure it is in him to become a Doncic/Harden type player. Those players are not only rare now, but in the history of the NBA.

And personally, they dominate the ball too much for my taste, but I guess that's aside the point.

I've really been thinking how I wish he would just become a better in game 3 pt shooter. It's so weird to see so many guys in the NBA have multiple games where they are like 7-10 or 8-13 from 3, whether it be Beal, Clarkson, Lillard, Curry....and really a lot of role players do this often. I know many of the role players are usually just wide open and that's all they do, but these other guys need to create the separation or just become great at coming off screens.

I think Booker's bread and butter could be getting elite at coming off screens like he did with his Dallas game winner, and get that catch and shoot 3....just do that time and time again in games.

I think if he did that and could just up his 2 per game to more like 5, then he could add like 9 points per game to his totals. Sure maybe you take away another couple of buckets where he isos in midrange, but he could probably get his avg close to 30 on fewer shots and increase his efficiency. Plus, of course, 3 pt shots are much bigger shots, especially in crunch time.

I'd really love to see him become more of a Lillard or Curry type player than a Luka or Harden. Now I love Luka and Harden's passing skillset, but at the same time, I don't think Booker has the type of passing instinct or court vision...those guys are extremely elite at that...but he could easily work on his footwork, quickness and coming off screens for 3s.

It seems he spends so much time practicing that stationary play with one defender on him where he just holds the ball, and then makes some sort of two step move and fadeaway shot.

In any case, you are right, he needs to expand his game, but I am positive he has the 3 pt game inside of him already and he just needs to unlock it...I think that would be far easier to do than to develop more PG skills to become like Luka or Harden.

I do agree though it would be nice if he did have those skills and would make filling the other guard spot a lot easier. Heck, we could start Bridges at the 2, Cam at the 3 and Crowder (or someone else...Smith?) at the 4.....I'm talking post-Paul, more of a future thing.

[Saberestar]

Watch on YouTube

It is crazy how easy he can create his own shot anywhere and against everyone.

Just watching some of his first half baskets you can get an idea of his tremendous scoring versatility.

He created three of his first four baskets in the post against smaller defenders (Lillard and Trent). One in the left side, another going to middle of the paint and the third one in the right side of the court.

And then there are two consecutive plays when he breaks down his defender from the perimeter and finish at the rim without any screen. And those defenders were Covington and DJJ, who are taller and longer.

And he is always a threat off the ball. Full package.

[TouchPassDario]

Booker jumped from 94th to 80th in WS with last night’s stellar performance.

[darmani]

Read on Twitter

[suns12345]

Just saw Book is shooting nearly 70% on corner threes (if im reading b-ref correctly). Thats insane.

Also all of his numbers are on the improve and he's above league average in every shooting category (I think)

[Kerrsed]

Booker Gets Snubbed!

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But Zion on a 13-17 Pelicans team makes it.

[TouchPassDario]

Not really a snub. Booker was not very good the first half of the year.

[Kerrsed]

Not really a snub. Booker was not very good the first half of the year.

For the record Booker is averaging: 26 Pts, 4.5 Assists, 4 rebounds, while shooting 50% FG and 38% from 3. Thats pretty good. Didnt realize that the AS selection was just based of of the first part of the season.

[Flying Colors]

Always expect the NBA to be consistently inconsistent. Book played like an all star for years, but strugget to get the nod because Suns aren’t winning. Zion is having a great year no doubt, but the pels are under .500 and the Suns are 4th in the west. Book will probably get in as replacement for AD, but he should have been chosen before that.

[TouchPassDario]

Apparently, AD replacement has to be front court replacement. Should be Mikal.

When you’re not good for half the year then yeah it kinda affects allstar prospects. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk!

Booker is outside top75 on like every advanced metric. Trae’s numbers >>>

Lol counting stats.

[lilfishi22]

I thought Booker was a bigger snub last year (had he not made it initially) than this season. I don't think there's any argument that he wasn't as good as he was last season and honestly was bad in the first half of the season. The chemistry between him and CP3 wasn't there and we were basically a .500 team until he was forced to watch from the sidelines to see how he fit better next to CP3. Took two games for Booker to sit out for us to figure things out and since then we're 12-2.

If only one guy can get in, I'd probably wouldn't have an issue with either guys getting in and wouldn't have an issue with arguments for one or the other either.

[Jdiddy701]

Not really a snub. Booker was not very good the first half of the year.

For the record Booker is averaging: 26 Pts, 4.5 Assists, 4 rebounds, while shooting 50% FG and 38% from 3. Thats pretty good. Didnt realize that the AS selection was just based of of the first part of the season.

Sucks for him. He clearly does not get any respect from the coaches. Looking forward to see him prove them wrong in the 2nd half of the season.


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[lilfishi22]

Apparently, AD replacement has to be front court replacement. Should be Mikal.

When you’re not good for half the year then yeah it kinda affects allstar prospects. Thanks for coming to my TedTalk!

Booker is outside top75 on like every advanced metric. Trae’s numbers >>>

Lol counting stats.

According to bRef Booker has played 8% of his minutes at the 3 spot. Let's sneak him in as replacement lol

[Qwigglez]

In a way this may be a good thing. Booker may just light the league on fire after the all-star break.