Devin Booker

[jcsunsfan]

His ability to elevate for a jumper is excellent, no question about it. However, I think to say anyone more athletic than Jared Dudley is considered elite is a VERY low baseline and that's really my whole point about elite athleticism. The elite athleticism label should be reserved for truly elite, top 1% of athletes, not anyone that's more athletic than Jared Dudley.

I understand but that isn't the way the conversation is typically framed. When someone says "he" lacks elite athleticism, the implication is that "he" is vertically challenged or a half step slow or something like that. Booker falls short of elite athleticism only in that there are a very small handful of basketball players that have even more athleticism than he does.

Maybe we're just arguing semantics here.

I think a lot of players are as athletic as Booker and a number are more athletic than he is. To me, he's average to slightly above average athletically. It shouldn't affect him on offense but on defense, it is hurting him now.

There are different types of athleticism. Most fans only consider vertical leap. GM's don't. Some guys fly higher, but he combines agility and quickness that are top tier. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2015-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Analysis-4981/

He was top of his draft class in lane agility and the shuttle run. BTW, its just that ability that he uses most often to beat players down the floor or to break open for a jumper. That is athleticism too.

It is interesting that Alan Williams had the lowest vert in the the 2015 draft class, yet he is a very effective rebounder. Vertical leap might just be the most over rated athletic measurement in basketball.

[lilfishi22]

I understand but that isn't the way the conversation is typically framed. When someone says "he" lacks elite athleticism, the implication is that "he" is vertically challenged or a half step slow or something like that. Booker falls short of elite athleticism only in that there are a very small handful of basketball players that have even more athleticism than he does.

Maybe we're just arguing semantics here.

I think a lot of players are as athletic as Booker and a number are more athletic than he is. To me, he's average to slightly above average athletically. It shouldn't affect him on offense but on defense, it is hurting him now.

There are different types of athleticism. Most fans only consider vertical leap. GM's don't. Some guys fly higher, but he combines agility and quickness that are top tier. http://www.draftexpress.com/article/2015-NBA-Combine-Athletic-Testing-Analysis-4981/

He was top of his draft class in lane agility and the shuttle run. BTW, its just that ability that he uses most often to beat players down the floor or to break open for a jumper. That is athleticism too.

It is interesting that Alan Williams had the lowest vert in the the 2015 draft class, yet he is a very effective rebounder. Vertical leap might just be the most over rated athletic measurement in basketball.

Again, I'm not saying he's like a Jared Dudley type player where there's not much of note athletically. I recognise his quickness and agility but he's also unremarkable in his vertical, not that it matters to his game. Rebounding is less about vertical than it is about understanding of positioning.

There's things like quickness, no-step vertical and straight line speed to consider. So being elite in quickness like Booker is, doesn't make him have elite athleticism if he's below average in vertical in my book. I consider elite athletes to be at the top of most athletic measurements.

So, to end my part of this discussion, I'm not saying Booker is a poor athlete because he's not. He's just not elite by all measurements and that's just fine. Some of the most athletic players to ever be measured also didn't make the league or were underwhelming journeymen.

[NTB]

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[NTB]

http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/19/fran-blinebury-ranks-top-shooting-guards-2016-17-nba-season

8. Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns: In another dry season out in the desert, he was as welcome as a drink of water. He got more minutes as the season progressed and had a breakout month of March, averaging more than 22 points. Booker’s game is as smooth as satin sheets and excels in the pick-and-roll game that is the NBA’s staple. It will only take more hours in the gym to expand that shooting ability to make him at least respectable from the perimeter and when that happens that Suns should have a solid scorer and potential All-Star in their midst to begin the franchise turnaround that’s been a long time coming.

Top 10 SG already at age 18.

[ATTL]

I'd like to point out that jimmy butler is a SF this year and Wiggins is always a SF. Booker is #6.

[lilfishi22]

If Devin can improve his efficiency, he could easily average 25ppg. Let's remember in that month of March, he averaged 22.4ppg while shooting only 43FG% and 28% from the 3. He also averaged 5.5FTA in that time.

Doing a bit of calculations, if he doesn't increase his shot attempts but increased his shoot percentages to 52% (vs 49.5% in that month) on 2PT attempts, 35% (vs 28.4%) from the 3 and increased his FTA to 6 per game while increasing his FT% to 90% (vs 86.5%), then he's almost at 26ppg.

The only thing that would hold him back are his minutes. He played almost 38mpg and I don't expect him to play that many minutes consistently this season. But if he did play 32mpg, based on the assumptions above, he'd still be scoring close to 22ppg.

[NTB]

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[MathiasPW]

If Devin can improve his efficiency, he could easily average 25ppg. Let's remember in that month of March, he averaged 22.4ppg while shooting only 43FG% and 28% from the 3. He also averaged 5.5FTA in that time.

Doing a bit of calculations, if he doesn't increase his shot attempts but increased his shoot percentages to 52% (vs 49.5% in that month) on 2PT attempts, 35% (vs 28.4%) from the 3 and increased his FTA to 6 per game while increasing his FT% to 90% (vs 86.5%), then he's almost at 26ppg.

The only thing that would hold him back are his minutes. He played almost 38mpg and I don't expect him to play that many minutes consistently this season. But if he did play 32mpg, based on the assumptions above, he'd still be scoring close to 22ppg.

i

It´s fair to assume his efficiency will rise considerably, although it´s just as fair to assume his touches will reduce with a healthy Bledsoe, Knight and Warren (all competent scorers). I´d guess his PPG will stay around 16-20 for the season, all things equal.

[jcsunsfan]

If Devin can improve his efficiency, he could easily average 25ppg. Let's remember in that month of March, he averaged 22.4ppg while shooting only 43FG% and 28% from the 3. He also averaged 5.5FTA in that time.

Doing a bit of calculations, if he doesn't increase his shot attempts but increased his shoot percentages to 52% (vs 49.5% in that month) on 2PT attempts, 35% (vs 28.4%) from the 3 and increased his FTA to 6 per game while increasing his FT% to 90% (vs 86.5%), then he's almost at 26ppg.

The only thing that would hold him back are his minutes. He played almost 38mpg and I don't expect him to play that many minutes consistently this season. But if he did play 32mpg, based on the assumptions above, he'd still be scoring close to 22ppg.

I expect his attempts to go down and his efficiency to go up. That would be the expectation with healthy offensive minded teammates. He will get less attention from defenses as other players get more. So efficiency will rise. But his touches will go down.

[bwgood77]

Was about to post this in the fantasy basketball discussion thread, however, since it talks a bit about what Booker has done in the preseason I thought more people might want to read this...

Interesting that ESPN has a picture of Booker on their fantasy page. http://www.espn.com/fantasy/ (that will probably change with football coming up tomorrow).

But it is because this article is featured right now....

When it comes to fantasy basketball, however, there is a rising Sun in the west, as Phoenix's Devin Booker is an ascendant playmaker. The second-year Kentucky product doesn't even turn 20 until later this month but is already emerging as a special NBA commodity.

If you haven't drafted yet -- I still have a few drafts over the weekend and into the first week of the season -- securing shares of Booker is highly encouraged. Booker is leading the NBA in scoring this preseason at 21.5 points per game in just 25.3 minutes. Some encouraging team trends support his undeniable breakout potential, as the Suns lead the NBA in pace this preseason, and we're seeing increased drive rates and free throw production from Booker (he's hitting an astounding 95.7 percent of his free throws in the preseason).

With elite upside in points, 3-pointers, free throw rate and steals, Booker is one of my favorite emergent assets in this imaginary basketball game we enjoy so much.

http://www.espn.com/fantasy/basketball/story/_/page/fbaforecaster161024/fantasy-basketball-forecaster-oct-24-30-lineup-advice-quality-matchups

[kennydorglas]

Was about to post this in the fantasy basketball discussion thread, however, since it talks a bit about what Booker has done in the preseason I thought more people might want to read this...

Interesting that ESPN has a picture of Booker on their fantasy page. http://www.espn.com/fantasy/ (that will probably change with football coming up tomorrow).

But it is because this article is featured right now....

When it comes to fantasy basketball, however, there is a rising Sun in the west, as Phoenix's Devin Booker is an ascendant playmaker. The second-year Kentucky product doesn't even turn 20 until later this month but is already emerging as a special NBA commodity.

If you haven't drafted yet -- I still have a few drafts over the weekend and into the first week of the season -- securing shares of Booker is highly encouraged. Booker is leading the NBA in scoring this preseason at 21.5 points per game in just 25.3 minutes. Some encouraging team trends support his undeniable breakout potential, as the Suns lead the NBA in pace this preseason, and we're seeing increased drive rates and free throw production from Booker (he's hitting an astounding 95.7 percent of his free throws in the preseason).

With elite upside in points, 3-pointers, free throw rate and steals, Booker is one of my favorite emergent assets in this imaginary basketball game we enjoy so much.

http://www.espn.com/fantasy/basketball/story/_/page/fbaforecaster161024/fantasy-basketball-forecaster-oct-24-30-lineup-advice-quality-matchups

Not buying on this 'elite upside for steals'... would be nice but I think it's highly unlikely to keep it up.

[NTB]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/10/22/phoenix-suns-devin-bookers-roots-inspired-stardom/92527848/

[MathiasPW]

What a nice article. I love how American sports writers are able to dig and tell such polished and inspiring stories.

[NTB]

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[bwgood77]

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/10/22/phoenix-suns-devin-bookers-roots-inspired-stardom/92527848/

I like the shot chart from last season you can hover over in there. Good read about his entire family and how they all played a part in his development. I don't think he's let all the fanfare and talk of being a star get to his head..

The momentum went into being chosen for USA Basketball’s Select Team and backing up his fanfare by showing pick-and-roll and ball-handling improvement in the NBA Summer League and this preseason.

“He hasn’t let that get to his head,” Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough said. “His work ethic has been off the charts. He’s handled everything very well – the increased attention. He’s a very mature guy for his age. He’s got a great perspective for things.”

The power of perspective made Booker as competitive as his brother, as amiable as his sister, as dedicated as his mother and as crafty as his father, with a Grandville grind and a Moss Point swagger.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2016/10/22/phoenix-suns-devin-bookers-roots-inspired-stardom/92527848/

[GetYourPHX]

Every time Booker scores 30 points this year I'm going to And1 every post in the game thread.

[NTB]

Every time Booker scores 30 points this year I'm going to And1 every post in the game thread.

I'll accompany you.

[lilfishi22]

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That's a great piece

I see more and more of Brandon Roy in Booker than Klay, which I much prefer. To me Roy was more of a #1 go-to option while Klay is more of a side-kick 2nd/3rd option type of player. I'm not just talking about scoring ability because we all know Klay can score it but in terms of setting things up for himself and the team, I think Booker's mindset and instincts is already a step above Klay's and hopefully approach Roy's.

Watch on YouTube

The difference between these two rookie years is experience. Roy left college as a seasoned senior and was already 22 by the time he entered the league. Booker isn't even 20 yet. Roy was a lot more confident and comfortable in taking it hard to the rim but what I LOVE is that Booker has shown the same comfort in getting to that sweet mid-range spot for the pull up jumper. He's already got a myriad of moves to get him just a slither of daylight which is usually all he needs to get off a quick pull up.

[kennydorglas]

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That's a great piece

I see more and more of Brandon Roy in Booker than Klay, which I much prefer. To me Roy was more of a #1 go-to option while Klay is more of a side-kick 2nd/3rd option type of player. I'm not just talking about scoring ability because we all know Klay can score it but in terms of setting things up for himself and the team, I think Booker's mindset and instincts is already a step above Klay's and hopefully approach Roy's.

Watch on YouTube

The difference between these two rookie years is experience. Roy left college as a seasoned senior and was already 22 by the time he entered the league. Booker isn't even 20 yet. Roy was a lot more confident and comfortable in taking it hard to the rim but what I LOVE is that Booker has shown the same comfort in getting to that sweet mid-range spot for the pull up jumper. He's already got a myriad of moves to get him just a slither of daylight which is usually all he needs to get off a quick pull up.

he's totally brandon roy. He was probably my favorite non-Suns player EVER.
always destroyed us tho

[Blackification]

12. Devin Booker will average 19 points per game this season and win the Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in New Orleans
13. Devin Booker will win Kia Most Improved Player

http://www.nba.com/article/2016/10/24/morning-tip-24-predictions-for-2016-17-season

David Aldridge predictions on NBA.com. Always fun to see the media's predictions relating to our players.