Who would you rather start a franchise with? Devin Booker vs. Kyrie Irving [Poll]

[batsmasher]

OK, I've decided about time we establish a definitive consensus about Devin Booker's value. There's been boat loads of talk about where he sits in the league with the KP rumors as well as in the Ranking the best young cores in the League right now thread.

I think it's necessary that we establish where the majority of fans view Book so we can have discussions about how close/far he is from getting to the level people expect of him. From my perspective Suns' fans are ultra high on him so it'll be interesting to see how the polls play out.

The plan is to run a new poll each day against a different player in the league and keep all the results recorded in this thread.

If anyone has suggestions for players to add to the run sheet, I'm all ears.

Running sheet

Nikola Jokic
CJ McCollum
Kemba Walker
Jabari Parker
Damian Lillard

Previous results

Devin Booker vs. Kristaps Porzingis [29/62 votes] - 47%
Devin Booker vs. Andrew Wiggins [41/43 votes] - 95%
Devin Booker vs. Joel Embiid [27/39 votes] - 69%
Devin Booker vs. Klay Thompson [27/42 votes] - 64%
Devin Booker vs. Myles Turner [39/43 votes] - 91%
Devin Booker vs. James Harden [16/45 votes] - 36%
Devin Booker vs. Kyrie Irving [32/43 votes] - 74%

[Phystic]

I voted Booker, simply because I trust his game a bit more and I think wings are more valuable in todays NBA. Now, I realize Porzingis is a quality stretch big man which is very important as well, I just have seen plenty of Euro bigs comes in and then falloff for one reason or another. And Porzingis seems to have an attitude or at least that's the impression I get. I could see him getting fed up with the NBA and going back overseas.

[Zelaznyrules]

I'd go Booker without hesitation. If I were confident that Porzingis was neither a health risk nor a diva, I'd probably vote the other way. I'm pretty sure he is a greater than average health risk and I have suspicions about the diva thing but that might be explained away by the New York situation - but the nagging injuries worry me and the history of big men with health problems does too. Still, he has such a unique skill set. It's difficult to put value on it but it probably is the template for the ideal modern big man. A guy who, potentially, can defend the rim, defend in space, score down low and take his defender beyond the arc, that's an incredible package.

[Zelaznyrules]

It's a fun argument, who would you rather build around. But there's more going on here when it comes to Devin. Unless another Yao Ming walks through the door, he's pretty much the ideal young player from a marketing standpoint. I really doubt that our franchise would consider trading him for any player in the league (right now). That's not to say that he's viewed as the best prospect, but that his total value transcends his game-time value right now. If he gets into serious off court problems or starts mouthing off in a way that drives the audience away, this could change in a hurry. But right now, he's the kind of cash cow that organizations just dream of acquiring.

[bwgood77]

It's a fun argument, who would you rather build around. But there's more going on here when it comes to Devin. Unless another Yao Ming walks through the door, he's pretty much the ideal young player from a marketing standpoint. I really doubt that our franchise would consider trading him for any player in the league (right now). That's not to say that he's viewed as the best prospect, but that his total value transcends his game-time value right now. If he gets into serious off court problems or starts mouthing off in a way that drives the audience away, this could change in a hurry. But right now, he's the kind of cash cow that organizations just dream of acquiring.

I'm pretty sure this poll is more based on not having any players under contract...who do you start it with? Porzingis is a cash cow in NY as well. Of course we are all attached to Booker and finally having that player everyone is excited with, but I imagine we'd feel the same way if that player was KP who has proved quite a bit as a player.

[darealjuice]

From a pure basketball stand point I would rather start with KP. He's basically the ideal modern big man, and if he stays healthy he can be elite on both ends. 3-point shooting, ball handling, post game, explosive, mobile, rim protector. I'm really high on Booker, but KP can flat out do things that he can't while having the potential to be an elite scorer like Booker can be.

[DaleyBlind]

Porzingis. I love Booker but its Porzingis.

[thamadkant]

A healthy Porzingis 10/10


From marketing point of view, Booker may appeal more due to his baby face looks.

[thamadkant]

Booker vs Porzingis.... Porzingis

Booker vs Jokic.... Jokic

Booker vs McCollum.... Booker

Booker vs Wiggins.... coin toss, I think both have the same potential, basically Kobe-esque. Wiggins has the young Kobe athleticism, Booker has the mature Kobe mid range jump shot.

[Revived]

Booker only because of Porzingis health issues.

[alldayeveryday]

As much as I like Booker, Porzi.

[Damkac]

Stats comparison here: http://bkref.com/tiny/IONc1

Porzingis has incredible physical tools and skills that are not available for anyone his size. He has more potential but can 7'3 player stay healthy for long?

I vote for Zinger but I don't think the difference is big here. Book will probably be more durable player and will score more. But he won't be 2 way player like Porzingis.

[Preacherpj]

KP for me.

Harder to find a big dude with his skill set. Probably easier to build around as well.

[Waylay13]

To build a team around there is a number of different things that you have to look at including leadership, the ability to stand up and be the focus, drawing fans to watch the game, and charisma. A 7'3" player who can shot from the outside and do a little rim protection is great but you also need the commitment to the team that is shown in leadership that will make a team better. I have seen these traits in Booker and in KP we hear about him skipping exit interviews. So for the play who I would build my team around I am going to say Booker.

[TOO]

I think you take the rarer prospect here, especially in todays game where the big man doesnt have to just play in the post. Porzingis is a mismatch nightmare, something that Booker isnt.

[Jdiddy701]

Booker brings talent. KP doesn't bring enough excitement like Booker does. It's more than the overall talent.

There's certain players that have the IT factor and Booker is one of the very few in the league.

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[kennydorglas]

Booker only loses to KP IMO

[TheFire]

Booker vs Porzingis: Porzingis
Booker vs Jokic: Jokic
Booker vs McCollum: Booker
Booker vs Wiggins: Booker

[chaplin1]

I love Booker, but you don't turn down a young, talented superstar big man. Superstar (arguable) SGs grow on trees nowadays.

[8on]

Booker's interesting. It really depends on whether he can become the kind of efficient, high volume scorer we all think he can be. If he can't, I'd take Porzingis now, but two years from now? Next year? Book has a bright future in front of him. The question is how bright.