sunsbg wrote:LesGrossman wrote:sunsbg wrote:
Booker was playing just fine for 3qtrs and started chucking in the 4th 10pts down after nobody else could hit a shot and Okobo and Saric were unable to inbound a ball, which play ended in half-court violation. The team defense was atrocious for 4 qtrs though.
You'll be on anti-depressants if Rubio was playing on the Rockets with Harden.
What i wrote had nothing to do with Rubio. He could be somewhere else and these points would still be the main issue the Suns have. If you think he played "just fine" then thats your opinion, good for you. Do you think he also played "just fine" since all star break? My point is that he either gets the ball all the time every time, or does nothing useful and acts like its not even his business; and Monty allows that.
Harden is a guy who leads his franchise into the post season, he has a valid cause to demand the ball in his hands because he is a generational talent at iso ball. Do you seriously now compare Booker to Harden?
I doubt you have even watched the game if you don't agree Booker played "just fine" in the beginning of the game. 10/17 vs Pistons is also not that bad. He may not be on their level, but compared to Harden and Tatum, Booker is the ultimate team player. If you don't believe go and watch their last game.
Of course i watch the games. And that is why i dont solely argue using numbers to make my point. I talk about engagement, body language, energy, non verbal signals. Booker is and has been a master at putting up great numbers in lost games. Proves absolutely nothing...in the games since all star weekend i see the ball more in other people's hands and i see Booker demonstrating lack of interest if he isnt the main focus.
In order to help this team to win, Booker needs to completely overhaul his style and this has to be lead and directed by the choach. He has to learn to play off the ball, much more like Ray Allen or Reggie Miller or Fip Hamilton or Klay Thompson, and be a lot more decisive once he catches the ball. He has to get rid of the hesitation and isolation and post up stuff simply because he sucks at that, while being elite as a shooter and finisher WHEN and IF he does catch and go. I'd also much rather see him take a ton of shots than trying to be a playmaker and forcing passes. The team has to work for the best shot and if they can get an open Booker catch-and-shoot midrange or three, theres very little i'd consider better. Certainly not passing to Ayton when he is already guarded by two or three people.
He has to let other guys handle the offense and hit him at the exact right moment. Wether thats Rubio or some other point guard is secondary. He also has to massively up his defensive effort, not just stand around pretending to defend just to watch the other guy score without any resistance LeBron style.
