Doctor MJ wrote:mmistras wrote:a) I would completely disagree with you that he is not completely sold on him. Just look at the name of the thread he created. b) I thought that referring to the previous 4 pages would be enough proof of me addressing the content but if you want me to be more specific, I was saying that I find it a bit hypocritical that he's calling the 6' back court comment a reason to complain after agreeing with the statement that a Syracuse zone defense is something that he is not going to see in the NBA and is therefore not a valid judge of him as a player. Both just sound like pretty terrible excuses if you ask me
I think you need to make less assumptions. The reason the thread is named as it is is because I saw people making Burke - Paul comparisons, not because I was trying to lead the bandwagon saying Burke would be a Paul-level player. Had I been trying to do the latter the thread would have been something more like, oh I don't know, "Trey Burke is a Golden God".
As for the 6 foot backcourt comment, well it's not like he was succeeding by backing them down and getting gimme shots. His success against them involved either 1) blowing by them...which is not made easier by them being short, or 2) taking rather out there shots...which should make one question his judgment more than his ability.
The fact that in addition to blowing by the short, quick guards he was then able to often drive right into the teeth of a defender like Dieng successfully only makes all that more impressive.
But no I'm not sold on him being a star yet (not saying it can't happen either). I don't like those longer shots. Don't like that between the Syracuse & Louisville games I can't even remember him driving & kicking (he either didn't drive, or he drove to score). These are not minor concerns by any means.
As much as people would not like to admit it, Burke's performance against Kansas was very Paul-esque, dating back to his time at Wake where he would just take over games by himself. He's still no Paul, but he is a very special player and the best pg in this draft.
It's hard for me to say his decision making is bad. I think Burke was clearly phenomenally effective yesterday, but I question the sustainability of the shots he took. When you talk about heat, to me that's you saying that Burke would adapt if the shots weren't falling, and I suppose that's the real question: How agile his adaptation And how capable he is in the other role.
It's not bad by any stretch. In the Louisville game, there was a clear point in time where he was hobbled after taking that hard fall. The Louisville guards came after him in the halfcourt and he was able to draw multiple fouls, effectively getting his team in the bonus.
I'm not necessarily saying he would adapt, nor am I suggesting that he is super trigger happy. His shot selection is usually pretty consistent, and he does end up taking some very difficult shots. That is the knock against him at this stage, even though he tends to hit many of them when the game is on the line. He's athletic and crafty enough to score at the rim in the NBA. He can draw fouls. Burke is a willing distributor when necessary. He is able to catch fire from three, but needs to demonstrate consistency. As someone mentioned earlier in this thread, Burke continues to get better, dating back to his junior year in high school.
It can only be up from here imo, but obviously he has limitations. His height will limit his ability to defend bigger, stronger guards. But, if Conley can be as successful as he is on D at his height, so can Burke.
