Trevor Booker

[WizStorm]

Welcome chpmntsptx! And thanks for the detailed information on Booker's game. I wish I knew what the plan is for Booker, if the Wizards have a clear plan right now. I love Doc's idea of Booker being a "Crash SF", but they did not feature him in such a role in SL and primarily had him playing PF. I'm not sure that's because of the SL personnel (wanting to get Cartier Martin more time at SF) or if they're grooming him to be more of a backup PF that plays more in the high post.

From what you've said, I think Booker could have a very nice career in the NBA as a SF that actually works more down in the low post. I think that could work very nice with a player like Blatche or even off the bench with someone like Yi. Let's hope that is somewhere in the blueprints and that the Wizards staff see many of the same flaws you noticed in his game to help correct them.

[nate33]

Thanks for the analysis, chpmntsptx.

We don't really know if he's going to be used as a big 3 or an undersized 4. He played a lot of 4 in the summer league but that's because we had a bunch of swing men we wanted to get a look at. I think it's a good bet that he'll play more 3 in the NBA.

I agree with you that Booker should be able to overpower a lot of NBA small forwards in the post. I figure that one of the reasons we acquired Yi is that he can spread the floor from the PF position and allow Booker to post of smaller SF's. (Blatche can shoot well from the perimeter too.)

Perhaps a veteran like Singleton would be a good guy to bring around to help teach Booker how to rebound when undersized. However, I think a little too much stock is put into the "veteran mentor" mystique. it's not like the Wizards don't have coaches that can teach the same thing. Veterans are useful in setting a tone of professionalism, but I'm not sure that they're all that helpful in teaching the fundamentals of the game.

[no D in Hibachi]

I agree with you that Booker should be able to overpower a lot of NBA small forwards in the post. I figure that one of the reasons we acquired Yi is that he can spread the floor from the PF position and allow Booker to post of smaller SF's. (Blatche can shoot well from the perimeter too.)

It is more important to have Blatche in the post than on the wing. Booker’s strength in the post against SF is lesser than Blatche’s strength in the post. Having Booker take the post and having Blatche on the wing is very EG if you ask me. It's like a pitcher who has a plus fastball pitcher going against a dead red fastball hitter but he throws him his below average curve. Why sacrifice your best stuff to try and take advantage of your opposition’s perceived weakness?

[P'Oed]

Being a Maryland fan I definitely agree with the motor issues. He'd handle the Terps in the first half of certain games and do a disappearing act in the second.

[nate33]

I agree with you that Booker should be able to overpower a lot of NBA small forwards in the post. I figure that one of the reasons we acquired Yi is that he can spread the floor from the PF position and allow Booker to post of smaller SF's. (Blatche can shoot well from the perimeter too.)

It is more important to have Blatche in the post than on the wing. Booker’s strength in the post against SF is lesser than Blatche’s strength in the post. Having Booker take the post and having Blatche on the wing is very EG if you ask me. It's like a pitcher who has a plus fastball pitcher going against a dead red fastball hitter but he throws him his below average curve. Why sacrifice your best stuff to try and take advantage of your opposition’s perceived weakness?

Basketball is a game of matchups. If Blatche is crushing his opponent in the post, then, sure, we'll leave him in the post and play Booker on the perimeter (or bench him in favor of Thornton or Cartier Martin). If Blatche doesn't not have a favorable post match up, then we move Blatche out to the perimeter and post up Booker. It's all good.

[WizarDynasty]

all i gotta say is that if booker doesn't transform his game into an identical ron artest type game, he won't be in the league for long.

[no D in Hibachi]

all i gotta say is that if booker doesn't transform his game into an identical ron artest type game, he won't be in the league for long.

I agree, he doesn't have the length (standing reach) or bulk to be an undersized PF in the mold of Millsap, Powe, or Maxiell. Luckily he's very quick and as fast as anyone in the league so he shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up with some of the bigger SF's, ala Lebron, Melo, Pierce.

[chpmntsptx]

I just hope he develops the motor he's going to need to get playing time and a career. With the limited minutes he'll see, at least early, there's no reason not to be flying around out there. He has no need reserve to conserve energy (unlike in college, noting that Clemson pressed non-stop and he was our key player, and Booker was the front man on the press). While he very well may have the quickness to guard a lot of 3s, it's still new territory for him. If that's in the cards for him, I expect a learning curve, to the dismay of Wiz fans. He's going to get smoked occasionally. One day, maybe, he'll stay low and move his feet. Still, most of the star SFs will probably be too swift for him. One thing, though, I've had on my mind from day one is if he's willing and able to be a guy to effectively guard Lebron. A Tony Allen - Kobe situation. That's where he can really up his stock, if he's up to it. I think he has the size and strength to not get bowled over when Lebron comes charging from the top of the key, or to be posted up. Not sure if he's quick enough. Maybe we'll see.

[montestewart]

I just hope he develops the motor he's going to need to get playing time and a career. With the limited minutes he'll see, at least early, there's no reason not to be flying around out there. He has no need reserve to conserve energy (unlike in college, noting that Clemson pressed non-stop and he was our key player, and Booker was the front man on the press). While he very well may have the quickness to guard a lot of 3s, it's still new territory for him. If that's in the cards for him, I expect a learning curve, to the dismay of Wiz fans. He's going to get smoked occasionally. One day, maybe, he'll stay low and move his feet. Still, most of the star SFs will probably be too swift for him. One thing, though, I've had on my mind from day one is if he's willing and able to be a guy to effectively guard Lebron. A Tony Allen - Kobe situation. That's where he can really up his stock, if he's up to it. I think he has the size and strength to not get bowled over when Lebron comes charging from the top of the key, or to be posted up. Not sure if he's quick enough. Maybe we'll see.

McGuire was pretty high energy off the bench, and that served him pretty well despite his lack of offensive moves. If Booker can do the same, with his different, slower but stronger, and apparently better overall skill set, he might stick around.

Welcome chpmntsptx.

[verbal8]

I just hope he develops the motor he's going to need to get playing time and a career. With the limited minutes he'll see, at least early, there's no reason not to be flying around out there. He has no need reserve to conserve energy (unlike in college, noting that Clemson pressed non-stop and he was our key player, and Booker was the front man on the press). While he very well may have the quickness to guard a lot of 3s, it's still new territory for him. If that's in the cards for him, I expect a learning curve, to the dismay of Wiz fans. He's going to get smoked occasionally. One day, maybe, he'll stay low and move his feet. Still, most of the star SFs will probably be too swift for him. One thing, though, I've had on my mind from day one is if he's willing and able to be a guy to effectively guard Lebron. A Tony Allen - Kobe situation. That's where he can really up his stock, if he's up to it. I think he has the size and strength to not get bowled over when Lebron comes charging from the top of the key, or to be posted up. Not sure if he's quick enough. Maybe we'll see.

McGuire was pretty high energy off the bench, and that served him pretty well despite his lack of offensive moves. If Booker can do the same, with his different, slower but stronger, and apparently better overall skill set, he might stick around.

Welcome chpmntsptx.

If Booker can provide the D that McGuire did with decent offense, he should be able to find minutes.

[GhostsOfGil]

after watching the SL i dont think booker will ever be as good as dmac. so far it looks like dmac was a much more aggressive rebounder. his passing abilities are also being severely under rated here. iirc that one season he started 20+ games, he played a lot of point forward and was able to average like 3-4 apg over that span. his jumper over that time period was far from good but i remember him being able to hit the occasional 15 footer. his defense was also fairly good and always brought high energy.

[nate33]

Interview of Booker by Kyle Weidie at Truthaboutit.net

Q: I noticed you try to punish guys when you set screens out there … {a big smile comes across his face} … what directed you to make that a key part of your game?

A: They’ve been telling us this whole time to just smash somebody on the screens. [b]They’ve been getting on to the bigs about it.[b/]

It's good to hear that the coaches are preaching physicality to the bigs.

[Silvie Lysandra]

all i gotta say is that if booker doesn't transform his game into an identical ron artest type game, he won't be in the league for long.

I agree, he doesn't have the length (standing reach) or bulk to be an undersized PF in the mold of Millsap, Powe, or Maxiell. Luckily he's very quick and as fast as anyone in the league so he shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up with some of the bigger SF's, ala Lebron, Melo, Pierce.

wait what

Booker: 8'10 standing reach
Millsap: 8'9.5 standing reach
Maxiell: 8'11 standing reach

His standing reach is above average but not elite for his size, and he's more athletic than Powe or Maxiell. For what it's worth he had a better bench press than Blair and Maxiell coming in. He just needs to fill out his body.

[montestewart]

all i gotta say is that if booker doesn't transform his game into an identical ron artest type game, he won't be in the league for long.

I agree, he doesn't have the length (standing reach) or bulk to be an undersized PF in the mold of Millsap, Powe, or Maxiell. Luckily he's very quick and as fast as anyone in the league so he shouldn't have too much trouble keeping up with some of the bigger SF's, ala Lebron, Melo, Pierce.

wait what

Booker: 8'10 standing reach
Millsap: 8'9.5 standing reach
Maxiell: 8'11 standing reach

His standing reach is above average but not elite for his size, and he's more athletic than Powe or Maxiell. For what it's worth he had a better bench press than Blair and Maxiell coming in. He just needs to fill out his body.

Booker comes up short in a few measures (wingspan, for example) but other of his numbers and measurements look pretty good, such that, overall, there's reason to think he might measure up at either position eventually. The wingspan might hurt him at SF, just as lack of bulk could hurt him at PF, but he just got here, and I'd like to at least wait until the trade deadline before writing off someone we wasted a pick on.

[Silvie Lysandra]

His wingspan is longer than Corey Brewer at roughly the same height and that's considered a very good SF wingspan.

His measurements are fine.

[Ruzious]

His wingspan is longer than Corey Brewer at roughly the same height and that's considered a very good SF wingspan.

His measurements are fine.

Almost everyone way over-estimated Brewer's length in college - which turned out to be very pedestrian.

[verbal8]

I just hope he develops the motor he's going to need to get playing time and a career. With the limited minutes he'll see, at least early, there's no reason not to be flying around out there. He has no need reserve to conserve energy (unlike in college, noting that Clemson pressed non-stop and he was our key player, and Booker was the front man on the press). While he very well may have the quickness to guard a lot of 3s, it's still new territory for him. If that's in the cards for him, I expect a learning curve, to the dismay of Wiz fans. He's going to get smoked occasionally. One day, maybe, he'll stay low and move his feet. Still, most of the star SFs will probably be too swift for him. One thing, though, I've had on my mind from day one is if he's willing and able to be a guy to effectively guard Lebron. A Tony Allen - Kobe situation. That's where he can really up his stock, if he's up to it. I think he has the size and strength to not get bowled over when Lebron comes charging from the top of the key, or to be posted up. Not sure if he's quick enough. Maybe we'll see.

McGuire was pretty high energy off the bench, and that served him pretty well despite his lack of offensive moves. If Booker can do the same, with his different, slower but stronger, and apparently better overall skill set, he might stick around.

Welcome chpmntsptx.

Didn't DMac also struggle his first summer league?

[montestewart]

His wingspan is longer than Corey Brewer at roughly the same height and that's considered a very good SF wingspan.

His measurements are fine.

Almost everyone way over-estimated Brewer's length in college - which turned out to be very pedestrian.

Possibly, but my point was really that Booker has some good numbers and maybe some that don't look as good, but I'd rather wait a minute and see how he uses what he's got in the pros before projecting too far. Energy, desire, and coachability might all to a degree overcome some physical shortcomings.

[WizarDynasty]

you have to admit booker is a leader. His body language is full of confidence unlike Dmac. When McGee had that monster head over the rim dunk, it was booker that was amping him up. Just the look on Booker's face..."He is not to be "f" with and like someone else said.. "u got knocked the out". He has the swagger that your team needs to make basketball fun for your team. His basketball IQ is definitely and competitiveness are definitely greatly that DMAC's. If he imitates Ron Artest, he will be a great player for us.

[no D in Hibachi]

Didn't DMac also struggle his first summer league?

DMac also struggled in the pro's so I don't think he's a good barometer for Booker.