Trevor Booker

Dat2U · Post #281 » by **Dat2U** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:02 pm

I'm not giving up on McGee. I still see him as the 2nd most valuable player on this roster. But I still have huge questions about his ability to be a starting C on a contender. That doesn't mean I'm ready to get rid of him, most contenders need 3 solid big men to contend. So maybe McGee is the 3rd big in that piece to the puzzle. I potentially see him as a game changer off the bench. There's nothing wrong with that.

You put Nene in the mix as a PF/C and you have McGee as a backup and that leaves only one piece to fill up front. I'd then start looking for a true PF to start alongside Nene. Maybe that's a Jared Sullinger or Derrick Williams out of the draft.

Post #282 » by **Ruzious** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 9:13 pm

Dat2U wrote:I'm not giving up on McGee. I still see him as the 2nd most valuable player on this roster. But I still have huge questions about his ability to be a starting C on a contender. That doesn't mean I'm ready to get rid of him, most contenders need 3 solid big men to contend. So maybe McGee is the 3rd big in that piece to the puzzle. I potentially see him as a game changer off the bench. There's nothing wrong with that.

You put Nene in the mix as a PF/C and you have McGee as a backup and that leaves only one piece to fill up front. I'd then start looking for a true PF to start alongside Nene. Maybe that's a Jared Sullinger or Derrick Williams out of the draft.

I know you weren't saying you wanted to give up on him as part of the roster. I was talking about giving up on him as a starter. You don't do that until you have to. Geeze, did I waste that Sister Sarah gem of a post? That's my best material - ruined.

When I'm talking about getting Nene, that's something we can't count on. Now, we deal with what we have.

dangermouse · Post #283 » by **dangermouse** » Tue Feb 1, 2011 2:06 am

Really wanna see how Trev handles Nowitzki tonight. If he does a great job... how can we keep him on the bench??? I know long-term that I personally see Booker as the backup PF/SF, toughness and energy, 20-24 minutes per game max. But there is no reason to keep him in that role this year if he is doing good things out there. Winning isnt important, but as some have said in other threads, changing the culture is very important. Booker with his attributes and attitude, can do that.

GhostsOfGil · Post #284 » by **GhostsOfGil** » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:09 pm

did anyone else notice that one play in dallas where dirk tried to back down booker? dirk got about one step in and was stopped dead in his tracks. unfortunately, he gave a good pump fake and booker bit, fouling him on the play. i was just impressed with the guys strength..dirk may not be the strongest guy, but hes a big guy nonetheless

tontoz · Post #285 » by **tontoz** » Tue Feb 1, 2011 4:19 pm

zaRdsAndZeRos wrote:did anyone else notice that one play in dallas where dirk tried to back down booker? dirk got about one step in and was stopped dead in his tracks. unfortunately, he gave a good pump fake and booker bit, fouling him on the play. i was just impressed with the guys strength..dirk may not be the strongest guy, but hes a big guy nonetheless

Booker is a beast. He has game changing strength and athleticism.

In the game thread i mentioned that the only thing he needed to worry about was staying down on Dirk's pump fakes. Easier said than done though.

chpmntsptx · Post #286 » by **chpmntsptx** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 3:55 pm

The #1 issue to me is why Blatche is allowed to play significant minutes when he clearly drags the team down. They should be playing other guys just to send him a message if anything. Who cares if Blatche is the best shooting big man? It's not like it's helping them win any games. Meanwhile, you're stunting the development of all of the rooks by sticking with him and too many minutes for McGee, Lewis, etc.

It's pretty clear to me that Wiz management and Saunders consider this season a wash, so I see no reason not to play all the young guys -- a lot. From day 1. Doesn't make any sense whatsoever. It's not about where these guys stand right now. They've made that commitment with Wall but no one else.

Booker's jumpshot has actually regressed over the course of the season. Go back to the SL and early part of the season and you'll see the difference. I don't know for sure whether he can be a reliable shooter, but I know it can be better than it has been. It can't help him knowing that everyone's telling him it's his #1 weakness along with the lack of opportunities. I'm sure he's putting immense pressure on himself with every shot. Yet another reason you play the youngs and let them try to work through issues and develop. I'd still like to see him get some opportunities to post up, depending on the match ups of course. If he ever makes it to the 3 spot, good luck defending him. Right now all he does (is allowed to do) is pick and pray that the guard gives him the ball. Basically no involvement otherwise.

Right now, I'd start Yi over Blatche. He's shown signs of being more physical. His shooting is all over the place but give him minutes and see if he improves. The main thing, though, is to send a message to Blatche.

I'm not saying Booker should start, but all of the young guys and new guys need more minutes. It's so obvious it's maddening. Why a coach and management would ignore it is beyond me. You're 13-36. You can play for that high pick while also developing young guys. Stunning idea, isn't it???

Aaaaannnnd, I'll be damned if I'll pay $ to watch this **** show. But I want to want to go to Wiz games. Guess what? I'd definitely make some trips to VC if they'd show a commitment to developing the future. Doesn't matter if the record is better, it's worth watching b/c (a) they'll play with more energy, (b) it's fun to watch players as they develop, and (c) you watch with a sense of hope that good things might be in store.

Kanyewest · Post #287 » by **Kanyewest** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 4:35 pm

I'm getting confused why people are getting upset that Blatche played minutes against the Magic other than the fact people go on gut reactions that they see one game at a time. Blatche may have been coming off a solid game against New Orleans where he was 10-17 from the field with 21 point and 9 rebounds. Booker and Yi combined for 8 points and 8 rebounds in about the same minutes which Blatche received in the last game.

Granted, Booker had a great performance against the Magic. Of course, Blatche wasn't all that horrible with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

Post #288 » by **nate33** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 5:04 pm

chpmntsptx wrote:Booker's jumpshot has actually regressed over the course of the season. Go back to the SL and early part of the season and you'll see the difference. I don't know for sure whether he can be a reliable shooter, but I know it can be better than it has been. It can't help him knowing that everyone's telling him it's his #1 weakness along with the lack of opportunities. I'm sure he's putting immense pressure on himself with every shot.

C'mon now. Booker isn't a 9-year-old girl. He's capable of being told that his jumper sucks without getting a complex about it. Are you honestly suggesting that his coaches should tell him his jumper is solid so his self-esteem improves?

Post #289 » by **Ruzious** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 6:12 pm

On American Idol, a contestant's voice was so bad... <How bad was it?> It was so bad that Randy Jackson said he sounded flatter than Trevor Booker's jump shot, dawg! True story!

But don't tell Booker.

Post #290 » by **montestewart** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 7:29 pm

Kanyewest wrote:I'm getting confused why people are getting upset that Blatche played minutes against the Magic other than the fact people go on gut reactions that they see one game at a time. Blatche may have been coming off a solid game against New Orleans where he was 10-17 from the field with 21 point and 9 rebounds. Booker and Yi combined for 8 points and 8 rebounds in about the same minutes which Blatche received in the last game.

Granted, Booker had a great performance against the Magic. Of course, Blatche wasn't all that horrible with 10 points, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists.

It's Blatche filling Jamison's role, having a great half-season, getting a large extension, and then struggling (injuries, added weight) and looking half-hearted much of the time. It's Booker playing his heart out and looking like the toughest guy on the team. Match Booker's heart and brains and determination with Blatche's skills and size, and that's an all-star.

I would have liked to see more of Booker, but I don't really have a big issue with the minutes. Booker's play is gradually earning him more time, and if he can get a reliable shot, he'll be a keeper. If Blatche takes it inside more and limits the weak, low percentage jumpers, as he tried last night, he could be a keeper too.

jimij · Post #291 » by **jimij** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 8:50 pm

Personally at this point I'd rather see Booker take McGee and Yi's minutes than Blatche's. AB isn't playing great but for the last month I feel like he's making more of an effort to go inside and to pass the ball. The first two months of the season he forgot what an assist was, at least now the ball moves when it goes to him almost as often as he shoots it. Unfortunately, there's just too many guys (Yi, McGee, NY) who shoot virtually every time they get the ball.

Booker for his hustle alone needs to play more but thankfully he also seems to be showing an improved all around skill set now that he's getting comfortable with the pro game. He's probably never going to be a go to guy on offense, but he can finish and he knows how to pass which are two qualities our starting lineup struggles with.

dobrojim · Post #292 » by **dobrojim** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 9:20 pm

like everyone else, I like Book's hustle but I seem to remember
his getting his hands on a number of loose balls but not being
able to gather them in. In a way similar to a block shot, it you
don't recover the ball, it can work against you by creating
open looks that wouldn't otherwise be there.

His dunk lat night was epic

closg00 · Post #293 » by **closg00** » Sat Feb 5, 2011 10:34 pm

Booker has proven to be a very good all-round scrapper, just don't put him in a position where he has to dribble the basketball or create a shot for himself.

dobrojim · Post #294 » by **dobrojim** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 5:30 pm

classic back2back for a rookie

one game where he really contributes, the next where
he doesn't do squat. Nothing to see here, move along.

ps - not ready to dump him yet, just sayin he's got work to do
and things to learn.

Post #295 » by **Zonkerbl** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 5:33 pm

Is it an optical illusion or does Booker look like he's closer to 6'2" than 6'7"? For a hustle guy who relies on his quickness he sure gets stuffed at the basket a LOT.

tontoz · Post #296 » by **tontoz** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 5:51 pm

dobrojim wrote:classic back2back for a rookie

one game where he really contributes, the next where
he doesn't do squat. Nothing to see here, move along.

ps - not ready to dump him yet, just sayin he's got work to do
and things to learn.

The key difference is that in his good game he did things that nobody else here who plays the 4 can do. And you can learn much faster in a game than on the bench.

Blatche does squat other than low percentage chucking in most of his games. Even after all the minutes he has played he still has no clue. He doesn't appear capable of learning.

chpmntsptx · Post #297 » by **chpmntsptx** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 6:13 pm

nate33 wrote:
chpmntsptx wrote:Booker's jumpshot has actually regressed over the course of the season. Go back to the SL and early part of the season and you'll see the difference. I don't know for sure whether he can be a reliable shooter, but I know it can be better than it has been. It can't help him knowing that everyone's telling him it's his #1 weakness along with the lack of opportunities. I'm sure he's putting immense pressure on himself with every shot.

C'mon now. Booker isn't a 9-year-old girl. He's capable of being told that his jumper sucks without getting a complex about it. Are you honestly suggesting that his coaches should tell him his jumper is solid so his self-esteem improves?

Rookies, hell even 10-year vets, can't have mental anxieties that affect their game? He knows his shot is holding him back and I'm sure he's hearing it left and right. His shot has been better before and can improve. Never said what he should be told by coaches.

chpmntsptx · Post #298 » by **chpmntsptx** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 6:17 pm

dobrojim wrote:classic back2back for a rookie

one game where he really contributes, the next where
he doesn't do squat. Nothing to see here, move along.

ps - not ready to dump him yet, just sayin he's got work to do
and things to learn.

This is exactly why I would give the new guys lots of minutes at this point. He's really shown a problem with drawing bad fouls and that's just something he'll pick up with experience.

closg00 · Post #299 » by **closg00** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 6:45 pm

tontoz wrote:
dobrojim wrote:classic back2back for a rookie

one game where he really contributes, the next where
he doesn't do squat. Nothing to see here, move along.

ps - not ready to dump him yet, just sayin he's got work to do
and things to learn.

The key difference is that in his good game he did things that nobody else here who plays the 4 can do. And you can learn much faster in a game than on the bench.

Blatche does squat other than low percentage chucking in most of his games. Even after all the minutes he has played he still has no clue. He doesn't appear capable of learning.

I think the key to Booker's success with the team, is for the org to nottry and turn him into something that he isn't, a SF. http://voices.washingtonpost.com/wizard ... ook-1.html

When Booker is just playing his freestyle hustle-game, he does well in certain match-ups. When he is passed the ball as-part of a ball-moving offense is when he gets into trouble - he is very awkward trying to dribble or trying to create. Let Booker be our tough, defensive-minded hsutle-guy.

Post #300 » by **nate33** » Mon Feb 7, 2011 6:47 pm

dobrojim wrote:classic back2back for a rookie

one game where he really contributes, the next where
he doesn't do squat. Nothing to see here, move along.

ps - not ready to dump him yet, just sayin he's got work to do
and things to learn.

Agreed. And we can't dismiss the fact that few teams have bothered to scout Booker. Most of his effectiveness is simply because other teams aren't prepared for his energy, quickness, and left-handedness. When the scouting report gets out, opponents will cede the jumper to him, stay on his left hand and make sure to get a body on him on the glass. No more double-doubles after that.

Booker HAS to get much, much better with his jumper if he ever wants to be a regular-rotation player.