Trevor Booker

[tontoz]

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.

I don't see him as a 3 either. However at this point i don't think it matters much. I just want to see him on the court.

[Dat2U]

I think the key to Booker's success with the team, is for the org to not try 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.

Totally agree. I hate the idea. Booker has no SF skills whatsoever, he's really got no business playing there. Defensively, he might be able to match up with the occasional SF but offensively there's really no way it works. The further away he is from the basket the more lost he looks on the court. Booker is an undersized PF through and through. Let the guy succeed at his natural position.

[fugop]

I've really enjoyed watching Booker's effort lately. He reminds me a bit of Ben Wallace back when he was in DC. Not quite the rebounding savant, but infinitely more touch around the rim.

[fishercob]

I think the key to Booker's success with the team, is for the org to not try 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.

Totally agree. I hate the idea. Booker has no SF skills whatsoever, he's really got no business playing there. Defensively, he might be able to match up with the occasional SF but offensively there's really no way it works. The further away he is from the basket the more lost he looks on the court. Booker is an undersized PF through and through. Let the guy succeed at his natural position.

+2

What's the downside of letting him beat the sh*t out of 7-excuse Dray in practice and stealing his minutes?

No matter where he plays -- 3 or 4 -- he's going to need to build a reliable jumper to be a viable contributor long term. That's a tall order, but conceivable. But developing the ball handling and passing skills to be a 3? Come on. That's just idiotic.

[Ruzious]

Booker is not a 4, and he's not a 3. That's a problem. But the Wiz can get around it to some extent by playing him with players whose skills he can complement.

[nate33]

A comparison of pace-adjusted per-36 numbers between Paul Millsap's second season(during which he turned 23), and Booker's rookie season post-Arenas-trade: (Booker is 23)

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.0  9.5  0.7  0.6  1.7  1.1 13.3 .586 .585 15.2
millsap,paul    13.7  9.6  1.7  1.5  1.5  1.8 20.7 .503 .547 15.9

Just sayin'


By the way, here are Booker's pace-adjusted per-36 minute numbers for the past 10 games:

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.4 10.8  1.2  0.6  2.1  0.6 18.0 .595 .581 17.7

[Severn Hoos]

A comparison of pace-adjusted per-36 numbers between Paul Millsap's sophomore season(during which he turned 23), and Booker's rookie season post-Arenas-trade: (Booker is 23)

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.0  9.5  0.7  0.6  1.7  1.1 13.3 .586 .585 15.2
millsap,paul    13.7  9.6  1.7  1.5  1.5  1.8 20.7 .503 .547 15.9

Just sayin'


By the way, here are Booker's pace-adjusted per-36 minute numbers for the past 10 games:

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.4 10.8  1.2  0.6  2.1  0.6 18.0 .595 .581 17.7

So nate, would you have any speculation on how Booker could have more blocks than Millsap, when his wingspan is much shorter?

Actually, that's why I take most of those measurements with a huge grain of salt. If a guy can play, he can play, and with Booker's standing reach being pretty standard for a PF, I have no doubt he can make it as a solid rotation player.

Now if only he could develop a truly reliable 15-18 foot jumper. That's holding him back from being starter material more than his size, IMO.

Man, I wish I had been more tuned in to this guy before the draft, he looks like the real deal. Oh, wait....

[tontoz]

A comparison of pace-adjusted per-36 numbers between Paul Millsap's sophomore season(during which he turned 23), and Booker's rookie season post-Arenas-trade: (Booker is 23)

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.0  9.5  0.7  0.6  1.7  1.1 13.3 .586 .585 15.2
millsap,paul    13.7  9.6  1.7  1.5  1.5  1.8 20.7 .503 .547 15.9

Just sayin'


By the way, here are Booker's pace-adjusted per-36 minute numbers for the past 10 games:

Code: Select all

Player           PTS  REB  AST  STL  BLK   TO  MIN eFG%  TS%  PER
booker,trevor   11.4 10.8  1.2  0.6  2.1  0.6 18.0 .595 .581 17.7

And those numbers are during a stretch where he is shooting 45% from the foul line and of course he isn't making any jumpers.

That cross court 2 handed pass to Nick for the game tying 3 (after saving the ball from going out of bounds) was one of those wow moments that he seems to have pretty frequently.

[Rafael122]

Booker needs to let loose so he can produce for us. I love the guy's hustle. His summer offseason program should consist of him putting up 2,000 jumpers, every day. For 3 months.

[Nivek]

I don't want him (or Wall) just shooting 2,000 jumpers a day. I want them shooting jumpers from 15 feet and out at 1,000 MADE jumpers per day. Focus on perfect form.

If Al Thornton wants to get playing time somewhere, he needs to do 1,000-made three point shots per day in the offseason, as well as working on every wing defensive drill in existence.

[manifested]

Since we've drafted him, I've seen a lot of discussion about Booker adding a midrange, 15-18 ft jumper. I used to agree with this, but as I'm more and more converted to the idea of him at PF, I'm beginning to think it'd be better for him to work on some quick post moves and improve his free throws.

I wonder sometimes about the ability of undersized power forwards to develop game away from the basket. If anything I think it's more difficult for them than creating space for themselves down low. If you've been a post player your whole life, you instinctively know where the basket is, how to get good angles, and how to get your shot off amongst the trees. If they have some bulk and strength it may be easier to adapt the things they do instinctively well against bigger players, especially since they haven't been much bigger (if at all) than their opponents in college.

OTOH, away from the basket, the difference in height hurts both because it's unfamiliar to them but also because the player guarding them is longer and taller than they are which impedes their sightline to the basket.

I feel like I'm not being very clear, but I'm thinking that due to his height and lack of ball handling, he's never going to be a consistent threat to hit contested jumpers. He's an undersized inside player with a lot of athleticism and strength. Looking at other PFs his height, their best attribute is the ability to clear space and finish. IMO, at least initially, he would get more returns from working on ways to improve his inside/high-post game rather than adding a midrange jump shot.

[nate33]

So nate, would you have any speculation on how Booker could have more blocks than Millsap, when his wingspan is much shorter?

I don't no. But I neckon it must have something to do with the way his upper body is put together.

[tontoz]

I feel like I'm not being very clear, but I'm thinking that due to his height and lack of ball handling, he's never going to be a consistent threat to hit contested jumpers.

Making contested jumpers isn't the issue. The issue is making wide open ones. Booker's defenders will leave him wide open on the perimeter until he proves he can make open shots.

[Rafael122]

I feel like I'm not being very clear, but I'm thinking that due to his height and lack of ball handling, he's never going to be a consistent threat to hit contested jumpers.

Making contested jumpers isn't the issue. The issue is making wide open ones. Booker's defenders will leave him wide open on the perimeter until he proves he can make open shots.

Same with Wall. The only guy in our starting 5 who could make a consistent J is Nick Young. Everyone sags off Wall, leaves him wide open. Wall would be so much more dangerous if he can develop a jumper.

[nate33]

I feel like I'm not being very clear, but I'm thinking that due to his height and lack of ball handling, he's never going to be a consistent threat to hit contested jumpers.

Making contested jumpers isn't the issue. The issue is making wide open ones. Booker's defenders will leave him wide open on the perimeter until he proves he can make open shots.

Agreed. We're not asking Booker to be reliable pick-and-pop weapon like Kevin Garnett. We're just asking that he be good enough that you can't leave him alone, like Udonis Haslem.

[LyricalRico]

So nate, would you have any speculation on how Booker could have more blocks than Millsap, when his wingspan is much shorter?

I don't no. But I neckon it must have something to do with the way his upper body is put together.

Is Booker getting those blocks while playing SF, and thus against against guys closer to his own height? That might explain it.

What about hops? It's not a constant like wingspan, but if Booker can get up a few inches higher it would make him more of a shot blocker. Of course that would diminish later in his career, but I'll take it for now.

[nate33]

Booker plays almost no SF. He blocks shots because he has breathtaking athleticism. Although, it's worth mentioning that his block average is heavily skewed by that one 6 block (in 23 minutes) game against Orlando. Other than that, he averages more like 1.4 blocks per 36.

[tontoz]

Same with Wall. The only guy in our starting 5 who could make a consistent J is Nick Young. Everyone sags off Wall, leaves him wide open. Wall would be so much more dangerous if he can develop a jumper.

Wall's jumper is really bad. He is shooting 27% from 16-23 feet. For perspective Rose has never been below 40% in that range. Westbrook's worst is 37%.

There is only one player in the league who takes as many shots as Wall from that range and shoots them worse. Oddly enough that is Melo. He is shooting 17% in that range after shooting 43% last year.
Strange

[Illuminaire]

Booker plays almost no SF. He blocks shots because he has breathtaking athleticism. Although, it's worth mentioning that his block average is heavily skewed by that one 6 block (in 23 minutes) game against Orlando. Other than that, he averages more like 1.4 blocks per 36.

Also, I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any goaltending violations yet.

[LyricalRico]

^ Yeah, I wonder what McGee's "true block %" is (blocks minus goaltends). I doubt he's in the negative, but he might be way down.