Devin Booker

[akhan786]

How smooth of a pairing would it be if the Suns could get Jayson Tatum next year?

[getrichordie]

He plays almost nothing like Kobe, and is not the freakish athlete that Kobe Bryant was. That seems like a very odd comparison.

Kobe was a good athlete, but not what I'd describe as freakishly athletic. Kobe was never really an elite leaper, or end to end sprinter. While he was above average for his position, the athletic attribute that made him elite was his body control and agility. In his younger days he relied more on his slashing. He was like a sword cutting through defenses. But the older, prime Kobe knew how to dial it back and use all of his wares in a more surgical way.

In that sense, I do see some of that fluidity and agility in Booker. If he can get that footwork and mastery of the game down where he surgically picks defenses apart, then I can see the analogy the OP is making. He has similar tools. Not the same, but the OP did say Kobe-lite.

I think it is kind of ridiculous to compare him to Kobe, however, I think when people do make such comparisons they should be looking at the player at the similar point in his career.

Now I can't remember Kobe too much in his 2nd year in the league, or the preseason of his 3rd (since he came out of hs while Booker had a year in college).

However, Booker's rookie year was very similar to Kobe's 2nd year..stats very close across the board, and each better in some areas.

http://bkref.com/tiny/doP2o

I don't think their style of play is that similar though. Booker isn't really an iso player and is more of a team player who moves the ball quite a bit.

Well, I think Booker can score a in a myriad of ways and he has really good footwork. Will he find the tutelage that Kobe found? I can only hope. Earl freaking Watson is his head coach!

I think Booker gets compared to the JJs and Thompson and Allen because of his smooth jumper but I think his offensive game will be more well rounded than all of the above mentioned at the peak of his prime.

Everyone is afraid to make big comparisons, but the kid is lighting the whole league up and he's only 19? 20? Think about that for a second.

And while Booker may be more of a team player, that doesn't mean he can't ISO, because he certainly can and he can do it well.


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[Sixerscan]

Calipari not playing this kid and Ulis over the Harrison twins in crunch time is going to go down as the most arrogant act in NCAA history.

[bwgood77]

Calipari not playing this kid and Ulis over the Harrison twins in crunch time is going to go down as the most arrogant act in NCAA history.

Well they did do pretty well that year. However, I can't imagine what it would have been like with Ulis and Booker. Glad they are both Suns now though!

[Qwigglez]

I really like Devin Booker and I am very high on him, however, if we account for defense, IMO there are a lot of SG's who are still better players.

- Jimmy Butler
- Kris Middleton
- CJ McCollum
- Evan Fournier
- Andrew Wiggins
- Rodney Hood
- Victor Oladipo
- Danny Green
- Bradley Beal
- Avery Bradley
- Zach Lavine

He'll likely surpass quite a few of these players during the season.

So you're saying, right now you would take all those guys over Booker? During the season however, you think Booker will likely surpass these guys? At what point do you take Booker over those guys?

[XtotheDeezy]

I really like Devin Booker and I am very high on him, however, if we account for defense, IMO there are a lot of SG's who are still better players.

- Jimmy Butler
- Kris Middleton
- CJ McCollum
- Evan Fournier
- Andrew Wiggins
- Rodney Hood
- Victor Oladipo
- Danny Green
- Bradley Beal
- Avery Bradley
- Zach Lavine

He'll likely surpass quite a few of these players during the season.

So you're saying, right now you would take all those guys over Booker? During the season however, you think Booker will likely surpass these guys? At what point do you take Booker over those guys?

The only players I would take over Booker right now from that list would be Butler, Middleton, Wiggins, Oladipo, and Bradley.

[Qwigglez]

^I would take Butler. Middleton is injured. Oladipo and Bradley if you prefer defense. Wiggins is getting better and I could see people taking him over Booker for sure.

[guille_4]

I really like Devin Booker and I am very high on him, however, if we account for defense, IMO there are a lot of SG's who are still better players.

- Jimmy Butler
- Kris Middleton
- CJ McCollum
- Evan Fournier
- Andrew Wiggins
- Rodney Hood
- Victor Oladipo
- Danny Green
- Bradley Beal
- Avery Bradley
- Zach Lavine

He'll likely surpass quite a few of these players during the season.

So you're saying, right now you would take all those guys over Booker? During the season however, you think Booker will likely surpass these guys? At what point do you take Booker over those guys?

I'm saying right now, If I was making a play-off run, I'd rather have any of those players over Devin Booker.

However, I think Booker is going to have a very good season, so I see him improving and becoming better than some of those guys as the season progresses.

[E-Balla]

How smooth of a pairing would it be if the Suns could get Jayson Tatum next year?

4 guards on the team and nothing else? Sure.

That said I'd love to see Lonzo Ball and Book.

[E-Balla]

I really like Devin Booker and I am very high on him, however, if we account for defense, IMO there are a lot of SG's who are still better players.

- Jimmy Butler
- Kris Middleton
- CJ McCollum
- Evan Fournier
- Andrew Wiggins
- Rodney Hood
- Victor Oladipo
- Danny Green
- Bradley Beal
- Avery Bradley
- Zach Lavine

He'll likely surpass quite a few of these players during the season.

So you're saying, right now you would take all those guys over Booker? During the season however, you think Booker will likely surpass these guys? At what point do you take Booker over those guys?

I'm saying right now, If I was making a play-off run, I'd rather have any of those players over Devin Booker.

However, I think Booker is going to have a very good season, so I see him improving and becoming better than some of those guys as the season progresses.

Lavine? Idk about that one.

[DickGrayson]

A lot of these SG's have their limits. Offensively I believe Booker has the highest ceiling since James Harden.

Danny Green is a great 3 and D guy, but he's not carrying an offense on his back like Booker will be doing this season, especially if Bledsoe can't stay healthy.

Zach Lavine is an awesome young athlete, I just think Booker will outscore him and show more flashes of greatness.

Avery Bradley, elite defense, scoring has improved. Bradley is probably better than Booker right now overall, Booker obviously has the higher ceiling.

Jimmy Butler and Middleton are really SF's.

Evan Fournier isn't better than Booker, at all.

Beal is talented and skilled but isn't productive enough. Booker seems to be on his skill level early at age 19.

[Marcus]

How smooth of a pairing would it be if the Suns could get Jayson Tatum next year?

4 guards on the team and nothing else? Sure.

That said I'd love to see Lonzo Ball and Book.

Been thinking Lonzo would be perfect for that squad if they could get something for Bleds and/or Knight.

[LedeniZZZ]

I don't know how good player he is right now (I don't watch him, exept highlights and box score numbers), but I really love the potencial.

[guille_4]

Booker had another solid game against Utah.

20 points on 7-15 FG, 1-3 3PT, 5-5 FT
4 rebounds
3 assists with 1 TO
3 steals

On 25 minutes.

I haven't been able to watch any of the preseason games. Is he not getting good looks from the 3PT line? He's still only shooting 33,3% on very few attempts and I find that pretty low considering how good his form is.

[stitches]

Booker looks like a player! I liked him pre-draft and wanted him instead of Lyles, but he's surpassed my expectations. Much better on-ball player than I expected him to be. (I expected him to be better defender though... I guess he has time to improve)

I wish he had better coaching in PHX.

[cksdayoff]

i may have been wrong about booker big time. i didn't think he was worthy of a lottery pick and that he would be a 6th man type. i hope he is the real deal

[Patsfan1081]

I really don't want to hype him too much. Yes, his defense needs work. But damn is he impressive. As a starter last season he averaged 17 points 3 rebounds and 3.5 assists, and he looked good doing it. This preseason he looks even better, and has better players around him. I don't think people realize he played 672 minutes with Ronnie Price and 602 minutes with Archie Goodwin. He played 2107 minutes last season. Now, this doesn't mean that he played 1274 minutes with one of these two as a back court mate, as he played some with both at the same time as well as playing 712 with Knight and 148 with Bledsoe (again, not necessarily exclusively), but for a good chunk of his season, he didn't have much help.

He's been really impressive with his scoring at such a young age but he's also still pretty raw and maybe that's a compliment. My only criticism is that we've seen young players put up big points on poor teams with a big usg%. Booker wasn't the most efficient shooter his rookie season, especially after Knight and Bledsoe went down(he did shoot below 30% from three the second half). He's young so that's to be expected and a good sign is he'a still getting plenty of looks while I there with both Knight and Bledsoe this preseason. But also this preseason his efficiency hasn't been great and will be something he'll most likely improve on with experience.

It will certainly be interesting to see if your limited projections become true.

Ughhhhh, this is why I hate posting in the general thread. If you don't ride a players nuts 100% or if you bring even a hint of critism people have to take offense. Even though I praised the kid over and over in my post and I even predicted that his efficiency was due to being a rookie. This is supposed to be a forum, not a fan page. I never projected anything, just pointed out something that he needs to improve on going forward if he wants to become a better player. I don't see how it something to get defensive about.

[bwgood77]

He's been really impressive with his scoring at such a young age but he's also still pretty raw and maybe that's a compliment. My only criticism is that we've seen young players put up big points on poor teams with a big usg%. Booker wasn't the most efficient shooter his rookie season, especially after Knight and Bledsoe went down(he did shoot below 30% from three the second half). He's young so that's to be expected and a good sign is he'a still getting plenty of looks while I there with both Knight and Bledsoe this preseason. But also this preseason his efficiency hasn't been great and will be something he'll most likely improve on with experience.

It will certainly be interesting to see if your limited projections become true.

Ughhhhh, this is why I hate posting in the general thread. If you don't ride a players nuts 100% or if you bring even a hint of critism people have to take offense. Even though I praised the kid over and over in my post and I even predicted that his efficiency was due to being a rookie. This is supposed to be a forum, not a fan page. I never projected anything, just pointed out something that he needs to improve on going forward if he wants to become a better player. I don't see how it something to get defensive about.

You know, in hindsight, my response doesn't make sense. It almost feels like I meant that post to be somewhere else, because you didn't really have limited projections. I agree his efficiency hasn't been great, but I didn't mind too much last year as a rookie and part of that was due to being thrust into the #1 role with Knight and Bledsoe out. That didn't help him but hurt him. He had all the pressure and Ronnie Price and PJ Tucker don't draw much defensive attention.

As I posted earlier, his numbers pretty much mirrored Kobe's at the same age (Kobe's second season) which I found surprising. I'm not saying he will be Kobe or plays anything like him, but found that interesting.

I think a lot of the good feel for him also comes with the eye test because he does A LOT more than just shoot.

And again, I understand that response didn't make sense and wasn't really a fair response based on your post. I'm guessing I was tired as it was 1:28 am my time, but regardless of that, it wasn't a proper response and I can admit that.

[TurboTitan]

As much as I want to watch him more and more, I remember how much I want to watch the suns less and less, just can't find motivation to watch them

[Justwar]

Calipari not playing this kid and Ulis over the Harrison twins in crunch time is going to go down as the most arrogant act in NCAA history.

ulis maybe, but booker had a terrible second half of his freshman year might of shot 20 percent from 3. He truly hit the wall. But as people have said he was 17 most of his freshman year so he just wasn't ready.