Why Not Start Book?

dlts20 · Post #1 » by **dlts20** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:12 pm

I loved his game last year and I dont get benching Dray for JV at the 4. Book is more of a true 4 and provides some of the scoring we need. I like JV's game(atleast at times) but in alot of games he's just going to be too skinny to bang with the 4's. If you wanna start him then fine but start him at the 3 over Shard. He's not going to stretch the floor but atleast he would be at his more natural spot. Singelton is starting to regress some and making dumb plays.

With JV starting, he's not strong enough some games on D and he doesnt score good enough for us on O. With him on the floor that makes Wall & McGee go to guys too much and neither are consistent enough for that. Booker would balance that out more and I think he's earned it last season & this season. JV also seems like the perfect kinda spark off the bench type guy and there arent many backup 4's he couldnt play with if you chose to play him there but not starters.

I just like the thought of Book at the 4 with either Shard, JV, or Singelton at the 3 but Book has earned atleast a chance to be the starting 4 and I dont think that run he got early was a real chance. He always had Dray looking over his shoulder and was still kinda working off his own injury. Give him a shot now. Everything that JV brings, Book can just about bring and more at that spot. He can finish for John, he can run the floor, with John, and so on.

He also brings that attitude & toughness we need. He's even starting to get some swag & talk trash. I love the bash brothers together with him & KS but he needs to start over JV IMO. It would be one thing if Wall & McGee were consistent scorers but they arent. Shoot, even NY & Shard arent consisnent. NY kinda is but he's streaky. Give Book the chance and see how we play. He's earned it and deserves a fair shot.

Some are even calling JV a bust. IDK if he's that or not but he's going to look like a bust as a starting 4 in a lineup with not many pure scorers or shooters. He's not built for that, atleast not yet. He would look great in the startign group with the old Wiz with the big 3 but not this group and definitely not at the 4 spot. Either starting 3 or backup 4 or 3. Not starting 4, period. Give Book his chance. I actually trust him more than anyone on our team right now, atleast in this system

tontoz · Post #2 » by **tontoz** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:43 pm

Booker is their best option at the 4. I have no idea why he isn't starting.

Chocolate City Jordanaire · Post #3 » by **Chocolate City Jordanaire** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 8:58 pm

Well, at least Andray can't play for a while and there's time.

I know they read this site. Give it 2 games, max, and I bet Booker starts.

dobrojim · Post #4 » by **dobrojim** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 9:18 pm

might be sooner than that

no reason why not to

But Book is only a true 4 in his style of play and skillset

Post #5 » by **LyricalRico** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 9:32 pm

Maybe Wittman sees chemistry with the second unit and wants them on the floor together? Or maybe he's trying to force chemistry between the team's two highest picks, Wall and Vesely?

:dontknow:

Illuminaire · Post #6 » by **Illuminaire** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 9:51 pm

Could be that Wittman and EG know that Book's ceiling is "excellent backup player" and want to pump up his value against second units for possible moves in the summer. If we get a Davis, for instance, we'd need to move someone.

But really, I have no idea. He's the best healthy, in shape PF we have.

tontoz · Post #7 » by **tontoz** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 9:57 pm

In his last 3 games he has 36 points in 66 minutes, shooting 16/20 from the field.

Post #8 » by **nate33** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 9:58 pm

I felt Booker should start ever since I saw Blatche's fat, out-of-shape ass walk out onto the court in Game 1. I still think he should start. He is easily one of the 4 best players on the team right now (along with Wall, McGee and Young).

I can accept him coming off the bench if Whitman likes the team chemistry better that way, or because he's trying to forcefeed Vesely minutes or something. But if that's the plan, then Booker should still get starter's minutes. He should be playing at least 25 minutes a game, and preferably more like 32.

Post #9 » by **Zonkerbl** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 10:02 pm

Book is surprising me with his post-up game. Not bad! At least as effective as Blatche and he does not waste possessions taking inefficient shots. Add in the effort plays he gets that Blatche doesn't and he is clearly outperforming him.

My thought was that Book was the better player but his complete lack of offensive would bring the offense to a creaking halt with him on the floor during the halfcourt game. I gotta admit that hasn't happened, at least as much as I expected.

We still suck, but we suck a little less with Booker vs. Blatche.

Illuminaire · Post #10 » by **Illuminaire** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 10:03 pm

Booker may be our best low-post option. Shame we don't seem to want to use it.

dlts20 · Post #11 » by **dlts20** » Thu Feb 2, 2012 10:15 pm

I also forgot to add that Im a huge boxing fan and Im known for talking a ton about how Southpaws have a huge huge huge advantage in boxing. Since Ive been saying that, I think its close to the same in all of pro sports and basketball may be the 2nd highest. Guys arent use to guarding lefty's. Book might not be a great Offensive player but he's solid and because he's a lefty, it can make him very dangerous.

Guys arent use to someone going the opposite direction, finishing strong going left. The same with his drives. It throws them off. Thats why Ginobli is a killer. Its hard for guys to get use to that style. Its a big advantage which will make Book a better scorer then maybe he should be and it will get him to the FT line alot more then someone with his skillset normally would

tontoz · Post #12 » by **tontoz** » Fri Feb 3, 2012 12:15 am

dlts20 wrote:I also forgot to add that Im a huge boxing fan and Im known for talking a ton about how Southpaws have a huge huge huge advantage in boxing. Since Ive been saying that, I think its close to the same in all of pro sports and basketball may be the 2nd highest. Guys arent use to guarding lefty's. Book might not be a great Offensive player but he's solid and because he's a lefty, it can make him very dangerous.

Guys arent use to someone going the opposite direction, finishing strong going left. The same with his drives. It throws them off. Thats why Ginobli is a killer. Its hard for guys to get use to that style. Its a big advantage which will make Book a better scorer then maybe he should be and it will get him to the FT line alot more then someone with his skillset normally would

Being a lefty also helps blocking shots since he is mostly guarding rightys. His strong hand is on their shooting hand.