Devin Booker

[RunDogGun]

3 assists in 35 minutes isn't anything, come on now.

He was talking about ball movement, not bragging about assists. I think Booker is a willing passer, so I think he could be added to a group that would share the ball. Like I said, even in his 70 point game, he dished out six assists. But if you think Booker doesn't share the ball because he only averaged 3.4/gm, then I'd have to respectfully disagree.

[RunDogGun]

Ulis, Jackson, Bender lineup means ball movement like whoa.

Droppin Dimes! Dropping Dimes!

Booker was only 0.3/game below Ulis on assists. Heck, even on his 70 point night he had six dimes.

But he was also 1.8 more turnovers per game in turnovers. Considering their assists were 3.7 and 3.4, and their turnovers were 1.3 and 3.1, Ulis was close to a 3-1 ast/to ratio while Booker was slightly over 1:1. Booker needs to cut down on turnovers. Obviously part of that is because he takes so many shots so and has the ball in his hands so much some turnovers are inevitable, but he still needs to cut them down.

I thought his comment was about sharing the ball and ball movement, not turnovers or how sloppy one shared the ball. Totally agree on getting rid of turnovers, many on our team need to work on that.

[bwgood77]

He has ability to share it and got better down the stretch but a little over 3 assist per game on over 18 shots isn't sharing it too much, particularly when you share the ball about as much with the opposition. I think he should improve in this area. However, he needs to focus primarily on his defense if he wants to be an overall plus player. He's still so young though that he should improve in all these areas as well as improving his shot selection.

[RunDogGun]

He has ability to share it and got better down the stretch but a little over 3 assist per game on over 18 shots isn't sharing it too much, particularly when you share the ball about as much with the opposition. I think he should improve in this area. However, he needs to focus primarily on his defense if he wants to be an overall plus player. He's still so young though that he should improve in all these areas as well as improving his shot selection.

Tough to use his shot number, when he was really our only shooter for most of the year last year, right? His assists for April was 5.6/gm. Overall, I think he has moved the ball when he wasn't the only option. Two of the three 9 assist games came late in the season, when he was playing with all the young guys.

I totally agree that he is young and will improve, as I think he is following coach's orders about shooting, and will hopefully choose more wisely on when and where to shoot. It will also help if we get our guards to not waste so much of the shot clock.

Edit: I'd love to add Nash to our coaching staff to work with Booker on both shot selection, and getting the ball into guys' hands at the right time.

[bwgood77]

He has ability to share it and got better down the stretch but a little over 3 assist per game on over 18 shots isn't sharing it too much, particularly when you share the ball about as much with the opposition. I think he should improve in this area. However, he needs to focus primarily on his defense if he wants to be an overall plus player. He's still so young though that he should improve in all these areas as well as improving his shot selection.

Tough to use his shot number, when he was really our only shooter for most of the year last year, right? His assists for April was 5.6/gm. Overall, I think he has moved the ball when he wasn't the only option. Two of the three 9 assist games came late in the season, when he was playing with all the young guys.

I totally agree that he is young and will improve, as I think he is following coach's orders about shooting, and will hopefully choose more wisely on when and where to shoot. It will also help if we get our guards to not waste so much of the shot clock.

Edit: I'd love to add Nash to our coaching staff to work with Booker on both shot selection, and getting the ball into guys' hands at the right time.

He passed A LOT more when he played with Ulis. Probably because he knew he was more likely to get the ball back. He really struggled shooting his first few games with Ulis but shooting like 23% in the first two then 35% or something before his big breakout record game. No, he wasn't really our only shooter. We had quite a few of them until the end of the year when so many people sat. Regardless, ast to shot is an important thing to look at when assessing how much he shares the ball vs shooting..and we would have had more people shooting if he had shared even more, but it's not worth haggling over since I know you like to haggle over minor things. But shot selection is one of the things he could improve upon which would likely help his percentages and if he moved the ball when it's not a great shot, it would help him and the team in the long run.

[RunDogGun]

He has ability to share it and got better down the stretch but a little over 3 assist per game on over 18 shots isn't sharing it too much, particularly when you share the ball about as much with the opposition. I think he should improve in this area. However, he needs to focus primarily on his defense if he wants to be an overall plus player. He's still so young though that he should improve in all these areas as well as improving his shot selection.

Tough to use his shot number, when he was really our only shooter for most of the year last year, right? His assists for April was 5.6/gm. Overall, I think he has moved the ball when he wasn't the only option. Two of the three 9 assist games came late in the season, when he was playing with all the young guys.

I totally agree that he is young and will improve, as I think he is following coach's orders about shooting, and will hopefully choose more wisely on when and where to shoot. It will also help if we get our guards to not waste so much of the shot clock.

Edit: I'd love to add Nash to our coaching staff to work with Booker on both shot selection, and getting the ball into guys' hands at the right time.

He passed A LOT more when he played with Ulis. Probably because he knew he was more likely to get the ball back. He really struggled shooting his first few games with Ulis but shooting like 23% in the first two then 35% or something before his big breakout record game. No, he wasn't really our only shooter. We had quite a few of them until the end of the year when so many people sat. Regardless, ast to shot is an important thing to look at when assessing how much he shares the ball vs shooting..and we would have had more people shooting if he had shared even more, but it's not worth haggling over since I know you like to haggle over minor things. But shot selection is one of the things he could improve upon which would likely help his percentages and if he moved the ball when it's not a great shot, it would help him and the team in the long run.

I would really appreciate it if you didn't make things personal, especially when you are doing exactly what you are charging me with. My point is Booker is a willing passer, and the ball movement would be good with him in the group listed. You can agree, disagree, or go off on a minor point I didn't make like you did, and then claim I'm the one haggling on a minor point.

So, willing passer, or not?

[bwgood77]

Tough to use his shot number, when he was really our only shooter for most of the year last year, right? His assists for April was 5.6/gm. Overall, I think he has moved the ball when he wasn't the only option. Two of the three 9 assist games came late in the season, when he was playing with all the young guys.

I totally agree that he is young and will improve, as I think he is following coach's orders about shooting, and will hopefully choose more wisely on when and where to shoot. It will also help if we get our guards to not waste so much of the shot clock.

Edit: I'd love to add Nash to our coaching staff to work with Booker on both shot selection, and getting the ball into guys' hands at the right time.

He passed A LOT more when he played with Ulis. Probably because he knew he was more likely to get the ball back. He really struggled shooting his first few games with Ulis but shooting like 23% in the first two then 35% or something before his big breakout record game. No, he wasn't really our only shooter. We had quite a few of them until the end of the year when so many people sat. Regardless, ast to shot is an important thing to look at when assessing how much he shares the ball vs shooting..and we would have had more people shooting if he had shared even more, but it's not worth haggling over since I know you like to haggle over minor things. But shot selection is one of the things he could improve upon which would likely help his percentages and if he moved the ball when it's not a great shot, it would help him and the team in the long run.

I would really appreciate it if you didn't make things personal, especially when you are doing exactly what you are charging me with. My point is Booker is a willing passer, and the ball movement would be good with him in the group listed. You can agree, disagree, or go off on a minor point I didn't make like you did, and then claim I'm the one haggling on a minor point.

So, willing passer, or not?

He can be at times. Not too much when playing with Bledsoe, but is more willing with Ulis.

[RunDogGun]

He passed A LOT more when he played with Ulis. Probably because he knew he was more likely to get the ball back. He really struggled shooting his first few games with Ulis but shooting like 23% in the first two then 35% or something before his big breakout record game. No, he wasn't really our only shooter. We had quite a few of them until the end of the year when so many people sat. Regardless, ast to shot is an important thing to look at when assessing how much he shares the ball vs shooting..and we would have had more people shooting if he had shared even more, but it's not worth haggling over since I know you like to haggle over minor things. But shot selection is one of the things he could improve upon which would likely help his percentages and if he moved the ball when it's not a great shot, it would help him and the team in the long run.

I would really appreciate it if you didn't make things personal, especially when you are doing exactly what you are charging me with. My point is Booker is a willing passer, and the ball movement would be good with him in the group listed. You can agree, disagree, or go off on a minor point I didn't make like you did, and then claim I'm the one haggling on a minor point.

So, willing passer, or not?

He can be at times. Not too much when playing with Bledsoe, but is more willing with Ulis.

Totally agree, which was why I put him on the list which included Ulis.

Edit: interesting side note, in that 70 point game, Ulis only had four assists and Dudley had ten. Pretty crazy that Booker was responsible for at least 82 points that game.

[JMac1]

3 assists in 35 minutes isn't anything, come on now.

He was talking about ball movement, not bragging about assists. I think Booker is a willing passer, so I think he could be added to a group that would share the ball. Like I said, even in his 70 point game, he dished out six assists. But if you think Booker doesn't share the ball because he only averaged 3.4/gm, then I'd have to respectfully disagree.

People sometimes forget that the guy on the other end has to make the shot for the guy who passed the ball for an assist to happen. I wonder how many assist he would have if he was passing to an open Curry or Klay?

[RunDogGun]

3 assists in 35 minutes isn't anything, come on now.

He was talking about ball movement, not bragging about assists. I think Booker is a willing passer, so I think he could be added to a group that would share the ball. Like I said, even in his 70 point game, he dished out six assists. But if you think Booker doesn't share the ball because he only averaged 3.4/gm, then I'd have to respectfully disagree.

People sometimes forget that the guy on the other end has to make the shot for the guy who passed the ball for an assist to happen. I wonder how many assist he would have if he was passing to an open Curry or Klay?

Yep, I was thinking that as well while the back and forth was going on. I also think that if Warren played the whole season and didn't have a slow return, our assists would have gone up, for he is usually fairly efficient in shooting. Tucker didn't shoot as well as he had in other years, and Knight and Bledsoe would dribble out shot clocks, which makes it tough for others to get assists due to rushing. And then there was that whole video of Chriss missing dunks.

[bwgood77]

People sometimes forget that the guy on the other end has to make the shot for the guy who passed the ball for an assist to happen. I wonder how many assist he would have if he was passing to an open Curry or Klay?

I think most of us remember that's what constitutes an assist. Also, Booker had the worst FG% on the team of guys that played over 1,200 minutes other than Tucker, who was slightly below him, and of course, is no longer on the team. So Booker making more shots would help all others passing to him to even a greater degree when it comes to assists.

[Frank Lee]

People sometimes forget that the guy on the other end has to make the shot for the guy who passed the ball for an assist to happen. I wonder how many assist he would have if he was passing to an open Curry or Klay?

I think most of us remember that's what constitutes an assist. Also, Booker had the worst FG% on the team of guys that played over 1,200 minutes other than Tucker, who was slightly below him, and of course, is no longer on the team. So Booker making more shots would help all others passing to him to even a greater degree when it comes to assists.

Sir Chuck-a-lot needs to be more selective this year. Streaky is not exactly a good quality to be known for.

[RunDogGun]

People sometimes forget that the guy on the other end has to make the shot for the guy who passed the ball for an assist to happen. I wonder how many assist he would have if he was passing to an open Curry or Klay?

I think most of us remember that's what constitutes an assist. Also, Booker had the worst FG% on the team of guys that played over 1,200 minutes other than Tucker, who was slightly below him, and of course, is no longer on the team. So Booker making more shots would help all others passing to him to even a greater degree when it comes to assists.

Sir Chuck-a-lot needs to be more selective this year. Streaky is not exactly a good quality to be known for.

So does our whole team. Booker was second in 3pt % on our team right behind Dudley (save the 1-2 shooting of Jenkins). Overall, we will have to wait to see what the team will consist of, hopefully we will have better flow to our offense, where guys get the ball in rhythm to maximize their percentages.

[JMac1]

I love how we went from talking about assists to attacking Booker's shooting percent... LOL!

I'm glad the NBA and Suns see Booker as a future star, that's why I am watching "sir-chuck a lot" on NBA TV right now as the NBA's Next Generation along with KAT and Embiid and DLO (oops...no longer a Laker, no longer hyped). They aren't too worried about his assist and shooting percentage at this time.

Only if Booker scored 13pts per game as a 20 year old with higher efficiency.......

You guys want a 20 year old player to be perfect on a sorry ass team. "Well, look at his TS% or his VROP or his Asst. or his 3 pt percent.

And then Frank with the labeling already just displays the pathetic-ness of this fan base. Such whiners

[Frank Lee]

You seem to be the chief whiner here... dont try to turn it around like some are bad fans for commenting on fact/obvious.... Booker either needs to shoot better or take fewer, better shots.... isn't that how you improve shooting %%?


Dare anyone diss the 'Favorite Son' .... blasphemy. oh my....

[JMac1]

You seem to be the chief whiner here... dont try to turn it around like some are bad fans for commenting on fact/obvious.... Booker either needs to shoot better or take fewer, better shots.... isn't that how you improve shooting %%?


Dare anyone diss the 'Favorite Son' .... blasphemy. oh my....

Diss those who deserve to be dissed. A 2nd year 20 year old......as if he is a finished product? slow your roll.

You used a negative label on Booker "Sir-Chuck-A-Lot." That's not good. But you go ahead and spin it buddy. Placing negative terms to describe, IMO, a good player that we are damn fortunate to have, is counter-productive.

We know what the 20 yr old needs to do, and I expect that to come with age and better players. I hear about is deficiencies ad nausem, and Guess what? the season is over; So, to talk about what he needs to improve on in a negative manner when he can't until next season, is growing tired and old. That's what is known as whining or complaining. To place a negative label on the best thing this franchise has had going for it in some time, is just plain weak and miserable.

[ATTL]

I'm not sure who I'd prefer taking Booker's shots on last years team, especially with bledsoe sitting out.

[RunDogGun]

I'm not sure who I'd prefer taking Booker's shots on last years team, especially with bledsoe sitting out.

I'm betting the coaches felt the same way.

[WeekapaugGroove]

I think everyone can agree Booker needs to improve his %'s. But I think there were some factors that led to his numbers last year. He was straight bad those first 5-10 games of the year where his toe was hurting and he didn't seem to get good lift on his shot. I will never understand why they were playing him hurt like that knowing they weren't going anywhere that year. There were times he was trying to do too much. Towards the end of the season there were times where the offense would bog down and basically become give Devin the ball and hope he does something good. It's not coincidence his most efficient part of the season was when Bledsoe was balling out in January. Having someone take some of that scoring weight off his shoulders goes a long ways. Plus there's just a natural learning curve from Booker on what shots he should and shouldn't take.

Hopefully with the offensive progression of guys like Chriss and Warren and the addition of Jackson some of the pressure is off Devin and he's a more efficient player this coming year.

[bwgood77]

You seem to be the chief whiner here... dont try to turn it around like some are bad fans for commenting on fact/obvious.... Booker either needs to shoot better or take fewer, better shots.... isn't that how you improve shooting %%?


Dare anyone diss the 'Favorite Son' .... blasphemy. oh my....

Diss those who deserve to be dissed. A 2nd year 20 year old......as if he is a finished product? slow your roll.

You used a negative label on Booker "Sir-Chuck-A-Lot." That's not good. But you go ahead and spin it buddy. Placing negative terms to describe, IMO, a good player that we are damn fortunate to have, is counter-productive.

We know what the 20 yr old needs to do, and I expect that to come with age and better players. I hear about is deficiencies ad nausem, and Guess what? the season is over; So, to talk about what he needs to improve on in a negative manner when he can't until next season, is growing tired and old. That's what is known as whining or complaining. To place a negative label on the best thing this franchise has had going for it in some time, is just plain weak and miserable.

You first turned the conversation about people needing to hit their shots as a way to back Booker getting more assists. I just simply pointed out he missed more shots than anyone. So in relation, everyone else's assists would improve more so. Maybe you shouldn't turn a conversation one way if you're just to complain about the result.