Devin Booker = Franchise Player?

Ouchie-Z-Clown

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What's fascinating to me is that I watch him and I'm impressed. His numbers look good in a box score. But apparently most measurement analytics don't favor him. Which makes me all the more skeptical of such measurements.
 

Catlover

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I think it's too early to know whether he can become a franchise player. If he's your typical 19 year old and has the same growth and development in front of him then yes, he's likely on his way to becoming a true franchise player. But his game is mature in many ways and it's quite possible he's a lot closer to his peak than most players his age would be. In which case, I suspect he falls short of franchise level. But I think he's going to be a very good player in any case.
 

Bada0Bing

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What's fascinating to me is that I watch him and I'm impressed. His numbers look good in a box score. But apparently most measurement analytics don't favor him. Which makes me all the more skeptical of such measurements.

Interesting. I consider myself an analytics guy, but if that's the case I need to adjust my level of skepticism as well. Perhaps I need to better understand how his crappy teammates are affecting his measurements.

I think it's too early to know whether he can become a franchise player. If he's your typical 19 year old and has the same growth and development in front of him then yes, he's likely on his way to becoming a true franchise player. But his game is mature in many ways and it's quite possible he's a lot closer to his peak than most players his age would be. In which case, I suspect he falls short of franchise level. But I think he's going to be a very good player in any case.

True, but if he's shooting this well at 19 he's going to be flippin deadly in 5 years. His form is perfect; I can't imagine a scenario where his shot doesn't improve.
 

sunsfan88

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I think in little time he has a good shot to actually be the 3rd best shooter in the league behind the splash bros too.

This had to have been a great experience for him.

I saw Curry joking and laughing with him on the bench during the 3pt contest I hope they workout together in the off season or something.
 

sunsfan88

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Agreed. Booker is the real deal. I watched him several times during summer league and was shocked with how smooth he plays and how easy the game comes to him.

It shows you how incompetent the coaching staff was that this kid couldn't even get off the bench sometimes earlier this year.

It's why so many of us wanted Hornacek gone and why it made no sense that there was still people defending Hornacek.
 

sunsfan88

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Growing up as a kid, I remember watching All-Star weekend,” said Booker, 19. “It’s crazy that there’s going to be some kid that the first time they ever get to see me is All-Star weekend. A lot of kids watch no games throughout the year, but they’ll watch the 3-point and dunk contest. It’s making my brand go higher. People are going to figure out who I am and hopefully I have a positive impact.

http://www.azcentral.com/story/spor...4?hootPostID=16a4755f3db97ed337b139e3d0057669
I love the fact that he's already thinking of his brand as a 19 year old. It's gonna keep him hungry to be the best. His eyes are set on very high goals as opposed to many kids in the league around his age perhaps just hoping to survive.
 

CardsSunsDbacks

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I think it's too early to know whether he can become a franchise player. If he's your typical 19 year old and has the same growth and development in front of him then yes, he's likely on his way to becoming a true franchise player. But his game is mature in many ways and it's quite possible he's a lot closer to his peak than most players his age would be. In which case, I suspect he falls short of franchise level. But I think he's going to be a very good player in any case.
I believe you are looking at this the wrong way. Booker can still improve in just about every phase of the game. His shot can certainly get better than it currently is, his ball handling can certainly improve, his decision making as a facilitator can improve and his defense can improve. The biggest thing for him is that he still needs to develop a little more scoring aggressiveness and all around consistency. Becoming more aggressive and consistent are probably the biggest factors in how much growth we will see from Booker as it is the only thing stopping him from averaging well over 20 points per game.

Just look at Steph Curry from last year to this year. Did you honestly believe that Curry had that in him after how well he played last year? Really the only difference is that he has become more aggressive as a scorer and he has been very consistent in that level of aggressiveness from game to game.
 
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Catlover

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I believe you are looking at this the wrong way. Booker can still improve in just about every phase of the game. His shot can certainly get better than it currently is, his ball handling can certainly improve, his decision making as a facilitator can improve and his defense can improve. The biggest thing for him is that he still needs to develop a little more scoring aggressiveness and all around consistency. Becoming more aggressive and consistent are probably the biggest factors in how much growth we will see from Booker as it is the only thing stopping him from averaging well over 20 points per game.

Just look at Steph Curry from last year to this year. Did you honestly believe that Curry had that in him after how well he played last year? Really the only difference is that he has become more aggressive as a scorer and he has been very consistent in that level of aggressiveness from game to game.

I believe you are reading something into my post that wasn't intended. I've been on the Booker bandwagon for quite awhile. I think there's a decent chance that he will become one of the best players of his generation. But a big part of that is based on him following the typical development path of a 19 year old player. There obviously are exceptions to that pattern, players that are closer to their peak than the average 19 year old. If he falls into that group, he'll continue to improve but his ceiling will be somewhat lower.

Either way, we have a very good player in Devin and one that's sure to become a fan favorite (and probably a teen idol too). Even if he's fairly near his peak, I think he's going to have a long career and be a 20+ scorer for much of that career. But that doesn't necessarily mean he'll be a franchise player and that isn't a roundabout way of me saying he won't become one.
 
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slinslin

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His shooting numbers have plummeted since February and in our last losses he regularly had among the worst +/- . It is a little bit worrying.
 

Catlover

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His shooting numbers have plummeted since February and in our last losses he regularly had among the worst +/- . It is a little bit worrying.

I think he'll start to play better when Knight gets back (and back to speed). He's the youngest player in the league, he has a huge target on his back, he's almost alone out there and he's clearly hit the rookie wall. I'm not all that worried about him. My biggest concern would be the possibility that being forced into this role too early in his career might stunt his development. But he seems to have his head on straight so I think that's a very small concern. Still, I'll be glad when Brandon is out there to take some of the pressure off of him.
 

JCSunsfan

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They plummeted after the all star game and since Kieff was traded. There is no one else to guard really.
 

SirStefan32

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They plummeted after the all star game and since Kieff was traded. There is no one else to guard really.

Exactly. He is #1 on every team's scouting report. He is 19, playing a lot of minutes, probably hitting a little bit of a rookie wall (as Catlover pointed out), and he is facing every team's best defenders every night. I am not worried about Booker at all. This is awesome for his development. I really do wish Warren didn't get hurt so he can get some of this "accelerated development" Booker is getting.
 

BC867

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I really do wish Warren didn't get hurt so he can get some of this "accelerated development" Booker is getting.
And take some of the offensive pressure off both of them, since no one else is. Except Mirza off the bench.
 

leclerc

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They should keep starting Goodwin as PG. He averaged about 18 PPG which is certainly more than we're getting from Price.

How has Goodwin been as a sub? Has he been aggressive or just drifting around?
 

JCSunsfan

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I think we should trade Goodwin ASAP. This crap about wanting the ball in his hands is idiotic. He is not and never will be a pg. if he thinks that is what he has to be, the he needs to go.
 

Chaplin

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I think we should trade Goodwin ASAP. This crap about wanting the ball in his hands is idiotic. He is not and never will be a pg. if he thinks that is what he has to be, the he needs to go.

Too late. I'm wondering if the market is soft for him. I'd say it probably is.
 

elindholm

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Too late. I'm wondering if the market is soft for him. I'd say it probably is.

It was always soft for him. He was taken at the end of the first round and everything he has done to this point has been consistent with that draft position. Suns fans are wanting to see something that just isn't there. Yes, he's talented, but the complete package is lacking.
 

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We have played better with Goodwin than Price starting imo..

I'm not sure if that's true but I'd be starting him regardless. About the only reason to not start him IMO is if we know for certain he's unhappy and leaving at the first opportunity. No reason to develop someone else's player especially because he has little to no trade value. And his trade value is unlikely to change in the next month or two.
 

Errntknght

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Wow, that's a first - slin stating something and admitting its just his opinion.

I believe that Archie passed up a chance to leave already... didn't he sign an extention
just before the start of the year. It would have probably cost him some money to refuse it, but it would have made him an free agent this summer.
 

leclerc

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Or was it the Suns who picked up the 4th year option? I can't remember but I remember being disappointed for them not playing him when they extended him. He had some good games in January and February. Hope coach puts him back in the starting 5.
 

JCSunsfan

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It is interesting to see Booker's development. He isn't everything immediately. He faces new challenges in the process, struggles immediately, and then eventually adapts. He is growing before our eyes.

1. Learn to play in the NBA without jitters. Check.
2. Learn to fit into team play and defer to team leaders while playing efficiently. Check.
3. Learn to be the scoring leader on the court, putting up shots and being the first option. Check.
4. Learn to have an impact when opposing teams are keying on just you, with very little additional offensive help. Starting to check with this one.

Each stage has taken him some time.

There are a few more to go.

5. Learn to be effective on defense as well as offense.
6. Learn to make everyone around you better.
 

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The only positive light for the Suns right now is seeing how good Booker has become. Just think on how much better he will get when he has good players around him???
 

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