Devin Booker's development has been interrupted

[BC867]

Every game, Eddie Johnson explains why Devin Booker is not
providing the scoring leadership expected of him this season.

I certainly trust EJ's expertise. But why is he saying that Devin
is trying too hard to involve everyone in the scoring?

That is the job of the Point Guard. Isn't it? The job of the Shooting
Guard is to shoot. Especially one who made a statement by scoring
70 in a game. It brings expectations with it.

Last season when the Suns took the lazy way out and turned the
job of Point Guard over to Booker, while he was still expected to
be our best scorer . . .

I was concerned that it would cause a leadership setback to Booker.

Apparently it has! Especially when EJ says, over and over, that Devin
is trying too hard to involve everyone in the scoring.

We have a Point Guard. We need our Shooting Guard to take over
scoring when necessary. And have the energy to play defense. I hoped
that Monty could readjust him from the mind games Suns management
played on him last season. According to EJ, it hasn't happened.

I hope that Booker playing with another team won't be what it takes.
However, it is not beyond a reasonable possibility.

The Suns are no longer dysfunctional. Now they are the ghost of the
dysfunctional.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think you’re missing something big . . . Devin is getting partially shut down. I don’t think he’s passing on shots. I think he’s being defended well. Really well. And without someone else drawing defenses it’s going to continue.

 

[Sunburn]

I think you’re missing something big . . . Devin is getting partially shut down. I don’t think he’s passing on shots. I think he’s being defended well. Really well. And without someone else drawing defenses it’s going to continue.

I'm not sure if I buy this. He was seeing just as much defensive pressure last year, was he not? He seemed to attack it more then, whereas this year he's deferring. Surprisingly, even with his heavy playmaking burden last year, his turnover average is a smidge higher this year. Perhaps from his overemphasis on swinging the ball?

 

[Mainstreet]

I'm not sure if I buy this. He was seeing just as much defensive pressure last year, was he not? He seemed to attack it more then, whereas this year he's deferring.

I agree with a lot of this. It's harder for Devin to break out within the new team concept. He needs more free rein to be spontaneous. Hopefully he will figure out the mix but the Suns need their star back.

 

[1Sun]

I agree with a lot of this. It's harder for Devin to break out within the new team concept. He needs more free rein to be spontaneous. Hopefully he will figure out the mix but the Suns need their star back.

Do we know if he is still buying in? Booker looks disinterested out there lately, almost along the lines of how T.J. Warren looked out there last year.

 

[Bufalay]

Arrested development

 

[Finito]

It’s Montes system it’s 5 seconds and get the ball out of your hands. The last few years it’s been Booker and iso ball.

like I’ve said this dude has had like 6 head coaches all with different systems.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I’m willing to see how he’s performing after a season.

But we could also be witnessing what I’ve been afraid of . . . that book, on a meaningless team, can pile up meaningless stats. But on a legit team he may just be a merely very good player and not a legit star. He’d still be a steal as a 13th pick but not what we all hoped, and even expected, he’d be when surrounded by a competent team. Mind you, I’m not saying I believe this . . . yet. But I can’t rule it out.

 

[taz02]

He is only down 2ppg from last season with a higher shooting percentage. Maybe its just that he doesn't appear to be having as big an impact because the players around him can actually play.

Booker will be fine if he stays healthy.

 

[BC867]

I'm not sure if I buy this. He was seeing just as much defensive pressure last year, was he not? He seemed to attack it more then, whereas this year he's deferring. Surprisingly, even with his heavy playmaking burden last year, his turnover average is a smidge higher this year. Perhaps from his overemphasis on swinging the ball?

That was my point. Making him the passer last season, and being caught
in the middle this season, has not returned him to the scorer's mentality
that he originally brought to the Suns. He is a man without a country, so
to speak. It plays mind games with a young man.

If his (shooting) role were clear, It would probably even discourage the
double-teams if Book could move without the ball, catch and shoot.
And use the rest of his energy playing defense.

But, as Eddie says, Devin is trying too hard to involve everyone. That
is not the mentality of a Shooting Guard. The Suns tried to turn him
into James Harden and it didn't work.

He is only down 2ppg from last season with a higher shooting percentage. Maybe its just that he doesn't appear to be having as big an impact because the players around him can actually play.

Booker will be fine if he stays healthy.

The difference is in the eye test when the game is on the line. Booker
has been mediocre in that role in the many close games we've lost.

And saying that he will be fine with better players around him would
be a hope, but it would require and end to the constant management
changes with which he has had to cope.

The very things that make us believe that he can be a superstar will
have a hard time surfacing until he gets the hell away from Sarver's
Folly. So far it has resulted in disappointment.

Put yourself in his position. Once you're earning millions to play a
schoolyard game, money is not the primary motivator.

It's about glory and recognition. The way things are shaping up,
the Suns are not as pathetic as they've been, but are mediocre.

That means Book is no closer to being on the All Star team. Or
in the playoffs. And now that he is familiar with all Suns personnel,
from top to bottom, as well as the NBA, he can gauge pretty
accurately what to expect in the future.

I agree with the poster who said that Devin has gone along with
the mess he's seen, but is getting closer to wanting out. And
who could blame him? His patience in not being rewarded.

 

[BC867]

But then, check out LeBron. a 250-pounder, bringing the ball up the court.

Dribble the ball across the center line. Stop and take three steps.
Stop and start dribbling again. And no call from any of the refs.

I guess position-less basketball might be the way the league is going.

https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-couldnt-believe-officials-032430041.html

 

[taz02]

Devin has definitely been in a tough situation. I'm surprised he hasn't bailed out, but now isn't the time. The team is clearly trending in the right direction.

Booker does look a little out of wack sometimes but that is to be expected. He no longer has to run the entire show and he is deferring to others, maybe more than he should but the way defenses are focusing on him its often the smart move. Like the final seconds of the Hornets game when it opened a three for Oubre.

 

[BC867]

But then, check out LeBron. a 250-pounder, bringing the ball up the court.

Dribble the ball across the center line. Stop and take three steps.
Stop and start dribbling again. And no call from any of the refs.

I guess position-less basketball might be the way the league is going.

https://sports.yahoo.com/andre-iguodala-couldnt-believe-officials-032430041.html

Here is Bron's explanation for losing concentration.

https://sports.yahoo.com/had-malfunction-lebron-james-embarrassed-092720705.html

 

[Finito]

He is only down 2ppg from last season with a higher shooting percentage. Maybe its just that he doesn't appear to be having as big an impact because the players around him can actually play.


Booker will be fine if he stays healthy.

he’s averaging 24 points and 6 assist. On 50% from the field idk what guys want. This team has a lot of problems Booker ain’t one of them

 

[Hoop Head]

He's in a slump of sorts but he'll get out of it. I think some people are over reacting to it. He's averaging 2 fewer points than last season but he is also taking 2 fewer field goals and is playing more efficiently. His usage rate isn't that much different, which is surprising since he's no longer the primary ball handler. Last year his usage rate was 32.9% and it's 28.1% this season. Considering he now shares the floor with a legit NBA level players it was going to go down.

His turnovers are the same as last year, averaging 4.1 a game, but he's still averaging over 6 assists a game. Last year he was at 6.8 and this year he's sitting at 6.2. He needs to get that number down and I expect he will as he gets more comfortable with his teammates and Monty's system.

As far as the "eye test" saying he's unhappy, I'm not seeing that. He has looked a little off, a little frustrated, but I'm not that surprised by that since the team as a whole is struggling right now. I'd rather he show some frustration than being all smiles when the team is losing, it shows that he cares. People on this board aren't as joyous and optimistic when discussing the Suns as they were 2 weeks ago either, it happens.

I looked up his game log and he's only shot 50% or greater once in the last 7 games. I don't know if that's really a slump since this is the first season that he's shot above 50% from the field. When comparing these numbers to his career averages though, it's really not much of a slump at all. For his career he's a 44.2% shooter and averaging 21.6 ppg, so he's scoring a little higher and shooting a tiny bit better than his career averages. This season is young, let him get settled and accustomed to everyone. Here's a link to his career stats, I posted an image of his stats over the last 7 games.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[BC867]

he’s averaging 24 points and 6 assist. On 50% from the field idk what guys want. This team has a lot of problems Booker ain’t one of them

This thread is entitled, "Devin Booker's development has been interrupted".

By being moved to Point Guard out of desperation last season, while still
being our best scorer. And now, still trying too hard to involve other
players, which is getting in the way of his specialty, scoring, especially
in clutch situations. And being double-teamed while trying to do both.

There is a big difference being a problem and wanting to be a superstar,
but falling short. Such as, despite his stats for the game, not being in
the class of Michael or Kobe with the game on the line. And not being
selected an All Star yet. Which could very well happen again this season.

When a marginal player exceeds expectations, it is a plus, like the way
Baynes started the season. But his body couldn't handle the rigors of it.

When a player who wants to be great falls short, there is disappointment.
That is human nature.

Especially when the managing investor is a meddling fool who has gone
through many General Managers and Head Coaches, when he is the problem.

This situation is a lot more complex and sophisticated than "Booker ain't
one of them." He is, in fact, one of Sarver's victims.

 

[Finito]

This thread is entitled, "Devin Booker's development has been interrupted".

By being moved to Point Guard out of desperation last season, while still
being our best scorer. And now, still trying too hard to involve other
players, which is getting in the way of his specialty, scoring, especially
in clutch situations. And being double-teamed while trying to do both.

There is a big difference being a problem and wanting to be a superstar,
but falling short. Such as, despite his stats for the game, not being in
the class of Michael or Kobe with the game on the line. And not being
selected an All Star yet. Which could very well happen again this season.

When a marginal player exceeds expectations, it is a plus, like the way
Baynes started the season. But his body couldn't handle the rigors of it.

When a player who wants to be great falls short, there is disappointment.
That is human nature.

Especially when the managing investor is a meddling fool who has gone
through many General Managers and Head Coaches, when he is the problem.

This situation is a lot more complex and sophisticated than "Booker ain't
one of them." He is, in fact, one of Sarver's victims.

oh yeah that’s true the front office has done everything possible to stunt his growth. Like I’ve said what 6 coaches in 5 seasons a rotating lineup every year.

by the way Booker is one of the most clutch guys in the NBA. He’s proven it

 

[Superbone]

oh yeah that’s true the front office has done everything possible to stunt his growth. Like I’ve said what 6 coaches in 5 seasons a rotating lineup every year.

by the way Booker is one of the most clutch guys in the NBA. He’s proven it

Not lately, unfortunately. He's been in a funk.

 

[Finito]

Not lately, unfortunately. He's been in a funk.

have we had any games come down to the wire?

his numbers are pretty much identical to last year

 

[dscher]

Between him and oubre.. I'm extremely luke warm when it comes to putting something big together. With that said...it is what it is...but they won't be a pair that gets this team extremely competitive night in and out. Imo

 

[JCSunsfan]

This thread title should have been Booker’s Development Arrested.”

that would have gotten a little attention.

 

[Superbone]

It was nice to have superstar Booker back tonight.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

It was nice to have superstar Booker back tonight.

At least until they switched Jrue onto him at the end which totally negated him and relegated him to decoy status. Bookers inability to do anything in the last 3 minutes and OT when Jrue locked him down was concerning. Luckily Monty was wise enough to counter by going away from him.

 

[Covert Rain]

At least until they switched Jrue onto him at the end which totally negated him and relegated him to decoy status. Bookers inability to do anything in the last 3 minutes and OT when Jrue locked him down was concerning. Luckily Monty was wise enough to counter by going away from him.

He is one of the best defenders in the league. He also shut down in past games Paul George, Russell Westbrook, Kevin Durant a bunch of other scorers the past couple seasons. I liken this to sticking your best corner on the best receiver in the NFL. Booker was also double teamed a few times as well. Not really that concerned. Dude was phenomenal overall.

 

[Chris_Sanders]

At least until they switched Jrue onto him at the end which totally negated him and relegated him to decoy status. Bookers inability to do anything in the last 3 minutes and OT when Jrue locked him down was concerning. Luckily Monty was wise enough to counter by going away from him.

It was Jrue + a double. They were leaving Rubio alone