How good is Booker?

[CardsSunsDbacks]

He should be a better 3pt shooter given his impeccable form. I'm sure it'll get there eventually but it's taking longer than expected.

He needs more open catch and shoot opportunities. A lot of his threes are off the dribble and that is generally not going to be as efficient.

 

[Hoop Head]

Booker hasn't had the chance to play in an offense where he isn't one of the only threats on the floor. He's had Warren and Bledsoe, that's pretty much it, as far as complimentary offensive players he's played a lot with. In the Utah game after Warren came out hot in the 2nd half they started guarding him closer and he drew a couple of doubles which allowed Booker to finally get some offense for himself because everyone knows he's option #1 for us. When Bledsoe was playing Booker was option #1a while Bledsoe was #1b and unless Warren was having a good game, he didn't draw much attention. I'd really like to see Booker make the All-Star team this year just to see how he plays with other scorers on the court. I know the All-Star game isn't a great gauge but if he becomes an All-Star then the door will open wider to get him on Team USA where I think his style of play would excel.

Once the Suns are a playoff contender they should have at least 3 offensive threats on the floor at all times, one of those being Booker, which will allow him to find some more open 3's and open shots in general. Right now he's not really struggling but he's having a harder time getting his because he's the main player on opposing teams scouting reports. Glad to see Warren finally have a good game though, hopefully he keeps it up and that lightens the load on Booker some more going forward because if teams have to account for both wing players that will open both of them up on the perimeter a bit more. TJ will drive but Booker will be able to knock down shots from there.

 

[Ronin]

Turns 21 today. Happy Birthday Booker!

 

[iLLmatiC]

Listening to Zach Lowe's podcast with Ben Falk and Zach brought up that "he’s a weirdly divisive player in NBA circles. Some people just think Devin Booker is bad".

This is something I've been debating internally for the entire off season. How good is Booker, actually? His advanced stats are bad, below average player based on PER and negative VORP (value over replacement) and really none of the advanced stats show him as an overall positive player. Is this due to his defense? Is he a volume scorer on a bad team? The jumper is there but he takes a ton of bad shots. He's surrounded by terrible circumstances in PHX, most players his age get more time to develop their game before getting 30 mins a game.

Hopefully better coaching can get Book to take that next step in his game.

Here's the link to that podcast, btw. He also paints a pretty ugly picture of Chriss and Bender
http://www.espn.com/espnradio/play?id=21142339

I'd suggest not listening to anybody who says that Devin Booker is bad.

 

[JCSunsfan]

Devin's stats this year. He has increased his fg%, 3 pt % (both by very small amounts). He has doubled his rebounding from 2.6 to 5. He has increased assists from 3.4 to 4.3. He is also getting a steal a game. His mpg have dropped from 35 to 32.5.

But, not in the stat sheet. He has increased his effort and effectiveness defensively by a lot.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

Devin's stats this year. He has increased his fg%, 3 pt % (both by very small amounts). He has doubled his rebounding from 2.6 to 5. He has increased assists from 3.4 to 4.3. He is also getting a steal a game. His mpg have dropped from 35 to 32.5.

But, not in the stat sheet. He has increased his effort and effectiveness defensively by a lot.

From 2.6 to 5.8 to be more specific. Though I agree that he is showing some good improvements this year and I think he will get better with his scoring efficiency as the year progresses.

 

[95pro]

Devin's stats this year. He has increased his fg%, 3 pt % (both by very small amounts). He has doubled his rebounding from 2.6 to 5. He has increased assists from 3.4 to 4.3. He is also getting a steal a game. His mpg have dropped from 35 to 32.5.

But, not in the stat sheet. He has increased his effort and effectiveness defensively by a lot.

I never really cared about stats and analytics on the defensive end, but just by the eye test he's still making mistakes leading to second chances and easy points. BUT only time will tell, I know that's the easy way out but that's how it is right now with all the changes we made; coach, roster, rotations.

 

[Hoop Head]

Saw this pic/meme posted and it's interesting. Of course there are some asterisks that need to be inserted since Kobe and Lebron didn't go to college while Booker, Durant, and Melo had 1 year a piece.

Take away Lebron's rookie year since he went straight to the NBA while Durant, Melo, and Booker played 1 year in college and then the list looks like this...

3495 Kevin Durant
3283 Carmelo Anthony
2995 Lebron James
2897 Devin Booker

I left out Kobe because he spent his first 2 years coming off the bench. Of course Lebron has an edge still because his 1 year in college then becomes his rookie season, even though I didn't add those stats, but then his stats start with his 2nd season which is after he had a full year to get a feel for the NBA game. It's worth noting that KD, Melo, and LBJ all started right away while Booker didn't become a starter until halfway through his rookie campaign and Kobe came off the bench in his first 2 seasons while his first year as a starter was the lockout shortened season in 98-99 where he only played 50 games. Booker also wasn't the first option for the Suns until Bledsoe was sat for the tank last year while Denver, the Sonics, and Cavs were built around the other players. So while the list isn't that accurate of a gauge for their skills it does put Booker in rare company as a scorer.


I decided to compare their first years as starters since I had their stats up and also added in their FG% to show how accurate, and efficient, they were. Instead of straight FG% though I included TS% & eFG% because they provide a better idea of accurate and efficient is when shooting. Booker leads the pack but that is his 2nd year compared to rookie seasons of LBJ, KD, & Melo, and those 3 were selected 1,2, & 3 respectively. They were top prospects while Booker was an afterthought, being a 6th Man at Kentucky where he went #13 which was the same as Kobe. Kobe was a gamble when he was picked in 96 because high school players just started being eligible for the draft in 95. It's safe to say Devin was an absolute steal that late in the draft and has exceeded any expectations there were for him entering the league.

Devin Booker scored 1726 in 78 games averaging 22.1 ppg shooting an eFG% of 48.0% & a TS% of 53.1%
Carmelo Anthony scored 1725 in 82 games averaging 21.0 ppg shooting an eFG% of 44.9% & a TS% of 50.9%
Lebron James scored 1654 in 79 games averaging 20.9 ppg shooting an eFG% of 44.3% & a TS% of 51.9%
Kevin Durant scored 1624 in 80 games averaging 20.3 ppg shooting an an eFG% of 45.1% & a TS% of 48.8%
Kobe Bryant scored 996 in 50 games averaging 19.9 ppg Shooting an an eFG% of 48.2% & a TS% of 54.9%


I couldn't decide between eFG% & TS% and since some prefer one to the other I put both since I had them in front of me. Here is how they are defined...

Effective field goal percentage (EFG%) is a metric used in NBA basketball that is similar to Field Goal Percentage, but adds an additional parameter. This parameter adjusts for the fact that 3-point field goals are worth 50 percent more than 2-point field goals.

True Shooting Percent (TS%) True Shooting Percentage is an advanced basketball metric that attempts to more accurately reflect a players shooting abilities than looking at field goal percentage, free throw percentage and three point percentage in isolation.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[iLLmatiC]

He's such a terrible player.

 

[Ronin]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[Bert]

Speaking of Joe Johnson, that dude was a shell of his former self last night. He could barely move, was useless on both ends, and threw up 7 junk shots. Was a shock to see.

15 years later, Sarver is Vindicated!!!

 

[elindholm]

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I assume that means he's already the fourth-youngest to reach 2994. Who's fifth?

 

[Mainstreet]

Some comments by Devin Booker in a question and answer session with ESPN Staff Writer Nick Friedell on his future, the Suns and Eric Bledsoe.

It's a good article to read as it gives personal insight into Booker and the Suns.

For us, we have to keep developing, and we know that. We have a really good young core that is competing against grown men. The Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, teams that have been together for five, 10-plus years. So I think we're right on track, honestly. In a few years with the experience that we have, with the young core that we have, we'll be in a good spot.

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/21375942/devin-booker-being-face-phoenix-suns

 

[GatorAZ]

I would like to see 46/40/85 this year.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He would have a lot better efficiency stats if it were not for trying to carry the team on his back at the end of games.

 

[Raze]

Booker is blowing up the eyeball test. He's not just shooting well, he's scoring well... and in a variety of ways. Full court pull ups. Catch and shoot off curls. Driving while pinning his man on his opposite hip for layups. Fadeaways. Low post hooks. Power dribble two foot power finishes (almost exclusively a low post player move). Drives to the basket with circus shots. You pretty much name it and he's doing it.

The kid is flat out lighting it up. And he's doing it against the opponents better defenders and against double teams.

But my absolute favorite is that he's putting the team on his back with 5 minutes to go and hitting big shots. His team is not quite ready to help him win yet, but the needle is most certainly on the rise. (Also, he's not near the defensive liability he used to be. He is approaching super star status.)

 

[Cheesebeef]

Booker is blowing up the eyeball test. He's not just shooting well, he's scoring well... and in a variety of ways. Full court pull ups. Catch and shoot off curls. Driving while pinning his man on his opposite hip for layups. Fadeaways. Low post hooks. Power dribble two foot power finishes (almost exclusively a low post player move). Drives to the basket with circus shots. You pretty much name it and he's doing it.

The kid is flat out lighting it up. And he's doing it against the opponents better defenders and against double teams.

But my absolute favorite is that he's putting the team on his back with 5 minutes to go and hitting big shots. His team is not quite ready to help him win yet, but the needle is most certainly on the rise. (Also, he's not near the defensive liability he used to be. He is approaching super star status.)

He can EASILY be an offensive Klay Thompson... and probably better. D still a question mark, but he's undoubtedly a great part of a big 3 at some point

 

[Bert]

He can EASILY be an offensive Klay Thompson... and probably better. D still a question mark, but he's undoubtedly a great part of a big 3 at some point

Totally agree, assuming our GM doesn't alienate him and wind up in a public feud that ends with him asking to be traded... smh

 

[Matt L]

Totally agree, assuming our GM doesn't alienate him and wind up in a public feud that ends with him asking to be traded... smh

Seriously, I think it may be time to cut bait with McDonough.

 

[JCSunsfan]

He can EASILY be an offensive Klay Thompson... and probably better. D still a question mark, but he's undoubtedly a great part of a big 3 at some point

Isnt he already?

 

[NashDishesDimes]

Saw this pic/meme posted and it's interesting. Of course there are some asterisks that need to be inserted since Kobe and Lebron didn't go to college while Booker, Durant, and Melo had 1 year a piece.

Take away Lebron's rookie year since he went straight to the NBA while Durant, Melo, and Booker played 1 year in college and then the list looks like this...

3495 Kevin Durant
3283 Carmelo Anthony
2995 Lebron James
2897 Devin Booker

I left out Kobe because he spent his first 2 years coming off the bench. Of course Lebron has an edge still because his 1 year in college then becomes his rookie season, even though I didn't add those stats then everything starts are his 2nd season after getting a feel for the NBA game. It's worth noting that KD, Melo, and LBJ all started right away while Booker didn't become a starter until halfway through his rookie campaign and Kobe came off the bench in his first 2 seasons while his first year as a starter was the lockout shortened season in 98-99 where he only played 50 games. Booker also wasn't the first option for the Suns until Bledsoe was sat for the tank last year also while Denver, the Sonics, and Cav's were built around the other players. So while the list isn't that accurate of a gauge for their skills it does put Booker in rare company as a scorer.


I decided to compare their first years as starters since I had their stats up and also added in their FG% to show how accurate they were. Instead of straight FG% though I used TS% and eFG% because they're more accurate of an idea just how efficient someone is offensively. Booker leads the pack but that is his 2nd year compared to rookie seasons of LBJ, KD, & Melo, and those 3 were selected 1,2, & 3 respectively. They were top prospects while Booker was an afterthought, being a 6th Man at Kentucky he went #13 which was the same as Kobe. It's safe to say Devin was an absolute steal that late in the draft and has exceeded any expectations there were for him entering the league.

Devin Booker scored 1726 in 78 games averaging 22.1 ppg shooting an eFG% of 48.0% & a TS% of 53.1%
Carmelo Anthony scored 1725 in 82 games averaging 21.0 ppg shooting an eFG% of 44.9% & a TS% of 50.9%
Lebron James scored 1654 in 79 games averaging 20.9 ppg shooting an eFG% of 44.3% & a TS% of 51.9%
Kevin Durant scored 1624 in 80 games averaging 20.3 ppg shooting an an eFG% of 45.1% & a TS% of 48.8%
Kobe Bryant scored 996 in 50 games averaging 19.9 ppg Shooting an an eFG% of 48.2% & a TS% of 54.9%


I couldn't decide between eFG% & TS% and since some prefer one to the other I put both since I had them in front of me. Here is how they are defined...

Effective field goal percentage (EFG%) is a metric used in NBA basketball that is similar to Field Goal Percentage, but adds an additional parameter. This parameter adjusts for the fact that 3-point field goals are worth 50 percent more than 2-point field goals.

True Shooting Percent (TS%) True Shooting Percentage is an advanced basketball metric that attempts to more accurately reflect a players shooting abilities than looking at field goal percentage, free throw percentage and three point percentage in isolation.

You must be registered for see images attach

Interesting. Thx for doing this

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Booker growing frustrated?

Signs of trouble bubbled to the surface in Monday’s loss at Talking Stick Resort Arena, where Lakers fans outnumbered Suns fans in voice and spirit. Booker played a spectacular game but earned a technical foul for overreacting to an official’s whistle. He listened to Lakers fans taunt him before shooting free throws. And at one point, Booker walked menacingly toward the enemy sideline, angry at all the chirping he heard from the visiting bench.


That should not be happening at home. And it’s heartbreaking that one of the loudest sounds to come from the arena on Monday night occurred when rookie Lonzo Ball made his first 3-point shot during the third quarter. At the time, Booker was deep into another vintage performance, on his way to another 30-point game. The juxtaposition was pathetic and poisonous.

https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...oker-frustration-demands-attention/864552001/

 

[JCSunsfan]

Booker growing frustrated?



https://www.azcentral.com/story/spo...oker-frustration-demands-attention/864552001/

I wish people would quite moaning about LA fans at Phoenix sporting events. Half the population of this city are LA transplants. They were out in force at Diamondback games this year--and the Dbacks were doing well. Fans are going to be fans. What are you going to do--deny them tickets, forbid LA gear at event?

The Suns are rebuilding. Its just inevitable. Quit treating it like its doomsday.

 

[SirStefan32]

And that's why the Suns can't afford to tank. They need to start winning now.

 

[Hoop Head]

I would like to see 46/40/85 this year.

Right now he's 45.5, 37.4, and 88.6. It's worth noting he's actually shooting less than last year, with only 17.9 attempts vs 18.3 last season. He's taking less 2 pointers, 11.8 vs 13.2, more 3's with 6.1 vs 5.2 but his FT's are about equal at 5.3 vs 5.8.

His TS% is 57.5% so far which is up from 47.6 last year during October & November. His usage rating hasn’t increased that much either at just 28.1 this year compared to 26.85 last season during October & November.

Most players and teams shooting percentage increases as the year goes on so if he improves on his current numbers then he should be an All-Star and will really make the leap as far as budding star to solidifying his status as a star and our franchise player.