Josh Jackson

[Hoop Head]

OK. Here is an honest question. Is Josh going to be better than Devin? He is more physically gifted.

It is fantastic to have two young guys with that killer instinct. They both have no fear and want to take the shot. Their talents are complementary.

He's a Two-Way player so that gives him an edge right there but I suspect the better Jackson gets, the better scorer Booker becomes. If teams start paying more attention to Jackson or he is guarded by their best defender then Booker will torch them. Booker will be a better offensive player than Jackson, always IMO, he's a much better shooter and he's only getting better. I think he's also a truly gifted scorer that will eventually end up mentioned along the likes of Harden, Durant, and Curry. He can just score at will and he's only 21. He's doing that as the only true offensive threat on the team that is the only player our opponents gameplan for. The better Jackson gets the better Booker will get also because that will allow him to go off more. Jackson should get better also but I can't see him every outscoring Booker regularly, but scoring isn't everything.

I could see them being similar to a Curry and Durant pairing in that it's really hard to judge who is better and both are equally valuable to their team. I don't think it'll be a Pippen and Jordan sort of pairing where 1 is clearly better than the other or 1 of them is clearly the others sidekick.

I don't think we'll be able to truly answer which is better until we get to see them in a playoff atmosphere, that will be telling. I've been wanting to see Booker in a playoff series since his 70 point outing. He should find another level in the postseason and cement his status as a star. I think it'll be like OKC's first real playoff run back with Durant, Westbrook, and Harden when they all managed to raise their games to new levels and solidify themselves as 3 of the 10 best players in the league. Hopefully we can add a 3rd player to have our own big 3 but I could see Jackson and Booker being good enough to lead a team to the postseason on their own in 3-4 years. Now I can't wait to see Booker and Jackson in a playoff series to see how both step up when they're really in the spotlight.

 

[GoldGloveschmidt]

If we can get a Booker, Jackson, Ayton trio I will start to get really excited about this team. Grab Aaron Gordon too, moving TJ Warren to the bench scorer next year (or trade him).

 

[SirStefan32]

OK. Here is an honest question. Is Josh going to be better than Devin? He is more physically gifted.

It is fantastic to have two young guys with that killer instinct. They both have no fear and want to take the shot. Their talents are complementary.

JJ is definitely more physically gifted. Booker is an incredible scorer. JJ has the potential to be a better two-way player, but Booker is so good offensively, and he is so advanced for his age. Remember that Booker is only a few months older then JJ, if I remember correctly. He is also one of the smartest players I have even seen. There is no question that he has physical limitations, though. He is NOT going to be Kobe Bryan good. JJ is incredibly athletic, and honestly, his basketball IQ is not low. It's really difficult to compare the two. I will say that they complement each other perfectly, though JJ really needs to become a better shooter. I am also trying to not get too excited about JJ yet.

 

[Covert Rain]

I remember when the thread started about Booker being the next great franchise player. I still think as of now he is but if Jackson keeps developing? That would be an epic two player combo if they grow and mesh together.

You need two star quality players in any solid foundation. I don’t care if who ends up being 1A or 1B between these two guys. I am excited about the prospects of having potentially two solid young guys to build around.

 

[Mainstreet]

I remember when the thread started about Booker being the next great franchise player. I still think as of now he is but if Jackson keeps developing? That would be an epic two player combo if they grow and mesh together.

You need two star quality players in any solid foundation. I don’t care if who ends up being 1A or 1B between these two guys. I am excited about the prospects of having potentially two solid young guys to build around.

And if the Suns add a top draft pick and Chriss continues to progress... wow.

 

[devilalum]

I remember when the thread started about Booker being the next great franchise player. I still think as of now he is but if Jackson keeps developing? That would be an epic two player combo if they grow and mesh together.

You need two star quality players in any solid foundation. I don’t care if who ends up being 1A or 1B between these two guys. I am excited about the prospects of having potentially two solid young guys to build around.

Still concerned about PG. With the exception of the Cavs pretty much every good team has a star PG.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

And if the Suns add a top draft pick and Chriss continues to progress... wow.

Also if Bender could develop into something near even Saric that would also be huge. Chriss can be the big that rebounds, blocks shots, and scores on putbacks and alley oops. Bender can be the big that Shoots 3s and dishes assists from the high post. Chriss looks more ready to do his part, but let's hope they both make strides this off season.

 

[SirStefan32]

Also if Bender could develop into something near even Saric that would also be huge. Chriss can be the big that rebounds, blocks shots, and scores on putbacks and alley oops. Bender can be the big that Shoots 3s and dishes assists from the high post. Chriss looks more ready to do his part, but let's hope they both make strides this off season.

I keep telling myself that one of those two has to turn out well.

 

[Covert Rain]

Still concerned about PG. With the exception of the Cavs pretty much every good team has a star PG.

I think you can get there with a serviceable PG. Especially if this team can manage to somehow find a legit big man around the rim that can give you a consistent low post presence that will be around with these two guys.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I keep telling myself that one of those two has to turn out well.

Chriss puts together too many stretches of good games to not turn the corner at some point IMO. Bender needs to show flashes more consistently, but he was extremely raw coming into the league (Especially physically as most 7 foot guys don't enter the league as skinny and weak as Bender was).

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

Jackson's step back jumper has seen some massive improvement throughout the season, which gives me hope about his 3 point shot. The game slowed down for him, and you can see he's not trying to rush all the time anymore. He can get to the rim at will and is an extremely good finisher. Plus, he has a knack for pump fakes and spin moves in the paint to keep defenders off guard. I can see him working like hell in the off-season to develop that shot, and then watch out...he'll be almost unstoppable. Really excited about his development, and just his feel for the game. Plus he seems humble and willing to put in the work to be great. Hopefully his attitude rubs off on Chriss, so that Chriss can finally turn the corner.

 

[devilalum]

I think you can get there with a serviceable PG. Especially if this team can manage to somehow find a legit big man around the rim that can give you a consistent low post presence that will be around with these two guys.

Maybe but a franchise PG in today's game is what the franchise Center was 25 years ago.

You might be able to win without one but having one makes it a lot easier.

 

[Mainstreet]

Also if Bender could develop into something near even Saric that would also be huge. Chriss can be the big that rebounds, blocks shots, and scores on putbacks and alley oops. Bender can be the big that Shoots 3s and dishes assists from the high post. Chriss looks more ready to do his part, but let's hope they both make strides this off season.

I was trying to temper my expectations.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Suns hit on all of their picks in the 2016 draft: Bender, Chriss and Ulis.

 

[AsUpRoDiGy]

I was trying to temper my expectations.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Suns hit on all of their picks in the 2016 draft: Bender, Chriss and Ulis.

Bender needs to go take some MMA classes or something. Anything to get him out of that insanely passive play style he has, and then he 'might' have a chance.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

I was trying to temper my expectations.

Wouldn't it be awesome if the Suns hit on all of their picks in the 2016 draft: Bender, Chriss and Ulis.

Especially after a poor 2nd season for all three.

 

[Mainstreet]

Especially after a poor 2nd season for all three.

For me it's how the second season ends. It's starting to look positive for Chriss and Ulis.

I'm not as optimistic about Bender but hopefully he is only a year behind.

If one takes a step back, it's a lot we ask of a 20 year old player.

 

[Mainstreet]

Bender needs to go take some MMA classes or something. Anything to get him out of that insanely passive play style he has, and then he 'might' have a chance.

I'm still hoping the light may turn on for him given time. As noted in an earlier post, we are asking a lot of a 20 year old player. I still see Bender as a center. He needs to add weight and muscle though.

 

[Covert Rain]

For me it's how the second season ends. It's starting to look positive for Chriss and Ulis.

I'm not as optimistic about Bender but hopefully he is only a year behind.

If one takes a step back, it's a lot we ask of a 20 year old player.

I wasn’t excited when we got Bender and I am still not. I just don’t see it. Maybe a journeyman type player but not a star by any stretch 20 years old or not. Hopefully I am wrong but I remember feeling the same way about Side Show Bob and people were all over me at first on that one too.

 

[Mainstreet]

I wasn’t excited when we got Bender and I am still not. I just don’t see it. Maybe a journeyman type player but not a star by any stretch 20 years old or not. Hopefully I am wrong but I remember feeling the same way about Side Show Bob and people were all over me at first on that one too.

I do not have high expectations for Bender but I still think it is possible for him to turn into a solid NBA player.

What gives me hope is his desire to rebound and defend. This is one of the reasons I want the Suns to look at him as a center so they will be more patient about his offense... like they would look at a defensive center.

Of course he is not there yet. He needs at least one more season to show what he has.

 

[Cheesebeef]

I do not have high expectations for Bender but I still think it is possible for him to turn into a solid NBA player.

What gives me hope is his desire to rebound and defend. This is one of the reasons I want the Suns to look at him as a center so they will be more patient about his offense... like they would look at a defensive center.

Of course he is not there yet. He needs at least one more season to show what he has.

yeah... I don't see that kid ever becoming a great player. But he could turn into a solid big off the bench who can stretch the floor.

I'm very happy to see the light come back on for Chriss though. If he ends up being a player and we can possibly trot out a team of youngsters like:

Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Ayton or Bagley... that team has great size and athleticism. The biggest issue with that group will be spacing and shooting, but Chriss can be an okay three point shooter and I have faith Jackson can become decent eventually as well. They just need a PG who can run and offense and be deadly from 3. Give that team some time and seasoning and in a couple years, they could be running teams out of the gym.

 

[CardsSunsDbacks]

yeah... I don't see that kid ever becoming a great player. But he could turn into a solid big off the bench who can stretch the floor.

I'm very happy to see the light come back on for Chriss though. If he ends up being a player and we can possibly trot out a team of youngsters like:

Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Ayton or Bagley... that team has great size and athleticism. The biggest issue with that group will be spacing and shooting, but Chriss can be an okay three point shooter and I have faith Jackson can become decent eventually as well. They just need a PG who can run and offense and be deadly from 3. Give that team some time and seasoning and in a couple years, they could be running teams out of the gym.

There is still a chance that he becomes very good. It comes down mostly to confidence for him. When he is playing full of confidence he looks like a legitimately good ball player. Problem is that he rarely plays with that sort of confidence.

 

[Mainstreet]

yeah... I don't see that kid ever becoming a great player. But he could turn into a solid big off the bench who can stretch the floor.

I'm very happy to see the light come back on for Chriss though. If he ends up being a player and we can possibly trot out a team of youngsters like:

Booker/Jackson/Chriss/Ayton or Bagley... that team has great size and athleticism. The biggest issue with that group will be spacing and shooting, but Chriss can be an okay three point shooter and I have faith Jackson can become decent eventually as well. They just need a PG who can run and offense and be deadly from 3. Give that team some time and seasoning and in a couple years, they could be running teams out of the gym.

Yes. If the light comes on for Chriss the Suns should be looking good going forward.

I'd like for the Suns to be patient with Bender especially with a new coach likely to come on board.

 

[hsandhu]

In my future thoughts/plans i never count on chriss or bender... BUT I'm a far way from giving up on either of them, theyre both 20! So if they hit it is gravy

Bender is younger than a lot of guys in the 2017 draft, and is passive for 1 season... He just doesn't have confidence in his physical strength.

Even when he gets on 6'7 or 6'8 guys he just towers over, but they can push him around. The key will be how he physically develops, and can be develop a shot where he can just consistently shoot over the top of those 6'8 guys

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I think josh’s 3 will develop. Will ever be feared? Likely not. But it just has to keep opponents honest. One of the things that impresses me most is his ability to score through contact right now. And that’s without him getting calls. When he starts garnering the respect of the refs I expect his ppg avg to leap 3 points due solely to and-1’s.

The great thing about having two alphas like josh and Booker is that while they are both going to be volume scorers neither one is particularly selfish. So they should coexist nicely.

I also think as josh elevates in terms of his national presence and recognition, and the team elevates, the competitor in Booker will drive him to become a better defender.

If we luck out and land Ayton and can pry Aaron Gordon from Orlando I think the team needs a 3-and-D guy at point. Someone like a Patrick beverley. Doesn’t have to be great but helps spacing and makes life difficult for opposing PGs. If all the great teams have great PGs let’s focus our defensive focus at that position to disrupt them while concurrently taking advantage of our mismatch, which would seemingly be a dominant center in Ayton (did I really type “dominant center” when talking about the suns? You just know we aren’t getting him). Getting that guy would provide us at least two top notch defenders two to three 3 point threats as well as post play. That would be the most balanced suns team ever.

 

[leclerc]

Like Barkley's first year in the valley?