The polarization of Devin Booker

[Vladimir_Taltos]

PUT SOME PLAYERS AROUND HIM. LIKE A FULL TEAM WITH PGS, PFS AND EVERYTHING!

What do you mean, "everything?" ...EVERYTHING!!!

AMen...best summary statement of truth after Uncle Gene...

[Superbone]

PUT SOME PLAYERS AROUND HIM. LIKE A FULL TEAM WITH PGS, PFS AND EVERYTHING!

What do you mean, "everything?" ...EVERYTHING!!!

AMen...best summary statement of truth after Uncle Gene...

Thanks, Vlad. Come by more often! How's life treating you?

[azsportsfan]

Ayton is not passive in that context. He recognizes double teams very well and reacts quickly passing the ball. You can build a scheme to play inside out around him if you put three guys who shoot and move without the ball while Booker generates pressure on his own.

Very clearly the coach is asking Ayton to set screens continuously for our below average swings to let them create the offense. Why? The only explanation is he is clueless.

This is just not true. I'll leave this here: https://stats.nba.com/players/touches/? ... CHES&dir=1
5th in the league in paint touches. 8th in elbow touches. 13th in post-ups. Doesn't count the terrible passes to him that are attempted and failed. He is not ignored. He is a rookie that needs experience and more strength. He doesn't fight for or hold position well (post-ups stat). His conditioning is a little suspect. He will learn and get a stronger base. It is not an easy position to play. "Coach should just build the offense around Ayton" would give us fewer wins this season. He can defend better at the rim. He can get offensive rebounds and putbacks. Those are on him and not on the scheme. There is more that he can, should, and will be doing. I love the guy, but let's be realistic.

[specialsauce]

Ayton is not passive in that context. He recognizes double teams very well and reacts quickly passing the ball. You can build a scheme to play inside out around him if you put three guys who shoot and move without the ball while Booker generates pressure on his own.

Very clearly the coach is asking Ayton to set screens continuously for our below average swings to let them create the offense. Why? The only explanation is he is clueless.

This is just not true. I'll leave this here: https://stats.nba.com/players/touches/? ... CHES&dir=1
5th in the league in paint touches. 8th in elbow touches. 13th in post-ups. Doesn't count the terrible passes to him that are attempted and failed. He is not ignored. He is a rookie that needs experience and more strength. He doesn't fight for or hold position well (post-ups stat). His conditioning is a little suspect. He will learn and get a stronger base. It is not an easy position to play. "Coach should just build the offense around Ayton" would give us fewer wins this season. He can defend better at the rim. He can get offensive rebounds and putbacks. Those are on him and not on the scheme. There is more that he can, should, and will be doing. I love the guy, but let's be realistic.

If you don’t think coach has him setting screen after screen after screen from the three point line, you’re reading the box score and not watching the games. I just don’t have any other way to explain it.

[JeremyG]

And when he is at the three-point line setting screens or picks, he can't even get to the offensive rebounds a lot of times.

[O_Gardino]

Ayton is not passive in that context. He recognizes double teams very well and reacts quickly passing the ball. You can build a scheme to play inside out around him if you put three guys who shoot and move without the ball while Booker generates pressure on his own.

Very clearly the coach is asking Ayton to set screens continuously for our below average swings to let them create the offense. Why? The only explanation is he is clueless.

This is just not true. I'll leave this here: https://stats.nba.com/players/touches/? ... CHES&dir=1
5th in the league in paint touches. 8th in elbow touches. 13th in post-ups. Doesn't count the terrible passes to him that are attempted and failed. He is not ignored. He is a rookie that needs experience and more strength. He doesn't fight for or hold position well (post-ups stat). His conditioning is a little suspect. He will learn and get a stronger base. It is not an easy position to play. "Coach should just build the offense around Ayton" would give us fewer wins this season. He can defend better at the rim. He can get offensive rebounds and putbacks. Those are on him and not on the scheme. There is more that he can, should, and will be doing. I love the guy, but let's be realistic.

I 100% agree with the bold part.

But I want to point out that that paint touches stat doesn't mean exactly what you are using it for. It includes offensive rebounds, and you'll notice that all the guys on the top of that list are strong offensive rebounders. They are all guys who get most or all of their points in the pick and roll and on putbacks. In fact, the first guy on that list who I would say is the cornerstone of the team's offense is AD, and he's 9th. So, yeah, Ayton gets a lot of touches in the paint, but that's not because we are featuring his post game. It's because he gets offensive rebounds and lobs. He gets those touches when someone else draws defenders. We don't send him to the post and ask him to draw defenders.

[specialsauce]

Ayton is not passive in that context. He recognizes double teams very well and reacts quickly passing the ball. You can build a scheme to play inside out around him if you put three guys who shoot and move without the ball while Booker generates pressure on his own.

Very clearly the coach is asking Ayton to set screens continuously for our below average swings to let them create the offense. Why? The only explanation is he is clueless.

This is just not true. I'll leave this here: https://stats.nba.com/players/touches/? ... CHES&dir=1
5th in the league in paint touches. 8th in elbow touches. 13th in post-ups. Doesn't count the terrible passes to him that are attempted and failed. He is not ignored. He is a rookie that needs experience and more strength. He doesn't fight for or hold position well (post-ups stat). His conditioning is a little suspect. He will learn and get a stronger base. It is not an easy position to play. "Coach should just build the offense around Ayton" would give us fewer wins this season. He can defend better at the rim. He can get offensive rebounds and putbacks. Those are on him and not on the scheme. There is more that he can, should, and will be doing. I love the guy, but let's be realistic.

I 100% agree with the bold part.

But I want to point out that that paint touches stat doesn't mean exactly what you are using it for. It includes offensive rebounds, and you'll notice that all the guys on the top of that list are strong offensive rebounders. They are all guys who get most or all of their points in the pick and roll and on putbacks. In fact, the first guy on that list who I would say is the cornerstone of the team's offense is AD, and he's 9th. So, yeah, Ayton gets a lot of touches in the paint, but that's not because we are featuring his post game. It's because he gets offensive rebounds and lobs. He gets those touches when someone else draws defenders. We don't send him to the post and ask him to draw defenders.

Looking at nba.com does not tell the same story as watching the games. Bottom line.

[azsportsfan]

I watch every single game. Start to finish. If you think Ayton is ready to be the focus of the team, that's fine by me. I think many are upset that our prize pick lacks motor and drive. If you think changing coaches makes Ayton play harder or smarter I don't know what to tell you. No matter how Ayton is getting the touches - what is he doing with them? I do have to laugh though if you think the coach is telling him to stand around at the three point line. Set a good screen and go. He is just not as good as we want him to be. I hope that changes with time and practice.