The polarization of Devin Booker
- Charlie Smithy!
- Posts: 1461
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The polarization of Devin Booker
So it seems like Booker has become somewhat a polarizing figure on this board, at least in the context of criticism.
I know that I've had/have my concerns with both Booker and his contract; I also recognize his innate talent, even given my frustrations.
However, I feel like criticism of Booker (to whatever degree) is being taken (in general) as an unfair overall indictment of him as a player in totality.
I can only guess that it's a combination of things:
1. His stature (both in talent and contract) as our best player.
2. Our collective frustration and impatience as a whole as Suns fans.
3. Something, something Robert Sarver? Lol.
What do ya'll think?
I know that I've had/have my concerns with both Booker and his contract; I also recognize his innate talent, even given my frustrations.
However, I feel like criticism of Booker (to whatever degree) is being taken (in general) as an unfair overall indictment of him as a player in totality.
I can only guess that it's a combination of things:
1. His stature (both in talent and contract) as our best player.
2. Our collective frustration and impatience as a whole as Suns fans.
3. Something, something Robert Sarver? Lol.
What do ya'll think?
- The Bobster
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
I just think he's overrated by Suns fans. He's a very good scorer, but needs to improve his efficiency, he gives better effort than he used to defensively, but he's still not very good, and he can be a little petulant sometimes.
He's not all-star caliber yet, but he's a good, young player who has a lot of potential.
He's not all-star caliber yet, but he's a good, young player who has a lot of potential.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
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Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
- The Bobster
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
Tonight was a good example - he scored plenty of points (30 points on 10 of 20 shooting), but 9 turnovers.
Author of The Basketball Draft Fact Book: A History of Professional Basketball's College Drafts
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
Available from Scarecrow Press at - https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780810890695
- LazarusLong
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
He's Michael Redd, with good knees.
He's a good shooter being asked to do too much as far as run the team.
He's a good shooter being asked to do too much as far as run the team.
Window is open again ... blue skies ahead?
- Flagrant Fowl
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
The 70-point game is the worst thing that could've happened to him.
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- specialsauce
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
He is not a #1 on a winning team. He is awful with the ball in his hands. He needs firstly an attitude change. He needs a coach that demands him to catch and shoot or immediately drive or PASS. Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.
He needs to stop yelling at his teammates for making the same mistakes he makes continuously.
He needs to stop yelling at his teammates for making the same mistakes he makes continuously.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
Damn if that ain't the truth..Flagrant Fowl wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:00 pmThe 70-point game is the worst thing that could've happened to him.
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
specialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:02 pmHe is not a #1 on a winning team. He is awful with the ball in his hands. He needs firstly an attitude change. He needs a coach that demands him to catch and shoot or immediately drive or PASS. Completely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.
He needs to stop yelling at his teammates for making the same mistakes he makes continuously.
PREACH!
2 thumbs up for this; it's where I'm at as well.
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
Booker is: points, turnovers, attitude.
Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.
Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.
- specialsauce
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
He is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.Bucktastic365 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:36 pmBooker is: points, turnovers, attitude.
Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
specialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:50 pmHe is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.Bucktastic365 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:36 pmBooker is: points, turnovers, attitude.
Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.
Ok, I'll give you that. I should have clarified by saying offensively.
- specialsauce
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
FairBucktastic365 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:59 pmspecialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:50 pmHe is MILES away from being Kobe. That is so insulting to KB. He was a beast defensively.Bucktastic365 wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 9:36 pmBooker is: points, turnovers, attitude.
Sad thing is.....I still love him; he's Kobe, if Kobe got sent to an expansion team.
Ok, I'll give you that. I should have clarified by saying offensively.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
Booker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.specialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:02 pmCompletely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.
You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.
This franchise has failed him.
- Charlie Smithy!
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
That's a really good point, 'Bazz.
I do wonder what and where the balance is between a player's own individual responsibility for his progression, and a franchises responsibility to develop their own players.
Obviously during the Sarver era, we haven't exactly had a good track record for the latter.
I do wonder what and where the balance is between a player's own individual responsibility for his progression, and a franchises responsibility to develop their own players.
Obviously during the Sarver era, we haven't exactly had a good track record for the latter.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
We are in last place and he is the leader of the team. Of course he is going to get crapped on by some people. You have to take it out on someone. Human nature.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
i think he'll be a better player playing off the ball.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
THISShabazz wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:44 pmBooker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.specialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:02 pmCompletely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.
You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.
This franchise has failed him.
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
<'Bone nods his head>Indy wrote: ↑Fri Feb 22, 2019 6:52 amTHISShabazz wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 10:44 pmBooker is given all of that offensive creation responsibility because he's literally the only player on the team who can create for himself or others with any consistency. For the second year in a row.specialsauce wrote: ↑Thu Feb 21, 2019 8:02 pmCompletely abandon this concept of asking him or allowing him to create the offense.
You think we'd look any better if Josh Jackson or Crawford or Okobo were given those responsibilities? I'm sure Booker would love nothing more than to play with someone who could ably share the burden.
This franchise has failed him.
"Too little, too late, too unbothered."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
- Phoenix Suns 2023-2024 season motto.
"Be Legendary."
Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
The backlash against Booker is overblown. Trade him for peanuts and picks, and you'll regret it. Drive him away, it'll set us back years in our already too-long rebuild.
- Ring_Wanted
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Re: The polarization of Devin Booker
This is just frustration speaking. But if this fanbase truly believes we are better off without Booker, we deserve all we get.