Around the NBA: Week 11 (1/1/24 - 1/7/24)

[Mori Chu]

Yeah, as a Booker enjoyer I hate to admit it, but SGA is just playing better now. He has that strength and ferocity that Booker doesn't quite have. SGA can just barrel into the lane and go for a contested layup through contact, or stop on a dime and put up a smooth jumper. He has these options that make him scary in a way that doesn't come as naturally for Booker. Book is the better shooter and I'd take him for a last shot at the end of the game any day over SGA, but Book is smaller and thinner and just can't match SGA's physicality.

That OKC team is so crazy stacked. To think they got SGA for Paul George and basically SGA became the better player within just a few years. I found this article looking back on the trade. It's *crazy* to look at it now. The Clips gave up SGA, Danilo Galinari, and *FIVE* 1st-round picks plus two pick swaps to get Paul George. So far with those picks they've taken Tre Mann and Jalen Williams (!), and they still hold these picks to come:

* Clippers’ 2024 unprotected first-rounder
* Heat’s 2025 protected first-rounder for 1-14 (unprotected for 2026)
* Right to 2025 first-round swap with Clippers
* Clippers’ 2026 unprotected first-rounder

That is madness! OKC absolutely fleeced them in the long run. An absolute treasure trove of present and future assets.

https://www.nba.com/news/clippers-thund ... ade-review

[AmareIsGod]

Yeah, as a Booker enjoyer I hate to admit it, but SGA is just playing better now. He has that strength and ferocity that Booker doesn't quite have. SGA can just barrel into the lane and go for a contested layup through contact, or stop on a dime and put up a smooth jumper. He has these options that make him scary in a way that doesn't come as naturally for Booker. Book is the better shooter and I'd take him for a last shot at the end of the game any day over SGA, but Book is smaller and thinner and just can't match SGA's physicality.

That OKC team is so crazy stacked. To think they got SGA for Paul George and basically SGA became the better player within just a few years. I found this article looking back on the trade. It's *crazy* to look at it now. The Clips gave up SGA, Danilo Galinari, and *FIVE* 1st-round picks plus two pick swaps to get Paul George. So far with those picks they've taken Tre Mann and Jalen Williams (!), and they still hold these picks to come:

* Clippers’ 2024 unprotected first-rounder
* Heat’s 2025 protected first-rounder for 1-14 (unprotected for 2026)
* Right to 2025 first-round swap with Clippers
* Clippers’ 2026 unprotected first-rounder

That is madness! OKC absolutely fleeced them in the long run. An absolute treasure trove of present and future assets.

https://www.nba.com/news/clippers-thund ... ade-review

It's nuts. I just watched highlights of the Boston game and SGA seems smaller and thinner than Book but he just gets to the bucket and has an impossible to guard left hand finish over the defender at the rim.

[Superbone]

I know what I'm sharing isn't NBA, but it's basketball and my God, this girl is amazing.

60 POINTS
10 REBOUNDS
7 ASSISTS
5 STEALS

GAME WINNING SHOT from the logo.

► Show Spoiler

Wow!

[AmareIsGod]

Just checked. Book and SGA are both 6'6. SGA is 195lbs. Booker is 206lbs.

[Split T]

They did both measure 6’4.5 barefoot at the combine. SGA had a 6’11 wingspan while Book was 6’8. SGA uses the length pretty well to help finish around the basket.

[TOO]

SGA has an elite handle, Booker is average. That's such a massive difference in getting to the basket.

[Superbone]

You guys sure have FOMO. Time to start a thread for SGA? We could have had him too, right?

[TOO]

No FOMO, just acknowledging differences.

[Flagrant Fowl]

The Bucks and Pacers just tipped off for the 5th and last time this regular season. They have a bit of a rivalry going so it should be a fun watch.

[Wally_West]

Damn, No Book in the Top 10? Smh lol

[Wally_West]

[In2ition]

From darling coach who took them from the lottery to the Western Conference Finals & In-season Tournament Champs, to most hated in a short month's time.

[Mori Chu]

Book is not even in the top-10 of West guards. And they have guys like James Harden, Klay Thompson (!!!), Austin Reaves (!!!! not a guard?!), Ja Morant (missed 25 games!?!??!?) on there? What a fucking travesty.

[In2ition]

Do you think Book's inconsistency lately may have a bit to do with it? I know it really disappoints me when he plays well below expectations, like he did on New Year's Day or against the Mavs.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Booker gets A LOT of hate across all of social media for the dumbest things, and I believe the people who are most likely to vote for All-Stars are also some of the most online people.

Also consider the international vote. K-Pop fans have swung the vote for Andrew Wiggins in the past because some boy group member said Wiggins was his favorite player. Every year I meet a group of teenagers for the first time and the ones who say they like the NBA have all heard of Klay Thompson, but only a very small percentage know Devin Booker.

[Flagrant Fowl]

Maybe the Lakers should build a roster with more than 3 guys who can shoot the ball (4 if we count DLo) before they blame the coach.

[Shabazz]

Booker has neither the flashy game nor personality that resonates with the casuals. He's someone the purists admire and seems like he's a really good dude, but I think his connection to the average fan isn't what we Suns fan would like it to be. SGA kind of negates that argument, but it's hard to make a case for Booker over him for people who are actually voting on merit.

[Superbone]

► Show Spoiler

Damn, No Book in the Top 10? Smh lol

It is ridiculous how unpopular Book is across the fan bases.

[Wally_West]

Saw Klay Thompson air ball a wide open 3. That dude is cooked.

[Wally_West]

Saw Klay Thompson air ball a wide open 3. That dude is cooked.

Damn, this isn’t aging well….