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From this week's ESPN power rankings:

Booker's 21 consecutive points to open the fourth quarter Friday night against Oklahoma City marked the second time this season he's turned that trick for the Suns. No other active player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has done it more than once in his career.

Split T wrote:From this week's ESPN power rankings:

Booker's 21 consecutive points to open the fourth quarter Friday night against Oklahoma City marked the second time this season he's turned that trick for the Suns. No other active player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has done it more than once in his career.

He's had a ton of these. More game winners than anyone this year, more 25+ 4th quarters than anyone, more points in a game than any active player has had anytime in their career, ect. When will this translate to real respect around the league by national media?

I haven't heard any disrespect for Booker.

O_Gardino wrote:I haven't heard any disrespect for Booker.

Not necessarily disrespect, just not counted. Still have him behind a bunch of guys in his class, even ranked 6th by some people and behind D'Angelo Russell. Some don't really think he's all that good and more discount him in rankings, IMO.

In2ition wrote:

O_Gardino wrote:I haven't heard any disrespect for Booker.

Not necessarily disrespect, just not counted. Still have him behind a bunch of guys in his class, even ranked 6th by some people and behind D'Angelo Russell. Some don't really think he's all that good and more discount him in rankings, IMO.

Ah, yeah, I remember that list now. Yeah, He's in a very good top 4 in his class, and I think he may be in the top 2 in his class when it is all said and done.

In2ition wrote:

Split T wrote:From this week's ESPN power rankings:

Booker's 21 consecutive points to open the fourth quarter Friday night against Oklahoma City marked the second time this season he's turned that trick for the Suns. No other active player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has done it more than once in his career.

He's had a ton of these. More game winners than anyone this year, more 25+ 4th quarters than anyone, more points in a game than any active player has had anytime in their career, ect. When will this translate to real respect around the league by national media?

When they win games at a rate better than an average baseball player gets a hit.

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:

Split T wrote:From this week's ESPN power rankings:

Booker's 21 consecutive points to open the fourth quarter Friday night against Oklahoma City marked the second time this season he's turned that trick for the Suns. No other active player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has done it more than once in his career.

He's had a ton of these. More game winners than anyone this year, more 25+ 4th quarters than anyone, more points in a game than any active player has had anytime in their career, ect. When will this translate to real respect around the league by national media?

When they win games at a rate better than an average baseball player gets a hit.

Thank you, Indy.

When Booker scores 40 in a playoff game, people will take notice.

LazarusLong wrote:

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:

Split T wrote:From this week's ESPN power rankings:

Booker's 21 consecutive points to open the fourth quarter Friday night against Oklahoma City marked the second time this season he's turned that trick for the Suns. No other active player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, has done it more than once in his career.

He's had a ton of these. More game winners than anyone this year, more 25+ 4th quarters than anyone, more points in a game than any active player has had anytime in their career, ect. When will this translate to real respect around the league by national media?

When they win games at a rate better than an average baseball player gets a hit.

Thank you, Indy.

When Booker scores 40 in a playoff game, people will take notice.

Of course, you guys are right. I'm hoping it's next year. I don't want to see these guys go through another lottery rebuilding type season.

In2ition wrote:

LazarusLong wrote:

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:

Split T wrote:From this week's ESPN power rankings:

He's had a ton of these. More game winners than anyone this year, more 25+ 4th quarters than anyone, more points in a game than any active player has had anytime in their career, ect. When will this translate to real respect around the league by national media?

When they win games at a rate better than an average baseball player gets a hit.

Thank you, Indy.

When Booker scores 40 in a playoff game, people will take notice.

Of course, you guys are right. I'm hoping it's next year. I don't want to see these guys go through another lottery rebuilding type season.

I see them struggling to make the playoffs next year. Some weeks, they will be right in the hunt, other weeks, not so much. Of course, I have no idea how the off-season will play out...

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:Of course, you guys are right. I'm hoping it's next year. I don't want to see these guys go through another lottery rebuilding type season.

I see them struggling to make the playoffs next year. Some weeks, they will be right in the hunt, other weeks, not so much. Of course, I have no idea how the off-season will play out...

I hope so, but it depends a lot on how well the off season plays out, both in terms of draft position and roster building. Even so, hoping to win 40ish next year is a huge jump. If we do make that kind of jump, it will be because we get a big jump from Booker, a great rookie, one other guy really taking a leap (Warren? Chriss? Watson?), and general improvement from the whole young cast.

fingers crossed

O_Gardino wrote:

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:Of course, you guys are right. I'm hoping it's next year. I don't want to see these guys go through another lottery rebuilding type season.

I see them struggling to make the playoffs next year. Some weeks, they will be right in the hunt, other weeks, not so much. Of course, I have no idea how the off-season will play out...

I hope so, but it depends a lot on how well the off season plays out, both in terms of draft position and roster building. Even so, hoping to win 40ish next year is a huge jump. If we do make that kind of jump, it will be because we get a big jump from Booker, a great rookie, one other guy really taking a leap (Warren? Chriss? Watson?), and general improvement from the whole young cast.

fingers crossed

I more see them in the hunt earlier in the season when we are only talking about 5 or 6 games separating 6th place and 12th place. I don't expect them to be in the hunt at the end of the season. I would expect 32-35 wins, though.

Indy wrote:

O_Gardino wrote:

Indy wrote:

In2ition wrote:Of course, you guys are right. I'm hoping it's next year. I don't want to see these guys go through another lottery rebuilding type season.

I see them struggling to make the playoffs next year. Some weeks, they will be right in the hunt, other weeks, not so much. Of course, I have no idea how the off-season will play out...

I hope so, but it depends a lot on how well the off season plays out, both in terms of draft position and roster building. Even so, hoping to win 40ish next year is a huge jump. If we do make that kind of jump, it will be because we get a big jump from Booker, a great rookie, one other guy really taking a leap (Warren? Chriss? Watson?), and general improvement from the whole young cast.

fingers crossed

I more see them in the hunt earlier in the season when we are only talking about 5 or 6 games separating 6th place and 12th place. I don't expect them to be in the hunt at the end of the season. I would expect 32-35 wins, though.

That's reasonable. We've seen so many unreasonably good things from Booker that I'm tempted to hope for that +20 game improvement next year.

In2ition wrote:

O_Gardino wrote:I haven't heard any disrespect for Booker.

Not necessarily disrespect, just not counted. Still have him behind a bunch of guys in his class, even ranked 6th by some people and behind D'Angelo Russell. Some don't really think he's all that good and more discount him in rankings, IMO.

When we start winning, he'll get the national respect. Hopefully sooner rather than later.

He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Indy wrote:

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Word. He's just not good enough offensively yet for it to cover it up. He really needs to up his efficiency. As he gets stronger and his post game evolves, he's gonna be unstoppable. I don't think he's the shooter we thought, he's more of a scorer instead.

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:

Indy wrote:

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Word. He's just not good enough offensively yet for it to cover it up. He really needs to up his efficiency. As he gets stronger and his post game evolves, he's gonna be unstoppable. I don't think he's the shooter we thought, he's more of a scorer instead.

I think he's got both going. His shot is pretty pure but not always consistent. I think it'll get there. As everything comes together, watch out!

Superbone wrote:

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:

Indy wrote:

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Word. He's just not good enough offensively yet for it to cover it up. He really needs to up his efficiency. As he gets stronger and his post game evolves, he's gonna be unstoppable. I don't think he's the shooter we thought, he's more of a scorer instead.

I think he's got both going. His shot is pretty pure but not always consistent. I think it'll get there. As everything comes together, watch out!

I agree with this. It will come together, at least I'm hopeful that his game keeps improving like it looks like it will.

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:

Indy wrote:

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Word. He's just not good enough offensively yet for it to cover it up. He really needs to up his efficiency. As he gets stronger and his post game evolves, he's gonna be unstoppable. I don't think he's the shooter we thought, he's more of a scorer instead.

I'll take a scorer over a shooter any day.

Indy wrote:

TheOriginalOriginal wrote:

Indy wrote:

The Bobster wrote:He's got some holes in his game to plug too, first and foremost being his defense.

Indeed. But no different than Harden or Nash.

Word. He's just not good enough offensively yet for it to cover it up. He really needs to up his efficiency. As he gets stronger and his post game evolves, he's gonna be unstoppable. I don't think he's the shooter we thought, he's more of a scorer instead.

I'll take a scorer over a shooter any day.

Especially a young one. Their 3p% tends to improve.