Booker. The good, the bad , the ugly

[wall2rondo]

I just wanted to get your attention.


The good....he is better than advertised


The bad......he is young, he doesn't get enough minutes


The ugly....if he keeps up,this shooting streak......he is gone



Enjoy this kid...if he comes,back, it will be the biggest sophomore year since jones and lamb combined......

 

[mebeblue2]

we all knew he could shoot
i am the most impressed with how good he plays defense and his overall bball IQ

 

[Pygmy Sasquatch]

There are two types of people, those with loaded guns and those that dig.

This post was edited on 1/17 10:29 PM by Pygmy Sasquatch

 

[wildcatdonf]

This kid can really shoot well. I watched intently during the shootaround, and he seemed a little off. He kept missing to the left a little. He wasn't shooting awful, but he seemed to be out of sync, but then he shot it well. I think he'll stay for one more season. We'll see.

 

[Waterview Catfan]

The good- agree.
The bad- How could this team possibly have achieved more thus far with more minutes for Booker, age nonwithstanding? The ugly- good for him and us.

 

[Kycatspaws]

 

[hotelblue]

he and ulis just don't make many mistakes. even when they foul it stops a fast break or a layup lol.

 

[jrm693]

He said in post game he learned to load his gun watching Seth Curry.

 

[AnarchoNeoLuddite_rivals]

Would be a complete bummer if he left but hard not to strike the iron while its hot in his case.

 

[uk78_rivals88018]

I am uncertain that my perception isn't just self-serving, but as great a shooter that he is, and decent defensively, and even though I read projections indicating he would be a NBA pick; he just doesn't seem to me to have the NBA physique quite yet. He looks his age and the NBA is a man's game, so to speak. He has to be able to really mix it up in the NBA and again perhaps with a jaded perception, it appears to me he needs to build up a lot of muscle and his body isn't there yet. The NBA isn't just about jump shots for guards even if you are a great shooter.

 

[emmcat]

He just turned 18 (!). Another year of natural physical maturation augmented by weight training will do wonders for him. He may even grow an inch or so. In his book Dean Smith reported that Michael Jordan grew two inches from the end of his freshman to the end of his sophomore year. Given today's advanced T&C methods plus nutritional enhancements, I won't be surprised if he leaves UK in April 2016 weighing 215/220 at 6'7". Think Klay Thompson

I believe he will stay another year to mature physically and improve his game. His family doesn't need the money and at his age he will have plenty of time to earn three or four NBA contracts. He will have an NBA career somewhere between Danny Green and Ray Allen. Probably closer to Ray Allen because he is a natural 2 who can can defend,pass. and handle the ball (unlike Danny Green) .

 

[DoyleHargrave1]

He reminds me of Jodie Meeks so much…. SG…. Meeks was about 6-4 208lb and Booker is 6-6 206lb…… Meeks has done pretty well in the NBA…Booker may be a bit leaner but also is a bit taller…. I sure hope he stays but if his game continues along the path it is on (which every fan surely hopes it does)…..he is probably gone imo.

 

[etowncatfan]

I think right now all we are seeing is his shooting ability which is off the chart. We have had glimpses of his total game,but if he stays another year we will get to see a SPECIAL player IMO. I think he has the ability to be a total defensive guy to go along with his offense.

 

[G-PIP]

Originally posted by mebeblue2:
we all knew he could shoot
i am the most impressed with how good he plays defense and his overall bball IQ

Same here. When I first saw him play in the Bahamas I was very surprised and happy.

 

[Anon1717038352]

The best thing about his overall game is that he seems to always be under control and knows what he is doing.....
(basketball IQ)!!

 

[ukhemingway]

The good...he plays for UK....the bad...the other team sees his shooting percentage from three...the ugly...the opinions before he got here that Blackmon was better. DB is a bad man.

 

[AlbanyWildCat]

The Good - His shooting
The Bad - He decides to leave after this year
The Ugly - UK "fans" nasty comments about him leaving after this year

 

[jslash1]

Originally posted by uk78:
I am uncertain that my perception isn't just self-serving, but as great a shooter that he is, and decent defensively, and even though I read projections indicating he would be a NBA pick; he just doesn't seem to me to have the NBA physique quite yet. He looks his age and the NBA is a man's game, so to speak. He has to be able to really mix it up in the NBA and again perhaps with a jaded perception, it appears to me he needs to build up a lot of muscle and his body isn't there yet. The NBA isn't just about jump shots for guards even if you are a great shooter.

His game is just about identical to Klay Thompson now that Klay is also driving the ball. His body isn't finished but by no means will it be something that makes him comeback if he thinks he's ready or make his stock drop at all.

 

[LowCountryCat]

Originally posted by uk78:
I am uncertain that my perception isn't just self-serving, but as great a shooter that he is, and decent defensively, and even though I read projections indicating he would be a NBA pick; he just doesn't seem to me to have the NBA physique quite yet. He looks his age and the NBA is a man's game, so to speak. He has to be able to really mix it up in the NBA and again perhaps with a jaded perception, it appears to me he needs to build up a lot of muscle and his body isn't there yet. The NBA isn't just about jump shots for guards even if you are a great shooter.

Jeff Hornacek never had an 'NBA physique.' Neither does Seth Curry. Even Tim Duncan has relatively skinny arms.

 

[Graves51]

If I could pick one player I could guarantee to be back it would be Booker. His shot, his basketball IQ, and his attitude are all top notch and Kentucky is lucky to have him! If he keeps shooting high percentage it will be hard for GMs to pass up!

 

[Kangertech]

The most impressive aspect of Booker is how complete his game is at this stage. His pretty shot is just one element of his very nice skill set. He also has a very nice drive to the basket and I'll never be able to explain how he learned to play high level division one defense at his tender age,...but he gets after it.

A very tough, very bright, very competitive, very focused kid.

He has a bright future ahead of him, and from what I've seen, it couldn't have happened to a nicer kid.

 

[Mojocat_rivals48469]

During the Cal era, Davis, Wall and Cousins stand out. I think he's right below those 3 in terms of pro potential. I think he'll have a long productive career in the NBA......

 

[WildMoon]

Originally posted by DoyleHargrave1:
He reminds me of Jodie Meeks so much…. SG…. Meeks was about 6-4 208lb and Booker is 6-6 206lb…… Meeks has done pretty well in the NBA…Booker may be a bit leaner but also is a bit taller…. I sure hope he stays but if his game continues along the path it is on (which every fan surely hopes it does)…..he is probably gone imo.

i don't remember Meeks as much, but i don't think they are much alike.

Meeks were great shooter when he get's a certain rhythm to it.

Booker has shown so much variety in his three. I think Booker is couple steps better. It's like Stephen Curry (Not to his level), but he shows all kinds of way to score threes.

 

[musrat59]

The young man is a very talented player and a great shooter. I would like to see him back for another year to mature his body, but I understand he has to do what is best for him. One thing for sure, he is a pleasure to watch play.

 

[Kampus Korner_rivals164031]

Very clever post

 

[Poetax]

I like Booker's confidence level. Unlike some shooters he doesn't seem to worry about the shot he is taking. He gets it and pulls the trigger, with no hesitation. Meeks was a great shooter but he had a problem that he had to put up with, Billy G. Thank goodness Booker has Cal.