[high floorParticipant]

I’m a Hezonja guy.. but this thread is mostly in support of Devin Booker and what I think he can become in the league. Earl Watson recently came out and notioned that Booker will be a superstar in this league, and has compared his rookie production to that of Kevin Durant. You know, Kevin Durant.. as in one of the greatest scorers in NBA history.

Coaches go overboard in support of their own players all the time, but regardless of that proclomation.. that was a pretty bold statement. He’s averaging 19pts, 4rebs, 4assists over his last 8 games and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Hezonja on the other hand has a LONG ways to go in this league. His ball handling and vision are nowhere near Booker’s level. But on the positive side he has shown a nice stroke from behind the 3pt arc. 

What do you all think? In 3 years will Orlando regret missing out on Booker the most since they were specifically targeting an outside threat? 

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 I don’t neccessarily agree with everything that you said. Mario’s ball handling skills, vision and basketball IQ are actually pretty good for a rookie wing, he’s spending some of his playing time playing the point for the Magic in the absence of CJ Watson. He also played the point when he was still a kid in Europe in under 16 championships.

I know it’s not the same level, but I think he actually has a good chance of being a great secondary ball handler on his team. Skiles said he was already one of the best offensive players on the team, he can really score from anywhere. Defense and Orlando’s strong start to the season have kept him from getting minutes Booker’s been getting.

But he will improve his defense, I’m sure, he’s just so long and athletic not to. His +/- numbers are way better than they were at the start of the year. And in the last 5 games, his per 40 numbers are 19.8 pts, 6.2 rbs, 3.9 assists, 2 TOs, 67% from 2 and 35% from 3, Mike Schmitz of DX tweeted it recently. The kid is only getting better. But I do like Booker, should have been a top 10 pick. A really good draft class.

Towns, Zinger, Jahlil, Russell, Hezonja, Mudiay, Booker, Turner, Johnson, Winslow, Payne, Portis, WCS, Nance, Lyles, RHJ should all be great players in the league. Hopefully there are many more. 

 

 

 

 

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 I don’t neccessarily agree with everything that you said. Mario’s ball handling skills, vision and basketball IQ are actually pretty good for a rookie wing, he’s spending some of his playing time playing the point for the Magic in the absence of CJ Watson. He also played the point when he was still a kid in Europe in under 16 championships.

I know it’s not the same level, but I think he actually has a good chance of being a great secondary ball handler on his team. Skiles said he was already one of the best offensive players on the team, he can really score from anywhere. Defense and Orlando’s strong start to the season have kept him from getting minutes Booker’s been getting.

But he will improve his defense, I’m sure, he’s just so long and athletic not to. His +/- numbers are way better than they were at the start of the year. And in the last 5 games, his per 40 numbers are 19.8 pts, 6.2 rbs, 3.9 assists, 2 TOs, 67% from 2 and 35% from 3, Mike Schmitz of DX tweeted it recently. The kid is only getting better. But I do like Booker, should have been a top 10 pick. A really good draft class.

Towns, Zinger, Jahlil, Russell, Hezonja, Mudiay, Booker, Turner, Johnson, Winslow, Payne, Portis, WCS, Nance, Lyles, RHJ should all be great players in the league. Hopefully there are many more. 

 

 

 

 

[ChoppyParticipant]

 According to SVG himself at draft time, Detroit was deciding between Stanley Johnson and Booker. That’s how high he was on the Detroit board. 

I preferred Hezonja at draft time, but I’m now seeing why SVG was so high on Booker.

[ChoppyParticipant]

 According to SVG himself at draft time, Detroit was deciding between Stanley Johnson and Booker. That’s how high he was on the Detroit board. 

I preferred Hezonja at draft time, but I’m now seeing why SVG was so high on Booker.

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 Draft…. We forget sometimes that it usually takes Rookies about 3 or 4 years before they even begin to establish themselves in the NBA….. So don’t give up on Hezonja just yet…….  Hezonja is such an explosive athlete, he can shoot & he is an absolute Alpha personality…… Booker reminded me of a young Ray Allen who probably is drafted higher if he’s not on that crazy talented Kentucky University Final 4 team in 2014 / 15……

Great question….. It’s so hard to pick one b/c it’s so hard to find guys who can stroke it like that w/ that kind of size (both guys are about 6′ 6”)…..

Phoenix has so much $$$ invested into Knight & Bledsoe – both great youngs players….. Here is a question a bit off topic…. Does anyone think Phoenix would move Booker for say an athletic Big man? ….. Do you guys think they Keep all 3? …. Or do you think they move Bledsoe or Knight??? 

 

 

[NBAjunkie81Participant]

 Draft…. We forget sometimes that it usually takes Rookies about 3 or 4 years before they even begin to establish themselves in the NBA….. So don’t give up on Hezonja just yet…….  Hezonja is such an explosive athlete, he can shoot & he is an absolute Alpha personality…… Booker reminded me of a young Ray Allen who probably is drafted higher if he’s not on that crazy talented Kentucky University Final 4 team in 2014 / 15……

Great question….. It’s so hard to pick one b/c it’s so hard to find guys who can stroke it like that w/ that kind of size (both guys are about 6′ 6”)…..

Phoenix has so much $$$ invested into Knight & Bledsoe – both great youngs players….. Here is a question a bit off topic…. Does anyone think Phoenix would move Booker for say an athletic Big man? ….. Do you guys think they Keep all 3? …. Or do you think they move Bledsoe or Knight??? 

 

 

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 Hezonja is actually 6’8”, for the record.

And I wouldn’t move Booker. He can definitely be a star, the youngest player in the NBA, just oozing with potential.

You can’t get much for Bledsoe, but having in mind they have Goodwin, Booker and Warren on the perimeter, a Knight trade might make sense for them.

[jabbar_medvedenkoParticipant]

 Hezonja is actually 6’8”, for the record.

And I wouldn’t move Booker. He can definitely be a star, the youngest player in the NBA, just oozing with potential.

You can’t get much for Bledsoe, but having in mind they have Goodwin, Booker and Warren on the perimeter, a Knight trade might make sense for them.

[KIP BallerParticipant]

 I have to admit, I havent seen  Hezonja play alot this year but I think he is having the kind of year most people expect for a 20 year old Euro rookie. If he continues to develop he will have a strong career

On the other side, you have Booker who just turned 19 (about a year younger than Hezonja) in  October which means he is the age of a lot of highschool seniors who get held back for basketball.  I dont think anyone had expectations for him for his first few years which is why its amazing how strong of a year he is having. If you look back in history, there are not many 19 year old kids who had the same impact in the league. Keep in mind, rookie 1 and done guards like Wall and Rose were a full year older then Booker their rookie years. I think he is in line to be the next great "shooting" shooting guards (as appoosed to ball dominant sg’s like kobe or harden). R. Miller -> Ray Allen -> Klay -> Booker.

 

 

[KIP BallerParticipant]

 I have to admit, I havent seen  Hezonja play alot this year but I think he is having the kind of year most people expect for a 20 year old Euro rookie. If he continues to develop he will have a strong career

On the other side, you have Booker who just turned 19 (about a year younger than Hezonja) in  October which means he is the age of a lot of highschool seniors who get held back for basketball.  I dont think anyone had expectations for him for his first few years which is why its amazing how strong of a year he is having. If you look back in history, there are not many 19 year old kids who had the same impact in the league. Keep in mind, rookie 1 and done guards like Wall and Rose were a full year older then Booker their rookie years. I think he is in line to be the next great "shooting" shooting guards (as appoosed to ball dominant sg’s like kobe or harden). R. Miller -> Ray Allen -> Klay -> Booker.

 

 

[Chariot Org]

 Booker’s in a better situation. Everybody ahead of him in the depth chart got injured, it seems.

Hezonja has a ton of older lottery picks ahead of him on the depth chart. And a max contract guy in Harris.

 

 

 

[Chariot Org]

 Booker’s in a better situation. Everybody ahead of him in the depth chart got injured, it seems.

Hezonja has a ton of older lottery picks ahead of him on the depth chart. And a max contract guy in Harris.

 

 

 

[IlladelphParticipant]

 Booker is a keeper for sure.  He strikes me as a very intelligent, high character kid.  I don’t foresee any off the court drama with him which I think is the only thing besides injury that could keep him from becoming a superstar.  He has some defensive issues, but offensively he is extremely good for the youngest rookie in the NBA.  If he can become an elite defender, to match his already elite shooting and overall offense, I think he could be a max contract guy in 4 years.  

Hezonja has a lower ceiling I think but that’s not a negative per se given that I think Booker is a huge talent.  Hezonja’s upside is starter/star potential, but not superstar.

My one caveat is that both players could fail to reach their potentials if they wind up on crappy teams.  Booker is at a disadvantage at the monent as Hezonja is in a happier place basketballwise than Booker.

[IlladelphParticipant]

 Booker is a keeper for sure.  He strikes me as a very intelligent, high character kid.  I don’t foresee any off the court drama with him which I think is the only thing besides injury that could keep him from becoming a superstar.  He has some defensive issues, but offensively he is extremely good for the youngest rookie in the NBA.  If he can become an elite defender, to match his already elite shooting and overall offense, I think he could be a max contract guy in 4 years.  

Hezonja has a lower ceiling I think but that’s not a negative per se given that I think Booker is a huge talent.  Hezonja’s upside is starter/star potential, but not superstar.

My one caveat is that both players could fail to reach their potentials if they wind up on crappy teams.  Booker is at a disadvantage at the monent as Hezonja is in a happier place basketballwise than Booker.

[BennyLogParticipant]

 Havent seen booker play much so cant compare but i do believe hezonja will live up to his hype. He and Gordon already have some good chemistry so with Gordon’s minutes going up i wouldnt be surprised to see Mario’s go up too especially if the magic completely fall out of the playoff hunt. He has already proven he can be clutch and is not afraid to take a big shot. And he is one of those players when he makes that first shot you feel like every shot he takes is going to go in. Doesnt matter if he has a hand in his face he elevates over. And i think his ball handling problems and vision are more him being  a young rookie and still getting used to the speed of the nba game. There is no doubt he has the talent to be an all star and a go to scorer. I see him averaging 20 ppg in 3 4 years with good percentages

[BennyLogParticipant]

 Havent seen booker play much so cant compare but i do believe hezonja will live up to his hype. He and Gordon already have some good chemistry so with Gordon’s minutes going up i wouldnt be surprised to see Mario’s go up too especially if the magic completely fall out of the playoff hunt. He has already proven he can be clutch and is not afraid to take a big shot. And he is one of those players when he makes that first shot you feel like every shot he takes is going to go in. Doesnt matter if he has a hand in his face he elevates over. And i think his ball handling problems and vision are more him being  a young rookie and still getting used to the speed of the nba game. There is no doubt he has the talent to be an all star and a go to scorer. I see him averaging 20 ppg in 3 4 years with good percentages

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