Game Thread GAME# 66: SUNS @ BLAZERS - MARCH 9, 2019 - SATURDAY, 7:00 PM, NBCSNW

[Chris Craig]

Good game by just about everyone up until the scrubs.

Zach was off though. Is it just me or does Zach get stripped of the ball a heck of a lot. He can’t seem to hang on to it. It’s like he has no hands at all.

He goes up with the ball low and makes it easy for opponents to strip him. Gotta go balls high.

 

[Chris Craig]

Im not a huge fan of Booker or Ayton, I just dont feel like they play winning basketball. Could be coaching and youth, there is talent there, neither are very good at defense.

I'd take Booker over CJ

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I'd take Booker over CJ

I know thats statistically the right call, and Im probably insane, but Im not sure I would.

 

[CupWizier]

I know thats statistically the right call, and Im probably insane, but Im not sure I would.

I guess he doesn't factor in the injury issues Booker has. A player isn't very valuable sitting on the bench in street clothes as Booker has missed 15 games already this year and 28 games last season.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I'd take Booker over CJ

Also I think Booker has been the one and only for Phoenix, CJ’s been #2 and at times this year #3. Booker would be basically the same here in terms of role.

 

[Chris Craig]

Also I think Booker has been the one and only for Phoenix, CJ’s been #2 and at times this year #3. Booker would be basically the same here in terms of role.

I think Booker is better. He is a better shooter. He has a higher basketball IQ. He also knows how to pass the ball.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

I think Booker is better. He is a better shooter. He has a higher basketball IQ. He also knows how to pass the ball.

CJ as the #1 has proven he can be an initiator and passer. I agree Booker is probably the better shooter but they both are good. I don't really agree that Booker has a better BBIQ. So some things we disagree on, but some we agree on too.
Booker just doesn't impress me much, he can score I'll give him that, and he's done better this year at sharing the ball.

 

[wizenheimer]

Also I think Booker has been the one and only for Phoenix, CJ’s been #2 and at times this year #3. Booker would be basically the same here in terms of role.

same role, but Booker averages 6.6 assists vs CJ at 2.8. But he also averages 4.0 turnovers. He's only 22 though...but he has already learned how to get to the FT line. Both are horrible at defense

however, if Portland was going to trade CJ for a very expensive player with injury concerns, I'd rather it was somebody like Blake Griffin. I think a Dame-Griffin-Nurk trio would be a lot better than a Dame-Booker-Nurk trio

 

[CupWizier]

I think Booker is better. He is a better shooter. He has a higher basketball IQ. He also knows how to pass the ball.

I'd say McCollum is the better shooter as the numbers this year favor CJ. As for basketball iq, there is no way of measuring that so not sure how any of us can really judge their respective iq without being around them and watching them play all the time. McCollum is a pretty intelligent guy.

 

[CupWizier]

same role, but Booker averages 6.6 assists vs CJ at 2.8. But he also averages 4.0 turnovers. He's only 22 though...but he has already learned how to get to the FT line. Both are horrible at defense

however, if Portland was going to trade CJ for a very expensive player with injury concerns, I'd rather it was somebody like Blake Griffin. I think a Dame-Griffin-Nurk trio would be a lot better than a Dame-Booker-Nurk trio

Actually, Booker has been their primary ball handler this year. His role is more similar to Lillards.

 

[CupWizier]

CJ as the #1 has proven he can be an initiator and passer. I agree Booker is probably the better shooter but they both are good. I don't really agree that Booker has a better BBIQ. So some things we disagree on, but some we agree on too.
Booker just doesn't impress me much, he can score I'll give him that, and he's done better this year at sharing the ball.

Stats say McCollum to be the better shooter this year and for most years.

 

[Hoopguru]

I think Booker is better. He is a better shooter. He has a higher basketball IQ. He also knows how to pass the ball.

Booker cannot create a shot like CJ, imo.

 

[Hoopguru]

CJ made a few stutter drives last night that were impressive.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

same role, but Booker averages 6.6 assists vs CJ at 2.8. But he also averages 4.0 turnovers. He's only 22 though...but he has already learned how to get to the FT line. Both are horrible at defense

however, if Portland was going to trade CJ for a very expensive player with injury concerns, I'd rather it was somebody like Blake Griffin. I think a Dame-Griffin-Nurk trio would be a lot better than a Dame-Booker-Nurk trio

Booker and CJ don't play the same role right now. That's what I was trying to say. Booker is the clear cut #1 option. CJ is #2 or #3 (at times). I think if Booker was here he would be in a similar role of being the #2 or #3 option.

 

[tlongII]

CJ is a smart dude. Anybody that listens to him can tell that. I want smart guys on my team and that’s one of the main reasons I’ve never advocated trading CJ. I have confidence in him and Dame and Nurk and I think they’ll figure out how to win in the playoffs.

 

[Hoopguru]

Man Jake's shot sure has a high arch. I was comparing his to Dames & Cj's last night and wow. You don't usually see guys his height loft such high arching shots. Looks like a low percentage shot to me, but what do I know?

 

[kjironman1]

Man Jake's shot sure has a high arch. I was comparing his to Dames & Cj's last night and wow. You don't usually see guys his height loft such high arching shots. Looks like a low percentage shot to me, but what do I know?

The arc is a good thing. When a ball comes in to the cylinder flat it has less chance and the target is smaller.

 

[Hoopguru]

The arc is a good thing. When a ball comes in to the cylinder flat it has less chance and the target is smaller.

It does need an arch but man, his?
Seems the target would be harder to hit with a mega arch!

 

[CupWizier]

We had a guy at U of P by the name of Stretch Braxton that shot the ball pulled back behind his head and released it from basically on top of his head with a huge arc. Definitely not text book but it was accurate and effective. He also had twin daughters that went to Westview and were also elite basketball players.

 

[Hoopguru]

Booker has been their primary ball handler this year much like Lillard is for us. Booker has 4 more assists per game but also turns the ball over more than 2 times a game more than CJ.


We had a guy at U of P by the name of Stretch Braxton that shot the ball pulled back behind his head and released it from basically on top of his head with a huge arc. Definitely not text book but it was accurate and effective. He also had twin daughters that went to Westview and were also elite basketball players.

Was he 6'9? That name Braxton sounds familiar.

 

[CupWizier]

Was he 6'9? That name Braxton sounds familiar.

Not sure of his height, but he was tall and probably around 6'9". He played when I was there in 73 and 74 seasons I believe.

 

[Hoopguru]

Not sure of his height, but he was tall and probably around 6'9". He played when I was there in 73 and 74 seasons I believe.

Was Steal coach then? or Avina?

 

[CupWizier]

Was Steal coach then? or Avina?

It was Avina as I believe he was hired about the time I entered school. My AD/baseball coach told me a few good stories about Avina and I got to know him pretty good over the years.

 

[bobf]

I think Booker is better. He is a better shooter. He has a higher basketball IQ. He also knows how to pass the ball.

CJ as the #1 has proven he can be an initiator and passer. I agree Booker is probably the better shooter but they both are good. I don't really agree that Booker has a better BBIQ. So some things we disagree on, but some we agree on too.
Booker just doesn't impress me much, he can score I'll give him that, and he's done better this year at sharing the ball.

Just checked ESPN RPM... according to that, Booker's defense is atrocious for each of the past 3 years, even compared to CJ, making CJ the better player.

For example, this year
Booker
ORPM +2.32 DRPM -3.24 RPM -0.92
CJ
ORPM +2.20 DRPM -1.39 RPM +0.81

 

[kjironman1]

Just checked ESPN RPM... according to that, Booker's defense is atrocious for each of the past 3 years, even compared to CJ, making CJ the better player.

For example, this year
Booker
ORPM +2.32 DRPM -3.24 RPM -0.92
CJ
ORPM +2.20 DRPM -1.39 RPM +0.81

Honestly i can't even really believe you guys are having a conversation and even involving looking up stats. Line em up on the wall and pick em. If i have two left and one is Booker and the other CJ I take CJ 10 times out of 10.

There is no question in my mind which player is better.

 

[oldmangrouch]

Honestly i can't even really believe you guys are having a conversation and even involving looking up stats. Line em up on the wall and pick em. If i have two left and one is Booker and the other CJ I take CJ 10 times out of 10.

There is no question in my mind which player is better.

Depends on the situation. CJ is 5 years older and has already peaked while some observers think Booker is going to get a lot better over the next few seasons. For a win-now team, CJ makes sense (if you are willing to swallow his contract for a one dimensional player). For a rebuilding team, Booker would make more sense.

I'm not that enthusiastic about either of them - but that's just me.