Washington Wizards Game-Changer: Trevor Booker

by Mike Prada on Feb 21, 2012 2:26 PM EST

The Washington Wizards are 7-25, and when you're 7-25, there aren't really many players you can define as "game-changers." Well, there are plenty who change the game, but for the worst. Something tells me that's not your idea of a "game-changer."

If I had to pick one player on the Wizards, though, I'd probably pick Trevor Booker. Did you know that only six rookies and sophomores who would qualify for the minutes title have a higher PER than Booker this year? If you didn't know, you know now. Nobody would say Booker is a better player than Ricky Rubio, for example, but it does show he's really developed as a role player for this team.

Booker recently moved into the starting lineup, and he hasn't really missed a beat. In his last 11 games, Booker is averaging 10.7 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in 30 minutes, with a true shooting percentage of 55.6 percent. More minutes clearly hasn't done anything for Booker's production. He's also been a pretty good defensive player, so long as he's not being asked to guard Marcin Gortat.

Obviously, Booker has his faults. He's still a very poor jump shooter, shooting only 29 percent from the field from 16-23 feet. He gets physically overwhelmed every so often by big players, and while he defends his man well, he's still susceptible at times when defending the pick and roll. Let's not go proclaiming Booker as a superstar player yet.

But we can safely say that Booker is a piece the Wizards could use going forward. If he can improve that perimeter jump shot, he can solidify a spot as the Wizards' long-term starting power forward. If not, he'll always be a productive bench player that can come in and change games with his foot speed and toughness.

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My favorite player

There was one thing I was certain of this year and that was Booker becoming a better player than last year. His jumper, though not perfect, is being shot more confidently and sometimes going in. Everyone last year would assume a clank. His footwork down low has been a sight to see. In a village of trees, Trevor’s capable footwork allow him to bide his time for 3 seconds to get the best shot he can produce. His pivot move lastnight in either the second or third period had me giddy. His heart and hustle instantly make him a bench player, but his improved play has commanded 6th man, at least, minutes. I’m so proud he wears our colors and has shown Blatche what being a man, on the court, is all about.

by WizKid27 on Feb 21, 2012 2:41 PM EST reply actions

Love me some book

I think he is ideally suited to be the first big off the bench on a good team. For the time being, however, on this talent depleted roster we need him to start. All the guy does is make plays. Once his J becomes more consistent, people will have to respect it and his pump fake will become effective. The guy is an athletic freak once he gets by his man and has some open space, no one wants to get in his way. If we are able to draft Anthony Davis il be perfectly happy with our Davis and McGee starting and booker coming off the bench for either one.

by jeffco01 on Feb 21, 2012 2:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions

If he can improve that perimeter jump shot, he can solidify a spot as the Wizards’ long-term starting power forward.

Even with a jumper, isn’t he a too small to be a long term starter? Unless he is surrounded by star players? Then again, he could probably average somewhere between 14-16 ppg with that jump shot, and that’s enough production from a role player for me.

by tw10 on Feb 21, 2012 3:06 PM EST reply actions

Come on...

Cause if he was 6’9", we’d be screaming how undersized he is for a center, right? I’ve maintained all along that it’s your SKILL SET that determines your position, not your height. His wingspan, speed, athleticism and strength are equivalent (and in most cases, more superior) to any starting PF in the league. At 6’10" (in shoes), I don’t hear too many people saying that Al Horford is a liability for his position… or that Magic Johnson was too tall to play PG. Hey, Perry Jones is 6’11". Maybe we can draft him and let Javale walk??

by geechy_suede on Feb 21, 2012 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

With a 16-18ft game he is a starter

He defends well for a sophomore (and that will get better as he learns more technique to offset his small for the position size), rebounds well, and has some touch near the hoop. He also BRINGS IT which really only Wall and Vesely can say on the Wiz.

Ideally I think he is an off-the-bench combo forward, even with a jumpshot, but with the right 3 and 5 he could be a solid starter.

by Maroon and Black on Feb 21, 2012 5:50 PM EST up reply actions

He could start at SF

If you had a power forward who was a good outside shooter. Booker could then work the inside. He certainly could guard SFs

by seatraveller on Feb 21, 2012 3:54 PM EST reply actions

I have to be honest that I was a little suspicious of him last year

But he really has some skills and can see him being a Udonis Haslem (in his prime) type of player.

by TheRealBigMike on Feb 21, 2012 4:23 PM EST reply actions

I'm proud of Book

Time and time again, it has looked like he would be the guy that got buried on the bench. Be it behind new draft picks or Rashard Lewis and other vets. And every time I thought of it, it made me sick. Because guys like that shouldn’t be buried behind guys like Lewis and Blatche(notice the impact hes had lately? No Blatche). But plain and simple, he just wouldn’t allow it. He keeps playing hard and keeps showing he is one of the few competent players on our team. Not to mention he’s one strong and tough SOB.

I'm a Wizards fan. We've been trying to tell you about Lebron for years. Hated the man before it was cool.
Follow @Dylan___V

by returnofswagger on Feb 21, 2012 4:24 PM EST via Android app reply actions

yeah i have thought the same

we told him last season he needed to become a SF then we used two 1st round picks on SFs….at which point he Grown Ass Manned them out of his way. Book makes every player around him have to work their ass off, that is for sure, and it’s a terrific trait in a player

by DCrez on Feb 21, 2012 4:41 PM EST up reply actions

I agree he has a place in the rotation

but I’m not sold on him being anything more than that. He seems like Jason Maxiell Part II to me. But if he develops a jumpshot and/or the ability to dribble drive, then he suddenly will have a very different ceiling.

by disgrunted on Feb 21, 2012 4:32 PM EST reply actions

Pistons are 7-3 since putting Mad Max in the lineup.

Though that maybe had more to do with dragging Ben Wallace’s corpse off the floor.

I think of Maxiell’s career thusfar as Booker’s “floor” and his ceiling somewhere around Paul Millsap.
It will all come down to work ethic. If Booker is constantly adding low-post moves (and consequently coming to understand the post moves he’s defending a little better) he could have a great career.

by nichobert on Feb 22, 2012 8:01 AM EST up reply actions