and has been ice cold for a while and RJ had that recent stretch of good games, but all the stats show Burks as the better player this year.
PER: Burks - 14.6, RJ - 12.9
TS%: Burks - .551, RJ - .515
WS/48: Burks - .133 , RJ - .041
BPM: Burks - 0.9, RJ - (-2.0)
RJ has simply not been good for most of this season. I don't know what his value is around the league, but I'm not against trading him in the right deal. Especially considering he's extension eligible sooner rather than later.
The reason that you don't trade RJ is because he is 21 years old, and regularly shows flashes of star potential. Yes he is inconsistent, but the hope is as he matures as a player the off nights become less frequent.
For comparisons sake here are RJ's numbers, and because it's a player he has often been compared to, DeMar DeRozan's at the same stage in their career (third season):
Very close, and RJ is a year younger at this stage than DeRozan was. DeRozan continued to improve in year 4, and by year 5 was an All-Star. Not far fetched at all to think RJ can follow a similar path.
Sure it's possible he ascends into an all-star caliber wing, but DeRozan is not the guy I'd be looking to for a comparison. First of all, DeRozan is pretty much an outlier in the modern NBA in terms of how he plays. Also, even in his first few season, DeRozan was pretty good in the mid-range and at the free throw line. RJ is pretty bad at both.
Hopefully RJ can develop into a more consistent outsider shooter. If so, he likley has a good career. But in watching him I see below average athleticism, instincts, and ability to improvise on the floor. I don't think he becomes a star. Hope I'm wrong.
I hate having to cape for RJ, and I do it too much on this site, so quickly
- He has average (not-below average) NBA athleticism. His biggest (scoring) problem is finishing at the bucket over much bigger players. Countless players in the NBA consistently jump over those guys. RJ cannot. But he still has decent athleticism: look at how high he got on the game winning shot, or how he looks on some of his dunks. Half the league can't do that, at least.
- His ability to improvise is fine. A lot of his layups are actually really difficult shots. He's also using the turn-around and mid-range floater a bit more, which makes up for his average athleticism.
- His instincts are good in some areas but poor in others, such as off-the-ball defense and dealing with double-teams on offense. These instincts can develop! It's harder to teach his on-the-ball defense, or even shooting potential, and his work ethic.
For the millionth time, give the kid a chance. His absolute floor is starting 3 and D player.
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In comment 15560630 Enzo said:
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and has been ice cold for a while and RJ had that recent stretch of good games, but all the stats show Burks as the better player this year.
PER: Burks - 14.6, RJ - 12.9
TS%: Burks - .551, RJ - .515
WS/48: Burks - .133 , RJ - .041
BPM: Burks - 0.9, RJ - (-2.0)
RJ has simply not been good for most of this season. I don't know what his value is around the league, but I'm not against trading him in the right deal. Especially considering he's extension eligible sooner rather than later.
The reason that you don't trade RJ is because he is 21 years old, and regularly shows flashes of star potential. Yes he is inconsistent, but the hope is as he matures as a player the off nights become less frequent.
For comparisons sake here are RJ's numbers, and because it's a player he has often been compared to, DeMar DeRozan's at the same stage in their career (third season):
PER: DeRozan - 12.8, RJ - 12.9
TS%: DeRozan - .503, RJ - .515
WS/48: DeRozan - .054 , RJ - .041
BPM: DeRozan - (-0.4), RJ - (-2.0)
Very close, and RJ is a year younger at this stage than DeRozan was. DeRozan continued to improve in year 4, and by year 5 was an All-Star. Not far fetched at all to think RJ can follow a similar path.
Sure it's possible he ascends into an all-star caliber wing, but DeRozan is not the guy I'd be looking to for a comparison. First of all, DeRozan is pretty much an outlier in the modern NBA in terms of how he plays. Also, even in his first few season, DeRozan was pretty good in the mid-range and at the free throw line. RJ is pretty bad at both.
Hopefully RJ can develop into a more consistent outsider shooter. If so, he likley has a good career. But in watching him I see below average athleticism, instincts, and ability to improvise on the floor. I don't think he becomes a star. Hope I'm wrong.
I hate having to cape for RJ, and I do it too much on this site, so quickly
- He has average (not-below average) NBA athleticism. His biggest (scoring) problem is finishing at the bucket over much bigger players. Countless players in the NBA consistently jump over those guys. RJ cannot. But he still has decent athleticism: look at how high he got on the game winning shot, or how he looks on some of his dunks. Half the league can't do that, at least.
- His ability to improvise is fine. A lot of his layups are actually really difficult shots. He's also using the turn-around and mid-range floater a bit more, which makes up for his average athleticism.
- His instincts are good in some areas but poor in others, such as off-the-ball defense and dealing with double-teams on offense. These instincts can develop! It's harder to teach his on-the-ball defense, or even shooting potential, and his work ethic.
For the millionth time, give the kid a chance. His absolute floor is starting 3 and D player.