Trey Burke

[Darth Divac]

Good handle, excellent courtvison and facilitating ability, decent athleticism, drives and finishes are not a problem for him, and he's a fair shooter as well, 46% from the field, 38% from the three. High assist/low turnover approach. Good defender who can get steals, though his height (6 foot zero) hinders it a little. All in all, a very well rounded point guard. I'm not sure who to compare him to. Obviously, the Chris Paul comparisons are a little too much. A better shooting Mike Conley comes to mind, or a Ty Lawson with greater facilitating capability. Would he be a fit for this team?

 

[swisshh]

I've been watching videos of Burke and the german PG on youtube. I have the same concern for both of them: finishing against NBA size. Burke does have the advantage of having a good jumper, but his shot selection is questionable at times. I do like that his playmaking for others has improved and that he knows how to utilize the P&R well. Right now he lets defenders hug his hip and then uses that to create space. That will become harder against NBA players as well, but is the sort of tool a CP3 uses all the time. Not as quick as Paul or Irving though.

A player like Curry had issues finishing early on as well, so it can be something Burke learns a way around.

What I like about Burke is that he seems to already have an understanding of what I'll call the "liminal" zone. A lot of young guards overdrive on penetration or give up too quickly. Guards have to make their decision in the lane between the free throw line and the restricted zone. Basically, those three hash-marks set up for people to line up on FT attempts mark the liminal area of the court where pass/score decisions have to be made or you get yourself in trouble. Reading the right play in that area is vital to drive n dish offenses and one of the problems the Kings have struggled with over the years.

On the other hand, Burke likes to bounce pass in the half court, but his bounce passes seem a little soft for the speed of the NBA game. That's one thing he may have trouble with in the pro transition.

 

[Chupacabra]

Im not convinced that trey burke would pay off as a high draft pick. I think hes another Evan Turner.

 

[KingsFanGER]

You compare a College Player to two of the elite PG's of the NBA? I m not into College BBall at all, cause i have no opportunity to watch it in Germany, but this seems to be very optimistic for me.

 

[Darth Divac]

Im not convinced that trey burke would pay off as a high draft pick. I think hes another Evan Turner.

Evan Turner is 6 inches taller and a small forward.

 

[Darth Divac]

You compare a College Player to two of the elite PG's of the NBA?

You consider Mike Conley Jr. and Ty Lawson elite?

 

[bajaden]

You consider Mike Conley Jr. and Ty Lawson elite?

Conley, NO! Lawson, perhaps. Lawson may be the quickest PG in the league, and he's certainly one of the better young PG's going forward. Burke isn't as Quick as Lawson, but because of his hesitation moves, he appears quicker than he is..

 

[bajaden]

I've been watching videos of Burke and the german PG on youtube. I have the same concern for both of them: finishing against NBA size. Burke does have the advantage of having a good jumper, but his shot selection is questionable at times. I do like that his playmaking for others has improved and that he knows how to utilize the P&R well. Right now he lets defenders hug his hip and then uses that to create space. That will become harder against NBA players as well, but is the sort of tool a CP3 uses all the time. Not as quick as Paul or Irving though.

A player like Curry had issues finishing early on as well, so it can be something Burke learns a way around.

What I like about Burke is that he seems to already have an understanding of what I'll call the "liminal" zone. A lot of young guards overdrive on penetration or give up too quickly. Guards have to make their decision in the lane between the free throw line and the restricted zone. Basically, those three hash-marks set up for people to line up on FT attempts mark the liminal area of the court where pass/score decisions have to be made or you get yourself in trouble. Reading the right play in that area is vital to drive n dish offenses and one of the problems the Kings have struggled with over the years.

On the other hand, Burke likes to bounce pass in the half court, but his bounce passes seem a little soft for the speed of the NBA game. That's one thing he may have trouble with in the pro transition.

I've seen Burke play 20 plus times and in my humble opinion, he's at the moment, the best PG in this class. There are others that may prove to be better down the road, but right now, if your looking for a PG, and I'm not sure we are, then Burke is your guy. He has one of the best assist to turnover rates in college of any PG playing in a top conference. He simply doesn't turn the ball over. I felt that the way he played in the tourney wasn't a true reflection of what I saw all year long from him. For one thing, he had the flu in two of those games, and then for whatever reason, he shot the ball more than usual.

As you stated, he knows what to do when he gets into the paint. He has a great pullup shot, and is very good at dishing to open teammates. There's no reason he can't improve as a finisher. He's strong enough to take it to the rim. Its not as though he's a 150 pound weakling. Personally, he's not my first or second choice. If we're in search of a PG, then I'd perfer to go after one with experience. But, I wouldn't be disappointed with his as our choice.

 

[bajaden]

Im not convinced that trey burke would pay off as a high draft pick. I think hes another Evan Turner.

They are nothing alike. Different mothers and fathers, and different positions.

 

[KingsFanGER]

You consider Mike Conley Jr. and Ty Lawson elite?

In my opinion Mike Conley is a Top 10 PG in the NBA. He just plays for a team, which is all about defense, so his stats may not show his true potential. For example he averages 20 Points, 7 Assists and 2 Steals in the first 2 games vs one of the best Pg in the league. Not that bad right?
Lawson is the quickest PG in the league and alongside Iggy the centerpiece of the fast-paced Denver offense.
Like i said before - i m not able to watch college basketball over here, so i cant judge Burke, but to compare a player without any NBA-experience to this two PG seems like a bit too much of praise in advance.

 

[Capt. Factorial]

...i cant judge Burke, but to compare a player without any NBA-experience to this two PG seems like a bit too much of praise in advance.

Keep in mind that Conley and Lawson were college players once, too. Putting aside any argument about how great they are, the great players have to come from somewhere. Nobody knows whether Burke will fulfill his potential, but to suggest that his game might resemble Conley/Lawson if he does is certainly not out of line.

 

[KingsFanGER]

Keep in mind that Conley and Lawson were college players once, too. Putting aside any argument about how great they are, the great players have to come from somewhere. Nobody knows whether Burke will fulfill his potential, but to suggest that his game might resemble Conley/Lawson if he does is certainly not out of line.

You r right the great players have to come from somewhere. We ll see how Burke plays at the NBA-level.

 

[Kingster]

I like Burke. I just don't see anything not to like. Quickness, speed, vision, shooting, toughness, good BBIQ, defensive ability, competitiveness, and he has no fear. He reminds me of a shorter version of Westbrook and Rose because of his aggression and explosiveness (His pinning the ball on top of the square against the Louisville player was a wowie moment). I think he will thrive in the NBA. (Like just about every pg, success is probably not going to be overnight). Lawson may be faster, but I don't believe he's quicker than Burke. Burke has a relentless aggressiveness to his game that I really like. I don't think he's going to have any problem finishing in the NBA. He's very young, so he has plenty of time to learn the tricks to get shots off against the bigger players.

 

[Dime Dropper]

I like Burke. I just don't see anything not to like. Quickness, speed, vision, shooting, toughness, good BBIQ, defensive ability, competitiveness, and he has no fear. He reminds me of a shorter version of Westbrook and Rose because of his aggression and explosiveness (His pinning the ball on top of the square against the Louisville player was a wowie moment). I think he will thrive in the NBA. (Like just about every pg, success is probably not going to be overnight). Lawson may be faster, but I don't believe he's quicker than Burke. Burke has a relentless aggressiveness to his game that I really like. I don't think he's going to have any problem finishing in the NBA. He's very young, so he has plenty of time to learn the tricks to get shots off against the bigger players.

Not to nitpick, because I like Burke, but he has nowhere near the level of explosiveness of Rose/Westbrook. Both were far better athletes in college. That doesn't mean he won't go on to become a good player, obviously.

 

[miltonap]

I really like Burke. There's this toughness about him that you can't just teach someone. I think he will thrive in the NBA. Great shooter, not as explosive or quick as Westbrook or Rose, but his Bball IQ makes up for that not to mention he's an improved defender. I'd love to pick him up in the draft.

PG- Burke, Thomas, Jimmer, Douglas
SG- Evans, Thornton, Salmons, Jimmer
SF- Someone good that we'll pick up, Salmons, Outlaw
PF- Pat Pat, Jason Thompson
C- Cuz, Chuck Fatass, Cole Train maybe probably not

Coach: Jerry Sloan, either Van Gundy, or Keith Smart (LOL jk)

 

[Kingster]

Not to nitpick, because I like Burke, but he has nowhere near the level of explosiveness of Rose/Westbrook. Both were far better athletes in college. That doesn't mean he won't go on to become a good player, obviously.

I think "far better athletes" overstates it. I don't even know how you come up with that judgement. A guy that can at 6'0" pin the ball at the top of the square is pretty explosive in my mind.

 

[Chupacabra]

What i was trying to say by making the Evan Turner comparison is that i think Trey Burke is another one of those players that looks like a polished NBA ready player in college and then goes on to be a mediocre player in the NBA. I got it right with Evan Turner. With that being said i got it totally wrong with Chris Paul and Kevin Love lol

 

[Dime Dropper]

I think "far better athletes" overstates it. I don't even know how you come up with that judgement. A guy that can at 6'0" pin the ball at the top of the square is pretty explosive in my mind.

With all due respect, it wasn't the top of the square. It was a great play, but it was about halfway up the square. I'm not saying he's a bad athlete, but he's not an elite one, and in my mind, he's about slightly above average in NBA PG terms. And yes, Westbrook and Rose are and were far better athletes. I watched them both to do things athletically that Burke can only dream of doing. That said, you don't need to be an elite athlete to be a very good PG in the league, and I'm not knocking Burke or saying he's a bad athlete. Just that he's quite far athletically from the likes of Rose, and that's a fact. Both of those guys could explode in traffic, Burke can't do that but he's quick and has good change of speed.

 

[bajaden]

With all due respect, it wasn't the top of the square. It was a great play, but it was about halfway up the square. I'm not saying he's a bad athlete, but he's not an elite one, and in my mind, he's about slightly above average in NBA PG terms. And yes, Westbrook and Rose are and were far better athletes. I watched them both to do things athletically that Burke can only dream of doing. That said, you don't need to be an elite athlete to be a very good PG in the league, and I'm not knocking Burke or saying he's a bad athlete. Just that he's quite far athletically from the likes of Rose, and that's a fact. Both of those guys could explode in traffic, Burke can't do that but he's quick and has good change of speed.

I'm in agreement with you on this one. I've watched Burke a lot, and he's a good athlete, but not an elite or freak athlete like Rose or Westbrook. Howver, as you said, thats not really whats inportant about Burke. If athleticism is all that was required, the John Wall would be the best PG in the NBA right now. The point is, that Burke is a very skilled PG. He has good court vision and BBIQ. He can get into the paint at will because of his clever change of speeds and hesitation moves. He's a good ballhandler, and he's a good passer. One might criticize some of his passes for being somewhat dangerous, but the fact remains, that he had fewest turnovers of any PG in college that played a lot of minutes and on a major team in a major conference.

Now how all that translates to the NBA is anyone's guess. But my guess is that Burke is going to just fine. I don't think he'll make quite the splash that Lillard did, but a lot depends on who drafts him, and how many minutes he gets. With Lillard, you had a player that is taller, just as skilled if not more skilled than Burke, and is a better athlete than Burke. But both these guys bring the same cool calm demeanor to their game. Neither of them panic or rush when their team is down. Both are methodical in their approach to the position.

 

[Gilles]

Well, when his jumper is falling, Wall looks unstoppable. And Burke putting his will on the game involved a lot of chucking. It's not like he destroyed everybody thrown his way as Rose once did.

 

[Dreadnought]

I feel like a lot of the negativity about Trey Burke is about his lack of size. Chris Paul wasn't incredibly hyped coming out of college. Does he not present the possibility of developing like Chris Paul?

 

[Agent23]

I feel like a lot of the negativity about Trey Burke is about his lack of size. Chris Paul wasn't incredibly hyped coming out of college. Does he not present the possibility of developing like Chris Paul?

Wait, what? Chris Paul was considered the best point guard prospect of the last 20 years the year he was drafted. It was such a shocker that Deron Williams was drafted ahead of him.

 

[Dreadnought]

Wait, what? Chris Paul was considered the best point guard prospect of the last 20 years the year he was drafted. It was such a shocker that Deron Williams was drafted ahead of him.

I remember it the other way for some reason? All I remember was everyone talking about Andrew Bogut and Marvin Williams. Bogut because he was a big prospect from Aus, and Marvin Williams because that UNC team wrecked everyone, and he was the best "prospect" from that team. Maybe I'm just not remembering it right.

Either way, he was a small guy (who I watched 0 games of in college). My original question is still there!