Making a point
Big man Booker shows his versatility
Somewhere in Trevor Booker’s 6-foot-8, 228-pound frame lurks the heart of a point guard.
But what would you expect? The Nets big man grew up idolizing Allen Iverson and played the point in junior high. Yes, Booker is a point guard trapped in a power forward’s body.
“I told coach, if he needs me at point, I’m there,” Booker said Thursday.
Actually, the Nets and coach Kenny Atkinson have seen Booker’s impromptu point-guard act all season. It is not uncommon to see Booker grab a rebound — he leads the team with 9.1 boards per and has 10 of the Nets’ 18 double-doubles — and speed upcourt at the head of the fast break.
Atkinson in fine with that. Encourages it, actually.
“It’s become this monster now and we like it,” Atkinson said after practice as the Nets prepped for the start of a three game road-trip, at Orlando Friday. “We like what he’s doing, we like when he attacks the basket, we like his assists off it. And it’s incentive [for] him to rebound.”
Atkinson realizes how tough Booker can be when he becomes one part water buffalo, one part point guard.
“For us from a defensive standpoint, [when the Lakers’] Julius Randle brings it up or [Atlanta’s] Paul Millsap, it’s tough to guard. You’re just not used to guarding that formation, a power forward bringing the ball up,” Atkinson said. “It’s definitely different. We like it and we’re going to continue to give him the freedom to do it.”
Booker, who sees the positives emerging among the young guys taking their lumps in a 7-17 start to the rebuilding, loves it.
“When I get a rebound and go and make plays, it gets me going, gives me energy,” he said.
But impersonating Magic Johnson is not all Booker does. Witness Wednesday’s win over the Lakers. The seventh-year vet, who spent four years with the Wizards and two with the Jazz before coming to the Nets as a free agent this past offseason (two years, $18.5 million), grabbed a season-high 18 rebounds, one off his career best. And Booker played with toughness and physicality.
“He’s our Lawrence Taylor,” Atkinson said.
“I’m undersized so you have to be physical,” Booker said. “When you mention tough guys, my name probably doesn’t come up. But when people play against me, they’re probably like, ‘Damn, it’s a physical game.’ ”
Booker, who bears a facial resemblance to LeBron James — “I hear that at least once a day,” he said — has been largely a role player in his career, but he loves the home he has found in Brooklyn — aside from that record.
Every year, teams vote on the guy considered to be the best teammate. Brook Lopez was chosen by the Nets last season. The Jazz selected Booker. It could be a more interesting vote than Trump vs. Clinton this year.
“Somebody that can lift players up. Put a smile on people’s faces on and off the court. A little bit of leadership goes into it. Just always being a positive person,” Booker said. “That’s a good teammate.
“Definitely, this is a great situation for me. Of course I’d rather be winning, but I understand the process right now of rebuilding. It’s a great chance for me to come in and show other skills I haven’t shown in the past plus lead the younger guys. … I just want to keep improving. Help the team improve in any way, keep fighting through adversity and keep pushing the younger guys. I’m pretty pleased with my role.”
Especially when he gets to grab it and go.