Take a Step Back, Frank!

[SoonerJK12]

Booker has been struggling to find an open shot, and he loves to shoot; hence, he has hurled it up with even the smallest window. I love Booker, but he is not that guy that is gonna make those contested shots -- at least not yet.

This may sound crazy, but I think Frank needs to start establishing himself farther away from the 3pt line. Step back 2-3 feet and start pulling the trigger. His opportunity for an open look would greatly increase. Take the UCLA game for instance. He was a spark in the first half and if I recall correctly, the two treys he hit were from really deep.

What do you guys think? Am I crazy?

 

[scrybe]

Don't think you're crazy – but, then again, what do I know?

Seriously, maybe what you're suggesting would help Frank find his lost stroke. It certainly couldn't hurt. I just can't help thinking something else must be going on with Booker (an injury maybe?). Not only has his shooting failed, but so has his defense, passing, basically all phases of his game.

Right now, Frank isn't the same player that most of us thought he was becoming when we watched him as a freshman. Don't know what it will take to get him back on track, but I do know I'm pulling for him to get it figured out.

 

[SoonerinNC]

Frank was basically unknown last year and he got a lot of open treys. Now everyone who we play knows that he can hurt you from deep. Therefore, he is getting a lot more attention and it is harder to get an open shot. To a lesser degree that is the same thing that has happened to Buddy.

Both have gone through some impatience where they are shooting less than a well selected shot. They need to just let the game come to them and realize that it is going to be harder to get open. They probably have to do a better job of utilizing screens and move to the right spots on breaks and when the ball goes inside and to the opposite side of the court. Also move to an open spot when someone penetrates. And improvement in his mid-range game.

I think once Frank gets his offensive game going he will get back to normal on the rest of his game. He is making some nice passes. Part of his struggles are coming from less minutes.

 

[AdaSooner]

Don't think you're crazy – but, then again, what do I know?

Seriously, maybe what you're suggesting would help Frank find his lost stroke. It certainly couldn't hurt. I just can't help thinking something else must be going on with Booker (an injury maybe?). Not only has his shooting failed, but so has his defense, passing, basically all phases of his game.

Right now, Frank isn't the same player that most of us thought he was becoming when we watched him as a freshman. Don't know what it will take to get him back on track, but I do know I'm pulling for him to get it figured out.

I agree, scrybe. Frank is definitely not the same player as he was last year, and it's not just his shot selection and his shooting percentage. He looks lost sometimes, as if his head is somewhere else. That is totally out of character for the guy who demonstrated a high basketball IQ and a promising future his first season.

I have no idea what is going on, but it's not like him to be caught totally out of position on defense like he was in last night's game. I wouldn't be so concerned if that was the first time. We can only hope that it's nothing serious and that last year's Frank Booker will be back soon, only better.

 

[ChongoChingi]

I've noticed him trying to draw a foul a lot recently. He seems to be out of control more than he was last year. He just needs to play in the system and not try to force it so much. He just needs to shoot it naturally instead of trying to fall into people. Get good set shots and he will make more. I have a lot of hope for him and I imagine the coaches will get him settled down. I think he is playing like he is a hot shot and he just needs to settle down and play basketball.

 

[brettromar]

Stepping back from the line all depends on if he practices those shots. I don't mean on his own, shooting half speed. You have to practice shooting them at game speed each time you go out. If you do that, shooting from 25 isn't much different than shooting from 21.

 

[pnkranger]

Rhythm is so much more important than distance (within reason). If he catches and shoots in rhythm in the flow of the offense, he is killer. If he forces it ... not so much.

 

[vbdad]

He is having some back issues and certainly isn't playing as well as last year. He isn't traveling to Vegas this weekend in hopes of the back improving with rest.

 

[scrybe]

He is having some back issues and certainly isn't playing as well as last year. He isn't traveling to Vegas this weekend in hopes of the back improving with rest.

Thanks, vbdad; that explains a lot. I knew there had to be something wrong with Frank.

 

[pnkranger]

That leaves us with one guard coming off the bench. Man, that dante buford decision really sucks right now.

 

[AdaSooner]

He is having some back issues and certainly isn't playing as well as last year. He isn't traveling to Vegas this weekend in hopes of the back improving with rest.

Vbdad, thanks for shedding some light on what Frank is going through right now! I feel for the kid. Back pain can affect everything you do in life. That's especially true for an athlete.

I'm sure he's getting the best of care on the treatment end. Hopefully a few days off to rest his ailing back will be the ticket to a full recovery.

 

[usedtobe1]

If Booker isn't playing Saturday, I hope Dinjiyl Walker's shoulder is OK. That means 120 minutes will be shared by 4 players..... Maybe Mankin will play a few minutes at wing.

Also, we better not have foul trouble or another injury.

 

[BozemanSooner]

He looks like he's pressing and a little tight. Interesting about his back. He just needs one good game and I bet he relaxes and let's the game come to him more.

 

[StatGeek]

Speaking of Frank, was it just me or did he make some kind of crotch grabbing celebratory move after hitting the jumpshot at the end of the 1st half. I watched it 3 times and I'm pretty convinced that he did, one of the odder things I have seen.

 

[chuckb]

He's played a lot better since he got benched in the Bahamas. He had, I think, 3 good assists vs Tulsa, including 2 on dribble penetration.

He is now, and will be, ineffective if he is a 3 pt only shooter because he's easy to defend. When he's willing and able to put the ball on the floor and pass it, he becomes a much better player. That's what I saw him doing against Tulsa.

 

[ChongoChingi]

Speaking of Frank, was it just me or did he make some kind of crotch grabbing celebratory move after hitting the jumpshot at the end of the 1st half. I watched it 3 times and I'm pretty convinced that he did, one of the odder things I have seen.

Yes he did. He's not good enough to be taunting like that.

 

[StatGeek]

Yes he did. He's not good enough to be taunting like that.

I didn't know anybody was good enough to taunt in such a manner.

 

[SoonerTraveler]

I didn't know anybody was good enough to taunt in such a manner.

Agree with that.

I like the way OU's freshman running back Samaje Perine "celebrates" when he scores a touchdown. He acts like he has been there before, and expects to be there again. I also liked that about Barry Sanders. The best players don't need to showboat.

On the other hand, when Buddy is happy (on the court) then I am happy.

 

[garyeb2]

I didn't know anybody was good enough to taunt in such a manner.

I'm not buying the bad back story just yet. My guess is that stunt has more to do with Booker missing the Vegas trip than anything else.

 

[AdaSooner]

I'm not buying the bad back story just yet. My guess is that stunt has more to do with Booker missing the Vegas trip than anything else.

Makes sense to me. We should all know by now that LK is a no-nonsense coach who will not tolerate a suspect attitude or bad behavior. If Booker's absence in Vegas is indeed tied to what he did in the ORU game, let's hope he is smart enough to know it.