Is Devin Booker The Next Ben Gordon?

​​

​Devin Booker is one the best young scorers in the NBA. The question is will ever improve enough defensively to maximize his potential?  Booker has improved offensively each year in the league and at only 21 you can make the argument that his growth is not done. 

Why do I think he might only be a serviceable starter and not a star? Basketball is a two way game in order for a player to be a star they need to be elite at either offense or defense and at least average at the other.

Without this combination of skills they will not have a star level impact on the game.
Many see that Booker is a 20 point plus per game scorer and think this means he is destined for stardom. I disagree, Booker is an absolute sieve defensively for every 20 points he scores he gives up 30 making him a net negative on the court. He could be a prime Melo or more a Tyreke Evans or Bradley Beal type.

I think a likely outcome based on his pedestrian 2.4 win shares per season averaged is prime Ben Gordon.

If you don't remember Ben Gordon here is what he did during his prime.
Over a 5 year stretch he was a solid NBA starter despite being a defensive liability. During  three of those years  prior to a huge contract extension he signed he had two 20 point scoring average seasons sound familiar? The thing is his metrics were still better than Booker's.
Booker's defensive rating has consistently been around 115. The average is around 105. His offensive efficiency rating is about 105 or roughly league average.

Will Devin Booker be more than the next Ben Gordon? The next few seasons will tell us for sure.
I however for the record have some serious doubts.

---