Deonte Burton player review: Revised role should clear path to increased minutes in 2019-20
Season Highlights:
Although Deonte Burton only played in 32 games with the varsity unit he primarily hit the court in blowouts.
His stand out game came versus the Trail Blazers when the team was short handed as both Jerami Grant and Nerlens Noel were out with injuries. Burton played just over 26 minutes scoring 18 points, blocking three shots and nailed three of his five perimeter shots.
In comparing the form of Burton versus Abdel Nader from the perimeter is like comparing a Clydesdale to a racehorse. Let’s just say this isn’t the part of Burton’s game which he excels in. And yet, for him to find minutes on the court it’s probably the main area he’ll need to improve upon.
In the next clip, it offers insight into Burton’s issues and qualities on the same play. He jacks up a contested 3-point shot that gets blocked by Jake Layman and initially gets caught ball watching.
But as soon as he realizes Westbrook grabbed the rebound he immediately cuts to the basket to offer up an option for Russ who drops the dime. Burton then performs an acrobatic up and under move to score against two defenders.
In this clip Burton demonstrates his I.Q. immediately recognizing the Blazers are overloading on Paul George. By cutting quickly toward the basket he gives PG a target and although his defender reacts as does the help defender it’s too late so Burton gets the basket and the free throw.
The hops:
In the following play, Burton shows off his potential as a defender and perhaps why the OKC Thunder aren’t concerned about playing him at power forward. Despite being 6’5″ check out how Burton rises up to block 6’11” Ante Zizac. WOW!
Then there are the death-defying dunks including windmills and 360s. I mean it’s impossible to not get excited by Burton’s dunks (even Russ can’t get enough of them).
And, that’s not even his best dunk. Our writing team who’ve attended games this season all speak about how Burton sets the house on fire in pregame warm-ups.
But unless you’ve attended the OKC Blue games it’s hard to put into perspective just how ferocious some of his dunks are. Here’s a sampling — turn up the volume and listen to the sheer force with which Deonte slams the ball — it’s literally Westbrook like!