Budinger is a good player, and could afford to be a starter on a team that has two legitimate superstars. I don't know why people think he "sucks"; he's athletic enough to get up for the flashy dunks, has good 3-pt. accuracy, can penetrate. What he has to do is keep working on his defense in order to cement himself as a good-to-great role player on a Championship team.
I think chase is a good all around player. He's a good rebounder for his position, he played solid defense last season, and he's getting better. I don't think he will become an all star, but I don't see that guy on the rockets anyway. I think he can be a solid 16ppg 6 rebs small forward. He can improve on his short dribble and play in traffic. Too many times he pump fakes off a 3 and drives all the way in. He needs to be able to hit more shots under duress also. He can be a solid 4th player as long as the other players are higher end.
He'll get better because he's a smart player and smart players find ways to improve. I think he'll improve his defense a lot over the next 4-5 years.
To actually answer, instead of being acerbic about it... Yes I think Budinger can get a LITTLE better, not drastically better. But he can do LITTLE things like have more depedandable defense, more consistent three point shot, be stronger off the dribble using his athleticism more. His passing and rebouding are okay. Its a VERY fair question to wonder if Budinger's TEMPERAMENT might hold himself back from improving. Though Shane Battier didnt have the athletic tools, its what kept him from being a better offensive player. Very well could be the case with Budinger. He doesnt appear to have that Russell Westbrook-type inner drive to be the best. Lets not forget Budinger has performed much better than his draft slot. I'm sure the Rockets see it as he's giving WAY more than his money's worth. Even if Budinger will never get better he's a already decent player, and very good for a #44 pick.
He has some room to improve but everyone always mentions his defense. He defense is underrated on this board. It is his ball-handling skills (that would take him to the next level and allow him to create his own shot) that he needs to improve on. If he doesnt improve his ball handling his stats will only increase to reflect more minutes (14 ppg 6 rpg)
