Carlos Boozer sucks.

[Sovereignz]

I can't believe how terrible this guy is. I've watched all of Utah's playoff games and I have literally never seen a worse 20/10 player ever. And if you think Amare's defense is bad, I suggest watching Boozer closely.

Choking away Utah's chances in the playoffs. This is their 11th game tonight in game 5 against the Lakers, and he's had one.. ONE.. good game. As bad as this board eats up Amare (and at times that is deserved, no doubt), I couldn't even imagine if the personnel from this board was rooting for the Jazz, what some of the posts about Boozer would be like.

 

[YouJustGotSUNSD]

His defense is a hair better than Amare's but he doesn't block anything. He gets much more rebounds but not even near Amare's offensive game.

 

[Andrew]

He really does, he can only play solid when at home.

 

[LV-Suns]

He is playing like a 2nd round draft pick.

 

[mojorizen7]

I wouldn't trade Boozer for Amare. No way.
Boozer has one gear...slow.

 

[btimsah]

Okur and Boozer (alcoholic?) both suck on defense. Their worse than Phoenix is on defense and it's gonna cost them this series yet again. They have no center, neither does L.A. right now. So the Hornets, with Tyson Chandler will cause some problems for tha Lakers

 

[Sovereignz]

His defense is a hair better than Amare's but he doesn't block anything. He gets much more rebounds but not even near Amare's offensive game.

I don't think it is at all. His effort is just as bad, but at least Amare has some athleticism and shot blocking instincts. Boozer just watches guys go by him for layups and yet he is just as bad as Amare about fouling. I'm honestly just glad I don't have to root for this guy.

It's too bad too, cause for all the attention Chris Paul gets Deron Williams a freaking grade A stud. Unbelievable kid. I just wish we could swing something to get him from Utah and watch Deron and Amare for the next 8 years or so. That'll never happen though obviously.

 

[Hat]

As much as they hail their defense, I am not impressed by Utah. Okur is getting owned by Gasol, and Boozer cannot get a rebound to save his life. They had a several chances to win game 5, but too many quick 3's, turnovers in the first half, and lack of rebounding really hurt them in the end.

Sounds familiar...

 

[btimsah]

As much as they hail their defense, I am not impressed by Utah. Okur is getting owned by Gasol, and Boozer cannot get a rebound to save his life. They had a several chances to win game 5, but too many quick 3's, turnovers in the first half, and lack of rebounding really hurt them in the end.

Sounds familiar...

I've been harping on this for a year now. The Jazz suck on team defense.

Do they actually hail their defense? God I hope not. Does anyone remember how when the Jazz played the Spurs in the WC Finals last year that the Spurs suddenly looked like a great offensive team? Parker was unstoppable. I thought our defense was better by comparison. The Jazz are just bad on defense. Period. They double down on Kobe (or any teams best player) leaving EVERYONE ELSE WIDE OPEN. It's a joke, but I'm glad their still doing it because I picked them to lose to the lakers in my bracket.

 

[passenger]

he really sucked in this series

why does utah play horrible on road?

 

[cly2tw]

What'd u expect? Boozer has been overachieving. In comparison, our beloved Suns have been underachieving.

 

[mojorizen7]

What'd u expect? Boozer has been overachieving. In comparison, our beloved Suns have been underachieving.

Nice fantasy player though.

 

[LV-Suns]

Nice fantasy player though.

Definitely. Proud owner for 2 years running.

 

[WuRaider]

He should be ashamed of how he screamed like a little girl whenever he missed a layup. Screaming after a missed shot to draw a foul only works for Amare's AYEEEEEEEE and Kobe's ayyyyyy!

 

[dodie53]

D. Wade doesn't even have to scream to draw a foul

 

[Bufalay]

Boozer doesn't suck, but this matchup is killing him. He's short and the laker front line is huge. Amare also struggles against those guys. He has a really hard time scoring on Turiaf and Bynum. Although he doesn't struggle nearly as much as Boozer.

 

[jagu]

boozer for diaw!

 

[Darth Llama]

I'm going to do something no one else seems to want to do..

Defend Boozer.

Some of it isn't his fault. I think Boozer is having problems with the difference in the way some games are called. From what I have seen in this series, the officials for some reason allow a more physical game to be played in Utah then they do in the Jazz road games. Things that are overlooked in Energy Solutions Arena are fouls at the Staples Center, or for that matter, any place else. I think Boozer is having a hard time adjusting his game from the road to home. The Lakers are having the same issue, the Lakers don't adapt well to the more physical style in Utah, hence their struggles there.

Carlos Boozer is a very good player, he's not going to be the next Karl Malone, but he's a very solid player. He's struggled on the road, but he's killed us in Utah. Boozer absolutely does not suck, he just needs to learn to adapt to what the officials are or are not going to allow on that particular day. The inconsistency of officiating in the NBA is a problem for many players, not just Boozer.

 

[nowagimp]

I've been harping on this for a year now. The Jazz suck on team defense.

Do they actually hail their defense? God I hope not. Does anyone remember how when the Jazz played the Spurs in the WC Finals last year that the Spurs suddenly looked like a great offensive team? Parker was unstoppable. I thought our defense was better by comparison. The Jazz are just bad on defense. Period. They double down on Kobe (or any teams best player) leaving EVERYONE ELSE WIDE OPEN. It's a joke, but I'm glad their still doing it because I picked them to lose to the lakers in my bracket.

The jazz have a good defensive coach(sloan), maybe the suns should try to be more like the jazz. The jazz dont have enough quickness/length to deal with odom/gasol, I dont think kobe needs to be the #1 option against them. the real reason the jazz will lose is that they have no low post game(boozer) against the lakers, that will ensure their offense is inconsistent. Lakers against the hornets will be different. David West looks like the #1 PF in the west (far ahead of boozer and definitely better than amare) based on the post season, when real defense is played. So far I'd put odom ahead of amare as well. Odom plays very good D, rebounds strongly and scores. Amare scores very well, but the playoffs are about defense not ppg, and there amare is the worst PF int he west.

 

[Sovereignz]

The jazz have a good defensive coach(sloan), maybe the suns should try to be more like the jazz. The jazz dont have enough quickness/length to deal with odom/gasol, I dont think kobe needs to be the #1 option against them. the real reason the jazz will lose is that they have no low post game(boozer) against the lakers, that will ensure their offense is inconsistent. Lakers against the hornets will be different. David West looks like the #1 PF in the west (far ahead of boozer and definitely better than amare) based on the post season, when real defense is played. So far I'd put odom ahead of amare as well. Odom plays very good D, rebounds strongly and scores. Amare scores very well, but the playoffs are about defense not ppg, and there amare is the worst PF int he west.

Odom is one of the more inconsistent scorers, and that was always the Lakers big problem when he was their #2 guy. I'm sure Donald or another Laker fan would attest to how much of a worry it was that Odom would just not show up at all offensively when he was the second option. Now that he's #3 it's a completely different situation for that team and him in particular. I agree about his rebounding and defense though, and in general he's just a tough AND smart SOB, he just doesn't quite have the aggressive mental attitude to be a #2 scorer.

David West is getting overrated based on a couple big games. For all the crap Amare gets about being a bad/inconsistent rebounder, West is even worse than he is. And calling him the #1 PF ahead of a guy like Tim Duncan is just absurd, give me a break. If New Orleans had Tim Duncan instead of David West as strong as the rest of their team is, they wouldn't lose a game. Could you imagine trying to score against a front line of Tim Duncan and Tyson Chandler? I think most big guys would just call in sick. I personally think he's a notch below Amare and Dirk (who are a notch below KG and TD) and he's a 3rd tier PF with Bosh, Brand, etc.

 

[Mainstreet]

David West is getting overrated based on a couple big games.

I didn't really watch David West until this past season. He is not overrated. He is very good... just not flashy. He is the type player the Suns need.

 

[nowagimp]

Odom is one of the more inconsistent players around, especially scoring, and that was always the Lakers big problem when he was their #2 guy. Now that he's #3 it's a completely different situation for that team and him in particular. I agree about his rebounding and defense though, and in general he's just a tough AND smart SOB, he just doesn't quite have the aggressive mental attitude to be a #2 scorer.

David West is getting overrated based on a couple big games. For all the crap Amare gets about being a bad/inconsistent rebounder, West is even worse than he is. And calling him the #1 PF ahead of a guy like Tim Duncan is just absurd, give me a break. If New Orleans had Tim Duncan instead of David West as strong as the rest of their team is, they wouldn't lose a game. I personally think he's a notch below Amare and Dirk (who are a notch below KG and TD) and he's a 3rd tier PF with Bosh, Brand, etc.

1) Odom, yeah defense matters and lamar odom is a sleeper on D, he doesnt get the credit for his all around game, especially from laker fans. Gasols D sucks, but he's great. Ironically Odom seems to play better when kobe sits. It kind of reminds me of Diaw/amare ont he suns, though odom is >>> diaw.

2) I dont think David West is over rated, he played TD tough on defense straight up, and is unguardable in single coverage on offense. He may have the best moves and footwork of any PF in the league. He has the lowest % of assisted baskets(58%) of any PF in the west, so its not chris paul that makes him good. West also passes way better than amare, a critical skill that is needed against the trick defenses you see when the games matter(playoffs). The presence of tyson Chandler virtually guarantees there will be fewer rebounds for west to snare, so Im not sure about the rebounding comparison. West and amare have identical rebounding averages for the year.

Oh yeah I dont consider TD a power forward, he can't guard most PF's straight up on the elbow without help. David West eats him up, as does amare(in single coverage). Duncan is the best center in the game today, he plays a "center field" defense very well. The spurs only want him to be PF, because statistically he can be one of the greatest "PF's" of all time, center is tougher he need not apply. Duncans inability to guard the PF position straight up is all about speed, or lack thereof. For this reason, I call him a center, like many other writers/fans.

 

[Darth Llama]

Odom is one of the more inconsistent scorers, and that was always the Lakers big problem when he was their #2 guy. I'm sure Donald or another Laker fan would attest to how much of a worry it was that Odom would just not show up at all offensively when he was the second option. Now that he's #3 it's a completely different situation for that team and him in particular. I agree about his rebounding and defense though, and in general he's just a tough AND smart SOB, he just doesn't quite have the aggressive mental attitude to be a #2 scorer.

Couldn't agree more. Odom is the perfect fit as a #3, he was not nearly as consistent offensively as the #2. People talk a lot about how much Kobe loves having Pau on his team, but no one has benefited more from Gasol then Lamar Odom.

 

[Sovereignz]

1) Odom, yeah defense matters and lamar odom is a sleeper on D, he doesnt get the credit for his all around game, especially from laker fans. Gasols D sucks, but he's great. Ironically Odom seems to play better when kobe sits. It kind of reminds me of Diaw/amare ont he suns, though odom is >>> diaw.

2) I dont think David West is over rated, he played TD tough on defense straight up, and is unguardable in single coverage on offense. He may have the best moves and footwork of any PF in the league. He has the lowest % of assisted baskets(58%) of any PF in the west, so its not chris paul that makes him good. West also passes way better than amare, a critical skill that is needed against the trick defenses you see when the games matter(playoffs). The presence of tyson Chandler virtually guarantees there will be fewer rebounds for west to snare, so Im not sure about the rebounding comparison. West and amare have identical rebounding averages for the year.

Oh yeah I dont consider TD a power forward, he can't guard most PF's straight up on the elbow without help. David West eats him up, as does amare(in single coverage). Duncan is the best center in the game today, he plays a "center field" defense very well. The spurs only want him to be PF, because statistically he can be one of the greatest "PF's" of all time, center is tougher he need not apply. Duncans inability to guard the PF position straight up is all about speed, or lack thereof. For this reason, I call him a center, like many other writers/fans.

Amare actually has great vision when he chooses to use it, and one thing that's always impressed me for a guy who is a career 1apg type player, he almost always makes the right pass out of double teams. The way he has been used over the last few years in our offense is very atypical of the way many other top tier power forwards are used. Every time he gets the ball it was either to a) iso and go 1 on 1 facing up, either coming off a screen and getting the ball at the 17 foot marker in front of the basket, or from mid range on the wings, b) in a pick and roll with Nash, or c) that set play we always, always ran at the beginning of games for him to hand it off to Raja coming off a screen for a jumper at the top of the key. Those were the only three ways he was ever touching the ball. Don't sleep on his vision though, he might not have a lot of assists but many of them (especially when we still had Shawn) were in the spectacular fashion. He just needs to look at the basket a bit less.

I also don't think the Tyson Chandler thing is a legitimate excuse for West not being a good rebounder. Chandler averaged 11.7 boards in a little over 35 minutes per game, and Shaq averaged 10.6 in only 28.7 minutes per game which is a much higher rate. That's not an excuse for either guy in my opinion, they're both just sub-par rebounders.

And I agree with you about Duncan 100%, he is a true center in most aspects of the word. But he's played like, literally every single game of his career at power forward, so that's what he gets called. He made the All-NBA team is a forward when Amare made it as a center, even THIS year. It's just a weird situation I guess. I still don't think West is better than KG, Dirk or Amare though.

Edit: And as far as Duncan not being able to guard power forwards, I'm really not so sure about that. I thought Duncan did a very good job on Amare in our series, and he's not necessarily doing a bad job on West. He's not lightning quick but he almost never fouls, and even if he gets beat his arms are so long that he recovers to block a lot of shots. I think power forwards eating the Spurs up has much more to do with their defensive game plan (don't let a good 3 point shooting team beat you from the 3 point line) against teams like the Suns and Hornets than it does with Duncan not being an adequate defender.

 

[nowagimp]

Amare actually has great vision when he chooses to use it, and one thing that's always impressed me for a guy who is a career 1apg type player, he almost always makes the right pass out of double teams. The way he has been used over the last few years in our offense is very atypical of the way many other top tier power forwards are used. Every time he gets the ball it was either to a) iso and go 1 on 1 facing up, either coming off a screen and getting the ball at the 17 foot marker in front of the basket, or from mid range on the wings, b) in a pick and roll with Nash, or c) that set play we always, always ran at the beginning of games for him to hand it off to Raja coming off a screen for a jumper at the top of the key. Those were the only three ways he was ever touching the ball. Don't sleep on his vision though, he might not have a lot of assists but many of them (especially when we still had Shawn) were in the spectacular fashion. He just needs to look at the basket a bit less.

I also don't think the Tyson Chandler thing is a legitimate excuse for West not being a good rebounder. Chandler averaged 11.7 boards in a little over 35 minutes per game, and Shaq averaged 10.6 in only 28.7 minutes per game which is a much higher rate. That's not an excuse for either guy in my opinion, they're both just sub-par rebounders.

And I agree with you about Duncan 100%, he is a true center in most aspects of the word. But he's played like, literally every single game of his career at power forward, so that's what he gets called. He made the All-NBA team is a forward when Amare made it as a center, even THIS year. It's just a weird situation I guess. I still don't think West is better than KG, Dirk or Amare though.

Edit: And as far as Duncan not being able to guard power forwards, I'm really not so sure about that. I thought Duncan did a very good job on Amare in our series, and he's not necessarily doing a bad job on West. He's not lightning quick but he almost never fouls, and even if he gets beat his arms are so long that he recovers to block a lot of shots. I think power forwards eating the Spurs up has much more to do with their defensive game plan (don't let a good 3 point shooting team beat you from the 3 point line) against teams like the Suns and Hornets than it does with Duncan not being an adequate defender.

1) I said West is the #1 PF in the western conference. Dirk is not PF, he lacks an inside game, though I might rather have him on my team than west.

2) amares passing often leads to TO's as he recognizes and passes out of the double too late. I think its mainly because he wants to go at the double team anyway. His A/TO is 0.68, west is 1.07, so west is almost twice as likely not to turn the ball over for each assist. Dirks A/TO is 1.66, boozer is 1.11, and tim ducan is at 1.22. All are about twice as likely not to turn the ball over for each assist compared with amare.

3) On defense by TD: the scouts observe that TD rarely defends straight up, the spurs use alot of help schemes. When he is isolated with a PF, he is often burned. TD is often hidden in the defense by Pops to prevent foul trouble. Amare mostly sees oberto, with TD coming on help. On the low block, where there isnt much room to use the speed, TD can cover amare. This is the only scenario I have seen where TD does OK against amare. But west burns TD even down there with all those moves and his ability to shoot with either hand.

4) on the PFs vs the spurs, David west was by far the most effective in the regular season this year

west 23ppg 58% FG's
amare 17.5ppg 51%FG's
Boozer 18ppg 49%FG's
Dirk 17.8ppg 36% FG's


Clearly David West is the most dangerous PF against the defensive minded spurs. In the post season that trend has continued as west has responded well and been a handful for the spurs defense. Also knowing that West has the lowest % of assisted baskets(58%) , its safe to say he doesnt need a great PG to be effective so much as amare(71%).