Noah ignores Boozer high five.

[SoulEater7]

Ok so I recorded the game and I was just wondering if anyone noticed at the end of the game Noah gives Taj and Butler a high five and Boozer puts up his arm to which Noah turns in the opposite direction and leaves him hanging.

Lock it if you must but that was pretty damn funny.

Deep down I don't think Noah likes Boozer.

I've watched it like 5 times and like twice in slow motion and there is no mistake here Noah see's him and turns away. I have no life but damn that was cold.

Although after watching the game tonight the only thing thats change about Boozer are his looks.

[CalilLove89]

Noah has to watch Boozer constantly quit defensively and try to cover Boozer's man, which puts Noah in foul jeopardy. Boozer was also suppose to score the ball, and he doesn't do that either, oh and he makes more money.

[JOHN]

We've been saying since last year.

Noah and Boozer have not developed any chemistry.Still though their games do not mesh well because both players are effective only in the post on the offensive side.

On defense Booz just doesnt have the instincts.

If we go with Noah at center in the future we'll need a stretch power forward(like gibson).That's why the Bulls picked Mirotic.

[SoulEater7]

Noah has to watch Boozer constantly quit defensively and try to cover Boozer's man, which puts Noah in foul jeopardy. Boozer was also suppose to score the ball, and he doesn't do that either, oh and he makes more money.

Yeah he's a leaking facet on defense and if this continues I just don't see it working.. they may have to think of some options if it gets really bad...

1. Trade him
2. Move him to a sixthman role
3. Amnesty him

His defense is can not be tolerated. I wanna see how he plays Tuesday but I think the Boozer rage gage is about to be started. Sadly. But lets give it some time... like 10 games. lol nah. But I'm worried.

[SoulEater7]

We've been saying since last year.

Noah and Boozer have not developed any chemistry.Still though their games do not mesh well because both players are effective only in the post on the offensive side.

On defense Booz just doesnt have the instincts.

If we go with Noah at center in the future we'll need a stretch power forward(like gibson).That's why the Bulls picked Mirotic.

Yeah if this continues we might have a bit of a mess on our hands. You can hid him against crappy teams but in the playoffs your weakness gets exposed. I would go as far as to say that Noah is somewhat overrated as a defender. He's probably above average but not good enough to cover for Boozer's poor defense. He'll just always be in foul trouble.

[bullsnewdynasty]

Noah and Boozer have not developed any chemistry.Still though their games do not mesh well because both players are effective only in the post on the offensive side.

Noah had a nice high low pass to Boozer that was a sure dunk. It bounced off his hands.

[Ron Harper]

Anyone think Noah would be more comfortable taking Boozer's role? He can't score like Boozer, but he has the ability to play away from the basket due to his passing. Boozer gets a lot of freedom to face up and see the court. Noah is doing a lot of the dirty work. Maybe Noah was envisioning himself in Boozer's role before Booze was signed?

[SoulEater7]

Anyone think Noah would be more comfortable taking Boozer's role? He can't score like Boozer, but he has the ability to play away from the basket due to his passing. Boozer gets a lot of freedom to face up and see the court. Noah is doing a lot of the dirty work. Maybe Noah was envisioning himself in Boozer's role before Booze was signed?

I do! I think Noah is better suited as a 4. He really gets worked over at the 5, at times.

[McBulls]

This business of demonizing individual Bulls players after inadequate performances over short periods is not helpful to our favorite team's prospects. People have off nights, weeks and even months. They have weaknesses and strengths.

Boozer seems like a nice guy who really wants to win. Let's give him (and his coaches) at least half a season before calling for their heads.

I wonder weather the anti-Bogans vitriol on this and other boards didn't contribute to his waiver yesterday. I hope not, but I'm having trouble finding a reason why management would release a player who started every game last year for nothing in return.

For goodness sakes, it was a practice game.

[Ron Harper]

Anyone think Noah would be more comfortable taking Boozer's role? He can't score like Boozer, but he has the ability to play away from the basket due to his passing. Boozer gets a lot of freedom to face up and see the court. Noah is doing a lot of the dirty work. Maybe Noah was envisioning himself in Boozer's role before Booze was signed?

I do! I think Noah is better suited as a 4. He really gets worked over at the 5, at times.

Yeah, strangely, and I can't really prove it, but I think Noah thrives when teammates play off of him. Shooting, passing, putting the ball on the floor....he seems to get a little better at each of those things when the team is using him. Maybe he is more focused, or more comfortable, or just more confident, but when Noah is given a little free reign I think his level of play goes up. Could be wrong, don't know, just seems that's how it works for me and Noah.

That said, I think he is trying to play off of Boozer and it's taking away some of his spark. I think he sees some basketball plays Boozer might not, some passes, some opportunities on defensive end...I think he's just maybe a little sharper than Boozer but is forced to play off of Boozer, not vice versa.

He started last season in Boozers role, flashing to the FT, putting the ball on the floor, hitting teammates cutting. I thought he really played well early.

[Dez]

And so it begins.......again........after one pre-season game...........where everybody sucked (with the exception of CJ Gordon and Jimmy B)

[Ron Harper]

But I do think Boozer isn't as bad as people think. He also had some games when he came back from injury that we're real nice. Some 30/10 nights if I remember. 66 games isn't a lot of time, but 1 game is jumping the gun. This squad is going to go on some nice 6+ win runs and everyone will be playing well.

[JOHN]

McBulls thats correct.

Unfortunately these guys just like everyone in the league hasnt..practiced like a team.

Chemistry should be developed hopefully.

Remember that boozer was at his best last year when he had KThomas alongside him.Booz operated in the post exclusively.

[fleet]

JOHN, I respect your opinion a great deal, but I have to disagree a little. You might say chemistry and timing and such had something to do with Rose, because we know Rose is loads better. But Boozer just resembles the same guy he was most of last year. We've seen this before, and missing Big Sexy shouldn't make Boozer look awful, just less effective.

I said this in another thread, but IMO, Boozer last year, and now again, appears to be playing with less elevation than he used to. Its odd to evaluate a player like that that isn't known for playing above the rim, but it looks like Boozer plays with less lift that he used to play with.

[SoulEater7]

Anyone think Noah would be more comfortable taking Boozer's role? He can't score like Boozer, but he has the ability to play away from the basket due to his passing. Boozer gets a lot of freedom to face up and see the court. Noah is doing a lot of the dirty work. Maybe Noah was envisioning himself in Boozer's role before Booze was signed?

I do! I think Noah is better suited as a 4. He really gets worked over at the 5, at times.

Yeah, strangely, and I can't really prove it, but I think Noah thrives when teammates play off of him. Shooting, passing, putting the ball on the floor....he seems to get a little better at each of those things when the team is using him. Maybe he is more focused, or more comfortable, or just more confident, but when Noah is given a little free reign I think his level of play goes up. Could be wrong, don't know, just seems that's how it works for me and Noah.

That said, I think he is trying to play off of Boozer and it's taking away some of his spark. I think he sees some basketball plays Boozer might not, some passes, some opportunities on defensive end...I think he's just maybe a little sharper than Boozer but is forced to play off of Boozer, not vice versa.

He started last season in Boozers role, flashing to the FT, putting the ball on the floor, hitting teammates cutting. I thought he really played well early.

Yup I agree there is just something that hasn't clicked with those two. You could also say the same for Boozer and Rose... you would have thought they would play like Batman and Robin off each other offensively.

I think Noah played his best when Tyrus was along side him. While Tyrus has his mental lapse he also created a fear in other teams that would make you think twice when going up for layups and I think that helped Noah on the defensive end. I think it really took pressure off Noah to not have to be the sole rim protector that he's having to be now. He always looks gassed now trying to make up for Boozer and even at times Taj and Rose. I realize thats going to happen but I think it wears him out a bit.

[CalilLove89]

I think Boozer needs to get his jumper down, teams are giving him that jumper now and defending his drive. In Utah they ran the pick and roll and boozer was near impossible to stop, but if he can't get his jumper to fall he can't get a fake and drive. Not to mention the man is undersized and doesn't have above the rim ability.

I would like to see the pick and roll with boozer to start the game while he is fresh and get him going. Thibs didn't run the pick and roll till the third quarter, which in my mind is ridiculous because I think a rose and boozer pick and roll or pick and pop would dominate.

[kyrv]

McBulls thats correct.

Unfortunately these guys just like everyone in the league hasnt..practiced like a team.

Chemistry should be developed hopefully.

Remember that boozer was at his best last year when he had KThomas alongside him.Booz operated in the post exclusively.

I agree with both you and Fleet.

The Bulls last year had a GREAT record when Noah and Boozer started, but in the eye test, they didn't look too hot. I had actually said, screw it, start Big sexy for the playoffs, no time for hurt feelings. They will need time to try and develop a good chemistry.

I also agree with Fleet that Booz didn't look very sharp or agile or quick tonight, much less so than when he first started playing last season.

[bullsnewdynasty]

I didn't think Noah was that effective with Tyrus. I think Taj and Noah play very well off eachother. They have had good chemistry ever since Taj came into the league as a starter.

Seems like those that were dismissing Boozer's "decline" during the offseason may end up being wrong. Despite the lost weight and healing up from injuries, he looks like the exact same player from an athletic standpoint that we saw in the playoffs at this point, though I understand it's been one game. Still not good to see.

[SoulEater7]

This business of demonizing individual Bulls players after inadequate performances over short periods is not helpful to our favorite team's prospects. People have off nights, weeks and even months. They have weaknesses and strengths.

Boozer seems like a nice guy who really wants to win. Let's give him (and his coaches) at least half a season before calling for their heads.

I wonder weather the anti-Bogans vitriol on this and other boards didn't contribute to his waiver yesterday. I hope not, but I'm having trouble finding a reason why management would release a player who started every game last year for nothing in return.

For goodness sakes, it was a practice game.

See I disagree bud. This dude is 30 years old the same age as me. I get on a basketball court now and I can't do the game things I could as when I was 21.

But honestly I think anyone with a brain knows how this story (Boozer) is going to end. I would imagine a similar fate as Ben Wallace. He may have a great season but to really expect Boozer to play at an All Star level when it would appear at 30 he's just becoming slower and less effective and has had such a demoralizing injury history... listen

We will let the season play out but you really have to say, we paid this man to be our second best player next to Rose, is he?

I think the answer is no.

[JOHN]

fleet I'll have to agree with Booz's elevation.I know its still just one preseason game but mostly Im drawing conclusions from last season.The guy seems to have lost something from all those injuries and its reasonable.

All in all I think Boozer should operate outside the paint and start hitting jumpers ala Horace Grant.
Noah cant shoot and neither can Asik.In Utah CBooz had Okur who stretched it all the way out to the 3 point line and that enabled him to operate in the post without it becoming to clogged.With Noah the opposing center will collapse on Booz because they know that Joakim cant hit a shot from 5 feet.

This isnt a knock on Boozer.The Bulls knew they were getting a pure post player with some outside game.Unfortunately Noah cant step outside.

So they either trade Boozer or have him taking shots from short-midrange to open things up for Rose and Noah.