Carlos Boozer? Don't say we didn't warn you.

[Neon Black]

It's obvious as day, but it needs to be said. I am SO glad that Boozer is on the other side of the continental US. His disappearing act in the playoffs vs. weak competition is all but a cherry on top of another season plagued with more injuries, no defense, and hundreds of unnecessary, stupid fouls. Hell, even Scottie Pippen publicly called him out for it.

And his excuse for scoring only 2 points against Indiana in game 5?

TURF TOE.

"I just went up for a shot, the one I made in the second quarter, early in the second quarter, and felt a pop," Boozer said after the game. "I'm just going to get it right. It's a good thing we got some time before the next [series]."

Yeah, we know the shot. It's the only bucket you scored all night. No need to specify. And yeah, you rest up that poor toe before the next series. Just sit out a few practices, have that old "bag" you tripped over when you broke your fist run all your errands for you while you watch the Bachelorette.

Good Riddance.

Our condolences, Chicago. At least you have a good enough coach/roster to help cover up.

[GetBuLLish]

I wanted to see what Jazz fans were thinking about Boozer as they've been watching this season and post-season play out. Hard to disagree w/ Neon there.

Any other Jazz fans' thoughts?

[TexJazz]

Same Sh#@ different team!

He pulls the "GREAT BOOZDINI" disappearing act in the playoffs. Just wait until you play someone that is a little taller & longer! Bulls better hope Gibson is ready to bring it.

[Sloanfeld]

you rest up that poor toe before the next series.

You know damn well it's his ankle and not his toe, but leave it to the Jazz fan to spin things around to suit their argument.

Bullish, it doesn't matter what Jazz fans think, they will say the most ridiculous things to support their argument like blaming Boozer for a loss last season, IN A GAME WHERE HE DIDN'T PLAY. No, don't blame the players who played like crap and got their butts handed to them by the Suns, who played excellent defense that nobody gave them credit for, blame Boozer, the man who didn't play. Great logic.

I watched a lot of games 1-4 and Rose's game doesn't suit Boozer as well as Deron's. There's not as much PnR and I hate Rose driving the lane and throwing up a crazy shot so much, although it is effective. I didn't watch last night but they won by 27 so it doesn't really matter. I've seen Boozer play help defense this series a few times, and rotate quicker than he ever has.

Boozer will be fine, but don't even ask the typical Jazz fan. They hated Boozer since his first season, saying that he faked injuries. People love to praise Millsap for playing through injuries, well that's exactly what Boozer is doing right now. So instead of praising him like they do Millsap, they ignore the injury and attack him. This is what I mean by the Boozer haters using whatever material that suits their argument, regardless of how ridiculous it is.

[QuantumMacgyver]

you rest up that poor toe before the next series.

You know damn well it's his ankle and not his toe, but leave it to the Jazz fan to spin things around to suit their argument.

Bullish, it doesn't matter what Jazz fans think, they will say the most ridiculous things to support their argument like blaming Boozer for a loss last season, IN A GAME WHERE HE DIDN'T PLAY. No, don't blame the players who played like crap and got their butts handed to them by the Suns, who played excellent defense that nobody gave them credit for, blame Boozer, the man who didn't play. Great logic.

I watched a lot of games 1-4 and Rose's game doesn't suit Boozer as well as Deron's. There's not as much PnR and I hate Rose driving the lane and throwing up a crazy shot so much, although it is effective. I didn't watch last night but they won by 27 so it doesn't really matter. I've seen Boozer play help defense this series a few times, and rotate quicker than he ever has.

Boozer will be fine, but don't even ask the typical Jazz fan. They hated Boozer since his first season, saying that he faked injuries. People love to praise Millsap for playing through injuries, well that's exactly what Boozer is doing right now. So instead of praising him like they do Millsap, they ignore the injury and attack him. This is what I mean by the Boozer haters using whatever material that suits their argument, regardless of how ridiculous it is.

Wait... So let me get this right? You are praising Boozer for playing through injuries and seeing him play help defense a FEW times? Just like you call Boozer haters out, we have to look at the other side of the coin. Which is Boozer lovers trying to hopelessly defend him.

@GetBullish, Bottom line is Boozer is fragile, and plays like it. He knows he only gets so many miles a season, and he is not going to waste them on any sort of defense. That being said, he is one of the best offensive PF's in the game. He also has an amazing ability to make players around him better. Unfortunately, those players are usually on the other team. e.g. Lamar Odom, Drew Gooden, Tyler Hansbrough.

[red4hf]

If you look at Boozer's numbers, he always performed well in the playoffs for the Jazz (except for 2007-2008)...... Obviously, there is something bothering him this year......

I don't think it's lack of effort...... Yes, he's not a good defensive player, but so what? A lot of players in the NBA don;'t play defense, but he doesn't fake injuries......

[dingojazz]

Ugh Sloanfeld, you sound like Boozer's little brother or something. No one brought up the Suns game, I think the original post was in reference to Boozer's career as a whole, not one game for God's sake. The truth is that Boozer has proven he misses a lot of games, and doesn't play hurt.

Also, in the series vs the Pacers he averaged 10 points a game on 36% shooting. That sucks.

We all know that Boozer has talent, and there were many nights he led the Jazz to victory. He and D Will were a deadly combo. But that doesn't change the fact that he just rubs people the wrong way, says dumb things, won't play hurt, lacks in defensive effort, and can just be an all around douche sometimes.

Call me a Boozer hater if you want, but if that's the case you are a Boozer lover. Hey you can probably find some Boozer Jazz jersey's on Ebay for like 5 bucks.

[Lava Rock Kid]

Dont forget with Boozer Chicago took a huge step forward, and without Boozer we took a huge step back.

And our defensive rebounding sucks now without Boozer.

Sure Boozer is injury prone, but we sure did miss his rebounding this year and Millsap is no Boozer.

[carrottop12]

We shouldn't be surprised that we are seeing the same old Boozer, but I admit it's nice to know it wasn't just a thing he did while he was here. I always worried that being in a small city with lower expectations from the national media, Boozer didn't really mind if he mailed it in, but that is the real Boozer I guess.

LOL at Sloanfeld and Red4hf, I am not mad at Boozer for the time he missed here, but to think his injuries are all some huge coincidence is a laughable, the guy just doesn't care about winning like you want from a guy you are paying 80 million dollars. For that I am very thankful that the Jazz didn't bring him back. You simply can't win when one of your top 2 guys feels that way.

As far as Boozer playing well in the playoffs, his numbers may have been solid while he was here, but when it was time for a big play, be it a rebound, a bucket, or a defensive stop, 9 times out of 10 Boozer was nowhere to be found.

Boozer had one really good playoff game for the Jazz and that was game 7 at Houston, otherwise he was average or worse. Your best player need to step up in the playoffs, that is what great players do, Boozer isn't a great player.

Just keep watching the Bulls, when Rose has a bad game, they are going to need someone to step it up to get easy baskets, and Boozer will do what he's always done, disappear.

[Neon Black]

Sloanfeld, I don't expect you to remember everything everyone has ever said on this forum, but once upon a time I gave Boozer all the benefit of the doubt in the world when fans were tearing him apart. It's cool if you write off my opinion on the basis of the blind subjectivity you accuse me of, i guess, if it makes it easier to handle the fact that I make some pretty valid points. And no, I don't "know damn well" that it's his ankle. By all reports it was, in fact, his big toe. If it were his ankle I'm sure he'd let us know about it.

And Lava Rock, I feel like losing Mathews and Korver hurt us more than replacing Boozer with Jefferson. As did all the drama and turmoil of a crazy season. Boozer rebounds well because he pushes people in the lower back 50% of the time. He also led the league in fouls most of the time he was with Utah. And they were pu$$y fouls that led to and-ones.

Here, read this. http://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=1109222&start=15

This is from people that were all up in the Boozer bandwagon just months ago, and with good reason to be.

[Spottieottie]

Boozer's a rhythm player. In Utah he got on rolls once he was able to establish a rhythm on the offensive side, you could see it. Utah played at a pace that was perfect for him, and the truth is he was the number one offensive weapon. No offense but in Chicago Rose dominates the ball so damn much I don't see how it'd be possible for Boozer to get into any sort of rhythm.

Another thing that helped him out a ton in Utah was having Memo space the floor so perfectly for him. Memo would pull the opposing center way out of the key leaving Boozer with numerous isos where he could use his fancy foot-work to score.

[bullsnewdynasty]

'Rhythm' has nothing to do with Boozer missing point blank layups. He's got plenty of shots during the season, don't give me that garbage that he's not the #1 option so he's not as effective. He averaged more shots per game this year than last year despite playing 2 less minutes per game.

[Sloanfeld]

Wait... So let me get this right? You are praising Boozer for playing through injuries

No, you didn't comprehend my post correctly. It's actually the Millsap lovers who praise Sap for playing through injuries. I did not praise Boozer for playing through injuries. Please re-read my post before you spin it around to what you think I wrote.

No one brought up the Suns game

In just about every Boozer thread that Suns game is brought up. I give examples to support my statement.

Boozer had one really good playoff game for the Jazz and that was game 7 at Houston, otherwise he was average or worse.

I remember him having 40 points in game two of that series. His woes against the Lakers are over-exaggerated. He was bad in 2008, in 2009 he was our best player against them. He wasn't great in game 5, but he hardly played the second half. I think Price was our best player that game. He was money against the Nuggets, and I remember him having near 20 rebounds in a game against the Lakers last series.

Neon Black, I didn't know about Boozer's toe when I replied this morning, but the point was that his ankle wasn't 100% and people still critize him for playing through an injury.

Yes Rose dominates the ball. I don't care for it even though it's been effective so far, but it won't work against the Celtics. They will take his teammates out of it. Boston will probably beat them in five if they play.

You guys are much more fair to Boozer than the fools on that other Jazz board, which is why I don't shove my agenda down everyone's throat like I do over there, but I just have to say this. I remember at least one time this season, I made an anti-Jefferson post after a game during a time that Boozer was injured and I think it was DelaneyRudd who responded by saying "how many points did Boozer have tonight?" Well, how many points is Jefferson averaging this postseason?

Sorry, couldn't resist that one.

[phrizzo]

Dont forget with Boozer Chicago took a huge step forward, and without Boozer we took a huge step back.

And our defensive rebounding sucks now without Boozer.

Sure Boozer is injury prone, but we sure did miss his rebounding this year and Millsap is no Boozer.

the only thing we lost with boozer is defensive rebounding and this is only because al jefferson never boxes out.

our biggest problems this season were pick and roll defense and outside shooting. neither of which boozer excelled at.

and chicago is not good because of boozer. he is not suited to play with how that team runs. most of their offensive production comes from the wings/guards (rose, deng, korver). at least that is how it has worked in the playoffs so far, and i doubt it's going to translate into a championship.

[Spottieottie]

It doesn't matter how many shots you get a game if you're out of rhythm. How many pick n roll or pops does Rose run with Booze? D will did a good job keeping Boozer in the zone and playing off of him. You cant just throw him in and expect him to get his. Booze isn't that type of player. But if you work with
him he can be great.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Ya, I bet before it's all said and done he is going to be wishing he had stayed here in Utah. I wonder if he will ever reach the same level of play he was at here....going to be interesting to see how his career pans out in C-town.

[HammerDunk]

No surprise to see the Boozer nut huggers running to his rescue after the most worthless performance of his life. He has been terrible, and the Bulls have won regardless. He got his raise regardless, and the Bulls won regardless. They won't fair so well in their next matchups. No, I don't think he fakes his injuries, but he sure as hell does have a LOT of them.

I think this sums things up pretty well...


Dude is on an island...

[Ern III]

Sloanfeld's put forward a spirited but highly contentious defense.

Boozer seemingly hasn't seen much ball on offense so far these playoffs. As Spottieottie says, as a rythym player, this affects him adversely. Rose is a natural ball dominator and there were other teammates making a far more efficient scoring contribution, so their reluctance to post-up or run many pick-rolls for the struggling Boozer was valid. He's also been plagued by fouls, born of his pitifully slow feet. The only facet of his game worth praise in the first series was his rebounding. Taj Gibson has vastly outplayed him in just about every other department.

Frankly, to any reading Bulls' fans: it's not a surprise.

[bullsnewdynasty]

It has nothing to do with Rose not getting him the ball. That has nothing to do with him going 1-8 on shots directly in front of the rim in game 3.

But yeah, we should keep trying to get him shots when he's shooting less than 36% from the field for the series, right? And turning it over like crazy.

[eLo]

huh "funny" thing so reassuming both sides(Jazz-Booz) can recall with tenderness good ol'times to be honest i dont have bad feelings for Booz, he was not hustle type of guy and probably thats all

D will did a good job keeping Boozer in the zone and playing off of him. You cant just throw him in and expect him to get his

yes and thats the key, Williams do a lot to keep him in the game, by the way how good Big Al looks now in that comparison, his best stats was when williams was already in Newark.

the only thing we lost with boozer is defensive rebounding and this is only because al jefferson never boxes out.

well problem with Jefferson is also that he gain that extra weight before this season which hurts his athletic presence and imo that is the reason why he did not dominated boards as he once did, still 9.7 is definitely not bad. And again, by the way, that would be interesting to see Al and Booz in one front, of course at the offensive end

I did not praise Boozer for playing through injuries.

no one could actually praise him for that

I remember him having 40 points in game two of that series. His woes against the Lakers are over-exaggerated. He was bad in 2008, in 2009 he was our best player against them. He wasn't great in game 5, but he hardly played the second half. I think Price was our best player that game. He was money against the Nuggets, and I remember him having near 20 rebounds in a game against the Lakers last series.

well yes Boozer is that kind of player that can be great under favorable conditions, but you cant count on him every time and thats the clue of the whole story

And Lava Rock, I feel like losing Mathews and Korver hurt us more than replacing Boozer with Jefferson.

man sining Big Al was probably that think which prevent us from being one big joke for the whole season.

We shouldn't be surprised that we are seeing the same old Boozer, but I admit it's nice to know it wasn't just a thing he did while he was here.

now we we can even say that Booz in Jazz uniform play with real passion

I don't think it's lack of effort...... Yes, he's not a good defensive player, but so what? A lot of players in the NBA don;'t play defense,

ok but in Boozer example is that lack of effort why he sucks so much in def

Bullish, it doesn't matter what Jazz fans think, they will say the most ridiculous things to support their argument like blaming Boozer for a loss last season, IN A GAME WHERE HE DIDN'T PLAY. No, don't blame the players who played like crap and got their butts handed to them by the Suns,

well may be its just me but i blame him like every other player thats is so often injury or disappear some times in key moments, yeah i mean Memo and AK also do not deserved a monument at the front of ESA.