Carlos Boozer's defense

[Joseph17]

Everyone on realgm talks about how bad Carlos Boozer's defense is. Whenever there's a thread about the worst defenders in the NBA, Boozer's name is always mentioned. I'm starting this thread because I'm wondering why his defense is so bad. He's strong, long, and pretty athletic for a guy his size. Why is he considered a bad defender?

[majortripps69]

Because he basically avoids any contact. He gets nailed for so many ticky-tack fouls, this is the only way he can try and stay on the floor. I don't think it has anything to do with him not playing D, because he has done it and the past and shows he can do it from time to time. He is definitely a better defender than he normally shows.

[HolyToledo]

No lenght, slow feet, technique, and no desire. In college he played alot of zone as well.

[carrottop12]

He has the ability to be a better defender then he is. When he tries he is actually a pretty good defender and he shows it when he guards guys like Tim Duncan a few times a season. He has good hands for steals in the low post and has actually shown the ability to block shots when he wants to.

The problem is he doesn't want to. He doesn't like playing defense, he doesn't pay attention to his rotations and he doesn't challenge shots at the basket. He's a softee. He's also not really that long, he's kind of short, isn't a great leaper and doesn't have good lateral quickness.

[tankster]

Here we go again........Sounds like a broken record.......For Pete's sake give it a rest for once!!

[JStockLivesOn]

Boozer's problems are due to his utter lack of effort and his less than substantial defensive intellect. He has the physical tools and certainly the general intelligence to play defense, given that we've seen both demonstrated amply on the offensive end. Unfortunately, though, he's missing a fundamental understanding of rotations, zone defense, and hell -- even man-to-man defense.

[Joseph17]

He has a 7'2 wingspan. That's pretty long for a guy that's 6'8.

[OC Jazzfan]

He's absolutely horrible on rotations. Usually can be seen standing there staring while someone makes a layup. He also gives up on his man very easily and again stands there staring while his man makes a layup. It's like he expects someone to cover his ass, but isn't too worried about covering anyone else's. Not the kind of guy you want with you in a bar fight.

Having said that, for the most part I like his game on the other end and don't think the Jazz can improve on him via a trade or free agency.

[dingojazz]

Lack of explosiveness, can't jump, poor lateral quickness and agility. I think most Jazz fans would settle for more effort from Booz on the defensive end.

[BiggMann]

Ya it's not that he's a horrible defender, there are definitely worse in the league, but it's frustrating as a Jazz fan watching his lack of effort. We all know he has the capability of playing smart team defense, he just doesn't. I'm really hoping with the focus on defense with team USA he comes in this season and show a consistent effort; he'd better if he wants that max contract.

[hoops4life]

Lack of effort/caring...

[jazzfan1971]

I thought he was better last year than the year prior.

That being said, my main problem is that neither he nor Okur are shot blockers. It's hard when neither of your big men protect the rim. It's not so much that I couldn't llive with Boozer's defense as it it I don't like having almost no shot blocking in the paint.


My biggest gripe with Boozer was how little he dominated offensively during the playoffs. He was almost a ghost in the LA series. And I'm complaining about the offensive side of the floor now.

As long as I'm complaining.... Korver was pathetic in the playoffs. Is he going to be that unclutch every year? Is he a guy that can't handle the playoff pressure? Or is he just a shooter that picked a bad time to have a bad stretch?

[JDubJazz]

I thought he was better last year than the year prior.

That being said, my main problem is that neither he nor Okur are shot blockers. It's hard when neither of your big men protect the rim. It's not so much that I couldn't llive with Boozer's defense as it it I don't like having almost no shot blocking in the paint.


My biggest gripe with Boozer was how little he dominated offensively during the playoffs. He was almost a ghost in the LA series. And I'm complaining about the offensive side of the floor now.

As long as I'm complaining.... Korver was pathetic in the playoffs. Is he going to be that unclutch every year? Is he a guy that can't handle the playoff pressure? Or is he just a shooter that picked a bad time to have a bad stretch?

By biggest gripe with Boozer was his lack of effort. He would just watch guys go right past him and dunk or lay it in.

As far as Korver goes, I'm not ready to write him off yet. People forget how bad Ray Allen was in the first couple of rounds in the playoffs, too. He eventually found his game though, and the Celtics won the title because of it. The same thing happens to every good shooter. They all have bad stretches, that they just have get through.

[jazzfan1971]

Well, that's where I saw a difference. I saw him nailed to the floor a lot more the year before last than last year. Well, there were times when he had his hands in his pockets due to foul trouble, and neither he nor Okur would challenge a guy who had a full head of steam, but, I think overall he did a much better job staying in front of his own man.

[freakazoid]

Because he basically avoids any contact. He gets nailed for so many ticky-tack fouls, this is the only way he can try and stay on the floor.

Nail on the head.

Boozer's defense(or lack there of) is usually dictated by how the ref's are calling the game.

I believe his poor defense is blown way out of proportion by most Jazz fans. It's bad, but not nearly as bad as most would have you believe.

[babyjax13]

I'm of the opinion that Boozer's positioning is his biggest problem. He's either too close, or too far from his man. With physicle players he hangs back because he doesn't want to get hit, and with softer players like Dirk, Odom and Bosh he plays them too close becuase he's afraid of them hitting a jumper. Then, if he gets beat he just gives up and lets his man go, and if he doesn't give up he fouls them, which discourages him even further. When Booze figures out positioning he will at least look like an average defender. I don't think he looks so bad becuase of lack of effort, I think it's lack of knowledge.

[Joseph17]

Thanks for the responses guys. It's sad that a player with his talent doesn't put any effort into defense. I guess his poor defense is the reason why he's the 12th man on team USA. I hope he gets more playing time because he's one of my favorite players to watch on the offensive end. He's probably team USA's best scoring big man.

[freakazoid]

Well, that's where I saw a difference. I saw him nailed to the floor a lot more the year before last than last year. Well, there were times when he had his hands in his pockets due to foul trouble, and neither he nor Okur would challenge a guy who had a full head of steam, but, I think overall he did a much better job staying in front of his own man.

Agree with this, also.

[troy]

Some posters said that we are too harsh on Boozer but that's not true.
He is completely worthless defensively , he is definitely one of the worst 5 defenders in the league (who plays starter at least )

Watch the way he gets KILLED by Odom (or Oberto last year for that matter) . He is just not slow on rotations , he gets killed in any way imaginable. You must have forgot the number of times Odom shot over him like he didn't exist.
He is a completely bad defender.
It's not just his lack of shotblocking , he also never take any charge etc etc...

[tankster]

Get a life you bunch of malcontents! Or better yet, you're so perfect, heist your asses out on the court and do a better job. And if you can't, then put a sock in it!