Cameron Boozer

[Chuck Everett]

Shades of Marvin Bagley III

I don’t really see that. Bagley’s success came because of his quickness to go with his size. He never was viewed as the most skilled guy.

Boozer’s entire thing is just how advanced his skills are at his size and age. He’s extremely skilled inside and is already a legit 40% 3pt shooter and 80+% guy from the line.

Bagley's also come with a lot of baggage emotionally (all of them). The Boozer's are night and day from that perspective. I like the mental makeup a lot better with Cam.

[FrodoBaggins]

Sometimes we get too enamored with hypothetical upside and theoretical projections. Production and age should always be considered. But we must look at how a prospect is being productive. Yes, Boozer is physically developed beyond his peers, but he's a skilled scorer with great feel, intelligence, and instinct. Has great basketball habits.

People thought Tatum might not be athletic enough. Turned out to be a non-issue. We'll see what happens with Cameron but he's just simply good at basketball right now. And if he's anything like his father (6'7.75" barefoot height, 7'2.25" wingspan, 9'0.5" standing reach, 260-280 pounds) he'll be a handful physically, especially in this butter-soft league.

[FrodoBaggins]

Some modern "tweener" guys of a similar size: Tobias Harris, Paolo Banchero, Kevin Love, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Detroit Blake Griffin, etc.

I like his shooting and potential as a movement shooter ala Kevin Love/Lauri Markannen. That, plus a bully-ball game inside, and strong passing. A Kevin Love/Domantas Sabonis hybrid would be nasty upside. 35-40% 3PT on strong volume, 60%+ 2PT on strong volume, 80%+ FT with a strong FTr, 4-6 assists.

Could be a 25/12/5, 60-65% TS guy with a dynamic, flexible offensive arsenal, high basketball IQ, feel, and instinct. Most effective as the primary screener and hand-off guy but can also attack hard closeouts respecting his three-point shot and do some PnR ball handling stuff. Can go to him in the post. Small things like great communication and leadership, positioning and off-ball movement on both ends, screening, boxing out, and a low turnover and foul rate can make a guy's impact numbers pop.

Who the hell knows? Could be anything. All I know is that Cameron knows he's big and physical. Plays like it. This is how Sabonis plays despite a mediocre wingspan and standing reach. Compare that to Paolo, who can't finish anywhere close to as well in the paint as Domantas.

I always thought the prime Utah version of his dad in today's game would be a better scoring and shooting, worse passing version of Sabonis. With potential upside as a three-point shooter because he shot very well on 20+ feet jump shots, abet small volume. He also had good shooting diversity, picking and popping, spotting up, and even coming off screens in Jerry Sloan's Flex Offense.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=memoismoney

[babyjax13]

Some modern "tweener" guys of a similar size: Tobias Harris, Paolo Banchero, Kevin Love, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Detroit Blake Griffin, etc.

I like his shooting and potential as a movement shooter ala Kevin Love/Lauri Markannen. That, plus a bully-ball game inside, and strong passing. A Kevin Love/Domantas Sabonis hybrid would be nasty upside. 35-40% 3PT on strong volume, 60%+ 2PT on strong volume, 80%+ FT with a strong FTr, 4-6 assists.

Could be a 25/12/5, 60-65% TS guy with a dynamic, flexible offensive arsenal, high basketball IQ, feel, and instinct. Most effective as the primary screener and hand-off guy but can also attack hard closeouts respecting his three-point shot and do some PnR ball handling stuff. Can go to him in the post. Small things like great communication and leadership, positioning and off-ball movement on both ends, screening, boxing out, and a low turnover and foul rate can make a guy's impact numbers pop.

Who the hell knows? Could be anything. All I know is that Cameron knows he's big and physical. Plays like it. This is how Sabonis plays despite a mediocre wingspan and standing reach. Compare that to Paolo, who can't finish anywhere close to as well in the paint as Domantas.

I always thought the prime Utah version of his dad in today's game would be a better scoring and shooting, worse passing version of Sabonis. With potential upside as a three-point shooter because he shot very well on 20+ feet jump shots, abet small volume. He also had good shooting diversity, picking and popping, spotting up, and even coming off screens in Jerry Sloan's Flex Offense.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=memoismoney

Boozer had a pretty ugly jumper. It went in but it certainly didn't project out at all. He was also very physical and was a plus athlete - but the modern game doesn't really have guys like him.

[FrodoBaggins]

Some modern "tweener" guys of a similar size: Tobias Harris, Paolo Banchero, Kevin Love, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Detroit Blake Griffin, etc.

I like his shooting and potential as a movement shooter ala Kevin Love/Lauri Markannen. That, plus a bully-ball game inside, and strong passing. A Kevin Love/Domantas Sabonis hybrid would be nasty upside. 35-40% 3PT on strong volume, 60%+ 2PT on strong volume, 80%+ FT with a strong FTr, 4-6 assists.

Could be a 25/12/5, 60-65% TS guy with a dynamic, flexible offensive arsenal, high basketball IQ, feel, and instinct. Most effective as the primary screener and hand-off guy but can also attack hard closeouts respecting his three-point shot and do some PnR ball handling stuff. Can go to him in the post. Small things like great communication and leadership, positioning and off-ball movement on both ends, screening, boxing out, and a low turnover and foul rate can make a guy's impact numbers pop.

Who the hell knows? Could be anything. All I know is that Cameron knows he's big and physical. Plays like it. This is how Sabonis plays despite a mediocre wingspan and standing reach. Compare that to Paolo, who can't finish anywhere close to as well in the paint as Domantas.

I always thought the prime Utah version of his dad in today's game would be a better scoring and shooting, worse passing version of Sabonis. With potential upside as a three-point shooter because he shot very well on 20+ feet jump shots, abet small volume. He also had good shooting diversity, picking and popping, spotting up, and even coming off screens in Jerry Sloan's Flex Offense.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=memoismoney

Boozer had a pretty ugly jumper. It went in but it certainly didn't project out at all. He was also very physical and was a plus athlete - but the modern game doesn't really have guys like him.

Here's what Utah Boozer shot from 20-24 feet:

2004-05: 10/21
2005-06: 3/11
2006-07: 7/13
2007-08: 8/14
2008-09: 3/5
2009-10: 8/18

39/82 = 47.6% FG

Nikola Jokic and Dirk both have high-arcing shots. I see no reason to believe Carlos wouldn't have developed three-point shooting range given his small sample success from 20-24 feet.

[HadAnEffectHere]

14 shots a year does not speak too strongly about his potential range, lol.

Boozer himself was always a lot worse than his stats because he was a mind-numbingly bad defender who refused to play help defense, but seemingly intentionally gave soft fouls to give the ball handler And-1s. Him and Okur both did that I assume to appease Sloan? But it was so rage inducing. I think Boozer and Okur together cost the Jazz 1.0 in point differential just from doing that.

[babyjax13]

Some modern "tweener" guys of a similar size: Tobias Harris, Paolo Banchero, Kevin Love, Domantas Sabonis, Julius Randle, Detroit Blake Griffin, etc.

I like his shooting and potential as a movement shooter ala Kevin Love/Lauri Markannen. That, plus a bully-ball game inside, and strong passing. A Kevin Love/Domantas Sabonis hybrid would be nasty upside. 35-40% 3PT on strong volume, 60%+ 2PT on strong volume, 80%+ FT with a strong FTr, 4-6 assists.

Could be a 25/12/5, 60-65% TS guy with a dynamic, flexible offensive arsenal, high basketball IQ, feel, and instinct. Most effective as the primary screener and hand-off guy but can also attack hard closeouts respecting his three-point shot and do some PnR ball handling stuff. Can go to him in the post. Small things like great communication and leadership, positioning and off-ball movement on both ends, screening, boxing out, and a low turnover and foul rate can make a guy's impact numbers pop.

Who the hell knows? Could be anything. All I know is that Cameron knows he's big and physical. Plays like it. This is how Sabonis plays despite a mediocre wingspan and standing reach. Compare that to Paolo, who can't finish anywhere close to as well in the paint as Domantas.

I always thought the prime Utah version of his dad in today's game would be a better scoring and shooting, worse passing version of Sabonis. With potential upside as a three-point shooter because he shot very well on 20+ feet jump shots, abet small volume. He also had good shooting diversity, picking and popping, spotting up, and even coming off screens in Jerry Sloan's Flex Offense.

Watch on YouTube

;ab_channel=memoismoney

Boozer had a pretty ugly jumper. It went in but it certainly didn't project out at all. He was also very physical and was a plus athlete - but the modern game doesn't really have guys like him.

Here's what Utah Boozer shot from 20-24 feet:

2004-05: 10/21
2005-06: 3/11
2006-07: 7/13
2007-08: 8/14
2008-09: 3/5
2009-10: 8/18

39/82 = 47.6% FG

Nikola Jokic and Dirk both have high-arcing shots. I see no reason to believe Carlos wouldn't have developed three-point shooting range given his small sample success from 20-24 feet.

It's not just a high arcing shot, though. It is a high arcing shot with a ton of body movement and a really weird, late release. He was a mediocre freethrow shooter, as well (71.6% with Utah). He had nice touch but his shot would need to be completely reworked to project out to three, IMO.

[FrodoBaggins]

14 shots a year does not speak too strongly about his potential range, lol.

Boozer himself was always a lot worse than his stats because he was a mind-numbingly bad defender who refused to play help defense, but seemingly intentionally gave soft fouls to give the ball handler And-1s. Him and Okur both did that I assume to appease Sloan? But it was so rage inducing. I think Boozer and Okur together cost the Jazz 1.0 in point differential just from doing that.

Yeah, it's a shame because physically similar guys like Nene and Jason Collins had huge defensive impact per the more advanced numbers. I wonder if Cameron can use good defensive IQ, positioning, awareness, and decision-making to be a positive defender.

[FrodoBaggins]

Boozer had a pretty ugly jumper. It went in but it certainly didn't project out at all. He was also very physical and was a plus athlete - but the modern game doesn't really have guys like him.

Here's what Utah Boozer shot from 20-24 feet:

2004-05: 10/21
2005-06: 3/11
2006-07: 7/13
2007-08: 8/14
2008-09: 3/5
2009-10: 8/18

39/82 = 47.6% FG

Nikola Jokic and Dirk both have high-arcing shots. I see no reason to believe Carlos wouldn't have developed three-point shooting range given his small sample success from 20-24 feet.

It's not just a high arcing shot, though. It is a high arcing shot with a ton of body movement and a really weird, late release. He was a mediocre freethrow shooter, as well (71.6% with Utah). He had nice touch but his shot would need to be completely reworked to project out to three, IMO.

I guess we'll never know. Millsap was a comparable free-throw shooter and a worse mid-range shooter (particularly from deep) and he rounded out to a 35% 3PT guy once he began taking them. The league average shooting only marginally changes from those deep (20ft+) mid-range shots to the three-point ones.

[FrodoBaggins]

He was also very physical and was a plus athlete - but the modern game doesn't really have guys like him.

I see what you mean. The tweener big or PF/C types were somewhat phased out of the league. Guys like Faried and Khris Humphries. Not big enough to protect the paint and not mobile and/or skilled enough to play out on the perimeter. However, I think talent reigns supreme. If a guy is just simply that good at basketball, exceptions can be made. Sabonis for instance.

Unique lineup considerations can be made for great and talented players that display certain positional deficiencies. Jokic being the prime example. The great thing about the modern game is that players are more versatile, particularly big men. This makes for a wider array of viable lineups. And secondly, with no illegal defense restrictions, zone principles and help defense strategies like pre-switching/scram switching, and peel switching can be used to cover up defensive weaknesses and hide vulnerable players.

The Carlos/Cameron Boozer archetype best fits with a three-point shooting center that can protect the paint. Brook Lopez, Marc Gasol, and Myles Turner are ideal candidates. You could also make it work by playing them at center alongside a mobile shot-blocking help defender like Jaren Jackson Jr, Bam Adebayo, Anthony Davis, or Giannis Antetokoumpo.

[jman3134]

Not sure why people are calling Cam Boozer a throwback player. Because he doesn't project as much of a shot creator off the bounce at the next level? Some even saying he isn't a solid shooter - that is one of his strengths. The important considerations when projecting him are, can he match up defensively? He does play some good help D against elite prospects, but I will be interested to see how things go as everyone else in his class physically matures.

[babyjax13]

Not sure why people are calling Cam Boozer a throwback player. Because he doesn't project as much of a shot creator off the bounce at the next level? Some even saying he isn't a solid shooter - that is one of his strengths. The important considerations when projecting him are, can he match up defensively? He does play some good help D against elite prospects, but I will be interested to see how things go as everyone else in his class physically matures.

I think it is because there are very few players position locked at 4. I think Boozer may be big enough to play some 5, too, but he plays more like Blake Griffin, etc. than a "modern" 3/4 (e.g., Jerami Grant, Jayson Tatum, etc.).

[God Squad]

Read on Twitter

[FarBeyondDriven]

Not sure why people are calling Cam Boozer a throwback player. Because he doesn't project as much of a shot creator off the bounce at the next level? Some even saying he isn't a solid shooter - that is one of his strengths. The important considerations when projecting him are, can he match up defensively? He does play some good help D against elite prospects, but I will be interested to see how things go as everyone else in his class physically matures.

I think it is because there are very few players position locked at 4. I think Boozer may be big enough to play some 5, too, but he plays more like Blake Griffin, etc. than a "modern" 3/4 (e.g., Jerami Grant, Jayson Tatum, etc.).

he plays like the Detroit version of Blake who put up 25-8-5 and made NBA3 and the AS team. No longer the athlete he once was but he expanded his game offensively when given more responsibility. Cam doesn't have the explosive athleticism of younger Blake but he does play upright and move like Detroit Blake with similar BBIQ and probably a better defender tbh.

[babyjax13]

Not sure why people are calling Cam Boozer a throwback player. Because he doesn't project as much of a shot creator off the bounce at the next level? Some even saying he isn't a solid shooter - that is one of his strengths. The important considerations when projecting him are, can he match up defensively? He does play some good help D against elite prospects, but I will be interested to see how things go as everyone else in his class physically matures.

I think it is because there are very few players position locked at 4. I think Boozer may be big enough to play some 5, too, but he plays more like Blake Griffin, etc. than a "modern" 3/4 (e.g., Jerami Grant, Jayson Tatum, etc.).

he plays like the Detroit version of Blake who put up 25-8-5 and made NBA3 and the AS team. No longer the athlete he once was but he expanded his game offensively when given more responsibility. Cam doesn't have the explosive athleticism of younger Blake but he does play upright and move like Detroit Blake with similar BBIQ and probably a better defender tbh.

I think he's going to have better length and maybe be taller, too, so I wouldn't be surprised if he is more impactful than Blake in a high-end outcome. I'm not really expecting that, but I do expect a very good player - say, probably David West level or higher?

[kobyz]

He reminds me a little more fluid Alperen Sengun

[Duke4life831]

The Boozer’s are announcing their college decision tomorrow

[God Squad]

The Boozer’s are announcing their college decision tomorrow

Where do you think they'll play?

[Big J]

The Boozer’s are announcing their college decision tomorrow

Where do you think they'll play?

I predict Duke.

[God Squad]

The Boozer’s are announcing their college decision tomorrow

Where do you think they'll play?

I predict Duke.

247Sports just updated their page, and it says he's committed to Duke. That wasn't the case last I checked a couple of weeks ago.

https://247sports.com/player/cameron-boozer-46118506/