Cameron Boozer

[ReggiesKnicks]

No he's really not. KLove ran a 3.22 sprint at the combine and had a 35" vertical. Boozer won't sniff that.

People underestimated Love's athleticism because of his dad bod.

We'll wait and see regarding Boozer's combine results, but I was referring to functional athleticism, and my estimation is based on the eye test for now. Boozer is not explosive, but he's more athletic than he's being credited for.

As was Kevin Love.

[Duke4life831]

I think Boozer is a very poor athlete by NBA standards. He looks like he is running in mud compared to most college players. He doesnt have a quick first step, he is a high and stiff athlete, so he doesnt have much lateral agility to him and he is a below the rim guy.

This has always been my big question mark with Cam. You need to pair him with a mobile rim protector (lets say like a Mobley). And for it to be worth it, he needs to be an offensive hub on the other end. If he isnt your true elite offensive hub, is he a starting level player? I dont think he is because I think his defensive issues will be that big of a problem.

This is why I use Bobby Portis as his comp. Not identical play styles, but role in the NBA. Portis is 6'9, just doesnt have the size or explosiveness to play the small ball 5 role. He's a good offensive player, but not good enough to be a starter and overlook his defensive issues. I think there is a good chance Cam becomes a better version of Bobby Portis.

When it comes to Cam, I feel like he needs to become a true stud offensive player or he is a offensive spark off the bench. I dont see much wiggle room in between. Like I have a hard time seeing Cam just being a good solid starter, he needs to become that outliner on the offensive end to be a starter.

He is defense is Bagley/Jabari level of bad at the college level. And he is nowhere near the athlete either one of those guys were/are.

[ReggiesKnicks]

I think Boozer is a very poor athlete by NBA standards. He looks like he is running in mud compared to most college players. He doesnt have a quick first step, he is a high and stiff athlete, so he doesnt have much lateral agility to him and he is a below the rim guy.

This has always been my big question mark with Cam. You need to pair him with a mobile rim protector (lets say like a Mobley). And for it to be worth it, he needs to be an offensive hub on the other end. If he isnt your true elite offensive hub, is he a starting level player? I dont think he is because I think his defensive issues will be that big of a problem.

This is why I use Bobby Portis as his comp. Not identical play styles, but role in the NBA. Portis is 6'9, just doesnt have the size or explosiveness to play the small ball 5 role. He's a good offensive player, but not good enough to be a starter and overlook his defensive issues. I think there is a good chance Cam becomes a better version of Bobby Portis.

When it comes to Cam, I feel like he needs to become a true stud offensive player or he is a offensive spark off the bench. I dont see much wiggle room in between. Like I have a hard time seeing Cam just being a good solid starter, he needs to become that outliner on the offensive end to be a starter.

He is defense is Bagley/Jabari level of bad at the college level. And he is nowhere near the athlete either one of those guys were/are.

I know you watch a lot more Duke Athletics than I do, but I don't think you are being fair to Cam defensively.

Cam: 3.2 STL% / 2.5 BLK%
Bagley: 1.4 STL% / 2.6 BLK%
Jabari: 2.1 STL% / 4.0 BLK%

The Jabari-led Duke team was terrible defensively, 138th in the Nation, and that led to them losing to a #14 seed in the Tournament. To be fair to that roster, it didn't have a true center, which also contributed to the defensive performance; however, Jabari was a significant part of it.

Current Duke is ranked 22nd defensively, and Boozer is the biggest reason for that.

[Duke4life831]

I think Boozer is a very poor athlete by NBA standards. He looks like he is running in mud compared to most college players. He doesnt have a quick first step, he is a high and stiff athlete, so he doesnt have much lateral agility to him and he is a below the rim guy.

This has always been my big question mark with Cam. You need to pair him with a mobile rim protector (lets say like a Mobley). And for it to be worth it, he needs to be an offensive hub on the other end. If he isnt your true elite offensive hub, is he a starting level player? I dont think he is because I think his defensive issues will be that big of a problem.

This is why I use Bobby Portis as his comp. Not identical play styles, but role in the NBA. Portis is 6'9, just doesnt have the size or explosiveness to play the small ball 5 role. He's a good offensive player, but not good enough to be a starter and overlook his defensive issues. I think there is a good chance Cam becomes a better version of Bobby Portis.

When it comes to Cam, I feel like he needs to become a true stud offensive player or he is a offensive spark off the bench. I dont see much wiggle room in between. Like I have a hard time seeing Cam just being a good solid starter, he needs to become that outliner on the offensive end to be a starter.

He is defense is Bagley/Jabari level of bad at the college level. And he is nowhere near the athlete either one of those guys were/are.

I know you watch a lot more Duke Athletics than I do, but I don't think you are being fair to Cam defensively.

Cam: 3.2 STL% / 2.5 BLK%
Bagley: 1.4 STL% / 2.6 BLK%
Jabari: 2.1 STL% / 4.0 BLK%

The Jabari-led Duke team was terrible defensively, 138th in the Nation, and that led to them losing to a #14 seed in the Tournament. To be fair to that roster, it didn't have a true center, which also contributed to the defensive performance; however, Jabari was a significant part of it.

Current Duke is ranked 22nd defensively, and Boozer is the biggest reason for that.

There is a few things to that. Like you said, Jabari's roster didnt have a C and it was just horrible defensively all throughout the lineup. Thornton and Jefferson were the only positive defenders in that rotation, and its not like they were stud elite defenders. Also the other thing, Scheyer is just a significantly better defensive coach than late era K.

The other thing with those Cam stats, I know Duke has had a tough out of conference schedule, but a big chunk of his stats have come against bad teams. I think we will see those numbers drop as the majority of his games are against power conference teams. For instance, he has yet to record a block in the 4 ACC games.

And again I want to clarify this. Im specifically talking Cam at the NBA level. I think he's a lousy defender at the college level, but he is just so damn good everywhere else I dont really care (as a Duke fan). But at the NBA level, I dont see how he ever becomes anything more than a bad defender. He doesnt have the foot speed to defend out in space and he doesnt have the size to be able to play him as a small ball 5.

[Caneman786]

Cameron Boozer's sensational Saturday quiets the Stanford Cardinals with a Duke blowout 80-50.

33 MINS
30 PTS
14 TRB (7 ORB!)
3 AST
3 STL
1 BLK
10/14 2FG
2/3 3FG
4/8 FT
0 TOV
0 PF
+26

Duke is now 17-1 on the season (6-0 in conference play, #1 out of 18 teams in the ACC)
Their KenPom rating is +32.50, the 3rd-highest in the country!
In the most recent AP polll, they were ranked 6th, but they are likely to move up based on how they have performed this week.

[DirtyDez]

Boris Diaw with more scoring mentality? And before you laugh look at 06’ Diaw numbers.

[EmpireFalls]

He's easily the best prospect in this class.

[King Ken]

My opinion of him is the same as before. The best player in this draft. Offensively, the closest to Jokic. Defensively, he leaves a lot to be desired from a physical but mentally, he's special there as well.

He doesn't have the upside of Jokic but he has a higher floor than Jokic did. Easily the best player in this class and anyone who gets him, consider your organization, lucky.

[King Ken]

I think Boozer is a very poor athlete by NBA standards. He looks like he is running in mud compared to most college players. He doesnt have a quick first step, he is a high and stiff athlete, so he doesnt have much lateral agility to him and he is a below the rim guy.

This has always been my big question mark with Cam. You need to pair him with a mobile rim protector (lets say like a Mobley). And for it to be worth it, he needs to be an offensive hub on the other end. If he isnt your true elite offensive hub, is he a starting level player? I dont think he is because I think his defensive issues will be that big of a problem.

This is why I use Bobby Portis as his comp. Not identical play styles, but role in the NBA. Portis is 6'9, just doesnt have the size or explosiveness to play the small ball 5 role. He's a good offensive player, but not good enough to be a starter and overlook his defensive issues. I think there is a good chance Cam becomes a better version of Bobby Portis.

When it comes to Cam, I feel like he needs to become a true stud offensive player or he is a offensive spark off the bench. I dont see much wiggle room in between. Like I have a hard time seeing Cam just being a good solid starter, he needs to become that outliner on the offensive end to be a starter.

He is defense is Bagley/Jabari level of bad at the college level. And he is nowhere near the athlete either one of those guys were/are.

I know you watch a lot more Duke Athletics than I do, but I don't think you are being fair to Cam defensively.

Cam: 3.2 STL% / 2.5 BLK%
Bagley: 1.4 STL% / 2.6 BLK%
Jabari: 2.1 STL% / 4.0 BLK%

The Jabari-led Duke team was terrible defensively, 138th in the Nation, and that led to them losing to a #14 seed in the Tournament. To be fair to that roster, it didn't have a true center, which also contributed to the defensive performance; however, Jabari was a significant part of it.

Current Duke is ranked 22nd defensively, and Boozer is the biggest reason for that.

There is a few things to that. Like you said, Jabari's roster didnt have a C and it was just horrible defensively all throughout the lineup. Thornton and Jefferson were the only positive defenders in that rotation, and its not like they were stud elite defenders. Also the other thing, Scheyer is just a significantly better defensive coach than late era K.

The other thing with those Cam stats, I know Duke has had a tough out of conference schedule, but a big chunk of his stats have come against bad teams. I think we will see those numbers drop as the majority of his games are against power conference teams. For instance, he has yet to record a block in the 4 ACC games.

And again I want to clarify this. Im specifically talking Cam at the NBA level. I think he's a lousy defender at the college level, but he is just so damn good everywhere else I dont really care (as a Duke fan). But at the NBA level, I dont see how he ever becomes anything more than a bad defender. He doesnt have the foot speed to defend out in space and he doesnt have the size to be able to play him as a small ball 5.

I think he will be a decent defender in the NBA. Especially data wise.

[CptCrunch]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

[King Ken]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Eye test is why Luka ended up 3rd overall.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Eye test is why Luka ended up 3rd overall.

It is a common fallacy that many scouts fall prey to.

Kon Knueppel is a recent example.

Basically, people looked at Kon and at players with similar physical traits, such as Doug McDermott and Corey Kispert. They put this artificial cap on Kon's entire skill set based on inaccurate priors.

I thought Kon could be Mitch Richmond or Joe Ingles, and his career is more likely to fall somewhere between those two than to be Doug McDermott or Corey Kispert.

People are forgetting that Boozer is 10x as skilled and has 10x the feel for basketball as Domantas Sabonis did. Domantas Sabonis' archetype, with more skill, shooting, and a better feel, is approaching Jokic's.

I am still hesitant to move Boozer to Peterson/Dybansta level, but at some point, the metrics become a better barometer for predicting goodness in the NBA, and eventually that needs to be addressed.

There has never been a player to completely dismantle college basketball as a freshman and fall flat in the NBA.

[greenOakX]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

[King Ken]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Peterson is film wise, not human for a freshman. Best SG prospect ever. Then again, I am watching AJ and seeing so much I want from a jumbo SG.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Peterson is film wise, not human for a freshman. Best SG prospect ever. Then again, I am watching AJ and seeing so much I want from a jumbo SG.

Yeah I'm waiting for it to be leaked that Peterson is 24 years old.

[tontoz]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Remember that Peterson didn't play in a lot of the early season games against cupcakes that Boozer feasted on.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Boozer's BPM has ridiculously risen to 18.1. He is 1 great games from breaking Zion's BPM at least temporarily.

At some point, we are going to have to forget everything about Dybantsa and Peterson as level of historic BPM indicates way too much skill + feel in combination. All your eye test and skill tests don't matter. The stat is way too overwhelming at some point.

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Remember that Peterson didn't play in a lot of the early season games against cupcakes that Boozer feasted on.

Hmm...Boozer's statistical profile has increased in conference play.

[tontoz]

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Remember that Peterson didn't play in a lot of the early season games against cupcakes that Boozer feasted on.

Hmm...Boozer's statistical profile has increased in conference play.

No it hasn't. His BPM was well over 20 before conference play started.

He's had several statpadding games in blowouts, including his last game. Did Duke really need 30/14 from him in a 30 point victory? Not really.

[King Ken]

Agree with the statement in general, but seeing as Peterson has a nearly as ridiculous 16 BPM, I'm not going to forget about him.

Peterson is film wise, not human for a freshman. Best SG prospect ever. Then again, I am watching AJ and seeing so much I want from a jumbo SG.

Yeah I'm waiting for it to be leaked that Peterson is 24 years old.

Yeah, he's so mature. It's like watching Luka at Real. I kept waiting for it to leak he was 25

[Xanadu]

This guy is going to get that same treatment luka got and drop. Hindsight will be how did teams look at his impact and really question his abilities. There is a something that seems to always get undervalued in terms of prospect and that's a natural understanding of basketball. As intuitive ability to understand the game as naturally as breathing comes to the rest of us. If a guy has it its the same value as being a freak athlete. It creates a baseline of impact that will be present no matter the players other gifts. I feel like Boozers is basically Draymond Green with 2x the offensive abilities. Draymond is far from a elite athlete but his strength and bbiq make that moot. Take Draymond and give boost to everything he does well on offense then add Julius Randle post game how good is that player. People always underestimate these types of players abilities to improve because you can't learn how to run faster or jump higher. But guys like this just continue refining already elite skills in unpredictable ways. Also see him being super impactful floor coach type of player who become rarer ever year.