Will Boozer ever get back the step he lost?

[blackham9258]

I am sure you all have noticed, but since Carlos got back last season from his knee injury, he has not been the same athletically. The play that I can tell the most that he has lost his leaping ability, is when he gets the pass on the pick and roll or on the break and he is flying to the hoop with his left hand. He used to jam it home with authority, even when starting his leap from outside the painted area, it was impressive. Now he just floats the ball up.

I have a feeling that is part of the reason why Detroit took a pass this summer. When a player looses his hop, he loses a lot. Unless he starts to get it back, I don't see him as a player getting over 10-11M a year. Certainly not a max contract. I also think Miami is going to opt for Chris (I am playing my but off for a contract) Bosh over Boozer, but I can still see San Antonio making a run. It just really makes sense for them. I just wish we would trade for Manu now. I think both teams would do it, and both would benefit. I also think Boozer would go to San Antonio or any Texas team in the off-season because of tax reasons. If he is going to get less than he wants he will want to be in a tax beneficial state.

What do you all think? Have you noticed his lack of dunking.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Ya I have noticed and I don't know if its a loss of athleticism or if it is a mental issue caused by being injured so much. He seemed to have a little more bounce in the SA game but its really hard to say if he will ever get back to the poster producing power lefty dunker we all loved. It's just like D-Will and his ankle injury, it's really hard to determine if either will ever get back to the athletic level they use to be.

[erudite23]

Are you joking? Tell me you're joking.

I don't know or care about his supposed loss of a step, but I do know that his production has been unaffected, which is what we really care about. The play against SA last night where he rolled hard to the rim and leaped for the hoop and was able to finish through contact over a hard-charging Antonio McDyess told me all I need to know about his hops and his game. The dude is back to full strength and playing as good as ever, despite reduced touches and a lessened role in the offense and the team at large.

I have never seen a fanbase turn on a player of his caliber purely for off-the-court stuff. Usually, as long as a player brings it on the court all manner of ills are overlooked. Boozer has brought it every time he's stepped out there with the exception of last season, when he was trying to get back from a serious injury. Even then, his effort and commitment was there, but his body wouldn't cooperate.

Right now, Boozer is playing like a top 15-20 player in the league. Trading him for an over-the-hill and injury prone player like Manu Ginobili would be foolish. I love Manu, but he is six years older than Boozer and he looks like his time of being a real impact player is over and done with.

What we to do is see if Kevin Martin is available from Sacto. The dude has struggled with his own case of injuries, but since Evans has moved to the 2 he's been miles better. If we could send some combo of Boozer and maybe Maynor, Korver or CJ for K-Mart and filler that would be the best possible situation, and it would provide solid value for Sacto. As well.

[StocktonShorts]

What we to do is see if Kevin Martin is available from Sacto.

I like the idea, but he has a fairly hefty salary (10,11,12,13M). What's the plan for the future if you do this deal?

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Terrible idea....K-Mart for Boozer and either CJ or Maynor? So....our 20-10 all star PF and one of our 2 extremely promising young players? Both playing at positions that we need improvement? You said it yourself that K-Mart is plagued with injuries...I rather take my chances with Booze and our young prospects

[blackham9258]

Boozer has lost a step, and it has affected his game. I agree that he is playing well, but that doesn't mean he hasn't lost a step. As far as turning on Boozer, I haven't. I have said from the begginning that if we had to choose between Boozer/Memo, I'd take Boozer, and the same with Millsap.

It is unfortunate that he has had a falling out with the team, and his teamates and we are where we are.

I still would trade Memo for a good SG and go with a more defensive minded center.

[WadeKnicks2010]

Who cares. You'll have John Wall next year anyway. D-Will/J-Wall backcourt will rip every opponent into pieces and Boozer will casually walk over the remains so he wont need that step back.

[Ming Kong!]

Every time he's healthy we ask ourselves, is this guy toying with our franchise? I mean lets say he becomes a free agent this offseason, and no team is willing to give him the max, and we can get him for around $12 a year, do you do it? Does anybody have faith in him? First I look at getting better through the draft, but if we can retain Boozer for a good price, with the expiring contracts in the next two years, and Millsap's salary dropping from 10+M to 6M a year, we'll have some money to sign players.

[idajazz]

I had a great reply all typed out and poof a power flicker and it was gone

In a nut shell. I agree with erudite, Booz hasn't lost anything.
My problem with him is his history of injuries, and the time that it takes him to heal.
I believe there are 3 possibilities.

1. he is a wuss
2. he nurses injuries
3. he heals abnormally slow.

My guess is that it is a combination of 1 and 2.
He is a wuss who is afraid to play through the slightest bit of pain, and waits until he is 110% healed before he inserts anew tampon and plays.

I grew to love the Jazz because of the toughness and grit of John and Karl, anything less for me is not acceptable.
If they want me to spend my hard earned $$ on them that is what I demand in return.

[erudite23]

What we to do is see if Kevin Martin is available from Sacto.

I like the idea, but he has a fairly hefty salary (10,11,12,13M). What's the plan for the future if you do this deal?

Basically we would need to get a few expiring deals in return and clear off either Korver or CJ's contract. That alleviates some of the pressure from, essentially, re-upping the money that is going to Carlos for another 4 years.

Now you're left at about 70m in payroll for next season, pending the draft pick and whatever you do with Ronnie Brewer. That's if you send Korver to them in return for K-Mart and expirings. If you instead go with CJ you are sitting just a tad over 66m. That leaves you wiggle room to re-sign Brewer (or get something for him in a sign and trade) and sign the Knick pick. Realistically you're looking at a payroll of 72-78m depending on which peice you send and how much Brewer + pick cost. 72 is a manageable payroll, and while it might be over the tax it isn't TOO far over and it leaves us close enough that a small deal could get us under if we felt compelled to do so.

Not just that, but salary relief would be on the way with AK's deal expiring at the end of the year and no one of much significance in line for a pay raise. So it would be very manageable for the Jazz to acquire him, given the fact that Harp and Korver are both expiring this off season, with AK expiring the next year. K-Mart is good enough to be a foundation peice. Pair him with D-Will and a strong inside presence who can defend, score and rebound and you have a championship foundation.

This deal, along with drafting a Aldrich, Davis or Favors type prospect would position us to be a perennial contender.