? from Bulls Fan

[pipfan]

The Bulls love Korver and Brewer. Of course, we wish they were one player, but they have both helped us. We love Boozer on offense, he is better than I thought-more versitile. My question is-has he always been SO bad on D? His effort is terrible (except for rebounding). He jogs in transition, he post D is so timid, his rotations are slow or missing and he can't guard a stretch 4.

How did Sloan live with is D? Does he just not care? I honestly don't think he has taken a charge all season, and I doubt he has blocked 10 shots. Is he better in the playoffs?

Our D is #1 in the league, without Noah, so it's not a huge deal-but I can't believe how bad he is for half the game.

[Sloanfeld]

I'm the biggest Boozer homer here and you're pretty much spot on. Sorry.

In the playoffs, well lets just say that it's a good thing you won't have to face Gasol until the last round if it works out that way.

[JDubJazz]

Offensively Boozer is a force, unless guarded by someone much longer than him, then he disappears. Lamar Odom OWNS him. His only defensive skills is rebounding, and he gets called for over-the-back a lot at that. He's a total matador on defense. He won't even try to stay in front of a guy. He just hopes his man misses so he can grab the board.

As for the playoffs, don't expect him to amp it up at all. He plays at pretty much one speed the whole time. There is no extra gear for Carlos, at least not one we ever saw in Utah.

[carrottop12]

He's a terrible rotational defender, and that hurts big time against teams that can spread the floor, or have multiple offensive threats on the floor at the same time.

Having Noah with as mobile as he is will be a huge plus no question, but like everyone else has said, anyone who is taller/longer than Boozer is creates an issue. There were so many nights when guys like JaVale McGee and Josh Boone would go off on the Jazz with their length, and thats unacceptable. Like JDub said, there isn't a worse match up for Boozer in the NBA than Lamar Odom. That guy burned Boozer so many times with literally series changing rebounds or and one's because of Boozer's slap the ball defense. Honestly over the series of his career here Boozer may have cost the Jazz a trip to the finals with his poor defense.

[Efernand]

Yes he has always been terrible, his help defense consists of yelling.

[carrottop12]

Also, the push in the back rebounding fouls he gets come playoff time are absolute killers. Since he is smaller than the other bigs on the floor, if he is behind them, he has no chance of stealing a rebounding with out a shove in the back. And when the officiating tightens up in the playoffs, it really hurts Boozers game.

[Neon Black]

He saves all of his energy for offense. Sadly his issue is not a lack of ability but of effort. He was a a better defendefender last year with his contract expiring and fans/media finally calling him out. Looks like he's back to his old ways, which won't hurt chicago as much as it did utah, since noah is out there compensating.

They say Al Jef is a horrible defender....after Boozer Jefferson is a breath of fresh air (just defensively). That should say enough.

[Neon Black]

He saves all of his energy for offense. Sadly his issue is not a lack of ability but of effort. He was a a better defendefender last year with his contract expiring and fans/media finally calling him out. Looks like he's back to his old ways, which won't hurt chicago as much as it did utah, since noah is out there compensating.

They say Al Jef is a horrible defender....after Boozer Jefferson is a breath of fresh air (just defensively). That should say enough.

[pipfan]

Thanks you all-I guess Noah and Deng will have to cover for him. What is bad for us is his effort. We have a solid 4 behind him in Taj Gibson, so he should just go all out, but it looks like this isn't the case.

[Ming Kong!]

Just be happy he didn't miss more time nor re-injure himself. He's also been beasting for the most part after the first few games.

[GP]

Its no secret, Boozer just doesn't put as much effort into his defense as offense. What made it really bad for the jazz was that he was paired with Okur, who also isn't a defensive force, which meant we had trouble in the paint. However, with a very good defensive player like Noah, I think you guys will be fine.

[MeestR]

just when i thought i was starting to miss boozer, a bulls fan comes in and reminds me why im glad he left.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Ya, we loved Brewer and Korver and often had the same wishful thinking of having them combined to be one player. They are a great combo to use though, great versatility between the two.

Booze has never been able to defend. Why do you think we let you guys sign him for that much money?

[leorn]

I'm the biggest Boozer homer here and you're pretty much spot on. Sorry.

Truth

[HammerDunk]

You guys should be fine with Noah anchoring your defense. Boozer will be really good for Chicago.

[erudite23]

I think HammerDunk hit it. With Noah on board (and a legit backup in Gibson that you can put in for him if the need comes) you can minimize the damage done by Carlos and his OLE!! routine. He is devastating enough on O and the boards to make up for it. And contrary to the belief on this board, he's a pretty good on-ball defender. He can't guard a face up 4 to save his life, of course. But against big guys who rely on their post games he's quite good. He anchors well, doesn't get backed down, and contests hooks, turn-arounds and fadeaways pretty well. He doesn't move his feet, so you can get around him, but aside from that he's good on the ball. Its just his help D that is bottom-of-the-league bad, really.

When he was here, getting Noah to complement him was my dream scenario. Now that that is the case, I think its a championship caliber combo. All you really need is (same as the Jazz did) that 2 guard to complement what you have there. I love how the Bulls are constructed. If they got a Kevin Martin or Rip Hamilton type to top it off, I think they could actually make a run *this* year.

[king everything]

King Everything- hating on Boozer since 2004.