Solving the Noah-Boozer Chemistry problem: Move Boozer to C

tshafeez · Post #1 » by **tshafeez** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:28 am

Put your automatic criticism away for a minute.

Boozer has significantly better PER's against centers, offensively and defensively.

In 2011:
Boozer PER @ PF 16.7
Boozer PER @ C 22.0
Boozer opponent PER @ PF 17.6
Boozer opponent PER @ C 14.2
Net Boozer production @ PF = (-0.9)
Net Boozer production @ C = 7.8

Immediate reaction is that Boozer only plays against smaller centers that are a better match up, right?

Well, he was on the floor 21% of the time at PF and 26% at C (he was off the court 53% of the time).

What gives? Boozer is a very average PF, but an above average C.

Concerned he'll get beasted on defense? He is slower than Noah which makes him more suitable to bang with the centers. While this may be a painful thing to watch in first quarters, over the course of the game, it would not be a big deal since the bulls have Asik and Noah and Gibson to wear out any centers over the course of the game. In addition, centers generally do not do win games in the fourth quarter.

Benefits of Noah on a PF? Obviously he is fast enough to keep up with most PF's. He also has bulk enough to be stronger than most PF's. He can play better D against players who are not banging in the paint as everyone knows he is not a great 1-on-1 defender in the paint against the C's of the league.

Noah has so few minutes at PF that we cannot really tell how he would play, but my guess is that the freedom to roam works with his strengths. Similarly, putting Boozer in the middle to clog the lane will minimize his weakness of mobility, and will typically put him against slower players.

Conclusion? Everyone can see that sticking Noah in the middle with Boozer working around him isn't working that great. Reversing the roles, while non-intuitive, allows each to better play to their strengths. Boozer has statistical data to back this up, but Noah does not.

Flame on!

CalilLove89 · Post #2 » by **CalilLove89** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:41 am

Boozer does have like 5 blocks this year... on a serious note Jo needs to make his taps and layups if he does that we don't have a problem

Hotstove907 · Post #3 » by **Hotstove907** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:44 am

See the per's but honestly I don't see the difference when it matters most.

Jvaughn · Post #4 » by **Jvaughn** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 2:44 am

The problem right now is Noah. He's just not performing or making any of his easy shots. It has nothing to do with position.

Besides, we can't decide who the other team is going to put on Boozer. They're always going to put their better defender on him, and we're going to put our better defender (Noah) on their best player.

RichardsRival3 · Post #5 » by **RichardsRival3** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:19 am

I think the we should start Boozer + Asik.

Only to send Noah a serious message. That guy needs a wake up call and is coddled by the Chicago media and fans.

Post #6 » by **alucryts** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:22 am

The only difference this makes is on the defensive end. This won't affect anything offensively.

bullsnewdynasty · Post #7 » by **bullsnewdynasty** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:23 am

Moving Gibson to the starting lineup too is the only way this makes sense. Play Noah at the 4 off the bench with Asik.

Air Poohdini · Post #8 » by **Air Poohdini** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:28 am

Boozers too short, and can't really jump.

tshafeez · Post #9 » by **tshafeez** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:29 am

alucryts wrote:The only difference this makes is on the defensive end. This won't affect anything offensively.

Changing the role each plays in the offense won't matter? I'm sure offensive plays don't designate the of and c interchangeably

nomorezorro · Post #10 » by **nomorezorro** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:30 am

the stats are probably the way they are because the only time boozer was played at center was a time when such a matchup was advantageous for the bulls

Post #11 » by **Rerisen** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:39 am

We already did this vs Miami a lot of the time. I think it's already in Thibs toolbox pending matchups.

Problem was, in that case they just ran a lot of screens to switch Boozer back on Bosh, and then went 1v1 at him.

Post #12 » by **alucryts** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:40 am

tshafeez wrote:
alucryts wrote:The only difference this makes is on the defensive end. This won't affect anything offensively.

Changing the role each plays in the offense won't matter? I'm sure offensive plays don't designate the of and c interchangeably

I don't see where in our offensive sets there is a difference. Both Noah and Boozer already set high screens. Both of them roll out to an open shot. The one not screening typically just stays out of the way. There would be absolutely no difference offensively, and I can guarantee that after watching hours of video on Synergy.

Irregular · Post #13 » by **Irregular** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 3:55 am

awful ideal

Boozer too small already as a PF.

arjay702 · Post #14 » by **arjay702** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:34 am

Boozer has difficulty defending other PFs, how is he going to jump over Cs for rebounds?

singal3 · Post #15 » by **singal3** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:42 am

arjay702 wrote:Boozer has difficulty defending other PFs, how is he going to jump over Cs for rebounds?

Rebounding is actually one of his strong points, he does go after the ball hard.

michaelc204 · Post #16 » by **michaelc204** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:45 am

Playing center isnt just about guarding the league's offensively challenged centers, its about being the last line of defense. Having Boozer in the middle wouldn't intimidate a butterfly.

ManualRam · Post #17 » by **ManualRam** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:46 am

Jvaughn wrote:
Besides, we can't decide who the other team is going to put on Boozer. They're always going to put their better defender on him, and we're going to put our better defender (Noah) on their best player.

exactly. cross matches happen all the time.

m_willis01 · Post #18 » by **m_willis01** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:51 am

Irregular wrote:awful ideal .Boozer too small already as a PF.

Boozer IS & ALWAYS HAS BEEN an Undersized Center. This is the best Idea going forward.

Fact is, Boozer has NO CHANCE w/ his Slow feet to guard PF's like Josh Smith, Bosh, Amare, Hansborough, and even KG. Boozer was a CENTER at Duke & was essentially one at Utah with Okur playing Stretch-4

Noah is a PF and he is playing out of position. His best days as a Bull was when Brad MIller Played C.

People have put so much pressure on Noah to be a Center, that he bulked up TOO much and is so heavy now, that he can't do what he does best.. which was be a SPAZZ on the court due to his athleticism and energy.

DanTown8587 · Post #19 » by **DanTown8587** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 5:59 am

Can't control who other teams put on Boozer. The way the offense is run, Chicago sets creens with both bigs (whoever it is) and go to guys in the post. Defensively, Boozer guards centers if they're not the biggest guy. Example would be he spent a ton of time on deandre Jordan and Joel Anthony.

EDIT The Bulls would likely throw Boozer on the C in any matchup with New York, Miami, Boston.

kodo · Post #20 » by **kodo** » Mon Jan 9, 2012 6:17 am

I can't see this making any difference.

Whom Boozer guards depends on the matchup. Vs Miami Boozer regularly guarded their C Joel Anthony. Boozer also spent time on Dwight Howard. Listing Boozer at C instead of PF isn't going to change Thib's mind about who guards whom.

On offense, we run a lot of floppy plays with two post players, so again it doesn't matter if you list Boozer as C or PF.

Does Boozer at C make the Bulls better?