7 Reasons the Jazz Need to Keep Boozer
by clarkpojo
on Aug 6, 2008 10:22 PM MDT
Thanks to Basketball John for the idea on the topic.
1. He’s a top 5 power forward. You can have either Duncan or Garnett as a power forward, but not both. Throw Bosh and Gasol in there and he may even be top 4. David West and Brand are close, but Boozer is either better or as good as those two. You don’t typically trade top 5 guys unless you’re Memphis or Minnesota and thank goodness we aren’t them.
2. We need to keep the Jazz competitive and DWill happy. What happens to Boozer this offseason seems to be on Deron's mind. They are buddies and they make a really good tandem. If the Jazz shun Boozer, you never know if that might turn Deron off too.
3. 32 points, 18 rebounds, 60% shooting. Those are the numbers Carlos put up in the Delta Center the last year he played for Cleveland, leading the Cavs to their first win in SLC in 14 years. I don’t know about you, but I don’t want him putting up those numbers against us again, or against any other team for that matter, if he isn’t a Jazzman.
4. Paul Millsap averages a foul every 6 minutes. Millsap is an absolute beast and I can’t mention how much I love his tenacity and hustle. But he fouls at one of the quickest rates in the game and if he was forced to play significantly more minutes, it would be a huge problem. In comparison, Boozer committed a foul every 10 minutes last year.
5. There would be a decrease in funny fan signs at the games. “I’m a Mormon, but I love my Booze” is nothing short of a riot. Where would we get our laughs from when going to the arena if Boozer got traded? I mean, it’s good for at least five belly laughs from Bolerjack a season. There is the Bear’s "make fun of the refs" schtick.
6. He’s only 26 years old. He doesn’t put up as many points as Karl Malone did at 26, but he rebounds as well and shoots as well from the field as the mailman. And even though defense is his apparent weakness, he gets as many steals and blocks as Malone did at the same age. Remember, even though Malone was a good defender, he didn’t make the 1st-team defensive list until his 13th year. And he was only 2nd team once before that. Boozer has some time to learn.
7. Boozer might only be the scapegoat the fans need. The same fans that want to see Boozer shipped out, probably wanted Kirilenko gone after last season’s overly emotional playoffs and pout session. And whether you would like to admit it, Andrei had a great season. Fans always need a reason the season didn’t result in a trophy and Boozer is the popular reason now. If he has a stellar season, we will forget that we ever called for his head just like we forget that we wanted AK’s last season.
Next: 7 Reasons the Jazz Need to Trade Boozer
All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.
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dude
you are tearing it up with these things. I see that SLC Dunk is filling the hole that used to be occupied by our epic Scrabulous matches. Anyway, I agree with every last word you’ve written in this series. Rock on.
I'll make it.
by Shums on Aug 6, 2008 10:44 PM MDT 0 recs
Thanks Man
First of all, I am still sad about scrabulous. Wordscraper isn’t fun. I am glad you are enjoying the articles. We will see if you still agree tomorrow when I write why we should trade Boozer. I am in town starting Friday. We should get together. Catch you later.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 6, 2008 10:50 PM MDT
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I was just stopping by the site and had a question?
Why is everything on here the top 7 reasons for whatever? Is the number 7 mean something in UT? I would also like to hear anyone’s take on this kid Morris Almond? He seems so good why is he not getting minutes with Sloan?
Thanks!!
by TravisBickle on Aug 6, 2008 11:55 PM MDT 0 recs
It's a Jazz thing. You wouldn't understand :).
Sounds like you have a couple new top 7 list ideas.
by basketballjohn on
Aug 7, 2008 8:38 AM MDT
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Why 7?
Pistol Pete perhaps? 7 game series? Good luck number? Elway?
My team is on the floor.
-Norman Dale
by MTN on
Aug 7, 2008 11:14 AM MDT
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I was just messing with him
I don’t know why 7. It’s a good round number though, right?
by basketballjohn on
Aug 7, 2008 11:15 AM MDT
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I would've preferred he use
pi instead of 7. Just for fun. :)
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 7, 2008 1:42 PM MDT
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Almond
The word on the street is that his perimeter defense, especially his lateral movement, is shockingly awful
by GlassPipeMurder on
Aug 7, 2008 12:05 PM MDT
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clarkpojo, i am super impressed with the way you keep churning these out....
i know i am going to love the next one…
by moni on Aug 7, 2008 1:16 AM MDT 0 recs
Thanks clarkpojo
These have been great. Can’t wait to see the one coming next.
by basketballjohn on Aug 7, 2008 9:21 AM MDT 0 recs
Thanks
I think that we are pretty spoiled because we have one of the top 5 PFs and THE top PG in the game. We need to be reminded of that more often. Keep up the good work with these posts, cause heaven knows I can’t write this well!
Also, do you have like a job or something or is this all you do during the day?
by DaniellelovesKK on Aug 7, 2008 10:13 AM MDT 0 recs
I am in graduate school
But I like to write and this is a great forum for doing what I secretly love, writing about and analyzing sports. I mostly write them during my leadership class, which is super boring. But don’t worry, I will stick with my studies as well.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 7, 2008 10:45 AM MDT
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AK
I agree that AK had a great season. That’s nice someone else thought so too.
by teancum on Aug 7, 2008 10:35 AM MDT 0 recs
I read the title of this post and that was enough for me...
Cuz there aren’t 7 reasons to keep Booz. Booz sucks. They should trade him for a large pizza. I’m hungry.
by Ute Awe Man on Aug 7, 2008 11:16 AM MDT 0 recs
I'm Hurt.
You didn’t even hear me out? I thought I came up with some pretty good reasons for keeping him around. You have to at least imagine what the team would be like without him. But stick around, cuz you might really like the one on why to trade Boozer.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 7, 2008 11:42 AM MDT
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1 reason to trade
Too short. Even though he came out of nowhere against Yao Ming playoffs before last, we haven’t seen him play with that kind of “I don’t care how long you are” confidence since. Other players can make up for his scoring if he leaves (AK, CJ, Okur, Mo Almond could all fill up the bucket), but none of those guys can guard their man AND Boozer’s man, and that’s where we’re aching right now. Besides, if he’s a top 5 guy, then we ought to get good return on the trade.
We may never see a better left hand from a right-handed player. But he can wave goodbye with either hand as far as I’m concerned.
My team is on the floor.
-Norman Dale
by MTN on Aug 7, 2008 11:21 AM MDT 0 recs
Carlos' foul rate
is good. But you have to wonder if he slacks on D to avoid the fouls…
Good or bad?
If you’re using fan signs as a reason to keep him around, something is wrong…
:)
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on Aug 7, 2008 1:44 PM MDT 0 recs
dang.
It is so hard to convey sarcasm in writing. I tried to lay it on so thick.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 7, 2008 2:49 PM MDT
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We should have a tag for that
Lik italics, bold, or strikethrough. Maybe all three?
by basketballjohn on
Aug 7, 2008 2:53 PM MDT
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nice idea.
I wonder if it will stick.
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 7, 2008 2:58 PM MDT
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All 3
to signify sarcasm?
I could live with that.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 7, 2008 3:18 PM MDT
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How about this
It’s kind of a pain to do because you have to highlight the text each time. If the text stayed highlighted and you could just click on all three, it’s not too bad. But I wouldn’t imagine it would be used enough to be a hinderance.
by basketballjohn on
Aug 7, 2008 4:22 PM MDT
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if you use * to start and end, it'll bold it
*like this * (without the space)
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 7, 2008 5:06 PM MDT
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Maybe just stars would work.
That’s a bit easier. Of course there’s always the standard
/sarcasm
by basketballjohn on
Aug 7, 2008 11:13 PM MDT
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Yeah, but that's harder to use
if only a portion of the post is in sarcastic tongue.
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 7, 2008 11:18 PM MDT
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Keep him!!!
Great post! Don’t worry about Ute Awe Man.. He didn’t start following the Jazz until the playoffs this last year. That’s why he hates Booze so much. Because anyone who saw last season or the year before that, would know of Boozer’s value. I’m not against trading him; I’m just against trading him for the sake of trading him. And you’re right on with Millsap.. A lot of Jazz fans would like to see him take Boozer’s minutes. But even if you gave him that opportunity, he wouldn’t match Booze’s minutes because he would foul out. I love his aggressiveness, but it’s that same aggressiveness that gets him into foul trouble. He’s perfect for coming off the bench.
And I’m sure Booze slacks off a bit on D to avoid fouls. He needs to learn how be aggressive without getting slapped with fouls. But like you said, he’s only 26… He’s not even in his prime yet. Give him a chance!
Whitewater In The Morning
by neff on Aug 7, 2008 2:01 PM MDT 0 recs
While I won't argue that his no show in the playoffs really sucked...
My reason for trading him has nothing to do with that… it has to do with him being a snake. I figure he’s going to be gone so you might as well get something for him now. I don’t trust a word Booze says. Boozer should’ve been two-face in The Dark Knight.
by Ute Awe Man on
Aug 7, 2008 4:46 PM MDT
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well then...
who should we trade him for? seriously…
Whitewater In The Morning
by neff on
Aug 7, 2008 6:22 PM MDT
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While I won't agrue his pathetic no show in the playoffs sucked...
My reason for trading him has nothing to do with that… it has to do with him being a snake. I figure he’s going to be gone so you might as well get something for him now. I don’t trust a word Booze says. Boozer should’ve been two-face in The Dark Knight.
by Ute Awe Man on
Aug 7, 2008 4:46 PM MDT
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My Two Cents...
Of the 7, #6 is the only really valid one. What Boozer needs to learn is NOT how to play the game but to play it with the type of ice water in the veins that your team’s go-to guy needs to have. DWill, as great as he is, will NEVER be the go-to guy on this team as long as Jerry Sloan is the coach. It’s going to be Boozer, therefore, this team WILL NOT, that’s WILL NOT, win a championship until either a) Sloan is replaced or b) Boozer’s replaced. Like Gasol, he’s a fine complimentary player who can have HUGE games on occasion but he’s not a go-to guy. Yet Sloan wants to rely on him as such. It just doesn’t work. He’s certainly got time on his side, but usually, it’s either in you or it’s not. As of right now, it’s not.
by LoPost on Aug 8, 2008 12:08 AM MDT 0 recs
Deron is the go-to guy
I don’t think in any of the close games that the Jazz had last year, they went to Booze in the final minutes. Deron always has the ball and almost always takes the last shot. Maybe that’s because I have Deron blinders on.
Sloan trusts Deron wholeheartedly. He hasn’t given this much control to one player since Stockton.
And as far as Boozer goes, we ride him this season and hope he stays consistent in the playoffs. If he played just decent ball in the Lakers series, it might have gone our way. A lot of people were down on Wade last year, but he’s reminded everyone what he can do. We don’t win a title without Boozer this year.
I agree with your point about having ice water in his veins. I don’t know if he’ll ever match Deron’s mentality, but I would like to see him get a little more mean in him. We brought Horny in to fix AK’s shot. Maybe they should bring in Malone to show Boozer how to knock someone on their can. He’s too finesse sometimes. He’s said he doesn’t like contact on the offensive end. He’d rather go around the defender and get the bucket than to punish someone for getting in his way.
There was a game in Memphis last year where he put Mike Miller on his back. Obviously he can’t do that every time, but if he’s going to get a foul, then make sure it’s a foul. I think a lot of people aren’t intimidated by him because he just slaps at their arms as they go by. He’s got to let them know that if they come inside, they’re going to have to earn it.
Anyway, Deron will improve his game even more and hopefully Boozer will be along for the ride on the D-Train (is that name taken?).
by basketballjohn on
Aug 8, 2008 8:32 AM MDT
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neff makes a good point...
who would want Boozer knowing what he is? And what would you get in return? Another complimentary guy? What good would that do? Teams win rings with superstars. Check the history books. You’re not gonna get a superstar for Carlos Boozer. Those kinds of trades just don’t happen anymore. When’s the last time a bonafide winner was traded? And don’t give me exceptions like Detroit playing their team game. They caught a fat, old, lazy Laker team (that beat everybody else but the Pistons, by the way, because of superstars) at the right time. But teams like theirs were the rule, the Mavs would’ve beaten the Heat but they didn’t because of two words: “Dwayne”, and “Wade”.
by LoPost on Aug 8, 2008 12:13 AM MDT 0 recs
Dwayne Wade was incredible in that series.
But the Heat won the championship due to two words: questionable officiating
The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.
by clarkpojo on
Aug 8, 2008 12:22 AM MDT
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It wasn't very
questionable though.
You can still go to youtube and see the videos…
The Utah Jazz. The Jazz... duh.
The best NBA team in Utah... no doubts about it!
Playing For Pride. Pirates, Utes, Panthers, and more...
Because, in the end, only one team can "win it all".
by UtesFan89 on
Aug 8, 2008 10:06 AM MDT
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my take on that...
DWade did the right thing. While Dirk was nearly exploding into tears at every call, with his boyfriend Cuban ready to jump to his defense, Wade went up to the officials & discussed calls with them he thought were questionable. They rewarded his respect of them by giving him favorable whistles. Just goes to show you, sportsmanship pays off.
by LoPost on Aug 8, 2008 12:26 AM MDT 0 recs
If the Jazz can't get at least equal value back...
there is no sense in trading Boozer.
Whitewater In The Morning
by neff on Aug 8, 2008 4:59 PM MDT 0 recs
Booz needs to go.
1. Boozer is not worth the max, and that’s what the Jazz will need to pay him if they want to keep him around.
2. Boozer’s defense is terrible. Maybe if the Jazz had a center who was great on that end of the floor they could skate by with Booz’s matador routine. But Okur is also a horrible defender. To start both of them together make the Jazz’s frontcourt the worst defensively in the league. And, being forced to choose, I go with Okur, who shows up in the playoffs.
3. I vote the Jazz push for a trade for Chris Kaman. I outline why here.
Millsap was a second-year player… he’ll stop getting called for every ticky-tack foul as he gets more well-known in the league. But at least he’s trying on defense. Boozer’s just embarrassing.
by frozenwasteland on Aug 8, 2008 8:10 PM MDT 0 recs
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