Paul Millsap Player Preview- The elephant in the room

by clarkpojo on Nov 2, 2009 10:20 PM MST Comment 5 comments

LET'S TALK ABOUT THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

I could sit here and talk about Paul Millsap's career and how his numbers as a starter are comparable to Carlos Boozer's and how Millsap plays better defense and challenges shots. But one thing really matters to the Jazz season right now and that is whether or not Carlos Boozer will be traded. Millsap's season absolutely hinges on this question. It isn't like Millsap has really proven that he should be the starting power forward or anything, but at this point, it is a question of morale as well as personnel. Nobody really wants Boozer to start over Millsap other than the guy whose opinion matters: Jerry Sloan. But, and this but is almost as big as Missy Elliots', Millsap has been better than Carlos Boozer so far this year. And that is saying something because Millsap hasn't been good.

Carlos Boozer has been epically awful. He hasn't had one good game where he played well defensively or offensively. His game against the Clippers doesn't count either. Because if you shoot more shots than you score points, then you aren't being effective offensively. You are just being Tracy McGrady. But for all of the Boozer supporters over the summer, what can you say now? You used to have his offense to hang your hat on, but the guy is shooting about 40% from within 5 feet this season. He is missing gimmes consistently.

The irony of this, is that the Jazz showed that they need a change against the Rockets tonight. The Rockets are a better team without Tracy McGrady, and are better at many things without Yao Ming. Addition by subtraction has really helped the Rockets. I would like to introduce the idea of addition by subtraction to the Utah Jazz. Try it. You have to try something. But the booing in the stands when Boozer touches the ball, and the crowd chanting for Millsap to play over Carlos are not just desperate calls from desperate fans. It is what the fans really want. Not just what they think they want. The fans are right this time.

Millsap would be better if Boozer were gone. But more importantly, Andrei Kirilenko would be better if Carlos were gone. And the Jazz offense would be better if Carlos were gone. He is slowing down the ball movement on the offensive side and he is failing to recognize double teams. Is Paul Millsap ready to step in and be "the man" at the starting power forward spot? At this point it doesn't matter. He deserves the chance. And the fans deserve the chance to not have the Boozer drama hung over our heads. Boozer isn't an efficient offensive player anymore. He settles for jumpers, doesn't attack the basket and doesn't draw fouls.

This season and this preview isn't about Millsap anymore. It's about the elephant in the room. Carlos Boozer. I personally won't put up with watching him any longer. Will you?

All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.

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Boozer is screaming trade me...

I couldn’t agree more with this post. As a Utah native stuck on the right coast, I am faced with the decision of spending my hard earned money on a league pass. After watching the first three games of the season, I am OPTING out. It’s just not worth the 4 payments of $49.95 each to bethat depressed three to four evenings a week. It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE to trade Boozer at this point for this season to salvaged. As for the last question in the blog. I won’t even waste my time to watch the nationally televised games this season, until they prove their worth to us, THE FANS. NBA FANtastic. Boozers play is PROOF IN THE PUDDING TTTTRRRRRAAAADDDDDEEEE MMMEEE

by savagechickens on Nov 3, 2009 8:31 AM MST reply actions 0 recs

i wish i could rec this 10 times at least

the situation is getting out of hand. i want my money back even though i haven’t paid any. and with the fans booing him and chanting for sap, you have a mutiny on your hands. i can’t even stand the sight of him. his laugh grates on me. most of all, having him on the jazz detracts from my joy of being a jazz fan and that has never, ever happened with any player before. i need him gone.

by moni on Nov 3, 2009 9:08 AM MST reply actions 0 recs