I would love to see the Rockets pick up Carlos Boozer. I don't know that he's worth a Top 10 pick but I think he will be a great backup pivot in the NBA and maybe work his way into being a very serviceable starter. He's stronger than the average 5. He's at least a decent rebounder. He's a 76% free-throw shooter. He's a decent scorer. He seems to be of good character. And I wouldn't mind seeing us pick up Dahntay Jones at some point too. His offense is under-rated and his defense is top-notch.
I agree one hundred percent about Boozer. I don't think that he is would be a good starter, but he would be a great backup at the 5. He is actually a threat in the post, something that this team is sorely lacking.
I like boozer too, but I don't know if he is coming out. I think he may be a junior. He's a good pick though.
Boozer's more overrated than everyone's favorite "overrated" Dookie Dunleavy. Boozer has good strength, I give him that. However, he doesn't really have posts moves except for I'm gonna push you out of my way. Banging in college is completely different than the NBA. Ask Tractor Traylor. Boozer also is a poor defensive player. I just don't think he'd be more than a serviceable backup PF.
As Dick Vitale pointed out, Boozer has excelled being outmanned for two seasons now. Duke has no depth in the paint (sounds like the Rockets). Opposing teams try to get him in foul trouble (with little success). He has been a pretty consistent performer. I believe that his offense will improve. He's not asked to provide much with Duke's great perimeter playelrs. I just think he will surprise-- one of those guys who will be a better pro than anyone expects.
Whoa, Horsey! Boozer is a nice player, and he had a great game last night, but let's not get carried away. Best case scenario, Boozer develops into a Malik Rose-like backup 4 with better offensive skills.
I am not impressed with Boozer at all. Most of his points come from passes from Jason Willams or Chris Duhon as they are breaking down the defense. I haven't seen Boozer go one on one and break his man down in many games. Like many Duke players, he'll be an underachieving pro.
We'll see.... I thought I'd read here quite a bit about MoT playing the 5 in certain lineups. Boozer would be better. He may be too small; it's hard to know how big he really is. I just like his game. You can criticize his offense if you want, but he's only does what he is asked to do. That used to be said about a kid at UNC... I forget his name...
carlos boozer has displayed very, very, very few actual post moves so far in his career. he also has not shown exceptional footwork. in fact, the majority of his points come off of dunks and layups,,,courtesy of jason williams. not saying that i think he sucks or anything, just that i wouldn't touch him. a) he's an nba 4, and we already have 3 of those b) he has poor footwork c) he cannot shoot a jumper d) he has the luxury of jason williams. e) there are better picks to be had. btw, apply letter's d&e to mike dunleavy, as well.
He does what he is asked to within the framework of the team. How honorable! What does "he has not show exceptional footwork mean?" How often does one even have the opportunity to show exceptional footwork? I've seen a lot of Duke games and I don't recall seeing Boozer trip over his own feet very often. How about you? How do you know he cannot shoot a jumper? Certainly he has shot very few, but again he is just filling his role. He is a 76% free-throw shooter remember. Is he just lucky there? What luxury is Jason Williams? I thought he was the shoot-first point guard. Certainly there are better picks to be had. I wouldn't take him with the #1 pick but he might easily be worth the 7-13th pick depending on who is available. He is a young college junior. He should grow. He is a worker. He is strong. He can run the floor for a big, strong guy.
People who think that Jason Williams makes Boozer and Dunleavy better have not watched Duke play in the last 3 seasons. Williams DOES NOT create that much for Dunleavy and Boozer. Most of Boozer's points come from him posting up his man 2 ft from the bucket, and Williams just dumps it into him. Williams does not drive enough to "make" Boozer or Dunleavy. Williams shoots half of his shots from the perimeter. And spends even more time on the perimeter. I'm not a huge fan of Boozer, but he would give the Rockets a guy who can make layups, something most of the Rockets cannot do.
kidrock, I find that very very hard to believe, especially since I've watched most of the Duke games in the last 3 years. Both Williams and Dunleavy this year, and Williams and Battier last year create a lot of opportunities for Boozer. I agree with you that Williams takes half his shots from the perimeter, but the other half come from dribble penetration. I agree that most of Boozer's points come from baskets 2 feet or in, but I'd be willing to bet that over 60% of Boozer's points come from uncontested layups or dunks. And all that comes from the simple fact that opposing teams have to send 2 guys at Dunleavy and Williams. I'd also like to think that our team could finish layups like the open ones that Boozer gets
The main thing that people fail to understand is that Boozer and Dunleavy didn't come to Duke without accolades... They were both 2 of the top 10 players in their class. It just so happens that they play with the best player in the nation who dominates the ball possesion. These 2 guys would be go-to guys on 90% of NCAA teams. They weren't recruited highly because they relied on a trigger happy PG.
Boozer is a good offensive player with good footwork. My main problem with him is defensively he isn't even the equivalent to Lonnie Baxter. I suspect he will have a long NBA career, just not as a starter. His lack of D and injury problems keep him from the lottery IMO. Boozer would do damage on ANY college team he played on, there are very few college players that can handle him at all. Him and JW are the focal to the Duke's game, Dunleavy and Duhon benifit far more from them than visa versa.
Wow, scar, I'm disappointed in you--this is the first time we've disagreed Like you said, Boozer is fundamentally sound on the offensive end--he has really good hands and once he gets it deep enough, he'll finish the play. However, I don't see him being able to create too much on his own. I think he really does benefit from any of the other 4 Duke players on the floor. This isn't to say I disagree with your contention that Boozer could do damage on other teams--I mean, in college, what else do you ask from your 5 other than to finish the plays that are gift-wrapped for him? Boozer does that very adequately. Defensively, yeah, it almost is like you don't even notice he's there...he doesn't block shots and he's not that great of an athlete. Personally, I think the minute this guy turns pro, he'll get fat and lazy, and won't last in the NBA past his rookie contract. But if he stays in shape, I think he could be a decent 4-5 backup in a pinch. I doubt he'll ever be an impact player though, whether he stays in shape or not.
Boozer came to Duke as a 17 YO freshman. That makes him only 20 right now. He's coming out and graduating a la Jason Williams. He is a workhorse. He's not lazy but he usually is overmatched numberswise. When he's not he does seem to break out. Geez all these fantastic criticisms; I can't see them being justified. You just don't like Duke, right?!
KR is a big Dukie pimp with Dukie goggles too, and even he doesn't like Boozer that much. I do like Boozer OK as a prospect, better than Dunleavy. Boozer is strong as an ox, good hands and (to me) pretty good footwork. Makes for an excellent offensive college player (though his defense isn't even "good" in college)-- but I'd rather have Mo Taylor and we do. Prempeh, I just think you underestimate how decently coordinated 6'9" 270+ pounders dominate in the college ranks. There just aren't many players or teams that can physically match up in college with a guy like Boozer--maybe KU, Mary, not many other teams. It is Boozer's defense and injuries that keep me from being that high on him, but I wouldn't mind using a late 1st rounder or 2nd on him. Though I see potential in Boozer and Dunleavy, neither are close to a sure thing at the next level. And when people think Duhon or Jones are worth a look for the pros, all I can say is there are 100 more promising college players in the land if you take a glance beyond Durham city limits. I actually think that really young back-up guard (I think he is a frosh, don't know his name) for Duke has 5x the talent as either Duhan or Jones and maybe more than Dunleavy--who I just don't think has the quickness to ever be more than a offensive mismatch (for his team)-defensive mismatch (for the other team) player in the pros. He could change my mind next year, we will see. Finally KR, JW does really help all the other Duke players. He doesn't have to be a playmaker to do this, but the other team always has him in mind. Dunleavy becomes the "match-up" problem for the other teams because the other teams have to use their best players and their defense energy on limiting JW and then Boozer. Very few teams have a single player who has a remote chance against those guys--leaving Dunleavy, Jones and Duhan with easier match-ups versus teams overplaying defense to stop the other 2 guys (in fact Duhan and Jones are usually begged to shoot). We will know a whole lot more about Dunleavy next year when he faces teams who focus on taking his game out of the Duke offense.
