Actually that FG percentage is inflated due to his lay-ups and dunks. He was hot from 15-18 feet, which is not usually Boozer's game. He scores much better in close on PnR stuff going to the basket. If he is settling for that, the Rockets will be fine.
Worst case scenerio, put Deke on him for five minutes, and a well placed elbow takes care of that problem. Hard to shoot 15 foot rainbow jumpers with a broken face.
Actually we can shut him down easily, Buuuuuuuut why we need to shut him down? it's good to keep them believing Boozer can beat Rox by himself.
The thing is how many dunks and layups Boozer usually has. In Monday's game, basically Boozer was a jump shooter only attcked basket a few.
Exactly right. Why were we making him shoot midrange jumpers from the elbow? Maybe this will explain: Keep him out of the paint. Make him shoot over Yao. This in turn allows us to stay on their outside shooters since we do not need to help down low, preventing open threes and containing penetration. We also commit fewer fouls because the Jazz can't attack the basket. Stick with this game plan until the Jazz force us to change it. Let Boozer shoot the jumpers. If it keeps happening, it just increases our likelihood of beating them handily.
I agree just give him a hard foul or two... every once in a while...that will mess up his game a bit... but let him have those 15 footers...
I don't know. Boozer's no Shaq. it seems to me that midrange jumper is his bread and butter. if i recall correctly, the first game we played Jazz this season, Boozer was hitting midrange jumpers all over the floor too. that being said, I agree that we can still win even if Boozer goes off like that by shutting down others.
1. Boozer's season stat would indicate that giving him the J and just living with his makes and misses is the way to go. Boozer's shooting on the season is as follows: 8.3 layups/tips/dunks per game: .715 % on those. 7.3 Jumpshots per game: 39.5 % on those 5.0 FTs per game: 68.6% on those. Which tells me that Boozer is a pretty capable jump shooter, especially for a big guy. His fg% on open (as oppose to contested) jumpers is probably even higher. However, he's so much better on layups and tips, so that, if you are defending him with a bigger slower guy like Yao or Dikembe or Jake, you lay back and dare him to shoot jumpers no matter how many he makes. You just live with the jumpers even if he goes for 40 points again. At the very least, they keep your guys from fouling him and they keep the rest of the Utah team quiet. The difference between games 1 and 2 for Boozer that his shot fell in game 2. He was getting the same shots in game 1 and didn't make them. Another notable thing is his low FT attemps, only 5 a game. This shows Boozer is a contact avoider more than a contact seeker. If you lay off of him, he's more than happy to take that J you give him... 2. The Rockets D is predicated on giving up 2 point jumpers (preferably contested ones) anyhow. Since Day 1, Van Gundy preached giving up "1 contested 2 point J" on D. These are the shots that generally hurt you the least. Some days the other team is gonna make the, but even the scorching Boozer was not enough to kill the Rockets... so I think you really just stay with your philosophy and just live with the scores. It's too late in the season to re-invent the wheel, especially when you are still winning and not desperatly needing a revamp.
I don't have a problem with Boozer scoring 41 points while Okur and Kirilenko combine for 4 points, as long as Yao also stays out of foul trouble. MJ (63 against years ago) and Kobe have proven one player cannot win a playoff series by themselves, no matter how many points they scored. Give Boozer credit -- he was on fire in Game 2. He also hit some tough shots while being defended well on several occassions. Can he hit for 41 again? I don't know. But I'd rather have him hit for 40+ again and have Okur and Kirilenko continue to be MIA on offense.
I would just let him continue to shoot the jumper. I'm all for tiring out Boozer for offense, because that makes him less effective on the defense, and it takes him off the offensive boards. It also takes his other teammates out of their rhythm. Notice how Deron Williams was really quietly in game 2? If Okur continues to have dips in his performances, I think we have a very good chance of closing this thing early. However, I know it is premature to come to that conclusion with tough games ahead in Utah. If we take one game from this Road trip, we are in really good shape to close it out. Eyes are all now on Yao and T-mac, especially T-mac. If T-mac stays aggressive and takes it to the hole, I like our chances.
actually, if utha's gameplan is to let boozer play one on one vs yao, they have no chance even if boozer scores 50+. that's a typical half court slow offense close to the paint, exactly what jvg and rox like . I am much more worried about deron williams. He can bascially disrupt our defense system, and make other teammates going. If he can do that, we might be forced to play the style we do not like. rox never fear star pfs, but star pgs always kill us.
if williams start becoming a problem, we might see some of tmac or battier on him.. just like when tmac was on nash for a while during the phonix game
I think the answer is simple: 'course, we're just sittin' here (or laying down on our beds) with our computers thinking about these things, but I will be 95% sure JVG won't listen to our suggestions...
he made some ridiculous shots in the early going last game. It can happen. I think JVG is approaching it the right way. I always thought that Okur should be guarded by someone else, and JVG proved me right. Hayes has been doing an excellent job on Okur, and if Boozer is gonna hafta carry this team, let it be, cause then they wont get anywhere.
