The Real Reason Carlos Boozer Is Struggling
Wednesday, May 19, 2010 at 9:25AM Joe Simmons 
Let’s take a look at the obvious; Carlos Boozer has not looked like Carlos Boozer since coming to the Bulls. One reason is that he has had to guard some pretty talented power forwards in the East. Yes he may say that his foot is hurting, but when you are a big man everything hurts when the season gets rolling. Fans don’t really know from night to night what they are going to get from Boozer.
I think the solution is simple. He is not the same without a pass first point guard. I know the floodgates are opening about Derrick Rose being an elite point guard but the fact still remains he is a shoot first and pass second guy. When you are a big man you are used to being fed and getting one or two touches a quarter are just not enough.
When Boozer was playing with Deron Williams he was getting 10 – 15 touches per quarter. That means more shots and more opportunities to get loose. When you are a big man you aren’t going to fight that hard for position if you aren’t sure you might get the ball, so you become a jump shooter when you get it most times.
Boozer has often been questioned effort wise, but when I watch the games I see him running hard and getting back on defense. The only thing I don’t see is good ball movement. It appears most times that Rose is dribbling, I see a screen, a roll, and a perimeter scorer coming off the bottom curl. There hasn’t been many screen and roll situations with Boozer either. Interestingly enough, he has made a living as a pick and roll player in the past.
All the blame doesn’t go to the Bull’s not running sets for Carlos. He has to face the pain himself.
- He should get more vocal. If he feels he has a mismatch, a real big man would demand the ball.
- When he gets his touches, he has to be more assertive. Set the table for guys around you or finish strong.
- He has to get to the free throw line at least 10 times per game. That means going strong to the basket and not shooting fade-away jump shots.
Rose is a special talent and he has to command a double team as not many players can guard him straight up. I even give him the edge on Dwyane Wade because he is younger and slightly more versatile. Defensively though he saves a lot of energy as he rarely guards the better offensive players so he gets the offensive edge in that situation as well.
What I do know is that Boozer better pick it up or Mr. Taj Gibson will absorb all of his minutes. However if the Bulls give the man his touches, I am sure he can make a difference.
Stay Breezy ~ I’m Out!
Reader Comments (3)
I like watching Boozer play and I really liked him at Utah with Williams. I agree with the reason he is not playing that well is cuz of the pick-n- roll. Boozer n williams was one of the best pairs back when they were playing together. I feel like Boozer is out of place whenever I see him in Offense. I hate seeing him go set a pick and roll to the basket for a open look and the ball never gets there cuz you see Rose driving (and more than most of the times he finishes). Lot of people are saying how good Rose is but he's FG % and assists is still pretty low for being called the best player in the league. I know that Boozer can out muscle Bosh as he has done in the past, so he needs to go ahead and take advantage of that. He just looks so unconfident on the court right now. This is similar situation with Korver. He does not have that swag he has out on the 3 right now, i think because he only gets time in the late 3rd or 4th where he HAS to make the 3s and when he misses 2 or 3 in a row hes pulled out. I think that can have a huge impact on his mindset and shooting.
@Eric I agree. I have seen so many times they should have worked him into the game and didn't. I do think he is MIA right now. He has to step up or this one will only go 5.
Man D Rose has skillz but not the PG I would want to play with!! Even the shots that rent layups that chicago hits now are from bad passes or late passes from D rose... There is SOOOOOOO much that deals with rhythm!! Thank goodness for PG's like J. Simm