I can't help it, I just can't hate on Booz. I like the guy even though his defense is atrocious. I like his fire. I think he plays hard. He was just horrible in the starting lineup. He didn't work there and I'm glad he FINALLY got moved the bench. When he had the starting job there just wasn't enough urgency as a group and the D was horrid. Now off the bench he's bringing it. I love it. Now just put Lin back with the starters and we should at least see a more competitive squad.
Credit where it's due for Boozer, he looks like a different man. He's found a perfect role off the bench and hopefully he realizes that. Off the bench he's much more capable of beating defenders down low, he's playing with more energy on the boards. He's even playing slightly better defense which takes him from zero to 0.4 or something like that on a scale of 1-10. Heck if he plays like this off the bench the rest of the year, I'd consider bringing him back. He's got to know there's nobody in the NBA who will give him a starting job.
It's strange, but it's like he's feeding off Swaggy's game a little bit. They could easily lead the bench between the two. However, Lin needs to go back to starting. With Ed Davis there, he'll have a little bit more wiggle room. He's slowly earning that spot back because Ronnie really isn't giving much.
Booz really is bringing it with his bench role. It took some guts for Scott to make that move and it paid off. But I'm with Lakerfan2, Lin needs to be with the starters. He needs to work with Davis. Price is a better fit with the bench where he doesn't have to provide scoring. Booz and Swaggy have that part covered. And Price is a good passer to work with both those guys. Props to Booz for some great play lately.
By not giving much, you mean he's not giving anything right? He comes up with a steal here and there but his offensive deficiencies really hurt our starting lineup. With Boozer on the bench picking up some steam, it's time to start Lin again. Lin/Kobe/Johnson/Davis/Hill and Clarkson/Ellington/Young/Boozer/Sacre. That's what we SHOULD be. Replace Clarkson with Price and you're closer at least.
^^ I like it. Develop the youngsters/bench guys, and put out the best possible lineup for the starters. Works for me.
He is rebounding so much better now and in last night's game he was clearly the Player of the Game. Heck, he even had enough time to get in his usual pushing foul.
I hope Carlos can take pride and develop an identity on the bench. Numbers are a good cure for the initial 'humiliation" of being benched. He is rebounding with more effort (seeking out those rebounds not letting them come to them). It is all an ego thing, and it all credit to Byron from not shying away from the confrontation of doing this. It is a hard transition, but hopefully he can see sense and recognize through players like Nick Young that Basketball is what you make it no matter what time you start the game. Come on Carlos the fans are even starting to like the idiosyncratic fervor you attack the game with. You will truly be the VOICE of the bench.
Booz was huge tonight. Credit where due. I banged him earlier this year for his D, but wow did he come through tonight. Playing some damn good ball off the bench. 8 for 11, 18 and 9. Great stuff.
He's ballin off the bench. I bashed him along with everyone else earlier in the season, but yeah, credit where it's due. He's embracing his role, he continues to be a great teammate/locker room guy, and he's playing well above his salary. Hope this keeps up, he's easy to root for. Really gotta stop the shoving fouls though.
If Boozer keeps playing like this we may turn into the one fanbase not burned by Carlos Boozer in the N.B.A (it's all about the effort and of course the salary). I am seeing hustle, passion, energy and crafty vet moves and leadership. You get lemons Carlos you make Limoncello as I heard someone say the other day. Keep doing this and you will have all the models you want. What's more I think Boozer is being an excellent role model to Sacre the son he never had.
Bench role= perfect fit for him at this point in his career. Nothing wrong with it as long as you're getting good minutes and performing well. He's done a great job. I'd take him back next season if he is willing to come off the bench again.
^^ Depends on that price tag of course, but he could still mentor Randle which would be cool. But Scott would have to be willing to start Randle because Booz has got to come off the bench. Regardless, I love how he's playing for us right now.
I've been a hater of the lush this season but I have to give credit where credit is due tonight. He came through and kept us in the game when the second unit was on the floor. Great game.
^^ To be fair to you though Jurinomo, Booz was awful with the starters. He deserved some dogging. He's been great coming off the bench however. 19 and 8 tonight, right?
