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The "minus" Boozer factor!!!

carolinajazz

carolinajazz

Well-Known Member
What is the biggest difference between this years Jazz and last years Jazz team? We subtracted Boozer from the roster. What did Boozer give us during his 5 year stay? He gave us a very nice pick and roll option that improved every year and worked well. But, as anyone who watched the Jazz during those year will testify to....he gave us a TON OF TURNOVERS....turnovers we are not incurring with him GONE out of our offense! How many times last season was Boozer guilty of 4, 5 or even more turnovers? The last 5 games we have had 10, 12, 14, 9 and 9 turnovers. We are only averaging 14 turnovers a game....and that average is dropping rapidly! Without Boozer's turnovers we are getting more quality looks, less fast break dunks in our face off those turnovers and just playing better ball than we ever did with Boozer in the lineup! I think that's been the biggest change from last year....and challenge anyone to dispute my claim!
 
No. Boozer averaged about 2.5 turnover's per game with the Jazz during our playoff run. Jefferson's at 1.3 this year. That differetial of 1.2 TO's per game is not the difference, as Utah's offensive numbers are down across the board this year compared to the last 4. Quite honestly, the main difference has been their ability to finish games on the road and their improved halfcourt defense in the 4th quarter. I think you can contribute the improved halfcourt defense to Boozer's departure - with the exception of the Miami game the Jazz aren't sending teams to the line a ridiculous amount of times like they used to do on the road - but Boozer's turnovers aren't a primary reason for their recent success.
 
No argument from me. Millsap is averaging 1.3 less turnovers while scoring more points at a higher FG% than Boozer did. I wouldn't say the team is getting quality looks though...shooting 45% on the season compared to 49% last year. Although losing Matthews and Korver have a whole lot to do with that.
 
We're a much improved defensive team as well, regardless if anybody wants to admit it. Having two legit shot-blockers down low in every game is making opponents shoot more jumpers, and it allows our guards to be more aggressive on the perimeter (helping our 3PT defense as well) Memo and Boozer are elite offensive players, but Millsap and Jefferson are much better defenders and can still put up points.
 
We have missed his rebounding though. We are getting outrebounded too much for having Milsap and Jefferson. They should be clearing the boards at a much higher clip than they are. That aspect of Booze's game is yet to be replaced. Otherwise, I sure don't miss the matador defense.
 
I think the rebounds will come as Millsap and AJ get use to playing together. You have to remember AJ is learning a new position as well as a new offense. Also with the opposing team shooting more long range jump shots they are getting those long offensive rebounds which CJ, AK and Deron will need to be picking up. I feel the team is adjusting to having a defensive presance inside. Overall I have seen our defense increase 10 fold over previous years with the Madador at PF. I feel this is why we are in a position to come back from these big leads teams have had vrs us. In previous years teams would go at Okur and Boozer either directly or by driving to the basket vrs our guards and knowing there isn't a big man that can stop them down low.
 
I don't care about stats. I remember Boozer trying to post up and getting the ball just taken out of his hands so many times it's pathetic.
 
Jefferson is definitely not as good a rebounder as Boozer, but part of the reason the rebounding is down also has to do with players challenging shots, which Boozer never did and allowed him to always be in position to rebound. I personally prefer Jefferson on both ends of the floor.
 
Just imagine how good the Jazz COULD (and hopefully will) BE once Big Al learns the offense and if/when Raja and CJ start making shots (or KOC trades for a better "Making Guard"). It is nice to see the Jazz get some defensive stops late in games and never give up. Give credit to Deron, Raja and Paul for instilling that attitude.
 
GlassEater said:
Give credit to Deron, Raja and Paul for instilling that attitude.
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They may exemplify that attitude, Glass, but, accordin to Big Al, anyways, they aint the ones who "instilled" it. When asked why the Jazz were able to come back so often from such big deficits, Al had two words: "Coach Sloan."

"He won't let ya give up. Every Jerry Sloan team is gunna keep playin hard, no matter what the score. He won't let ya do otherwise."
 
Marty McFly said:
I don't care about stats. I remember Boozer trying to post up and getting the ball just taken out of his hands so many times it's pathetic.
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....and that's just my point! Your quite observant, young man! With Boozer in the line up, we were averaging way more turnovers than we are now! You take that 22 turnover game away that we had to start the season....the Jazz would be a top 10 team in least amount of turnovers...which was unheard of the last couple of years! Boozer was a turnover machine in a power forwards body! With Jefferson taking his place, we have way less turnovers and more scoring opportunities....plus, of course, better defense!
 
I had 47 turnovers today. 17 while playin, and 30 I et while sittin on the bench after my *** got yanked, ya know?
 
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