A few weeks back, I discussed Joakim Noah’s emergence on MSF. But now it’s time to bring up the Bull riding the best hot streak, Noah’s right hand man and NBA veteran Carlos Boozer.
Boozer has largely been a disappointment to Bulls fans – until now.(Photo by Keith Allison via CC BY-SA 2.0)
Boozer, since being signed as a free agent from the Utah Jazz and heading to Chicago in the summer of 2010, has largely been a disappointment. Although the PPG/RPG totals in his first two years with the Bulls have been solid (17.5/9.6; 15.0/8.5), he’s been constantly criticized for his lackluster defense and inconsistent offense and rebounding.
Also, he’s been a far cry from the No. 2 the Bulls thought he’d be to PG Derrick Rose. But most importantly, he hasn’t been worth the $75 million that Bulls upper management thought he’d be deserving of. That is, until recently.
According to my estimation, Boozer had put up at least solid numbers in somewhere around 60% of the Bulls first 27 games this season. That’s decent, but nowhere not worth anywhere near $15 million.
But since Chicago’s game against the Washington Wizards on December 29th, Boozer has been on another level. As described by ESPN Chicago’s Bulls beat reporter Nick Friedell (many times on Twitter), it’s been his best stretch of play in a Bulls uniform … by far and away.
According to Boozer and his teammates, it comes down to comfort. He is said to “finally” be feeling comfortable within the Bulls scheme for the first time, about 2 1/2 years into his Chicago career.
About Zach Gropper
