The Top 50

#22 – Carlos Boozer

Here’s another dude I find it really hard to be objective towards. I’m a devout Lebron James fan, and with that has come a natural adoration of the Cavs. So it’s impossible for me not to be just slightly bitter towards a dude who spurned a verbal contract with the team’s owner, a blind man no less, to sign with the Jazz for more money….leaving Drew Gooden in his wake. But like Vince before him on this list (and several to follow), his play still amazes me, despite what I’ll say about his character. I’ll hate the player, not the game. The anchor of a devastating one-two punch that leads one of the West’s best teams, he’s an undersized 4, but one of the best in the business.

Boozer’s a straight up bull; an extremely physical bruiser who lurks in the mid-low post amongst bigger bodies and still dominates. He’s not extremely athletic or quick, but his strength and excellent fundamentals (4 years with Coach K will rub off on a guy) have made him a true force. He waxes glass better than any player his height in the L; 10/game last year after almost 12 the season before. ’08 also saw him average 20 on .547 from the floor and a decent 74% from the stripe. Boozer rounded out his efficient attack with a positive assist/turnover ratio, impressive for a player on a team with few shooters who isn’t known as a passer.

Utah will have their work cut out for them next year, with Houston likely leaping ahead of them into the West’s elite echelon. The Lakers and Hornets are primed for repeats of their huge seasons and the Spurs can never be counted out. Throw in wild cards like Phoenix, Portland, Dallas and whoever else decides to make waves in the West, and things should be getting crowded atop the standings again. No one should be entirely enthralled about the Jazz’s prospects of coming out on top, but Carlos Boozer’s been here before. Written off as too small for big leagues, he sunk to the second round, coming out of nowhere to prove he more than belongs. Maybe he can defy the odds again…but bet the house I’ll be rooting against him.