Today’s Salt Lake Tribune mentions the Bulls as “a team which might be one of (Carlos Boozer’s) most ardent suitors,” and also a team that he has expressed interest in joining.
But despite how well Boozer has been playing — he was named Western Conference Player of the Month in February — I don’t think it’s out of line to refer to Carlos Boozer as a Bulls fan’s potential consolation prize. He’s been great and the Jazz are 12-4 since Feb. 1. However, despite the team’s success, there are too many things hanging around Boozer’s current situation for me to get excited about, should he sign with the Bulls. All of these alarm me: The Jazz seem too satisfied to let Boozer go, in favor of Paul Millsap; there are too many trade rumors; and his tremendous play seems like a contract push, an obvious contract push.
Bulls fans: Would you be excited if they brought Boozer in as a free agent?
What the Four Factors say:
| Team | Pace | eFG% | TO% | OR% | FTA/FGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (Off.) | 96.0 (11) | 47.0 (28) | 13.5 (16) | 27.3 (12) | 28.5 (23) |
| Utah (Def.) | 95.6 (13) | 49.1 (11) | 14.4 (5) | 25.0 (6) | 35.2 (28) |
| Team | Pace | eFG% | TO% | OR% | FTA/FGA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago (Def.) | 96.0 (11) | 48.2 (6) | 12.7 (24) | 25.9 (11) | 27.3 (6) |
| Utah (Off.) | 95.6 (13) | 52.1 (5) | 14.2 (24) | 26.5 (16) | 34.3 (4) |
SOURCE: Hoopdata.com
What it all means:
The Bulls’ defense and rebounding problems don’t figure to get any better against the Jazz. The Jazz are an above-average rebounding team, and the Bulls are not — at least, not without Joakim Noah. Defense has been an issue as well, even though it doesn’t reflect in the comprehensive stats. The Bulls are still among the top-10 in both eFG% and defensive efficiency, but they haven’t looked that way since the trades.
Bulls injury report: Joakim Noah and Jerome James are out; Luol Deng is listed as probable, but ESPN.com’s Nick Friedell says Deng is expected to play despite flu-like symptoms.
Jazz injury report: None
From the Jazz point of view: True Blue Jazz, The Cowhide Globe, SLC Dunk
what a horrible game.
i can’t believe i let taj gibson be part of my fantasmal fantasy team….
Get rid of him. He doesn’t deserve the honor of being a member of the Squirrels.
but who could i get instead? nate robinson?
Robinson has been pretty good for Boston. But I don’t know. What stats do you need?
assists, 3 pointers, and avoid the turnovers. got any winners?
Jason Terry is out til mar.20 but he’s a potential pickup to get rid of gibson.
Luke Ridnour? Chris Duhon? Earl Watson? Beno Udrih? Jason Williams?
I’d go with Luke Ridnour. The Bucks are playing well and he’ll get you a 3-pointer or two, and some assists. The Bulls might sit Gibson tonight, and maybe longer, so it might be worth making the move.
DONE!