Purr NBA.COM:
Don't think they miss Carlos Boozer? They were outrebounded by 43 in four games last week and rank 28th in rebounding after ranking no worse than fifth in the four seasons he played at least 50 games.
Let's not get confused with the facts.
Our opponents are getting 5.5 more rebounds this year while we are getting 1.9 less rebounds this year, so far. This has to do with 2 things, we are playing better defense which creates more rebound opportunities, and because we are not grabbing the defensive boards after that defensive effort. This is not on the person playing d on the shot, this is on the players not on ball defense when the shot goes up. It is generally not the shooter that grabs the offensive board..... and this is a team issue.
The way we miss Boozer is that he rarely was useful in regards to defense, which left him open to box out and grab a rebound.
If anyone here ever has played 21, you will note that the main defender rarely gets the rebound on a miss. Some people intentionally allow the other person to play as the main defender, in order to be in position for the board, even though it gives the shooter a better chance to score. That guy was Boozer.
We now have someone willing to step up on D... and the rest of the team needs to learn to box out, and go for the ball when the rebound is moving and it seems like there is a learning curve for the guys. It can improve if worked on so it becomes second nature, but it might also require less guys sneaking off on a break.
This is about practice, and effort.... but I still dont think we miss Boozer. We have a better record so far, and it wasn't a weak schedule. I will take the better defense for 82, over better defensive rebounding for 65.
Dang... who put the soap box under me?