For a decade Carlos Boozer was an impact player in the fourth quarter of NBA games. But quietly he began a long, slow decline, especially in the areas of footwork and speed. Weakened as a player, his reputation was maligned, his basketball character shredded. He was a fourth quarter liability and then ridiculed because of it. Exiled to the sidelines as his minutes were taken away and given to someone else, Carlos Boozer no longer had the glare of the spotlight to shine in. From the bench he was transformed into a man who cheers for someone else. A glimpse of him on the sidelines cast a deceiving glow. Even though he waved a towel as he cheered on his teammates, his fists were clinched, his smile forced.
Mar 30, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Chicago Bulls forward Carlos Boozer (5) celebrates after scoring during the first half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Fast forward a few months later, miles away from the Windy City and Lake Michigan, his Chicago humiliation behind him. As a member of the Los Angeles Lakers, Carlos Boozer seeks a new opportunity to resurrect his basketball image. But in a similar way he may find himself repeating his Chicago experience whereas 4th quarters come and go and he has little stake in the outcome. Punished for his inconsistent defense and his lack of quickness, Carlos Boozer may find himself watching Julius Randle or Ed Davis on the court in the last five minutes.
There are no illusions in two-a-days and 5-on-5 scrimmages and exhibition games. It becomes clear which players fit together and which simply do not. But the last 5 minutes of a game is a matrix in and of itself. It is then the stress level is the highest. Achievement centers on offensive and defensive execution. The values of a team are heightened in the crucial moments that are the difference between finishing a possession and turning the ball over. It is a matter of trust.
Coaches approach it differently. Phil Jackson believed in his veterans no matter what, even if they blew assignments as Lamar Odom often did. Even if they took a game over single handedly as Kobe Bryant often did. Phil trusted players who had been baptized by the league and had earned their reputations through the toughness of playoff basketball. He forgave imperfection. The soul of the game was greater than one moment of missing a read or rebound or not passing the ball.
Byron Scott falls into the category of coaches who trust their veterans. Until they don’t. When he was in New Orleans, coaching the Hornets, in 2007-2008, Byron relied on his starters for the regular season, one in which they made the playoffs. Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakavic and David West logged 35+ minutes in the regular season that year. Shooting guard Morris Peterson averaged 23 minutes.
Jan 22, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats guard Jannero Pargo (5) prepares to drive into the paint during the second half of the game against the Los Angeles Clippers at Time Warner Cable Arena. Bobcats win 95-91. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
But in the playoffs Byron Scott altered his backcourt lineup. Morris Peterson was still a starter but Jannero Pargo received more 4th quarter minutes. In 7 of 12 playoff games Morris Peterson didn’t play a minute in the 4th quarter. In one game he played 58 seconds. In another game he played 3 minutes as the Hornets were coasting to victory with a near 20 point lead. Only in game 5 against the San Antonio Spurs did Morris Peterson play significant minutes in the 4th quarter. He played 10 minutes.
Morris Peterson was a solid shooting guard but he lacked explosiveness. His back up, Jannero Pargo, was quick to the rim, a combo guard who could easily play both positions and get into the paint. As an added bonus he had a level of toughness that Morris Peterson lacked. So Byron trusted his 4th quarter backcourt to Chris Paul and Jannero Pargo even if it meant they were smaller. They were more efficient.
In a fateful way, this may be the continuing curse of Carlos Boozer, the former All-Star, who is good enough to start games and play three quarters but no longer proficient enough to finish games. Julius Randle is more explosive and more agile in the lane. Ed Davis can defend two positions and his athleticism around the rim is a significant advantage in close games. With Randle and Davis as his competition, Carlos Boozer is climbing uphill, wearing the robe of the experienced player but an older one who can’t match the activity of younger players.
And so where does that leave Carlos Boozer who has already been shunned by one marquee franchise? Being amnestied is no different than being evicted. You can’t pay your rent so you have to leave the premises.
Fair or unfair, it is a waiting game, even for a two time All-Star. Carlos Boozer cannot change time, nor can he alter his body. Too many years have passed for him to be born again. There is no magical wand that will edit his current narrative. He will never fit the current generation’s trend toward explosiveness.
Basketball is a show-me-now sport; nostalgia for the past is indulged but not celebrated. So in the 4th quarter of games Carlos Boozer sitting on the bench may be the sign of things to come. If it does happen to fall that way with Carlos Boozer as a 4th quarter observer, then his present and his past will be the very same thing, just one year apart.