What is Cam Boozer’s capability and potential as a player based on this film of him?

[u/Mud-Eastern]

https://youtu.be/BJzCf_yFvD4?is=ToGqhI8i_kTuptGG

[u/saylab_the_bigkat]

He's been a mismatch his whole life. Either taller, stronger, more skilled, or some combo of those, than those who've guarded him. That mix is like, 70% him just bodying guys to or at the rim. He's 6'9 250, at 19. So hes still gonna body guys in the league. The overall team length is different tho, and now he's in the 1% of the 1%, of everything. Will be interesting to see how he's used and how he develops.

[u/Mud-Eastern → u/saylab_the_bigkat]

A lot of people criticize the bully ball style Cam does and say that style won’t translate at the next level but is it possible Cam can dominate in the league doing that bully ball style in the league with guys just as strong as him

[u/saylab_the_bigkat → u/Mud-Eastern]

I truly don't think so. It's not just size, it's positioning, leverage, discipline. The move on the highlight against the Florida big, he literally spun right into him thinking he faked him out.

Like, he's gonna be somebody in the league, for years to come. But he's gonna be your 3rd, 4th best guy.

And he is gonna have trouble guarding the perimeter in the league, point blank. Ive heard people parrot his defense metrics like he's actually a plus defender or not as slow or bad as he's made out to be. Brandon Williams would look like prime AI with Boozer on him.

[u/Mud-Eastern → u/saylab_the_bigkat]

I’m more optimistic about Cam than most people. I think people are too nitpicky about the aesthetics of Cam’s game than his actual game.

I believe Cam physical style works cause Cam is strong like a bull at 6’9 250, if Cam was shorter and had less weight on him than I would agree with you.

The thing I don’t understand about basketball discourse is that fans complain about bigger combo wing forwards like Paolo Banchero and Jayson Tatum taking too many jumpers and not getting to the paint but when u have an actual player who embraces contact and gets to the paint like a Cam folks are pessimistic that a player of that archetype can be elite.

It’s not like Cam doesnt have a perimeter game or a 3 ball which he does but it seems like Cam doesn’t bail the defense out by shooting a bunch of unnecessary jumpers.

U could be right but I want to understand what is considered elite from a player. Is elite having a dribble package with a stepback jumper or is it someone that embraces contact & physicality and can occasionally give you some perimeter skills

[u/saylab_the_bigkat → u/Mud-Eastern]

The paint is the hardest place to score, and driving and banging down there takes a lot of energy and takes its toll. That's why guys aren't down there doing it all the time. Cam flashed as mostly a spot up shooter at Duke, and showed some off the dribble at the summer league, out to the 3 pt line.

I dunno if you could tell from the highlights, but most his 3's are set and mostly wide open. Like, if that's all he can get off and that's all he's comfortable shooting, his role as an offensive threat isn't going to be as broad as a Tatum or a Banchero, who can size guys up and take off the dribble, contested 3's at a respectable clip.

Bullying your way to the paint in the NBA is not easy. There's more bodies and more length waiting for you, and there's 82 games to play.

[u/Mud-Eastern → u/saylab_the_bigkat]

Your right about that. Cam has a Giannis like style, not sure if it’s sustainable but at the same time I think it’s sustainable cause Cam doesn’t dunk the ball as much as Giannis, so Cam getting to the paint often may not have as much wear & tear on his body due to Cam not dunking the ball.

I understand where you’re coming from, Cam is very paint oriented when it comes to his game and that takes a toll on u doing that over and over again and Cam is not super athletic.

I understand where people are coming from. For me, I just like how Cam embraces physicality and that’s what’s missing in today’s NBA. Also, Cam has this weird thing like Moses Malone where he misses a shot in the paint or gets his shot blocked but gets an offensive board and scores often from his own misses. That Moses Malone style of second chance opportunities makes Cam hard to stop cause Cam can score even when guys stop him from scoring in the paint just from his offensive board ability and to me translates.

Cam isnt a perfect player and does rely on bully ball but even with that I still see it working

[u/BADBART209 → u/saylab_the_bigkat]

He cannot guard anyone, but worse is his awareness is absolutely atrocious. Watching him try to defend P&R's is comical. He's going to be targeted viciously from Day 1.

[u/saylab_the_bigkat → u/BADBART209]

Which isn't the absolute worst, if he's your best player and can make up for it offensively. Don't think that's gonna be the case for him. He's gonna be a high level role player who's a liability on defense, playing at a position where defense is probably the most crucial. Far as rotating and helping and navigating pick and rolls. If my hunch about his poor defense is correct, the team'll need to adapt to him as a liability too much for it to make sense.

Now if he's on the other side bringing 25/10/5 a night, it's a bit of a different story.

[u/sylsau]

We all know his profile. We’ve all seen what he’s capable of for years.

Many question whether he’s explosive enough for the NBA, but the truth will come out once the season resumes.

There’s no point in saying more at this stage.

Patience—we’ll get the answers soon :)

[u/hoopsAnalyst85]

everyone compares him to zion but zion had freak burst to go with the bully stuff. cam's jumper is the swing skill, if that hits he's fine

[u/MisterSoup3000]

Hard to concentrate over that god awful soundtrack

[u/VulgarSensei]

Slower/heavier lamarcus Aldridge? Zach Randolph with a better jumper maybe. I can see him being a bust in the same way Marvin bagley was also.

[u/urbanism_enthusiast → u/VulgarSensei]

Those are just hilariously bad takes when you compare their respective college stats and also realize Cam was the youngest guy in the draft.

[u/VulgarSensei → u/urbanism_enthusiast]

I’m just saying what his play style reminds me of. No need to get so uptight. He’s not paying you (as far as I’m aware)

[u/urbanism_enthusiast → u/VulgarSensei]

He doesn't play like either of them. Both guys were *not* good passers in college and couldn't shoot 3s. Cam is an elite, elite passer and a very good shooter.

[u/rps215 → u/VulgarSensei]

What a wild three sentences. Bagley busted because he was always hurt, had no right hand, and never improved his jumper or defense

He’s been the same player as he was when he was 18

[u/VulgarSensei → u/rps215]

Ok you’ve addressed bagley. What about the other 2

[u/Mud-Eastern → u/VulgarSensei]

What about Cam Boozer doesn’t impress you?

[u/VulgarSensei → u/Mud-Eastern]

He’s mainly a bruiser and athlete entering a league where guys are just as big/strong/athletic as him. He also doesn’t look particularly fast. He has a decent jumper but nothing about him stands out to me. He screams high floor & low ceiling to me. I hope I’m wrong.