You're not wrong. Noah did fit better with Boozer, but let's not act as if Boozer chasing guys around the perimeter while Gasol refuses to do so. Noah's defensive presence was more his ability to switch on pick and rolls and helpside defense. Being "tougher" isn't as big a deal imo. Boozer was a more physical guy, but he didn't really play like one. Noah didn't get to play center because he had the capabilities of playing on the perimeter. Even so, Gasol played with Bynum on the Lakers as a PF, it's not like he's forcing his way into playing center. Thibs let him anchor the paint and put Jo on PFs because he figured it made the most defensive sense. In a way, he wasn't wrong. Certainly it diminished Noah, but that was a coaching choice to play them together a lot like that instead of staggering their minutes.