Yahoosports: PF Rankings - (Boozer 6th and Taj 28th )

[JCM]

30-21

Ranking the power forwards, 30 through 21 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA

20-11

Ranking the power forwards, 20 through 11 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA

10-1

Ranking the power forwards, 10 through 1 - Ball Don't Lie - NBA

Boozer:6. Carlos Boozer(notes), Chicago Bulls (last year: eighth)

It was a weird run for Carlos in Utah. He stabbed a CBA-cheating owner in the back by reneging on an illegal handshake agreement to sign with the Jazz, and then ran injured for a while, drawing the ire of his new team's front office. Then Paul Millsap(notes) popped up, and while Boozer's backup didn't exactly make him redundant, he did allow for the trade rumors that really escalated before Boozer's 2009-10 player option, assumed-but-eventually-declined 2009 free agency and eventual split in 2010.

Yikes. So, it's as if he never was a member of the Jazz. Now he's a Bull, he sets screens, he gathers well and finishes expertly with either hand, and truly comes straight out of central casting for a team like Chicago. Assuming he averages 65 games a season. Anything less, and Chicago will continue to have Jazz-like issues.

Gibson28. Taj Gibson(notes), Chicago Bulls (last year: unranked)

At the bottom of this list, it really came down to, "who would I rather have on my team in 2010-11: Taj Gibson, or [name redacted]?" And Taj kept winning out. It's a giant mea culpa for me, because I didn't even think Taj was the 26th-best player in last year's draft when he was taken at that slot, but his all-around game and defensive work have me on his side as we enter his second season.

 

[dougthonus]

Pretty fair, though it's funny that Taj is so far behind Tyrus given that he beat Tyrus out for the job last season.

I'd also say Amare at three seems like a stretch to me. No defense, no rebounding.

 

[JCM]

Pretty fair, though it's funny that Taj is so far behind Tyrus given that he beat Tyrus out for the job last season.

I'd also say Amare at three seems like a stretch to me. No defense, no rebounding.

yes, when i saw TT was higher ranked than taj is was like oh hells nah.

also, Amare is way to high imo.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Here's mine (not counting rookies):

1) Tim Duncan
2) Pau Gasol
3) Dirk Nowitzki
4) Amare Stoudemire
5) Chris Bosh
6) Carlos Boozer
7) Kevin Garnett
8) Lamar Odom
9) LaMarcus Aldridge
10) David West
11) Josh Smith
12) David Lee
13) Zach Randolph
14) Antawn Jamison
15) Luis Scola
16) Paul Millsap
17) Kevin Love
18) Jeff Green
19) Carl Landry
20) Andray Blatche
21) Udonis Haslem
22) Rashard Lewis
23) Kenyon Martin
24) Troy Murphy
25) Thaddeus Young
26) Jason Thompson
27) Elton Brand
28) Al Harrington
29) Glen Davis
30) DeJuan Blair
31) Taj Gibson
32) Tyrus Thomas
33) Serge Ibaka
34) J.J. Hickson
35) Michael Beasley

 

[Chi-Town Brahma]

I really see this ranking over them both being fair also. Good stuff.

 

[X]

Yahoo!'s done a real good job of their NBA off-season stuff this year...I give 'em props.

 

[TheStig]

Not sure why Hickson and TT are higher than Taj. I could be wrong but I don't think JJ is nearly as good as the cavs project.

 

[pinkizdead]

yeah, hickson played sporadically behind jameson and varejo on a lebron james team. I'm not sure what the hype behind him is.

 

[Anytime23]

Taj didnt beat out TT for the job last season. TT broke his forearm and they inserted Taj into the starting 5 and he just never left.

 

[TheStig]

Taj didnt beat out TT for the job last season. TT broke his forearm and they inserted Taj into the starting 5 and he just never left.

Call me crazy but I think its because they like Taj more. Its not like TT didn't have a chance to earn his spot back or the coaching staff plays musical chairs to determine starters. TT also came off the bench in Charlotte.

 

[Anytime23]

Im not saying they didnt like Taj more, i bet they did. Im just saying that Taj didnt beat out TT.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

Tyrus Thomas was better off coming off the bench. Taj Gibson fit better with the 1st unit... that is why Gibson was starting when both of them were on the roster, and healthy.

Tyrus is tons more athletic but Gibson was smarter, made less mistakes, better post defender, and better post scorer.

 

[RamiTheBullsFan]

I re-did my PF rankings to include DeJuan Blair and Serge Ibaka. Plus, I lowered Tyrus Thomas, Taj Gibson, and J.J. Hickson.