Front Court Statistics

In an interview shortly after being released from the hospital, Larry Miller expressed his concern for the summer of 2010 (after this coming season).

"Next summer will be one of the most important summers in our history."

Miller state that he is very worried about the "big challenge" coming next off-season. Three of the Jazz's top players — Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver — are likely to become free agents, with Paul Millsap available for contract extension. Failure to extend Millsap's contract would result in Millsap becoming a free agent the following summer. Ronnie Price, Jarron Collins, and Brevin Knight will all be free agents as well.

"We're going to have to make some very, very tough decisions next year," Miller said. "I do not intend us to be a luxury-tax payer, but only because we have to have an economically stable franchise regardless of anything else."

In light of Miller's recent comments, and following up on our recent discussions of Paul Millsap vs. Carlos Boozer, our blogger staff has compiled some simple NBA statistics for comparison of the Jazz frontcourt trio.

All statistics compare players at the same stage of their career (rather than current head-to-head).

12 Questions to Think About (Milsap vs. Boozer)

12 Questions to Think About: Feel free to share your thoughts with the rest of us by commenting or send us an email at thesaltpalace@blogspot.com.

*There are comparitive statistics available for reference in the previous article posted.

1: In order to win an NBA championship, which attributes of a PF do you think are most important to a team?

2: Can the Jazz win an NBA championship with Carlos Boozer as their primary PF?

3: Can the Jazz win an NBA championship with Paul Millsap as their primary PF?

Info: Since the 1998-99 season, every NBA champion has had an interior player average over 17 points per game as an all-star (Boston = Garnett, Miami = Shaq, Detroit = Wallace, San Antonio = Duncan, LA = Shaq).

4: In your opinion, what are the biggest benefits of having a low-post scorer on your team?

5: Is it necessary to have a low-post scorer on your team? Why?

6: If you have a player(s) that can attack the basket off the dribble, can this make up for the lack of a true low-post scorer?

7: Does this change your opinion on whether or not the Jazz can win an NBA championship with Carlos Boozer as their primary PF?

8: Does this change your opinion on whether or not the Jazz can win an NBA championship with Paul Millsap as their primary PF?

Info: The Chicago Bulls were the most dominant team in the NBA for nearly a decade. For most of those years and Championships, the Bulls relied heavily on Dennis Rodman and Luc Longley in their front-court. Rodman averaged 5.5 ppg, 5.7 ppg, and 4.7 ppg to go along with 14.9 rpg, 16.1 rpg, and 15.0 rpg in his years with the Bulls. Luc Longley averaged 9.1 ppg, 9.1 ppg, and 11.4 ppg to go along with 5.1 rpg, 5.6 rpg, and 5.9 rpg in the same years with the Bulls. Longly failed miserably with every other team he played with after the Bulls.

9: How were the Bulls were able to win so many games (and championships) without a true low-post scorer?

10: Besides Michael Jordan, what does a team need in order to win an NBA championship without a true low-post scorer?

11: Does this change your opinion on whether or not the Jazz can win an NBA championship with Carlos Boozer as their primary PF?

12: Does this change your opinion on whether or not the Jazz can win an NBA championship with Paul Millsap as their primary PF?

*There are comparitive statistics available for reference in the previous article posted.

12 Questions to Think About: Feel free to share your thoughts with the rest of us by commenting or send us an email at thesaltpalace@blogspot.com.

Paul Millsap vs Carlos Boozer

VS

Utah Jazz management is stuck between a rock and a hard place when deciding which direction to steer the franchise in coming years.

Rock = Carlos Boozer
Hard Place = Paul Millsap

Both players have significant upside, however there may not be room for both in the long-term future of the Jazz.

Don't expect the Jazz to move either player this season. The Jazz have got to feel comfortable with their current three-headed monster (Boozer, Okur, and Millsap). All three player are interchangeable in the front-court (any two can play together at one time). Between the three players, there are not many minutes left over.

07-08 Season Averages:
Carlos Boozer = 35 minutes/game
Mehmet Okur = 33 minutes/game
Paul Millsap = 17.5 minutes/game
Left Overs = 10.5 minutes/game

What's the concern?
Carlos Boozer and Mehmet Okur both have opt-out clauses in their contracts. An opt-out clause provides one party the right to terminate a contract early, or extend the contract for an additional year at the current rate. In this case, both Mehmet Okur and Carlos Boozer will have the chance to test their value on the free agency market. Based on performance/production, both players can demand significantly higher value on the open market.

Paul Millsap is in a slightly different situation. Paul still makes near the league minimum (his rookie contract as a second round pick). Just as Deron Williams recently signed a large contract extension, the Jazz will have the opportunity to offer Paul Millsap a contract extension. Millsap's rookie contract will continue through the following season, after which the newly negotiated contract will take place. It is quite possible that Paul Millsap will earn the highest pay raise of the three players come time for re-negotiation.

Current Salary -- Expected Salary
Carlos Boozer: $11.6M -- $15M to $17M
Mehmet Okur: $8.5M -- $10M to $12M
Paul Millsap: $800K -- $6M

What to do?
That is the question the Jazz face. Based upon value and durability, it is highly unlikely the Jazz will pass on Mehmet Okur. That leaves us with Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap. Carlos will likely demand a maximum contract from the Jazz, while Paul Millsap will likely be interested in more playing time.

To Be Continued...


*Panel of Fans Needed:
The Salt Palace Blogger Staff would like to form a one-time panel of Jazz fans to discuss this topic of Paul Millsap vs Carlos Boozer. If you are interested in participating in this one-time panel, send us an email at thesaltpalace@gmail.com. Please include your name, location, and email address to where we can send some questions. We will NOT use or sell your information for spamming or advertising.