NBA Boozer grows with Cavs

The second-year pro has become one of the NBA's young standouts.
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Kneeling at the scorer's table waiting to get into a game last week, Cavaliers point guard Jeff McInnis looked up just as Carlos Boozer streaked by.
With fundamental precision, Boozer caught a bounce pass near the foul line, dribbled once in the lane, then finished the fast-break with a ferocious, backboard-shivering dunk.
While nearly 20,000 fans inside Gund Arena yelled "Booozzzz", McInnis, a recent arrival via a trade last month from Portland, offered a brief assessment of his new teammate.
"Man, how 'bout Booze?" McInnis said, shaking his head. "I had no idea the guy was THIS good."
Slowly, word is spreading. Two years after slipping into the second round (No. 35 overall) of the NBA draft and playing in the shadow of rookie LeBron James, Boozer has become one of the league's young standouts.
"He's one of the best forwards in the Eastern Conference -- not just one of the best young forwards," Miami coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He is becoming a force."
A good blend
A 6-foot-9, 260-pound blend of ferocity and finesse from Duke, Boozer has the seasoned game of a 10-year veteran -- not a second-year pro.
With the tenacity of an NFL linebacker, Boozer relentlessly battles taller opponents under the basket. Using his wide shoulders and some better-than-average hops, Boozer won't stop until he's cradling the ball in his massive hands.
Following a 25-point, 16-rebound performance Wednesday against the Los Angeles Lakers, Boozer was ranked fifth in the league in rebounds, averaging 11.1 per game.
In nine games since Jan. 17, Boozer averaged 22.6 points and 14.6 boards while helping the Cavaliers go 6-3 and move into the playoff picture.
"He's got the body," said first-year Cavs coach Paul Silas, one of the NBA's all-time leading rebounders. "He's got the timing. He's got everything he needs to be a great rebounder. It's happening for him now."
Improved shooter
Boozer, whose laid-back demeanor off the floor counters his imposing presence during games, has improved his shot, too, perfecting a mid-range jumper that's one of the Cavs' most dependable offensive weapons.
In Cleveland's first 49 games, Boozer recorded 21 double-doubles (points-rebounds). Nine times this season, he scored at least 15 points with 15 rebounds -- only Minnesota's Kevin Garnett and San Antonio's Tim Duncan have more.
And with a contract for this season of just $563,679 -- small change in a league where the average salary is $4.9 million -- Boozer may be the NBA's best bargain.
After winning an NCAA title as a sophomore, Boozer, the transplant from Juneau, Alaska, by way of Washington, D.C., skipped his final year at Duke to turn pro.
He worked out for more than a dozen teams before the 2002 draft, and had reason to believe he would go to Utah at No. 19. But the Jazz passed on him, and so did every other team in the first round.
Cleveland was so sure he would go earlier that it didn't even invite him in for a personal workout.