Chicago Bulls General Manager Gar Forman: Carlos Boozer will stay with the franchise – NBA Update
The Chicago Bulls have made it clear that power forward Carlos Boozer will return with the team next season. Bulls General Manager Gar Forman announced his side’s intentions in order to put to rest the growing speculation that
Boozer could be let go.
There have been calls from some Bulls fans and pundits for Boozer to be traded away or released. The new CBA allows for Chicago to amnesty a player and fans have not really taken to Boozer since he joined the franchise as a free
agent.
The argument is that Carlos has too big a contract, which hinders Chicago’s ability to sign players needed in other positions. In addition, the power forward has not been as productive as many fans would have expected him to be,
meaning that the load for scoring is still largely on the shoulders of Derrick Rose.
Chicago’s GM Forman however does not agree with the point of view. The executive believes that Boozer actually has put up decent numbers this year, and has been an ever present for the side.
“I think Carlos had a very productive year,” Forman said. “You look back, he’s the only guy on our team that played every game and practiced every day on a team that won more games than anybody in the NBA. He was our second leading
scorer and our second leading rebounder.”
Boozer’s showing in the Bulls playoff series with Philadelphia 76ers did not endear him more to the fans. He was especially ineffective, in the eyes of the critics at least, in the last game that send Chicago crashing out of the
playoffs.
Forman however is sticking to his guns.
“We’re looking forward to Carlos continuing to make progress. I know the last game clouds it a little bit, but he was very productive in the games before that. Even in that last game, in 27 minutes, he had 13 boards. I anticipate
Carlos being with us and having another productive year next season.”
The Bulls have lost Derrick Rose for 8-12 months following surgery on his knee. In the absence of the super star, Chicago will need Boozer and company to step up next season.
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