As far as accomplishments in the NBA, no Lakers acquisition is bigger than Carlos Boozer. A 13-year NBA veteran, Boozer has been a double-double machine throughout his NBA career.
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Boozer’s play has tailed off in the last couple of years. Combined with an extremely crowded frontcourt with the Lakers and there are questions about whether Boozer will start. For his part, Boozer firmly expects to be a starter with the Lakers according to our own reporter Serena Winters:
Does Boozer see himself a starter on this team? "Absolutely"
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 25, 2014
With Jordan Hill, Julius Randle, Ed Davis, and Ryan Kelly, the Lakers have a lot of options up front. But none of them have been regular starters in the NBA, whereas Boozer has a ton of experience. Despite that experience, Boozer still feels he has a lot to prove in LA:
Carlos Boozer: "I have a lot to prove."
— Serena Winters (@SerenaWinters) July 25, 2014
Some fans may have been unhappy with the acquisition, but Boozer can provide a lot of physicality, scoring, and rebounding for the Lakers, while also mentoring the younger players.
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Boozer, much like other new acquisitions, has already talked to Kobe Bryant and Bryant’s message was the same as it was to everyone else, ‘come ready to play.’ There is no doubt that Boozer will be ready, and if he is able to get his numbers back up to previous levels, the Lakers could surprise some teams.
[divide]NBA Summer League: Julius Randle On Carlos Boozer, Kobe Bryant