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Chicago Bulls analysis: Pau Gasol, Carlos Boozer Deserve Similar Legacies for Performances in Chicago

By Paul Steeno

Jan 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) celebrates with forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls defeated the Pistons 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 18, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol (16) celebrates with forward Taj Gibson (22) and guard Jimmy Butler (21) during the game against the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills. The Bulls defeated the Pistons 111-101. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-USA TODAY Sports /
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Carlos Boozer was much maligned as a Chicago Bulls free agent signing.
Feb 25, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Carlos Boozer (5) dribbles the ball during the first half against the Utah Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena. The Lakers won 100-97. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense and Winning

Carlos Boozer played for the Bulls for four seasons from 2010-14 before the team released him via an amnesty clause in his contract on July 15, 2014. The Bulls had a 183-97 regular-season record (.653 winning percentage) in games Boozer played in.

In the playoffs, Boozer recorded a 17-22 record (.436 winning percentage) with the Chicago Bulls. However, the Bulls did make the playoffs every year he played in Chicago.

On Monday, Pau Gasol declined the player option on the last year of his contract, meaning he will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

While the Bulls could extend him an offer like any other NBA team, the writing seems to be on the wall that he will move on.

Gasol has played two seasons with the Bulls, accumulating a 84-66 regular season record (.560 winning percentage) in games Gasol played in. Gasol helped the Bulls win one playoff series and he had a 6-4 record in postseason play.

Offensively, both players had similar games.

They both were stretch big men that relied on mid-range jumpers and back-to-the-basket moves for their scoring.

Per 36 minutes, Gasol averaged 19.1 points as a Bull, while Boozer averaged 18.4 points in this same time span. In terms of traditional field goal percentage, Boozer outperformed Gasol 49.1 percent to 48.3 percent. Both players had the same effective field goal percentage (49.1 percent).

Shooting statistics courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com show that Gasol did shoot mid-range jumpers better than Boozer. Gasol shot 42.6 percent on 10-16 foot shots and 46.3 percent on shots further than 16 feet from the basket, but in front of the three-point line.

By comparison, Boozer shot 40.2 percent on 10-16 foot shots and 41.1 percent on shots between 16 feet and the 3-point stripe.

However,  Boozer performed better than Gasol around the basket.

According to Basketball-Reference.com, Boozer had a 66.3 shooting percentage on shots within three feet of the basket. In contrast, Gasol shot just 59.4 percent from this same range.

Gasol was a fantastic passing big man during his time in Chicago. He averaged 3.6 assists per 36 minutes.

However, Boozer was a good passing big man as well, averaging 2.4 assists per 36 minutes with the Bulls.

These numbers prove that the discrepancy between Gasol and Boozer offensively isn’t as large as many people seem to remember.

Next: Rebounding

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