The 75 greatest NBA players of the 2000s, ranked
By Cal Durrett
58) Carlos Boozer
One-time NBA star Carlos Boozer started his career with the Cleveland Cavaliers as a second-round pick and immediately proved to be a steal. However, when it came time to re-sign with the Cavaliers, he abruptly chose to sign with the Utah Jazz instead. Controversy aside, he turned out to be a terrific signing for the Jazz.
He spent the remaining five seasons of the decade in Utah and made two all-star teams in 2006–07 and 2007–08, averaging a combined 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. He, along with Deron Williams, were seen as the next potential John Stockton and Karl Malone after they led the team to the Western Conference Finals in 2007.
Of course, Williams and Boozer didn't turn out to be the next Stockton and Malone but like them, they didn't win a championship. All told, Boozer averaged 16.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 432 games in seven seasons during the 2000s, which is not bad for a former second-round pick. Boozer would go on to play eight more seasons in the NBA, though he would fail to make another all-star team, meaning that he was at his best during the 2000s.