Boozer's goal for the Bulls? 'A championship'

CmWYNNE3 · 09-06-2010, 12:58 AM

Chicago Bulls power forward Carlos Boozer has lofty expectations for his new team this season.

"A championship," he told ESPNChicago.com on Wednesday night after a Nike House of Hoops event. "I think a realistic goal for us is a championship. I think anything shorter than that we're setting ourselves up to be shorter than what we can reach. I think [we have] potential to be a championship-level team."

One of the reasons Boozer feels so confident is due to the fact that he gets to play with the Bulls' 21-year-old All-Star point guard, Derrick Rose.

"He's tight," Boozer said. "He can play. With our combination of what we have on our team, with myself in the post, with D. Rose at the point guard spot, Joakim [Noah] plugging that middle up, Luol Deng being very versatile on the wing, I think we have a team that can rival anybody. I think we'll be able to compete against every team in the league."

When it comes to Rose's progression specifically, Boozer isn't surprised at all that his new teammate is succeeding under the tutelage of his former college coach at Duke and current Team USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

"I think [Rose] went out there and made that team, proved to be the starter for that team," Boozer said. "Coach K loves him, of course, and they've been able to compete and have a chance to win. I think they're a game or two away from winning the gold and hopefully they can bring it back for us."

Boozer signed with the Bulls and became a teammate of Rose's only after the organization failed to land LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. The veteran forward understands that he just endured a few crazed few months that were unlike any other in NBA history.

"It was that kind of a summer," he said. "You had so many big names going different places, or possibly going different places. Obviously, Miami's crazy right now down there on the beach; obviously, we're crazy coming up here. In New York, [there's] a little bit of a buzz with Amare [Stoudemire] going up there. So for us, it was one of those situations where this summer was looked to for so long, people were anticipating this summer, now that it's here, everybody signed, everybody's on their team, now it's time to play basketball."

Boozer is looking forward to doing just that, especially with Rose and Noah, since they were two of the biggest reasons he felt comfortable playing in Chicago.

"I'm very excited to be part of the team," he said. "[I'm] looking forward to get going. Looking forward to seeing how good we can be. We have to prove ourselves. I think on paper we look terrific. I think we have to put what we have on paper on the court, get in the lab, mix it up, see how we jell together and then go out there and prove to everybody how good we are."

Nick Friedell covers the Bulls for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

dagulskie · 09-15-2010, 10:41 AM

Every Player's has a goal to get a championship ring in the NBA. If the bull's will got melo it would be a great team up with Boozer and Rose.

mvpjordan23 · 09-15-2010, 01:54 PM

Yep he's right every players goal is to win a championship but does every single player want to work hard for it? Boozers one of the hardest working players in the NBA. I think if they can swindle Melo without giving up Noah they will have a great chance. Even without Melo I think they can make some noise in the East. I dont think they can beat LA or Bos tho. Mia is great of course but with 2 physical guys inside(Boozer Noah+some bench players) and with a great PG and a defesnive minded coach I think they can take Miami if Miami doesnt get a solid big man or pg. Chalmers isnt gunna get the job done and neither is Anthony Ilgaskus or McGloire imo.

**hockeytown** · 09-21-2010, 11:01 PM

Awesome goal but he realizes Miami and Boston are probably going to take that chance away before he even gets a chance to get to the Finals

mvpjordan23 · 09-22-2010, 12:50 AM

Hockeytown- Boston for sure but I am not sold on Miami there gunna be tough but we ll see how they one play together and two if they can be fine without a PG or C or Bench. Only bench player is Miller really and Haslem if he doesnt start. I am not sold on them. Boston is still the best in the East. If the Bulls add a few more pieces they ll be right there

**hockeytown** · 09-22-2010, 10:23 AM

The beauty of this is it is a opinion. I think Miami will finish above Chicago. We shall see at seasons end who was right or wrong.

mvpjordan23 · 09-22-2010, 01:00 PM

Oh no doubt right now I think Miami will finish above Chicago. If they get Melo without giving up Noah thats a different story. As for Miami winning it all I am sayin right now they wont. It ll be Boston or the Lakers and we ll see at the end of the year whos right on that ;-)

Sophie Hart · 10-12-2010, 05:57 AM

If talk about Boston and Lakers, both are competitive and can give some tough time to their contenders and as for Miami is concerned, the team is not that gutsy enough to show some good performance.