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Chat Wrap From Carlos Boozer's Wednesday Chat
Jan. 16, 2002
Moderator: (12:14 PM ET ) TheACC.com and the ESPN.com would like to welcome Duke's Carlos Boozer.
Peter (Washington D.C: Carlos. I am a Duke fan and I want to know what you think are the teams main objectives in order to be successful for Thursday's game against Maryland. I also wanted to wish you all continued success for this year and also in the NBA when you decide to leave.
Carlos Boozer: (12:15 PM ET ) I think rebounding is going to be a big key in the game. How we defend them is going to be major because they have a lot of options on offense. Defense and rebounding are the two key factors in being successful against Maryland.
jefferson(cullowhee): what made you pick number 4 and will u keep it in the pros so i can get that one too?
Carlos Boozer: (12:16 PM ET ) I have four siblings. I have three sisters and one younger brother. I definitely look forward to keeping it in the pros.
brandon berdeau st. pauls, NC: hey booz, i am one of the biggest duke fans and i want to start off and say that i love the way you play. my question is what is the major diffrence of the duke team before flordia state and the duke team now. yall look a whole lot better. what did coach k do to get yall so pumped? good luck thursday, i am ready to see yall take over first in the acc, and by the way cool navigator!
Carlos Boozer: (12:17 PM ET ) Our intensity on the defensive end. Since the FSU game we have really embraced our Duke defense. That is what the difference is, we are stopping other teams from scoring.
Barry (Phoenix): Carlos, you have one of the best percentages for free throw shooting for "big men" in the country! How often do you practice free throws? What do you do to work on your technique?
Carlos Boozer: (12:18 PM ET ) I work on free throw shooting before and after practice every day. I do the same routine evey time so my muscles are used to that routine.
David (Chicago): Carlos: Who do you use as basketball role models?
Carlos Boozer: (12:19 PM ET ) I would say that I try to follow a combination of Tim Duncan and Karl Malone.
Ned (Raleigh): Looked like JW tried to open things up by getting more people involved in the offense against NC State, which obviously worked for you and Mike D. Is this a point of emphasis by Coach?
Carlos Boozer: (12:20 PM ET ) No, We have the most prolific scorer in the country in Jason Williams. Teams are going to try and take his scoring away by double teaming him. We have to step up and make shots, it just happens in the course of the game.
John, Wilson: What will you do to contain Baxter and keep out of foul trouble, Duke needs you to stay on the court as much as possible.
Carlos Boozer: (12:21 PM ET ) Limit his touches. By denying him the ball, he won't be able to be as effective. Stay out of foul trouble and not commit stupid fouls.
Chad(Walnut Cove, NC): With Maryland having such a good quick team, what will be the key to attacking their defense?
Carlos Boozer: (12:22 PM ET ) I think making precise passes, being sharp and attacking their defense to score. They are a quick team, but we are quick as well. We have to attack their defense to score.
Lindsey (blacksburg): Do you or the team have any rituals you do on game day? I heard DUhon sometimes sleeps with a basketball the night before-do you do anything like that to help prepare you for games?
Carlos Boozer: (12:23 PM ET ) I do have a ritual. The only part of it I will say is I study the other team's players the night before the game and I take a nap the day of the game for about an hour and a half.
John Rudy, Charlotte: In the help defense, how does the team box out? Do you take the man you are on, or is there an assigned man that the frontcourt is supposed to block out? Duke is 8th in the conference in rebounding now, how will you change that?
Carlos Boozer: (12:25 PM ET ) I think when a shot is taken, you have to box out whoever is the biggest threat of getting the rebound. If that person is the biggest threat you need to box him out whether he is your man or not. The other players on the team will adjust.
David (Chicago): Carlos: What is hard to recruited being from Alaska? Do they have good competition over there?
Carlos Boozer: (12:27 PM ET ) There was really good teams in Alaska, not so good individual players. I was fortunate to play on an AAU team that would travel to play tournaments down South. This allowed me to see how I was against top players.
Ryan (Brick, NJ): Have you read Coach K's book, Five Point Play? Do you think this team is better than last years and why or why not?
Carlos Boozer: (12:30 PM ET ) I have read the book and at this point in the season, I don't think this team is better than last year's team. I think we have the potential to be better. Last year's team was so intense from the beginning. I think in time we will be there, right now I don't think we are. We are capable because we have so many players that are back.
Katie St. Louis: What kind of tattoo do you have and is there a special reason for it?
Carlos Boozer: (12:32 PM ET ) I have two tattoos. There is one on my arm that is a fierce bear. I have that one because I want to play like a fierce bear on the court. I have one that is a cross on my chest. It says "Count Your Blessings" around the cross because you need to cherish the things that you have.
Moderator: (12:34 PM ET ) That is all of the time that Carlos has for us today. TheACC.com and ESPN.com would like to thank Carlos for participating and remind fans to watch the Duke-Maryland game Thursday night at 9 p.m. (ET) on ESPN.
