Draymond Green didn’t need much time to come away impressed by Cam Boozer.
After the Memphis Grizzlies edged the Golden State Warriors 111-108 in the second game of the season for both teams, Green said on his podcast that the rookie had caught him off guard with just how complete his game looks already.
Boozer, the third overall pick, scored 25 points against Golden State and continued the strong start he has made to his NBA career. The 19-year-old has helped give Memphis a balanced look early on, and his performance against the Warriors only added to that.
Green was especially struck by the way Boozer moves and handles the ball, not just his scoring touch.
He said: “I had no clue he can move the way he moved. Also that he could shoot the way he shoots.
“To go up against him for the first time. Very strong, doesn’t back down from a challenge.
He talks out there on the floor. I was very impressed with Cam Boozer.
“The thing that stood out most is he moves extremely well. He can handle the ball.
That piece was shocking to me. I’m excited about Cam Boozer.
I was very surprised.”
Green also said he expected Boozer to be able to score, but not to look this polished this quickly.
That reaction stands out because Green already had Boozer on his radar before this matchup. Around the NBA Draft in June, he drew a Tim Duncan comparison, saying: “Tim Duncan never had to blow you through the roof, yet he was so great.
He’s one of the greatest players we’ve ever seen. And I think that was Tim Duncan.
And you look at Cam Boozer, he has a similar thing.”
Boozer’s production has backed up the buzz. He has double-digit rebounds in all three games this season, and his 25 points against the Warriors is his best scoring output so far.
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