Bulls' bottom line: Don't worry about Boozer

After five playoff games last year, the Bulls already had gone fishing, to quote the running joke the TNT studio crew uses to mock teams once they're eliminated.

This time they're sailing smoothly after a five-game win over Indiana. So it's only natural to fear the worst and wonder if the Bulls should be worried about forward Carlos Boozer.

He averaged 10 points, 10.2 rebounds and shot a disappointing 36 percent from the field against the Pacers.

Boozer also suffered a turf toe injury in Tuesday's Game 5. A status update should be coming Friday, when the Bulls resume practice after taking two days off. They'll host Game 1 of the second round against Atlanta on Monday at the United Center.

Boozer wasn't a heavy contributor against Indiana, with foul trouble a repeated issue. But the cause for alarm is minimal.

First of all, remember that Boozer's points per dollar are irrelevant to the rest of the playoffs. The Bulls obviously expected more than 10 points per game from their prized free-agent addition. Right now, though, winning is all that matters.

One basic explanation for the Bulls' surprising success is the pieces fit together well. Derrick Rose is the creator, while Boozer waits in the post. If Boozer draws a double team, Joakim Noah should be free for offensive rebounds.

Luol Deng circles the floor and has become the second scoring option. Kyle Korver, or Keith Bogans if he's got the touch, is waiting on the perimeter for 3-point attempts. Having a low-post threat on the floor helps keep the defense honest, the same way Korver draws attention on the perimeter.

Another problem is Boozer missed all but four days of training camp, so he has very little chemistry with Rose. Those two rarely even try to run a pick-and-roll together, which was a staple of Boozer's success in Utah. When the starters are on the court, Noah sets most of the high screens for Rose.

If the teamwork can improve, Boozer should be able to make Rose's job easier in coming seasons. But the chemistry is not going to materialize between playoff rounds.

To Boozer's credit, he hasn't complained publicly about anything this season. He has taken the injuries in stride and refused to gripe about his touches or post position or anything like that.

His token answer to any inquiry about a questionable performance has been, “Who cares? We're winning.”

Some might say he's shirking responsibilities as the team's highest-paid player. But his point is valid and having a team leader who speaks out in favor of team play is a positive. Plenty of other NBA players would spin it a different direction.

Boozer did well in the playoffs when he was with the Jazz, averaging 20.3 points and 12.5 rebounds while winning four series. In 2007 he delivered a beyond-clutch 35 points and 14 rebounds in a Game 7 road win against Tom Thibodeau's Houston Rockets.

“He was very difficult for us to guard. I'd say impossible,” Thibodeau said. “He killed us.”

Defense, well that's never going to be a Boozer specialty. He just seems to lack the quick feet to keep up with opponents in the open floor. But he's capable of following Thibodeau's game plan for tied-together team defense.

Boozer has been up and down most of the season. He averaged just 8.5 points against Atlanta this season, 11.3 against Orlando.

Through the injuries, defensive lapses, double-doubles and quiet nights, the Bulls are 66-21 this season, a mark no one predicted. Until the next round starts, there's no reason to complain about anything.