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Position: center Height: 6-11 Weight: 231 College: Penn State University Born: May 7, 1976, Reynoldsburg, OH Opening day (2002) age: 25 Drafted: 1999, second round, pick 35, Washington NBA exerience: Three years (one with Sonics) Hand: Left Acquired: Signed as a free agent August 16, 2001 Nicknames: Cal, "Toll" Booth Contract status: Signed through 2006-07 season |
2001-02 in Review: After signing a six-year, $34 million deal with the Seattle SuperSonics in August, Calvin Booth was eager to prove he could be a regular starter in the NBA. Injuries kept him from having that chance in what was for all intents and purposes a lost season. Two days before the season opener, Booth sprained his ankle. Though he was able to play against Sacramento in the opener, Booth was severely limited playing three of the next four games before sitting out for two weeks. Booth returned on November 20 against his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, and displayed why the Sonics were happy to make him their free agent pickup. Booth scored a career-high 24 points, made 12 of 12 free throws, grabbed six rebounds, and handed out five assists in a 105-97 upset win. He played decently through the remainder of the month but still seemed to be playing short of 100%. Things turned for the worst early in December; during a three game stretch against Dallas, Miami, and Portland (all Sonic losses), Booth struggled with the injury and foul trouble, totaling 30 minutes, nine points, seven rebounds, and only one block while picking up nine personal fouls. He sat out the next two games before going on the injured list with a projected return date of the start of the new year. An examination shortly before the Sonics’ 2002 opener revealed that Booth’s condition had worsened, and there was speculation he had previously been misdiagnosed. After further rest did nothing to improve Booth’s ankle, he finally went under the knife for surgery in mid-March, officially ending his season.
Previous NBA Career: After a solid NCAA career at Penn State where he finished as the Big Ten’s all-time leader in blocked shots and fifth in NCAA history with 428, Booth was a second-round selection in 1999 by the Washington Wizards. His rookie season was essentially a learning experience, as Booth played only 143 minutes over 11games. By year two, Booth earned a larger role in the Wizards rotation, starting 22 of the 40 games he played in Washington and averaging a remarkable 6.1 blocks per 48 minutes. In February, Booth was seemingly a throw-in in Washington’s trade deadline blockbuster with the Mavericks, but both sides regarded him as a key part of the deal. Again splitting time between the starting lineup and the bench, Booth shined in Dallas. In just under 20 minutes per game, Booth averaged 7.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.0 blocks. He ended the season as the NBA’s leader in blocks per 48 minutes. The high point of Booth’s career came in game five of Dallas’ first-round playoff series with the Utah Jazz. His big fourth quarter helped bring the Mavericks back before he scored the game-winning basket to send Dallas to the second round. A restricted free agent after the season, Booth was expected to return to Dallas before the Sonics interceded. With its cap room, Seattle was able to go just over the amount the Mavericks could match and pried Booth loose from Mark Cuban’s hands.
Shooting/Scoring: Like many of the big men the Sonics have brought in lately, Booth does not possess the offensive game of a traditional center. He rarely plays with his back to the basket and is not a physical presence down low. Instead, Booth spends most of his time in the high post, where he is very effective with a smooth 15-20 foot jumper that keeps defenders honest. Aside from the jumper, Booth’s primary source of offense comes off putbacks. Last season, he made 23 of 24 free throws for an impressive 95.8%. However, this did not match his previous performance; Booth made just 68.5% of his free throws during his first two seasons.
Grade: C+
Floor Game: Along with his potent jumper, Booth’s impressive ballhandling skills make him effective in the high post. With both the Sonics and the Mavericks, Booth had assist per 48 minute averages around three and assist/turnover ratios of one or better. He is a quality passer, though occasionally prone to turnovers. Booth does not handle the ball regularly or particularly comfortably. He sets screens well and should be effective if the Sonics use the pick-and-roll regularly next season.
Grade: B+
Rebounding: Booth did a very good job on the boards during the 2000-01 season, but was not nearly as effective last season for the Sonics. He dropped from 12.7 rebounds per 48 minutes to 9.3. Despite his frequent presence on the perimeter, Booth is about even on the offensive and defensive glass.
Grade: B-
Defense: Tall, thin, and with long limbs, Booth is a natural shot blocker whose performance has matched his potential. There is no better sign that Booth was not healthy last season than his poor shot blocking; his 2.2 blocks per 48 minutes with the Sonics represented an amazing 61% dropoff from his league-leading mark of the previous season. Booth is not nearly as effective defending the post, where he can be overpowered by physical players. Booth does have good footspeed and can keep up with smaller, quicker players on the perimeter, which might be meaningful if he plays some power forward next season.
Grade: B+
Intangibles: A fanatically hard worker, Booth quickly gained a strong reputation in the Seattle locker room. However, his lengthy injury convinced many fans that Booth is injury-prone and there were also unjustified questions about his tolerance for pain.
Grade: A-
Overall: Booth entered last season with something to prove after his signing was widely mocked in the media. A second-round draft pick by Washington whose best skill is shot blocking, Booth was only naturally compared to former Sonic Jim McIlvaine. Playing only 15 games, Booth did nothing to silence his critics and enters this season with even more pressure on him to display the Sonics did not make a mistake by signing him. This year, he may have to do it off the bench. With Booth on the sidelines, free agent signing Jerome James laid claim to Seattle’s starting center job and was rewarded with a three-year, $15 million contract this summer. James will likely enter training camp as the starting center, with Booth fighting for backup minutes against Peja Drobnjak and Vitaly Potapenko. James is not a 30 minute a night player; nor is Booth. A situation in which they split minutes at center fairly evenly should prove effective for both players. Booth began practicing shortly after the end of last season and practiced normally during a Seattle mini-camp in late August. He should not have any ill effects from his ankle injury next season, allowing him to finally show Seattle players that he is not the bust they fear.
Grade: C+
As noted, Calvin Booth has struggled to gain acceptance and is one of the least-popular Sonics players. It would take an impressive comeback next season for Booth to win over the fans. Personally, I’ve always liked Booth and don’t completely understand the fears about Booth.