This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

When Carlos Boozer suited up for the Utah Jazz, he was never the best defender, especially in pick and roll situations, or defending someone straight up in the post.

But when Boozer was with the Jazz, he was such a prominent offensive weapon, he was able to overcome that. Jerry Sloan may have been upset with his effort defensively, on many levels, but it's hard to sit a guy averaging close to 20 points and 10 rebounds per game.

In the years since he became a former Jazzman, Boozer's offensive skills have eroded. He's no longer an elite pick and pop player. He never gets to the free-throw line anymore, and he can't regularly get you 20 a night.

So, in essence, he's going to have to bring other things to the table to stay on the floor. Now with the Los Angeles Lakers, Boozer is embroiled in a dispute with his coach Byron Scott, who recently benched him in favor of Ed Davis. No, Davis isn't close to Boozer's talent offensively. But he rebounds, he blocks shots and he can guard on the perimeter.

Needless to say, Boozer isn't on the same page with Scott when it comes to his defense.

"That's just his opinion," Boozer told The Los Angeles Times. "I have a different opinion. I'll keep it to myself."

How did Scott respond?

"He's not the coach," Scott told the Times on Tuesday.

It's not all together difficult to see Boozer being a bad fit for the Lakers. He's playing with Kobe Bryant, and he's always been a guy who needs touches to be effective. He's not going to get touches, playing with Kobe. On some levels, if Boozer were to readily accept a bench role, that could actually be a better fit for him, because he could be a leader offensively for the second unit, and the Lakers desperately need that.

So how will this progress? Stay tuned. But for now, Carlos Boozer is no longer in the starting lineup for Los Angeles.

Tony Jones