CENTRAL DIVISION NEWS
CHICAGO BULLS: Add in that Boozer will be the 24th highest-paid player in the Association at $15 million, and is owed $15.3 million next season and $16.8 million in the 2014-15, and it’s no wonder that the chant of “Boooooooze’’ from the hometown fans has far too often turned to boos. “People look at it from the wrong perspective,’’ Boozer said. “This isn’t Utah, and this isn’t just a team with me and [former Jazz point guard] Deron Williams on it. We’re playing with five scorers here, so your touches aren’t going to be the same, your looks aren’t going to be the same. It’s a different system. “All the people should worry about is if we win. Criticize me if we lose, but if we win, just praise us.’
Cleveland Cavaliers: This year, Cavaliers fans are more concerned with the fact Dion Waiters, the No. 4 overall draft pick, did not start Monday’s preseason opener vs. Montepaschi Siena. He may not start in Tuesday’s preseason game in Canton, either. Instead, the honor went to another newcomer -- free-agent pickup C.J. Miles, a veteran of six NBA seasons (all with Utah). “I just felt C.J. comes in with a little more experience, he’s a guy who’s played in a ton of games. He fits in well with what we’re doing,” Cavs coach Byron Scott said prior to tipoff at Quicken Loans Arena. “It’s the same thing I said about Kyrie last year. Dion has to earn it. Simple as that.”
Detroit Pistons: Former Detroit Pistons player and coach Donnie Butcher died today at the age of 76, according to his son, Denny, a basketball coach in Hartland. Butcher was traded from the New York Knicks to the Pistons on Dec. 16, 1963 as a part of a three-team, four-player deal. He would play with Detroit until 1966. During the '66-'67 season, he was named Pistons head coach, replacing then player-coach Dave DeBusschere.
Indiana Pacers: Standing before a half-huddle of microphones, dressed in both his game uniform and game face, Paul George laid it out for the world to hear. “I want to be an All-Star, of course,” he said. “I feel like that's in my reach. Nothing aside from the team success, but I just feel like this is a year I can be aggressive and make a name for myself.”
Milwaukee Bucks: Even in the event Eddy Curry doesn't make the Spurs, word is he's played well enough to have drawn interest from... several teams, which are supposedly keeping tabs on him. Then again, Curry no longer seems like such a long shot to make the Spurs' final roster. The Bucks, Trail Blazers, Hornets and yes, Bulls, all may have an interest if Curry is cut loose.