From Deseret News archives:

Boozer a no-go for much-hyped Cleveland return

Ailing forward stays in Utah, will miss 'Loozerpalooza' party

Published: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 9:59 a.m. MST
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 
CLEVELAND — Since his controversial exit from here this past summer, anticipation has been building for Carlos Boozer's return to Cleveland.

Web site www.carlosloozer.com has been counting down the time. T-shirts calling him two-faced sell in shopping-mall sportswear shops. Radio ads invite fans to come boo him.

Finally the day has arrived — and Boozer is nowhere to be seen, choosing to stay back by Salt Lake City rather than visit the blue-collar town that rests on the edge of one of the true Great Lakes.

The Jazz on Monday issued a news release saying Boozer would not travel to Cleveland or anywhere else on a five-game trip that began Sunday in Detroit and ends Saturday in Washington.

Instead, the club's leading scorer and rebounder is staying in Utah, according to the Jazz, "for the rest of the week to continue his physical therapy."

Boozer sought a second opinion on his injury in Los Angeles late last week, and the Jazz said Monday they were still awaiting test results.

The team's usual starting power forward has been out since Feb. 14 — a full month now — with what is being called a "strained right foot."

Story continues below
"The most important thing," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said before a practice attended by numerous Cleveland media members all hoping to talk to Boozer, "is he's got to take care of what he's got going on with his foot right now.

"He can't worry about sideshows of this," Sloan added. "He's got to get himself healthy to play basketball first."

That's a disappointment to at least some bitter fans of the Cavaliers, who let Boozer out of his contract for the current season because they thought they had an oral agreement from him to re-sign — only to have the restricted free agent accept a six-year, $68 million offer from Utah that Cleveland would not, and essentially could not, match.

On the Web site self-described as the home of "outraged sports fans" in Cleveland, a drawing of Boozer looking suspiciously similar to a chicken filled much of the home page Monday.

"What a coincidence," Cavs fan Tim Parnin, speaking to the Associated Press, said sarcastically of Boozer not traveling.

Parnin has helped plan a pre-game "Loozerpalooza" party for tonight in Cleveland, replete with Boozer pinatas.

How other fans at Gund Arena will act, however, remains to be seen.

"I would have (expected a hostile crowd) if he was here," Jazz co-captain Matt Harpring said. "Now that he's not here, I don't expect anything different than any other game."

Comments

You can be the first to comment on this story.

Image

Carlos Boozer won't be joining the Jazz on their current road swing.

previousnext

Latest comments

Letters: Explaining Palin

The Republicans didn't want Reagan either, he was a light weight, he was a...

Girls basketball rankings

They will get their, but don't forget that team isn't even as strong as they...

Letters: Ban violent games

I remember this same (mis) logic being used on my genereation watching Bugs...

Based on the previous Cougar and Ute posts, I'm embarrassed to be either a...

Letters: Explaining Palin

Palin for high office. What an incredibly stupid notion. (but makes total...

Y. opponent nearly smelled roses

If BYU is so awesome as most BYU commentators think, then why has BYU never...

i'am taking off my red hat and throwing away all my utah gear.I'AM SICK OF...

To Pagan: As stated the UCMJ states that any homosexual act is reason for...

House GOP won't take no-tax pledge

There has to be a tax hike. How else are the legislators going to get their...

2010: A new beginning

ONe problem with your question, WHO are you?

Advertisements