From Deseret News archives:
Boozer excited to be back with family
His personal life in turmoil for more than a year and a half over the serious health issues of his infant son, Carmani, that forced his wife and family to live in low-altitude Miami while Boozer played ball in mountainous Utah, Boozer played as hard as he got from life.
He made the 2007 NBA All-Star Game roster, even if he couldn't play due to a fractured fibula head near his left knee, with career-best numbers of 22.1 points and 11.8 rebounds and helped lead the Jazz to the 2007 NBA Western Conference Finals.
This season, which started with him alone again in Utah but with the knowledge that Carmani was on the road to recovery after a bone marrow transplant last summer, Boozer will almost certainly be named to the 2008 All-Star team as he's averaging a career-high 22.5 points and 10.8 rebounds and has posted double-doubles in his last five games, 29 of them for the season.
Boozer said Wednesday that playing like an All-Star for the past two seasons helped to take his mind off the family issues brought on by Carmani's sickle cell anemia.
"Oh, obviously I'm fortunate my son's going to be OK," Boozer said prior to Wednesday's team practice, "but for me, I put everything I had into basketball.
"That was my relief from what was going on in my personal life."
The uncertainties last season, and of last summer and fall as Carmani stayed hospitalized for 40 days after a bone marrow transplant, were probably worse than this season as Boozer spent another two months alone in Utah.
"I don't know which (season) was harder," Boozer said
"They were both tough in their own respects because last year I was without them for so long, and this summer, we didn't really know what the outcome was going to be until he came back from the hospital.
"Both were very tough, but last year being without them that was something I don't want nobody to ever have to go through."
The past two seasons were far rougher than Boozer's first two with the Jazz, when he missed about half of the games with a foot injury and a strained left hamstring things people couldn't actually see, so many questioned Boozer's desire to play here.
Recent comments
Boozer like D.Wilkins. Man, you need to be checked! I watched B-Ball...
D. Wilkins? HUH! | Jan. 30, 2008 at 1:04 p.m.
Carlos Boozer is a good guy. And so is Fish! Did he have a real...
Boozman | Jan. 30, 2008 at 1:00 p.m.
Moto X:
I never said I hate Boozer, way to go twisting my words;)...
Calgary Jazz | Jan. 24, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.
- Reducing game time laughable 8:42 p.m.
- Sloan wants Jazz to improve focus 8:36 p.m.
- Utah Jazz Gameday glance 8:17 p.m.
- Seniors helped BYU regroup 8:00 p.m.
- TCU showdown has big implications 7:51 p.m.
- NHL: The Captain heads to the Hall 7:48 p.m.
- Jazz: Korver, Miles to be evaluated 7:43 p.m.
- Hiker rescued from narrow ledge 7:38 p.m.
- RSL unfazed by conference final 7:27 p.m.
- 12 high schools ready for 'The Turf' 7:25 p.m.
- Gay advocates trek to LDS office
216 - House passes health care bill
195 - Dirk does dirty work in Dallas
190 - Lobo suspended
173 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
149 - Speed has never been BYU's game
136 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
124 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - Thousands protest health bill
102 - Provo company innovating engines
99
Here are a few leftovers from Beckerman from the "5 questions" interview.
It's almost tip time at the Spectrum as Utah State prepares to take on...
Get out of debt, stay out of debt, avoid it like it was a democrat.
...to understand the slow start. Remember this is their rebuilding year...
Senator Bennett for standing up against making the next chapter in American...
Always easy to kick a program when they are down. By the way, did you know...
If BYU is just so incredible, why can't they compete with top 25 teams? They...
I was always taught not to taunt people - period. It was not confined to...
sounds great im def gonna give it a try he's funny when does it start...
Horned Frogs 49 Utes 10 TCU has a great team this year. I'd...
You Texas fans are hilarious. Everybody gives BSU grief for their schedule,...
Congrats to all of the coaches, staff, teams, parents, vb supporters, etc....



