From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: Boozer set to rock, pick and roll
His focus was a blur, like trying to look long-distance through the reading portion of new bifocals.
His 2008 NBA postseason was a bust, and he readily admits as much.
On the opening day of training camp for the '08-09 season, however, Carlos Boozer was ready to leave all that behind and peer ahead with a thankfully much-clearer vision.
"I can't wait to play, to get that bad taste out of my mouth," Boozer said between sessions of two-a-day camp at Boise State University's Taco Bell Arena.
"You know, it kind of lingers around until the next game," he added. "So, I'm looking forward to the season, I'm looking forward to practice and playing and getting it out of my system."
The purge should be aided by an offseason in which the Jazz's two-time All-Star power forward won gold with Team USA at the Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
"For me personally," Boozer said, "I'm in a great place mentally, a great place physically, and ready to rock and roll."
Just how long he'll continue to make music with the Jazz, however, remains to be seen.
But Boozer doesn't plan to decide anything until next offseason, including whether to extend or pursue opportunities in the free-agency market, he said before the Jazz's evening workout.
"We're going to enjoy this season and play basketball," Boozer said. "I look forward to having an opportunity to win, and hopefully win a championship.
"We're gonna let (contract matters) slide, so it's ready to be dealt with in the summertime," he added Tuesday night. "Right now we have an opportunity to play basketball, and have fun doing that, so we're going to focus on that."
Both Boozer and Okur are eligible to opt out of the final year of their current deals after the coming NBA season.
But neither player, evidently, is close to striking a deal.
"We've had some conversations with him (Boozer) about it," O'Connor said. "And, look: As far as I'm concerned, I feel Carlos wants to be here. And as far as we're concerned we certainly want him to be here, and then we're going to address it accordingly."
Asked Tuesday if he expected to continue talks with Boozer during the season, O'Connor said, "We might have some, but probably not."
Such also seems to be the case with Okur, an All-Star in 2007 who is in the fifth season of a six-year, $50 million contract.
Recent comments
I love the booz man. I am going to be on the
Booz train all year no...
Tyler Pearson | Oct. 7, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.
I like his offensive game, usually, and his scoring.
However, when...
Boozer Bugs Me | Oct. 1, 2008 at 11:59 p.m.
To be one of 12 players picked to represent the U.S. at the Olympics,...
For the record | Oct. 1, 2008 at 8:29 p.m.
- Jaguars beat Texans 23-18 2:17 p.m.
- Palin's Iowa stop spurs talk 2:14 p.m.
- Apple confirms purchase of Lala.com 2:10 p.m.
- Iraqi parliament approves election law 2:06 p.m.
- Poinsettias need partners 2:00 p.m.
- Somali gov't replaces officials 1:55 p.m.
- Both candidates claim victory 1:44 p.m.
- BYU professor killed in crash 1:42 p.m.
- Vonn second to Goergl 1:28 p.m.
- Gas prices down 1.24 cents 1:17 p.m.
- Y., U. to learn bowl destinations
- The forgotten ship: USS Utah
- Utahns want health care reform bills
- Snowy roads cause accidents, delays
- BYU basketball: Cougars crush Dons
- Tiger's SUV, personal life are a wreck
- Kurt Bestor: Joy for the world
- Jazz upset by Wolves
- Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
- Branch president without a congregation
- Why is Y. ignoring spew of hatred?
314 - Letters: Liberal because LDS
253 - Y. profs: Beck not all-knowing
209 - Hate not limited to 1 in-state rivalry
189 - Aggies shoot past Cougars
179 - N.Y. Senate rejects gay marriage
129 - George lost in rivalry hatefest
112 - Unbeaten BYU takes trip to Logan
105 - Harpring's NBA career is over
94 - Ed Smart 'appalled' at testimony
94
The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting (perhaps speculating) that Utah...
I got some e-mail from Aggie fans regarding a column I wrote last week...
The superiority mentality that exists at BYU is just mind boggling. It would...
Who has Texas played? The Big 12 is not strong this year. I'd like to see...
Jesus said a lot of things that offended a lot of people. They eventually put...
Anyone remember what Utah did to Alabama? We'll never know. TCU deserves a shot!
In the 1960's a BYU professor took statements from Karl Marx and others like...
haha they would do better than texas will, they have dominated everyone they...
BYU seems to be able to beat the U. when they have to reload from a BCS...
Just a couple of comments from someone who is involved in the larger caving...
south summit had the best players all year
"Losing 24 seniors is not rebuilding." Golly, thanks for your opinion....



