Cleveland fans show their disdain for a no-show — Boozer

CLEVELAND — Carlos Boozer watched from Salt Lake City, sapping some of the fun for Cleveland Cavaliers fans wanting an outlet for their anger over Boozer's controversial departure from here last season.

Nonetheless, the Jazz's first game in Cleveland since Boozer allegedly reneged on what the Cavaliers thought was a promise to stay with the team if they let him out of his contract for this season — he instead agreed to a six-year, $68 million offer from Utah that the Cavs could not match — featured its share of Boozer-bashing.

Signs were everywhere at Gund Arena as Cleveland beat Utah 92-73 Tuesday night, from the simply stated "Loozer" to downright ugly "Boozer = Trash."

Singing of the pre-game national anthem was rudely interrupted with loud shouts from a few fans, including "I hate Boozer."

The Cavs displayed Boozer's mug on its big-screen scoreboard frequently throughout the game, and every time it appeared a crowd of 19,794 booed passionately.

A running contest offered fans a chance to remain in Cleveland (with offers including a hotel stay, front-row seats for a Cavs game or the chance to "play" with LeBron James) or take the money (with supposed offers ranging from $500 to $2,000), and each time the fan played along and opted to stay in Cleveland.

Back in Utah, Boozer stayed home with a strained right foot that has kept him out since mid-February.

After seeking a second opinion from a doctor in Los Angeles late last week, Boozer must continue wearing a special walking boot for two more weeks.

He will then by re-evaluated by the doctor in L.A., Jazz trainer Gary Briggs said Tuesday. That means Boozer could be out three weeks or more, with just five weeks and 19 games remaining in the Jazz's season.

Tests showed Boozer has damage to a fibrous connection between an old bone fragment and a larger bone in the foot, Briggs added.

Boozer was not made available to Utah media members early this week, but he did speak by phone to a reporter from a Cleveland newspaper.

"I wish I could be there," Boozer told The Plain Dealer. "It was one of the games I was looking forward to. I know the fans were going to boo me and let me have it, but I wasn't scared.

"I know they're salty for what happened over the summer," he added, "but I know they appreciated me when I played there."