How important is Boozer? Very

When Carlos Boozer injured his foot 51 games into the 2004-05 season, it wasn't clear what he meant to the Jazz. They were 17-34 with him playing and 9-22 with him absent. It was like deciding which is worse, Brussels sprouts or liver.

Again last year, with him suffering from a hamstring injury, the Jazz had approximately the same winning percentage with as without him: 24-25 sans Boozer, 17-16 with.

Exactly how important was Boozer to the Jazz, anyway?

The answer came as clear as the afternoon skies Wednesday: major important. This year he is the team's leading scorer (22.1) and rebounder (11.8), second in the league in double-doubles (33), fourth in rebounding and sixth in field goal percentage (.569).

With Boozer healthy, the Jazz were 29-15, leading the division and coming off an important win over Denver. They lost to the Hornets the day he was injured last week, then dropped a buzzer-beater to New Jersey on Monday. Though they did get past the Spurs on Wednesday, the big question now is this: How long is he going to be out this time?

Oh, and this: Was he cursed at birth?

The Jazz announced Wednesday the oft-injured power forward had sustained a hairline fracture in his left leg. Early forecast: a five-week layoff. That would keep him out until early March, by which time the Jazz may well have lost a five-game lead in the Northwest Division.

You don't lose Mick Jagger and keep the Stones touring as though nothing had happened.

Boozer isn't the only factor in Utah's nice first half of the season. The play of rookie Paul Millsap — Boozer's main replacement in the lineup — has been a surprise. Deron Williams has been at least as important as Boozer. Mehmet Okur's clutch shooting and periodic help by other players have turned the Jazz into a dangerous team.

At the same time, it's obvious they desperately need Boozer. He has 33 double-double games this year, 24 of which they won. He led the team in scoring 25 times and in rebounding 35 times, scored in double figures 41 times, collected double-figure rebounds 35 times and scored 20 or more points 30 times.

With Boozer, they are a playoff team and a division leader.

Without him, the Jazz are an omelet without eggs, probably back to the old .500 team at best.

Keeping him healthy, of course, is a recurring problem. If he does return March 7, in five weeks, he will have missed 95 games in three seasons.