Utah Jazz: Carlos Boozer returns as member of Bulls

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SALT LAKE CITY — By the time he finished shooting free throws with a couple of teammates, walked past the throngs of reporters to the locker room for a few minutes, Carlos Boozer was all smiles as he returned to face the microphones, tape recorders and cameras.

Boozer said he was happy to be back in Salt Lake, where he played for six seasons, happy to be playing for the Chicago Bulls, who lead the NBA's Eastern Conference Central Division by 12 games and seemingly happy with life in general.

When Boozer spoke to the media after the Bulls' practice at the Jazz's practice facility early Tuesday afternoon, it marked the first time since he signed a five-year contract with the Bulls last July, that he has talked to the Utah media about leaving town last year after a tumultuous couple of years.

Boozer essentially left as a free agent and many local folks were not too sad to see him go after he expressed a desire to leave Utah a year earlier. Because the Jazz and Bulls worked out an agreement for Utah to get a "trade exception," giving Utah enough salary cap money to sign Al Jefferson later in the summer, Boozer's loss on the floor hasn't been felt that much by the Jazz.

While Boozer didn't discuss his reasons for leaving, he did say it was "strange" to be back in his former environs, along with fellow ex-Jazzmen, Kyle Korver and Ronnie Brewer.

"It's been kind of strange — me and Kyle and Ronnie have already been talking about it," he said. "Flying in last night and going to the hotel instead of to our houses, coming here in another uniform . . it already feels kind of weird. I'm sure tomorrow night will be kind of weird."

Boozer was asked about the possible reception he'd get from Jazz fans, many of whom were not happy with him during his final year.

He joked about not being able to hear any boos, saying, "It's all booozzz to me." But then he added, "It's going to be a fun night. I'll probably hear some boos, probably hear some cheers. Most arenas we got into we hear boos so I'm not worried about it. I'm looking forward to it."

Boozer pointed out that he had to go through a similar scenario when he went back to Cleveland after leaving that franchise to play for Utah.

"I just play," he said. "I've played a lot of basketball games in my career. I'm more prepared for it than some people may think."