Then there are the injuries. He missed 80 games in his first two years in Utah. This year he has missed 15 already.

He's automatic once he gets on the floor. The problem is getting and keeping him there.

As for his feelings on Salt Lake, Boozer has always been vague. He speaks in generalities about playing for a good, young team, hoping to get a championship, etc. Same as he did in Cleveland. Yet rumors persist neither he nor his wife likes Utah. Fair enough. It's not Miami, where he owns a home. Or L.A., where he rented one.

Maybe he just can't tolerate cold-weather climates — except that he's from Alaska.

He said Wednesday he'd like to re-sign with the Jazz. But history has shown what he says and what he does aren't always the same.

This week's news should come as no surprise. There's an old saying about second marriages borne of infidelity: If you cheat on your spouse, you cheat on your spouse. Boozer hasn't cheated the Jazz, but he's likely to leave abruptly and unemotionally, same way he left Cleveland. Jazz fans shouldn't be upset or hurt. He got here by being unsentimental and looking for his best offer. He'll leave the same way.

You can't blame a guy for being himself.

---

E-mail: rock@desnews.com