Boozer is no loozer, but so long Utah

Don't expect to see Carlos Boozer playing in a Jazz uniform this time next year.

Boozer's untimely and unintelligent comments last week in New Jersey on the same day the Jazz pulled off a brilliant come-from-way-behind victory, hinted that he wouldn't be back, even if he was forced to do some major back-pedaling the next day.

Why would he make those comments now? Why would he make them to a national writer from ESPN.com, rather than to the two local reporters, who follow the team on a daily basis?

It kind of reminded me how Utah basketball coach Rick Majerus made his major pronouncements to national reporters because he cared more about his national reputation than his local one.

Unfortunately for Boozer, his local reputation has plummeted and he may never get it back. People around here are extra-sensitive when they feel like athletes (or whoever) don't like us as much as we think they should.

So when Boozer talked about opting out of his contract next year, hinting that he might want to leave, local fans went into a tizzy. The reader comments on deseretnews.com were brutal.

"Get rid of Boozer."

"Boozer is the biggest patsy in the history of the NBA."

"See you later Loozer!"

There's no doubt Boozer is a great player, one of the best in the NBA ... He has incredible footwork and is extremely productive for a guy who's 6-foot-8. He's an NBA all-star and a member of the U.S. Olympic team.

But several factors keep the local fans from feeling affection for him.

One, he gets injured a lot. He's missed 104 games, well over a season's worth, in his four years in Utah.

Two, despite his audacious offense, he doesn't seem to hustle and play defense.

Three, he doesn't play as well in the playoffs, particularly last year...

Four, he comes across as being aloof. Not just the way he stares into space when he answers reporters' questions, but he's never seemed to embrace Salt Lake. You get the idea he's here to collect a big paycheck and would be just as happy to move on and collect a bigger one.

To point one, unlike some fans, I don't think Boozer is faking any injuries. I think he'd rather get paid for playing than sitting behind the bench, looking suave in a three-piece suit. He's definitely not as tough as Karl Malone, who played through numerous injuries or Paul Millsap, who's never missed a game in three seasons, but I doubt he fakes any injuries.

As bad as the timing was, perhaps the worst line in Boozer's comments was, "No matter what, I'm going to get a raise, regardless." When my wife, a schoolteacher who was recently told she wasn't likely getting a raise next year, heard that, she almost fell off the couch.