Utah Jazz: Boozer back to his All-Star form

Published: Friday, April 24, 2009 12:44 a.m. MDT
 |  E-MAIL | PRINT | FONT + - 

John Stockton was in the house, seated in the stands with a few of his kids, for the Jazz's playoff game Thursday night.

The way a certain power forward played, you would've thought the Hall-of-Famer's sidekick was on the EnergySolutions Arena court at the same time, too.

Different jersey number and era. Similar game on this night.

Doing a pretty impressive Mailman impersonation and hours after saying he and his team needed to "play like there's no tomorrow," Carlos Boozer delivered a huge outing for the Jazz.

He picked a fine time to do it, too.

Boozer's Karl Malone-esque 23-point, 22-rebound effort was a big-time boost for Utah in its thrilling 88-86 victory that trimmed the Los Angeles Lakers' first-round series lead to 2-1.

"He's back," said Jazz point guard Deron Williams shortly after hitting the game-winning shot.

Back in a big playing-like-a-two-time-All-Star-and-Olympian way, too.

Heck, Boozer was so back to his old ways against the longer Lakers, and made such a big impact, played so well, worked so hard — not through sleet, rain or hail, but mostly around Pau Gasol — that he even heard more cheers than jeers from the crowd.

Story continues below

And that's saying something considering how many boos — and we're not talking the chummy "Booz!" variety — he's received in the past few months from frustrated fans.

Whether fair or not, some Utah supporters have questioned his desire to be here for the long haul because of his mid-season opt-out contract talk and openly wondered and worried about his commitment to the team because he missed 44 games with a left knee injury and surgery.

They might choose to leave their differences on the sidelines — as long as Boozer doesn't return there, of course — for the near future.

When his town and team needed him most, Boozer got the home crowd back on his side in a big way — probably even the doubters and disappointed — with a first-half flurry the franchise has never before seen.

Not even, mind you, in the Malone days.

In front of a TNT audience, Boozer snatched rebounds off the glass as enthusiastically as you'd imagine eclectic reporter Craig Sager grabs funky and fluorescent outfits from thrift shops. In what he called a "must-win game," Boozer played like every rebound was a must-grab. He hauled in 11 rebounds in the first quarter, cleaned the glass a total of 16 times by halftime and finished with 22 boards.

All of those remarkable numbers set or tied Jazz records for rebounds in a playoff game, besting — who else? — Malone's previous marks of eight (quarter), 14 (half) and 22 (game) that No. 32 set 20 years ago.

Recent comments

Boozer was great tonight, offensively and defensively. I was...

Great Game for Booz | April 24, 2009 at 10:50 p.m.

You can't simply take away the points.

some else would have taken...

Re: TheAdimal | April 24, 2009 at 10:35 p.m.

RE: Jazzsmack

Boozer's points don't make a difference? Take away...

TheAdimal | April 24, 2009 at 7:46 p.m.

Image

Utah Jazz power forward Carlos Boozer dunks between Lakers Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom late in the 4th quarter.

Related content
previousnext

Latest comments

The parents of these beautiful children have a huge burden to forgive those...

congrats big mo. i always hated going against you in little league. you best...

Letters: Return of liberties

Clearly you not understand what redshirt was saying. Then make feeble...

On the other hand, I think Mormons are doing what is best for people, and...

Aren't you all glad the LDS Church subsidizes Utah education by offering RT...

Utah is the cause for climate change and global warming!!!

White House mocks Sarah Palin

Re:Sokol "And the point is that Palin is somehow intellectually inferior...

Re Equal Punishment I agree but instead of using air soft pellets, they...

Collie hailed as role model

"Hard work, doing the right things, usually yields good results." That's...

Lawmakers question climate change

As a retired Professor from one of Utah's major universities, I can assure...

Advertisements