Utah Jazz: Miller sheds light on state of team

By Tim Buckley, Deseret News

Published: Tuesday, Nov. 3 2009 12:00 a.m. MST

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Greg Miller, owner of the Utah Jazz, talks with Tom Kirkland of KSL-TV during Sportsbeat Sunday.

Courtesy KSL-TV

Summary

Jazz chief executive office Greg Miller suggests his decision to wear a Carlos Boozer jersey for an appearance Sunday night on KSL-TV Ch. 5's Sportsbeat was merely a gesture of good will.

He sat somewhat awkwardly in studio, wearing a No. 5 Carlos Boozer jersey.

Publicity stunt?

Attempt to try to get Jazz fans and fellow NBA movers-and-shakers to actually believe Boozer is wanted in Utah?

Or just an easy pick because the price of Boozer jerseys has been slashed at family-owned Fanzz stores?

Jazz CEO Greg Miller suggests his wardrobe decision for an appearance Sunday night on KSL-TV Ch. 5's Sportsbeat was merely a gesture of good will.

It comes about four months after Boozer surprisingly opted in for the final season and $12.67 million on his current six-year, $68 million contract with the Jazz, a controversial decision that the two-time NBA All-Star almost immediately followed with a supposed trade request and very public expressions of desire to play elsewhere, namely Chicago or Miami.

It also comes three-plus months after a supposed telephone conversation in which Miller — depending whom you believe — either did or did not tell Boozer his trade call would be accommodated.

The Jazz did spent the summer trying to deal Boozer, but no trade was ever made.

"This is just a 'Welcome back Carlos,' " Miller told show host Tom Kirkland. "I want to make him feel welcome. I'm glad he's here. I want to let him know that whatever happened over the summer is water under the bridge and it's all about winning going forward."

If Boozer was impressed, he didn't let it be known Monday morning.

"Didn't watch it. Didn't watch it. I was watching football," Boozer said when a KSL reporter asked about Miller's outfit.

Never mind that there was no football on when the live interview was being aired at almost 11 p.m.

After all, he could have been using TiVo.

Told of Miller's comments, Boozer responded somewhat dismissively, saying "Everything's good. We're looking forward to (Monday night's) game against Houston. I'm looking forward to playing them. They're playing well."

Miller did address several other Jazz-related issues during the KSL interview, including:

The status of active contract extension talks with coach Jerry Sloan:

"I'm a big fan of Jerry. I love his no-nonsense approach. I love his work ethic.