Utah Jazz: Barkley says Boozer is big problem

SALT LAKE CITY — If you ask Charles Barkley — and his buddies on the TNT set did late Thursday night — the Utah Jazz have a big problem.

And the Round Mound wasn't talking about Saturday's home game against the Los Angeles Lakers, who walloped the Jazz 101-77 at the Staples Center on Wednesday night.

So how big is this other problem?

According to the ever-opinionated Barkley, the problem is so big it weighs 266 pounds, stands 6 feet 9 inches tall and is hindering the Jazz's chances to be a serious contender this season.

It also has a name: Carlos Boozer.

Yes, the same one who is the reigning Western Conference player of the week and who has looked like an All-Star the past month or so.

"(The Jazz) are a decent team," Barkley said on the "Inside the NBA" show after Utah's 120-111 win over Orlando. "But they have to do something about Carlos Boozer."

The general manager wannabe didn't specify what that "something" should be — though the word "trade" might be found in the blanks — but he insinuated that the 13-9 Jazz might not be so up and down this season if that "something" had already happened.

"They know they are not going to re-sign him," Barkley said of the Jazz. "Carlos Boozer started it last year when he said he was opting out of his contract. That offended the Jazz and the people of Salt Lake and now he is going to be a free agent. So now they are going through the motions this year because Boozer is not going to be there ... next year."

Asked by TNT host Ernie Johnson if he really believes Deron Williams and other Jazz players are thinking about the summer of 2010 and beyond right now, Barkley insisted that Boozer's uncertain future is a legitimate concern for his teammates and that it negatively affects them and the two-time All-Star.

"Yes, that is one reason Carlos Boozer has been inconsistent. You can't fake energy and effort," Barkley responded following Boozer's 20-point, 14-rebound outing. "He knows he is not going to be there next year. Everyone in Utah knows it; everyone on that team knows it."

Barkley insisted the inner-turmoil exists, which could explain losses to the likes of Minnesota, but has been less evident overall as the Jazz have won six of eight. On top of that, Boozer has been their hottest player. The Jazz power forward has a 60.5 field-goal percentage in his last 10 games — even including a 5-for-16, 11-point clunker Wednesday in L.A. ?— and is only one of two NBA players currently averaging more than 20 points and 10 rebounds.