Reader comments
Boozer excited to be back with family

Good Guy! | 1:54 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

I coach several youth basketball teams - I always tell my "bigs" they need to play like Boozer. After reading this article, I can now tell them to live like Boozer too. A class act.

I was not previously aware of the issue with Boozer's family being away so much. That's a difficult thing for anyone to endure. I can't imagine being away from my family for that length of time, especially knowing one of my little ones was terribly sick.

Boozer, if you read this, know we appreciate you and ackowledge your sacrifice and contributions.

God Bless.

Boozer for Wade | 7:12 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Boozer is a good guy, but lousy defender. We should see about Boozer CJ and brewer for D Wade. D Wade and D Will in the back court would be fun. LHM if you read this do it. You will win a championship.

carter | 8:28 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

booze is the man. he is soft defensively, but in the grand scheme of things, does basketball really matter? no not at all. booze is a great basketball player and an even greater family man. im am more of a booze fan now than ever before and the people in utah should be happy such a highly praiseworthy guy like booze is a jazz man. would you rather have a class act? or a punk like AI or kobe? id pick booze

Comments continue below

sdd | 8:30 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

boozer is a great guy, but i know he can do a lot better on defense if he really put his mind to it, he did play at duke and i cant believe they would let you be that lazy on defense.......come on booz pick it up on the defensive end of the floor please..

Boozer for Wade WHAT? | 8:32 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

That is the worst trade idea I have heard in a long time. Lets trade our main inside presence and two young guards with potential through the roof for an injury prone star. Wade is leading the Heat in the right direction thats for sure.

JazzFan | 9:58 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

What's Boozer's take on Derek Fisher? It seems to me that he has been going through as much if not more of the same challanges. I don't see Boozer asking out of his contract to play elsewhere. I think it shows the tremendous integrity of one player and possibly the lack of integrity from the other. Way to go Boozer...

Ing | 11:34 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Don't accuse Fisher of lack of integrity--he's taking care of his family the best he can. His daughter's life-threatening cancer can't be treated in Utah, and if he can find a way to be with her, get her the best treatment possible, AND keep working at the same time, more power to him. His first duty is to his family.

I commend Boozer for how well he's done his job while being away from his family and worrying about his son. I don't know if I could have done the same thing. He seems like a stand-up guy.

I have to admit, though, it sucks that Fish landed back with the Lakers. I hate that team. Kobe is a nasty punk, Phil Jackson is a self-obsessed nutcase, and the whole franchise reeks of arrogance.

But some things are more important than hating the Lakers.

Fisher still took a chance--no guarantee he'd get signed by a team in the right location. Fish and Booz are lucky that they don't have to worry about money like most of us, but I bet Fish was ready to give up his money and fame to help his kid if need be.

THAT is integrity.

dee | 11:36 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

to,jazzfan, amen and amen!

Myth | 11:48 a.m. Jan. 24, 2008

I'm tired of the myth that the Jazz are all "good guys." Memo to Jazz fan - they are like everyone else on other NBA teams. Lets not get ahead of ourselves and polish the halos of Jazzmen. That has gone on far too long. This isn't an attack on Boozer just the myopic Jazz fans. Reality is they are just like everyone else. And the Lakers are a better team.

Calgary Jazz | 1:20 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Why this media guy is so certain Bozer will be chosen by coaches? Jazz are out of playoffs and Boozer is a big part of it playing matador defecen all the time. Last year Z.Randolph and E.Brand had much better numbers than Okur but coaches chose Jazz member to be represented in All star game because Jazz were in playoff position while Blazers and Clippers not.
Why this year should be different? I can agree that Jeferson's, Kaman's, Artest's and Gasol's teams are out of playoffs as well, but look how many deserving forwards/centers Boozer has infront: Duncan, Anthony and Ming most likely will be starters - then you have Camby, Howard, Nowitzki, West, Chandler, Amare, Marion, Aldridge whom to me look way more deserving than Boozer. If I would be a coach I would not select Boozer - period.

Zel | 2:44 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Good for Boozer, just wondering though when he will
get sick of Sargent Sloan and the staff.

RE: Boozer for Wade | 3:48 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

R U joking me? Come one, DWade is a stud, but that doesn't solve the Jazz ill's. Plus Wade is hurt 30-40% of the time. In fact it only compounds the issues. Who do you have as a true low post presence.

Thank goodness you are not the GM.

Jazzsmack | 4:00 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Boozer is the power forward equivalent of dominic wilkens.

He gets all the glory numbers but he will never win you anything of importance.

All he can do is wait for pass. He can't make things happen. And his ratio of points scored to points stopped is pretty darn bad.

You don't build you team around such players.

You build your team around team leaders, and players who can make things happen, who take over the game at the end of games when you need it.

Boozer has been in the league for several years and has shown he will never be that player.

His salary is just money wasted on a few regular season wins that could be better spent on on someone who could be a team leader or someone who take over games, create offense.

Anonymous | 4:11 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Shame on you JazzFan. Derek Fisher put his family FIRST. You would think that would mean something in this "family friendly" state. If Fisher's daughter could've received treatment her in Utah, I'm sure he would've stayed. But, why should he ship his family off somewhere else so his baby can get treated and he remain behind? Why, so you can see him play ball? How SELFISH OF YOU! He put his family and the treatment of their daughter FIRST! I'm sad he wasn't able to stick around for another season, but I do NOT harbor any ill will for a man who puts family first.

Re: Calgary Jazz | 4:58 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

One difference is that while last year the Clippers and Blazers were playing poorly, this year the West is ten deep with the Jazz being out of the playoffs by only half a game and out of the division lead by a game and a half. Before Saturday, the Jazz could theoretically be in the playoffs and they are only approximately six games out of first in the west. So yes, Boozer could be considered an All-star given how the West is playing this year even with them being out of the playoffs right now.

Moto X | 6:07 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Calgary Jazz just hates on everyone but AK--just a fact. In his eyes AK is the only allstar we have.

I will not defend Boozers D because it is bad right now but Jazzsmack, I would have to say the jury is still out on Boozer getting better. Two years ago he did not have the offensive skills/tools he demonstrates today--not even close. He worked hard to get better and did it. Who is to say he will not put his mind to defense and get better?

Too early to quit on him with his offensive talents. He has been called out repreatedly for D--lets give him another off season to see what he does.

wilocrek | 6:12 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Let's be honest here, the real reason that some people around dislike Fisher is because he's a Laker and the Laker's are the NBA's Yankee's. Its okay to dislike Fisher the Laker, but as a man he did what was best for him. He never wanted to be in Utah in the first place. He made plenty of money off that bad contract Golden State signed him too, he could afford to take a paycut to go where he wanted. If it weren't for his daughter he would still be a good soldier playing out his contract in Utah. But hey, he found a legitmate way out and took it, good for him. Boo him as a Laker! I know I'am, but I respect him as a good father and person. Boozer is an All Star, defense or no defense. The Jazz would be nowhere without him. Boozer is no D. Wilkens, he can pass and doesn't shoot the ball much. Boozer is a team player.

cosplace | 7:04 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

wilocrek is right. But what does he mean by "Wilkens, he can pass and doesn't shoot the ball much"? Who is Wilkens and how did you go from talking about Fish to Wilkens. Are you branching out? Or are you reminiscing about the FRANCHISE (Jeff Wilkens)?

Calgary Jazz | 9:05 p.m. Jan. 24, 2008

Moto X:
I never said I hate Boozer, way to go twisting my words;) I hate how Boozer plays ( actually simulates) defence. And I like all Jazz team ( well, Collins and Sloan... not really), but of course some more, some less.

Boozman | 1:00 p.m. Jan. 30, 2008

Carlos Boozer is a good guy. And so is Fish! Did he have a real choice. This JazzFan is a bad name to Jazz fans and the reason why too many Jazz fans are brutal like Knick fans. I hate the Lakers. I hate them so bad the Knicks just make me laugh even though I hate their organization also. But don't hate Fish. Fish is a
great man. So change your attitude!

D. Wilkins? HUH! | 1:04 p.m. Jan. 30, 2008

Boozer like D.Wilkins. Man, you need to be checked! I watched B-Ball in the 80's when you were messing diapers or were not even born yet. You do not know what you are even talking about. There are little similarities but I never even thought once of any comparisons between the 2.

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