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Utah Jazz: Williams pleads with Boozer

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Teja | 1:38 a.m. July 19, 2008
As much as I like Millsap, I'd rather have Boozer starting instead of Millsap. It will be difficult to keep Millsap after next year because he'll probably sign a huge offer sheet with someone else. This is the year Millsap will be a monster, since it will lead him to a bigger contract.

I guess it will all weigh on Boozer's decision after this next season.
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Frickin' AWESOME | 6:19 a.m. July 19, 2008
I would call what Deron is doing Peer Pressure, but since Boozer isn't really on the same level as Deron it must be something else. More like shaming him. Everyone knows that D-Will is a stud, and if The Booz opts out to head for Miami everyone will know that he's only in it for the money. If he has any class, at a minimum he will allow the Jazz to do a sign and trade. But then again, we all know how much class he has. Just ask Cleveland.
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Boozer | 7:21 a.m. July 19, 2008
Looks like Boozer is gone, why try to convince him to stay if he has already said he "probably" wouldn't stay if not for D-Will. Probably is as wishy-washy as professional athletes have come to be known. D-Will, you can make anyone a better athlete, let Booze go, he will not dominate like he does with you. Booze has 0-zero integrity with regards to committing to a team. Boozer, surprise us all and commit and change your M.O.
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Matt Connelly | 8:44 a.m. July 19, 2008
Pretty scary that Boozer's commitment to staying in Utah is so flimsy. If the only thing he likes about the Jazz is D-Will, I think that's a risky enough position for the Jazz that they ought to go ahead and trade Boozer now. They ought to get a valuable player in a trade rather than letting Boozer walk for nothing in return.
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JazzFanInHouston | 8:59 a.m. July 19, 2008
PG seems to be the key position for Utah. Over the last 3 years the win/loss ratio improved as DWill improved. The Jazz were also weaker with the loss of Fisher.

Further, the system is designed for the PF as the first scoring option. Boozer is very good and this system makes him better.

The biggest problem the Jazz have is a weak bench. The salary cap problems will make that worse. This coming year will be the best shot the Jazz have at a major title.
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Anonymous | 9:05 a.m. July 19, 2008
Milsap is a top-notch sub, but he is not starting power forward material. While Boozer's playoff performance has been disapointing, good luck finding anyone close to his abilities who is available and wants to come to Utah. We need to keep the Williams-Boozer core.

Now, can we find any takers for AK47's bloated contract?
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Boozer had Lebron....... | 9:07 a.m. July 19, 2008
What makes you think that he will stay in Utah with D-Will when he played side by side with Lebron? It was the money thing. Boozer isn't about winning, he is about the jack. If Boozer was about winning, he would have showed up to play in the playoffs and he would be looking at what he could do to better the Jazz instead of his financial self. He and AK will want max money. So I guess the Jazz could go to a team of 3. I personally think they are way overpaid. They bounce a ball and put it in a basket. Except, Boozer didn't do that right in the playoffs. This saga may end my desire to stomach another NBA season.
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Sokol | 10:17 a.m. July 19, 2008
We fans might be running the guy out of town with
our negative comments. Williams is correct though,
Boozer may never repeat this type of chemistry.
Besides, Miami is hot, humid, drug and gang infested.
Utah is such a better place to live, and I lived
there for a short period of time.
If Boozer appears to not be dedicated, sincere or
half hearted, why would anyone else invest there hard
earned cash on him?
If he does not have the heart of Malone and the pedigree of Stockton or Williams than Adios Mr.Boozer
aka Charmin aka Benedict Boozer.
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Gosh! | 11:27 a.m. July 19, 2008
I'm so sick of the fair-weather Jazz fans complaining that Boozer is no good because of his performance in last years playoffs. Yes, I was disappointed too but you have to remember he was struggling with back injuries since after the all-star break! I'll bet you anything that played a major role in his sub-par playoff performance. Had he been healthy, we would have been in the finals.

Also, lest ye forget, he was the one and only reason we weren't knocked out of the first round by Houston in '07.
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Jazz fever | 11:48 a.m. July 19, 2008
To Gosh: The playoffs are all that matters in the end! If a player can't preform in them they might as well leave or sit on the bench. That is all these comments are saying the Jazz need someone who is solid! When Boozer plays to his full potential he is a great player, but too often he doesn't seem to be giving it his all. If he stays lets just hope he comes ready to win the NBA finals!
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bigger picture | 11:57 a.m. July 19, 2008
Look, I'm not going to justify Boozer's integrity regarding the Cleveland deal, but let's remember that since he's been here in Utah he had a son that with sickle-cell anemia. The higher altitude is quite problematic for that. If I were in Boozer's situation, I would definitely be concerned about that. Yes, in some ways this could be Derek Fisher all over again, but it is difficult for us from the outside to pass judgment. I would, however, appreciate Boozer being clear about his intentions, and allow the Jazz to trade him if he's going to be walking away after next season.

But remember, he has a completely legal option to leave the team next year, and he has a pretty compelling reason in his son to do just that. And from a basketball perspective, it makes a lot of sense going to the eastern conference to play for a great team in the Heat. I just hope they're prepared for no defense :)
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Mind is elsewhere | 12:09 p.m. July 19, 2008
It has been stated that Boozer often has Will Smith's song "Miami" blasting when he pulls into practice with the Jazz. If that isn't sending a message to D Will--what else will?
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Caleby | 12:34 p.m. July 19, 2008
There is nothing of "power" in Boozer's game. Sorry but Milsap has far greater potential. Let Boozer go and sign Milsap long-term. Milsap actually plays defense and doesn't take 18 foot fadeaways while being guarded by somebody 6'2".

If Boozer wouldn't stay in Cleveland for LeBron, what makes you think he would ever stay in Salt Lake.
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Anonymous | 12:48 p.m. July 19, 2008
Look, we're all worried that he will drop the Jazz, and not one of you can blame him. After every bad game he has, half of Jazz land is ready to dump him. We show no loyalty, so why should he?

But if he did decide to stay with the Jazz I think most of us would be pretty happy about it.
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Naive Fans | 1:09 p.m. July 19, 2008
Nothing was going to get the Nuggets past the Fakers, nothing was going to get the Jazz past the Fakers and nothing was going to get the spurs past the Fakers. Stern got what he wanted. Why do you think the finals were such a flop? The west sent its 4th or 5th best team to play the NBAs best in the Celtics.
Are the spurs wanting to send Duncan, Ginobli, or Parker out of town?
Are the Nuggets wanting to send Anthony or Iverson out of town.
Blaming Boozer is just naive. Anthony, Iverson, Duncan and Boozer got shafted during the playoffs, to allow Kobe and the Fakers to get there. They play 82 games during the regular season, they know what to expect from the refs. They didn't get anything.
Boozer is a class guy. Every person on here would have made the same decisions as Boozer. Set your bias aside, if offered more money, family is better off and wants to be in Miami, and you realize the business aspect of the game, all of you would also entertain and most likely go to Miami. Thats reality. Try walking a few steps in his shoes first.
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To: Mind is elsewhere | 1:24 p.m. July 19, 2008
And........where exactly did you hear that?
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Re: Jazz Fever | 1:33 p.m. July 19, 2008
So John Stockton, Karl Malone, Dominique Wilkins, "Pistol" Pete Maravich, Charles Barkley, Elgin Baylor, Adrian Dantley, Alex English, Patrick Ewing, and George Gervin among others were not great players because they didn't "win it all"?

Boozer is still young, and everyone is wanting to throw him under the bus for ONE bad year?! Come on! I love Millsap, but you don't just throw away an all-star for an undersized forward who MAY or MAY NOT be able to fill in for Boozer.
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Whoops | 1:39 p.m. July 19, 2008
I think Cleveland won when Boozer was in the line-up and I think Utah has won with him in the line-up. Two different roles with two different teams, but I think it proves that Boozer is a very good player. I think this is "professional" sports, so it is always about the money. And, if that is the case, whether or not Boozer stays with the Jazz is entirely up to the franchase as they can pay him more than any other team. The question then is the JAZZ/LHM in it for the team?
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AL | 1:49 p.m. July 19, 2008
I have nothing against Booz, and if he stays that's awesome, however if we were to develope Milsap we may get a long term commitment from him. He will develope this next year because of the need to get an offer elsewhere if we don't sign him. Remember the last time we had a PF from Lousiana Tech he became one of the best players of all time. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the Jazz to obtain the excellent training that Karl Malone can provide to Milsap, and AK.
D-Will is a stud and we could get a championship with the right developement of our current players. Remember patience is needed, Michael Jordan and company needed several years of playing together to get a championship. This teams is young and will be much better next year if the core is not split up. GO JAZZ!!!!!!!!!!!
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12 Pack | 1:57 p.m. July 19, 2008
Gosh,
I totally agree. Boozer is a heck of a player. I'd much rather have him in a Jazz uniform, then play against him!
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