Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Williams pleads with Boozer

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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.

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.

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.

Comments continue below

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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 :)

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?

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.

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.

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.

To: Mind is elsewhere | 1:24 p.m. July 19, 2008

And........where exactly did you hear that?

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.

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?

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!!!!!!!!!!!

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!

Naive? | 2:14 p.m. July 19, 2008

It makes me laugh that the conspiracy theorist is calling us Naive. Idiot.

mhe | 2:40 p.m. July 19, 2008

come on jazz brass. make the offer sweet!

Bob Aboey | 2:42 p.m. July 19, 2008

As a Clevelander, I would take anything Boozer says with less than a grain of salt from that big lake of yours. That jerk pulled the wool over the eyes of an owner who cannot see! He's a great player, but anything but a great person. His ego wouldn't let him play second fiddle once, so why will he again?

Chukar | 2:49 p.m. July 19, 2008

Naive I so agree with you, and if the fair weather fans didn't see that it is because they can't see what a good thing is going on in Jazzville right now, with some luck, some development and time this Jazz team could do it. AL your comments are right on the money GO JAZZ
Maybe the Jazz should trade for some more commited fans ??!!
Instead of talking trade lets talk about teaching Boozer to play some D The race would be interesting then !!!!!

AzJazzFan | 2:50 p.m. July 19, 2008

To Gosh: you are right. Boozer's shooting was off in last years playoffs but he was on a year ago. His rebounds were slightly up during this years playoffs. He was still a major presence inside. Were it not for Boozer the Jazz would not have made the playoffs. Obviously the Jazz are better with him. He has been a pleasant surprise, especially considering those first few years when he was injured and we wondered if he would ever show up, and when he did he has became an all-star and Olympian. Him and Milsap are a good 1-2 punch. We have a good rebounder on the floor whenever one of those two are here.
Go Jazz!

Gandhi | 3:29 p.m. July 19, 2008

All we've been hearing is that Booz needs to be traded, but no one is saying who we should trade him for. Lets hear some trade suggestions! The jazz have a lot of flexible players who can play multiple positions (ex. AK plays both 3 and 4) so that opens things up quite a bit. Here are just two possibilities...
1) Boozer for Chris Kaman and a matching salary player. The Clips are in desperate need of a scoring PF with the departure of Elton Brand, and Kaman isn't as necessary with their acquisation of Camby. Jazz would get a solid defensive center who is coming off a career year.
2) Boozer, Brewer, and Collins to Detroit for Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince. (This one's from ESPN) Detroit is really looking to shake up its roster and would get an all-star PF and a young talent in Brewer plus Collins expiring contract. Jazz get two veteran players who play solid D, especially Prince. Hamilton is also a proven scorer. Losing Brewer hurts, but we have plenty of depth at SG (Korver, and Almond).

Stay Booz | 4:11 p.m. July 19, 2008

Boozer is only saying he'd leave without D-will because he wants to win a ring, and without D-will he'd be better off trying somewhere else. I think he'll stick, and I hope he does. People have been hating on him lately because he had a bad post-season. I agree, it was pretty horrid. But it happens. He was excellent the year before. He'll be excellent again. His defense will improve if we improve at the center spot, and he gets some inside help. Of course his D is poor, he's a 6'10 forward expected to defend the paint by himself.
I think Millsap will hang around too. We'll pay him what he deserves. He's a great back up to Booz.

Comparison | 4:15 p.m. July 19, 2008

Trading Boozer for anybody who is available would be like trading a car for a bicycle.

But then again, gas prices are rising. Hmmm............

Sokol | 4:19 p.m. July 19, 2008

Why doesn't he just bulldoze into the middle?
He would get on the foul line everytime. Malone
had the sytem down.
However, after this year, is it possible that
we are really up against a fixed system..
It is the one element that separates basketball
from the other major sports.
Can it be said once and for all that the Chicago
Bulls were the Black Sox of the 1980's and 90's?

bigjazzfan | 6:37 p.m. July 19, 2008

The only people that benefit keeping boozer around is the management and sloan.

they win some games
they sell some tickets and t-shirts
they keep there jobs
the team makes money for the owner

However, the jazz fans lose because they will NEVER see a championship.

The only question is what do the jazz fans really want?

I have seen winning and no championships for twenty-five years, I, for one, am not getting anything more out of it.

to sokol | 7:25 p.m. July 19, 2008

Boozer does try that sometimes and gets to the foul line sometimes. The other times, he "bulldozes" over someone and gets a turnover. I'd rather have him develop some inside game that includes getting your opponent off their feet a little and a little more agility. As big as boozer is, he gets shut down when he plays larger opponents because he tries to just "bulldoze". learn some moves already booze.

Buck | 8:09 p.m. July 19, 2008

You Clevelanders are a joke!...."Pulled the wool over the eyes of a blind man."....I'll wager that Gordon Gund didn't consider being blind as much of a handicap on his way to becoming a billionaire. Truth be known, he no doubt used it to his advantage a time or two. And I wonder how many folks he screwed on the way up?? Besides, blind people have usually developed a "sense" that allows them to see as good if not better than most people with two good eyes........Nice try, but you'll find that argument a tough sell in Salt Lake.

To Naive? | 10:48 p.m. July 19, 2008

And of course you believe Bonds or Clemons or Marion Jones or Lance Armstrong didn't take steroids, and there was only one ref involved in throwing games, and the Patriots didn't cheat and the BCS is fair, and that money doesnt matter, they play for the good of competition. yada yada yada. Who's the Idiot?

wheresstock? | 11:45 p.m. July 19, 2008

Me, John Stockton and the mailman all arrived in Utah in an 18 month time frame. Those two had determination, heart (especially john) and a winning attitude. How many times did a comment made by Stockton reach the paper and have a negative affect on the teAM? I'LL TELL you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
N E V E R !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Play the damn games crybabies. If it were not for the NBA you would both be coaching high school basketball instead you are overpaid underachievers... Shut up and show me your championship. Yes I know malone and stockton dont have them either. But I dont see any Michael Jordans in the NBA. At this moment the nba is a free for all. Any of five or six teams each year could win the ring. Boozer and Williams have their golden opportunity, but will they strive for it.

Booze | 1:11 a.m. July 20, 2008

Just not that good.

OK to say goodbye,

Boo | 3:33 a.m. July 20, 2008

Boozer laid an egg in the playoffs. He was horrible. We need a finisher and if it weren't for D-Will we wouldn't have gotten as far as we did. Trade the AK, trade the Booze, and try and get Prince from Detroit or another finisher.

If Boozer could only play... | 3:57 a.m. July 20, 2008

If Boozer could play the game and and live up to the $68 million we are shelling out to him, I think the '08 playoffs would have been much better. I have never booed at a Jazz player before, and this time I wasn't just saying his name.

magoo | 8:02 a.m. July 20, 2008

I'm just glad you malcontents don't represent the majority of the fan base around here.

nja | 12:07 p.m. July 20, 2008

The only reason Malone could drive at will is because he could consistently hit the 15-footer. Being outside the Utah television market, I had limited opportunities to see the Jazz play. But it appears to me that Boozer's outside shot is seriously lacking. He has an excellent inside game, but this game is useless against teams like the Lakers unless he can shoot the outside shot with at least 40-50 percent accuracy. If he had done so against the Lakers, it would have been a totally different series because the inside would have been opened up. I admit I was disappointed with Boozer, not due to lack of effort necessarily. I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. If he is hungry this next season like a true competitor would be after such a performance, we'll see somebody different. If he's the same, perhaps we should trade him before we lose him.

magoo | 2:56 p.m. July 20, 2008

Malone don't work here anymore........And if you can lay your hands on a player who will outperform Boozer at his position, THEN GET HIM!! If you can't make that happen then maybe it's time you quit complaining and support the team thats here.

No Heart... | 4:09 p.m. July 20, 2008

Can anyone say that Boozer has the heart of a champion? Does anyone really believe that? I think we can all agree that he doesn't...so why keep him? I think D-Will is going to get burned out over the next 3 years as he puts everything out there every night - getting very little support (except for a few young players and Matt Harpring). Boozer plays no defense because he isn't about championships, he's about fame and fortune. He collects rebounds because that and points is what everyone looks at. He is interested in getting his and that's it. I have been a huge fan for many years and wholeheartedly believe that we should trade him while his stock his high, in hopes of getting something better (even someone with less "skill" and more heart). Great players don't get neutralized in a 7 game series - Boozer is not the player most people think he is.

Idaho Jazz Man | 8:47 p.m. July 20, 2008

Booz is a good player, but all those people defending him saying we are better w/ him than w/out him are right and wrong! This year we will be better w/ him, but after he leaves via free agency and the Jazz get nothing in return for him it will take a few years to recover. I personally don't think he is that great a player and everybody saying that he was hurt or the NBA rigged the playoffs are just pulling the wool over their eyes. D-Will had a sore backside and other nagging injuries, did he forget to show up in the playoffs? NO! Booz won't play D (noticed I said won't and not can't) and his track record about leaving for greener pastures is well documented. Jazz need to trade him before he leaves for Miami. I can just hear Booz's stereo playing "Bienvenidos a Miami"

Boozer is not a baller. | 11:17 p.m. July 20, 2008

Cut your losses Jazz and get rid of this pretty boy while you can get something out of him. Carlos is a very talented, but very selfish and unmotivated individual.

He cares nothing for the Jazz (owner, teamates and fans). He loves himself and his automobiles and his money.

The Jazz will never go to an NBA finals with Carlos "Charmin" Boozer on the roster.

bd | 11:40 p.m. July 20, 2008

Boozer had a monster playoff run in last years playoffs. This year he suffered from lack of options. When the refs shut down his inside moves with quick early fouls in several games, he struggled with getting the shots he really wanted and staying in the game. I never saw anything half-hearted or smug with his effort. What I saw was a league-driven result. I hope he stays and I hope he comes back with a vengeance. Go Jazz!

Lakers Fan... | 1:57 a.m. July 21, 2008

As you can see, I'm a Lakers fan. And I like the idea of Boozer staying put. That oughtta tell you what Boozer's really worth when the chips are down. And no, I don't want him on my team, either. We have enough regular season warriors-cum-playoff wimps in our starting lineup.

Emeka | 8:43 a.m. July 21, 2008

Okafor is the change we are looking for. Someone who is not afraid of mixing it up in the middle.

Ross | 10:10 a.m. July 21, 2008

The Jazz need to just come out and win it all in 2009. Will have a remarkable effect on players attitudes, how professional does it look to walk away from a repeat. . .

Boozer, Just Play some D | 10:41 a.m. July 21, 2008

If Boozer would adopt a Duncan type mentality then we would be fine. The guy left Cleveland to come here for more money. We would all have done the same. Give the guy a break on that one. If he does it again, then he's a loser. BOOZER, play defense and the Jazz will win the title. Listening to D-Will on the Rocky Mtn. Revue game he understands where it's at after watching Boston dismantle the Lakers. Defense gives you a chance to win every night.

Elgin | 10:42 a.m. July 21, 2008

With LHM going bye bye, the jazz will suffer and get sold to a real bb town, like Omaha or Lincoln!! SLC is and always will be a pro sports backwater town.

To Elgin | 11:15 a.m. July 21, 2008

Are you out of your mind? Omaha couldn't support an NBA team when it shared one with another city! Besides, who wants to be in Omaha? It's a disgusting place!

Salt Lake has supported an NBA team for nearly 30 years! Season tickets are sold out for next year. They're even developing a waiting list, like the Packers have. It would be stupid, absolutely stupid, for any owner to move away from this market. The Jazz are the only major league team in town (sorry, RSL, but if you can't get your games on TV, you're not really major league, are you?), so everyone in this state (and a lot of people in Idaho and Wyoming for that matter) go crazy for them.

If you think they should move to Nebraska, you are either a dreaming Nebraskan or the most foolish commentator ever!

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Utah Jazz: Williams pleads with Boozer

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Utah Jazz: Williams pleads with Boozer