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Utah Jazz: Boozer set to rock, pick and roll

clean plate | 12:25 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I think that people should stop bashing on Boozer and give him another chance to finish strong this year. He really is the best option for scoring we've had since Malone and would be irreplaceable if he was gone like you'll want.

Prediction for Booze:
21.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, 55.6 FG% for the season
21.2 points, 11.8 rebounds, 54.5 FG% for the playoffs

Jazz fan | 12:39 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Hey Deseret news writer- Carlos sat around for two years of his six year contract. All those real estate deals had to be taken care oc in those two years

Jazz Fan | 5:09 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Boozer continues to work on his game, and apparently showed up to camp in great physical condition with a good attitude. What more can you ask?

Comments continue below

Todd Norfolk VA | 5:57 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Maybe after watching the Laker implosion, the Jazz will realize that Defense is the only way to win championships. Detroit, San Antonio, and Boston. Defense is king on the court. If the Jazz can't step it up with pressure D, they have no chance. That is why losing Fisher killed us. We need a Raja or an Artest.

No Comment | 8:08 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Boozer made no comment about it, cause we know he is leaving. It happened with the Cavs, and now with us. You will see

Forget It | 8:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Defense and offense are one and the same. As a coaching staff you have a theory or way you prefer to play at both ends, but you also have to play to the players strengths and weaknesses that you have on your team. You can't teach an elephant to walk a tight rope if he doesn't have the physical ability to do so. Therefore it's up to the coaching staff to implement plays and strategies that fit his teams personnel. This game is not rocket science, it can be successful with smartness, hardwork, dedication and the right style of play to fit the players abilities, end of story.

GoodGuyGary | 9:00 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

What, this is his fifth year with Jazz? Where have I been since i feel like he only played 2 seasons...

Tommyk | 9:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Yea I hate all the Boozer basher out there. Listen I thought boozer did horrible in the playoff last year, but i like him at this position and he will bounce back. and you haters out there will jump back on his wagon, you know who you are!!!

Old Port | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

OK. I will say it yet again....the Jazz would NOT have been in the playoffs without Boozer's regular season play.

Anonymous | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Boozer does provide the reliable 20-20 each game and his offense fits Sloans offensive system. The downside to Boozer in my opinion is his defense. We have all seen is turnstile and "here he comes!" style of defense. I would like to hear something from him or the Jazz about how his defensive play is being strengthened. This will be a tremendous lift for the Jazz.

STEVE-O | 10:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I hope you're right TommyK! I loved watching Boozer in the regular season. He was a beast. Unfortuneatly teams figured him out in the playoffs. Keep him out of the paint and watch his shooting percentage plummet. It's the entire team's fault this happened.
1- Sloan should have put our good preimeter shooters out there to keep the defense honest. We can't expect Boozer to play well with 3 players hanging on his arms and shoving him around.
2- Those players on the perimeter need to hit their open shots. I'm not talking about Memo (our CENTER) standing out there. I'm talking about Brewer, CJ, Korver, Price, ect. These guys need to step up as well to make Boozer's life easier inside.
3- I honestly believe the Jazz were at their best last year when they PUSH the ball up the court and get fast break points. They seemed to lose that against the Lakers and it hurt them.
4- This year is going to be different IF the players play better defense. Not just Boozer. Okur, Brewer, Korver, and all the rest of tem. They gotta tighten things up and move their feet. I think it can happen!!!

bozo | 10:41 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Why don't we keep him and his half effort around for ever while milsap hustles and plays better for another team.

Paizao | 11:05 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Lets enjoy the season and worry about contracts at the end of the year. If Boozer leaves he leaves, we will just go after another free agent. The difference is Deron Williams. He is here and will attract other players to come here. That is something Stockton and Malone could never do.

byron | 11:16 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I am so sick of hearing about next summer's free agent market and whether Booz and Memo will be back. Are we really going to have to listen and read about this all season long? This is not news or good reporting. Everyone who is reading these articles knows they are free agents next year, nobody has said anything noteworthy or of consequence, Yet these reporters keep jamming this non story down our throats.

TJ | 11:44 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I like how he said he just wanted to play basketball and wouldn't talk about it during the season. I think he will have a great season. He really has 2 options at the end of the season....leave or stay. Pretty obvious right but when you look at it if he has a great season teams will want him to leave and play for them so there is incentive to play well but if he plays well the Jazz will give him more to stay. Also incentive to play well. He knows he has to play well or his options will be slim. I am looking forward to a great season from Booz(and Memo)and I could care less about next off season. All I care about is this upcoming season. You have 82+ games(including playoffs of course)to focus on before he has to make a decision so let's just cheer him on for those 82 but hopefully atleast 96 games

bozo | 3:51 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

all I have to say is I can't wait until you are in a Heat uni. Good riddance! 20 and 10 no one can replace that try milsap, okur, and maybe Collins with the touches that bozo gets come on

Sloans fault | 4:58 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

The Jazz have had tremendous team skill throughout the years. But Jerry Sloan hasn't executed that. The Jazz need a new coach. One that won't interfere with the game by yelling at his players mid-court. We need a coach that'll give Miles more minutes or take Boozer out of the game when he's playing bad. That is the key here. Usually Boozer has a really good night or a bad night. So if he is off on his shooting pull him out. But no, Jerry will have him play his regular 39 minutes. Then Miles will hit 3 treys in a row and next thing you know he's on the bench. Jerry's rotation is no good.
The Jazz should have picked up Jeff Hornacek when he was looking for a coaching position. He already works with some of the team and he is smart and knows the game.

Prediction: The Jazz will NEVER win an NBA championship as long as Sloan is at the helm.

Why he's motivated. | 5:04 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I say he is more motivated because on the big stage of the olympics, he rode the pine. Got a little humble pie. I hope he does play better this year. Then he can go back to being lazy on defense, when he is in Miami next year.

Jazzsmack | 6:33 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

OF Course boozer is excited,

Big offensive numbers and rebound numbers equals a big contract.

That is the only thing he cares about,

Why else did he leave cleveland?

For the record | 8:29 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

To be one of 12 players picked to represent the U.S. at the Olympics, I'd gladly sacrifice playing time if need be. And to suggest that Boozer is only about the money....You must be daft!

Boozer Bugs Me | 11:59 p.m. Oct. 1, 2008

I like his offensive game, usually, and his scoring.
However, when he stands around flat footed on defense he is only half as good as he should be for the Jazz. There are better options out there who play the game 100% all the time. Boozer is over rated. We need full participation on defense from everyone...and we should not have to be saying it, it is fundamental.

Tyler Pearson | 12:34 p.m. Oct. 7, 2008

I love the booz man. I am going to be on the
Booz train all year no matter what happens!

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Reader comments Utah Jazz: Boozer set to rock, pick and roll

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Utah Jazz: Boozer set to rock, pick and roll