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Injury-riddled Utah Jazz travel to San Antonio; Boozer 'doubtful'

Old Port | 11:04 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I hate to say it but all these injuries have made watching this season more interesting. Reminds me of the pesky season of the rag tags almost making the playoffs by one game after Stockton and Malone retired.

CJ | 11:39 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I am actually really pleased with the Jazz this year. They are working hard, the young guys are getting experience, and they are winning or are at least in the games dispite all the injuries. This makes the bench stronger, and come playoff time there will be no deeper team if everyone can be healthy by then. The only player I have not missed is Collins. I like him, but I don't think the team needs him anymore. Go Jazz!

Get Collins healthy! | 11:40 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

We can't win without Collins.

Comments continue below

ujazzfanzz | 11:42 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

We all need to look at the bright side of the injuries. The schedule has been fairly favorable for us with the injuries. I feel that it will be a positive thing later in the year when someone is not feeling well or not playing well, the guys that normally have not had much chance to get valuable experience and playing time will be able to step up and help. That just makes this team that much better.

Collins Fan | 11:58 a.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I agree with Jerry Sloan that Collins needs more minutes. No need to invest game time on developing young talent (Koufos, Fesenko)with infinitely more potential.

Stick with Collins. At least you know what he'll bring every night (nothing).

Tommyk | 12:12 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Collins please retire and take Matt harping with you, you both are no longer needed on this team. Hit the road and let koufos get the mins and CJ miles more play time.

nbajazzfan | 12:21 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

collins does nothing but take up space

drop collins | 12:29 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

we don't need no stinking collins! collins needs to stay on the bench and sit the rest of his contract out; he and harpring are bad luck charms that have gotta go. out with the old, and in with the talent.

nba fan | 1:32 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Sloan talks about being tough, but I have seen tougher kids in high school who would not miss games for the injuries these guys miss for.

Collins | 1:41 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

In defense of Collins, he is quite valueable in special situations. He draws fouls (takes charges) and fits in well with the system. However, he should not be played on a regular basis as his negative win score hurts the overal team efficency. In other words, if Collins is used for special situations only he is a unique positive. If he is used as a regular he is a negative. It really comes down to how Sloan uses him.

Koufos is needed now. He needs to work on his inside game moves. He is really needed at the PF position. Fez can rebound and sometimes score. He really needs to focus on his strengths and could be used in special match ups. Fez Please do what the coaches tell you because you are needed now.

If Boozer is out for 2 months, then we need to get another PF. That means Collins, Almond or Fez will be dropped.

NBA Fanatic | 1:45 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I honestly think that the injury to Knight helps the jazz. I think Price is a much better guard. I like how he pushes. He does it better than any guard on the team. He need more playing time!

P.C. | 1:55 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Thay need to sign Gerry McNamara for 10 days so Williams and Knight can get the rest they need.

Bonk | 2:16 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Jazz would have to cut someone to sign McNamara, they already have 15

J. | 2:25 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

To P.C... 10 day contracts can't be signed until January

Tom Calarco | 2:27 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Price is not nearly as good a point guard as Knight. No way. Not even close. A better athlete, yes. Knight, however, knows how to run a team as well as almost any PG in the league. Ronnie is nowhere near as good a decision maker.

10 Day Contracts | 2:36 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

10 day contracts cannot be signed until January.

J. | 2:37 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

10 Day contracts don't start up until January....

Buff BT | 2:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

What is this team going to do when it needs to beat the Lakers?? Who can/will guard Bynum and Gasol, and we all saw how Boozer can do NOTHING against those guys offensively...I truly feel Booze is the biggest reason they lost to them in the playoffs, and that they could have beat the Celts

Miles | 2:51 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

CJ: I like that you are sticking to one name!!

booze | 2:52 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Well it looks like boozer is done for this year........any sign of discomfort and they set the bench. They should come up with a no play-no pay policy. That would get some of these wimps and bench setters to try a little harder and give some effort.

JazzRule | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Buff BT - tell me: Who, even healthy, has been able to handle the Lakers with Gasol and Bynum? 10-1! Who did you have in mind if not Boozer?

Hmmm | 3:22 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Whats the deal with all these 'o' things in this article?

Miles | 3:22 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I love how everyone hates on Boozer. One of the best players in the league yet there are posts on here saying Milsap is better. Whatever. Milsap may play harder but not even close in the talent department. Boozer--Double Double every night when he has a point guard who can play. How many guys in the league put up double doubles in rebounds and points? No Shaq isn't one of them.

Collin's Elbow | 3:23 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I move that we start referring to Collin's Elbow as "God's Gift to the Jazz". How often do two 7-footers have a golf-cart incident? There must have been devine intervention.

Lakers | 3:23 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Who have the lakers played this year?

Anonymous | 3:37 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

You guys are morons, Boozer is not out for the year or even two months! A strained hammy tendon is NOTHING serious or needed to be worried about, if he doesn't play on the road trip, he'll be right back playing at all-star level afterwords. He'll be out no more than a week.

Koufos | 3:41 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

Koufos may start in SA for Boozer. If he can rebound and maybe play some D and IF CJ can carry the scoring load maybe we can sqeak by untill the second team comes in.

Sorry but Price is no PG even though he tries hard. If Knight or DWill are functioning we have a fighting chance.

I am not worried about the Lakers until the playoffs. If the Jazz are the 2nd or 3rd seed they will not face the Lakers until the finals game. Maybe Koufos will have enough experience to play and really contribute. Maybe Fez will be able to contribute. If both DWill and Knight are playing well and we have decent backups at PF/C (trade or development) we have a shot at the Lakers.

If Booz is out for more than a month I expect some type of trade/pickup for a tall PF/C. Mutumbo and Mourning are rentable. I do not know of a decent PF for cheap.

This is the year the Jazz have to bust the cap to win. They had better do whatever they need to do this year and then adjust next year.

Mile High Club | 3:54 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I'd hurt my back too if I was 7 foot tall and trying to join the mile high club. Those bathrooms on planes are small. GO MEMO!

my thoughts | 4:17 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

There are some very negative Jazz fans

I guess the Jazz will go 1 and 1 on the road, then we have 4 home wins. End of November, the Jazz will be at 14 and 5, Williams will be healthy, and the Jazz will role through December with a record of 24 wins and 9 losses. That is right on pace to win 60 games.

But woe is me, my life blows so I am going to complain about the Jazz

And Boozer is playing well. He shoots 56 percent from the field while getting 12 rebounds a game. He is one of the most offensively effective power forwards in the NBA. There are 6 big men who score 20pts a game and shoots over 50% from
Howard
Stoudmire
Boozer
Duncan
Bosh
Jefferson

That's good company

Paul and Parker do as PG

Boozer defense is also fine (not great, but fine).

If he played like this we would have beaten LA last year. His game is going to only improve when he is playing off Olympic Point Guard. Brewer and Korvers game will also improve dramatically when Williams is back. They play so much better off the ball.

Could be worse | 4:23 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

The Jazz are currently second in the West inspite of injuries. Denver and PHO are doing better than expected but Houston, NO, SA and Dallas are not doing all that well, especially Houston and NO given the addition of Artest and Posey.

If the Jazz can run the point well and also defend Mason and Findley they should win at SA.

rhino sparky | 4:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

The problem is perception. We all get it hammered into our heads how great the lakers and Kobe are how the Celtics are the bomb how good the Pistons are the Suns etc etc. Why because when those teams win you get to see 3 minutes of highlites and then 10 minutes of the anouncers breaking down how good they are. When the Jazz win its one clip of the opposing team dunking even if the game was a Jazz Highlite real. If Boozer was in a big market he would be getting all the atention he deserves.
my case in point D Will to CP3 who beats who every time.

Jazzsmack | 5:00 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I would not be suprised that with boozer out the Jazz actually win one on the road because they will some replacing him with a player that plays defense,

RE MY THOUGHTS:

the only difference between those players you mentioned and boozer is that they are taller and play defense.

We have the bargain bin allstar while those other teams have top-shelve big men.

Let's Make Sense | 6:13 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

The Jazz haven't played anyone yet, unless you consider the Denver Newgets, as being a possible contender. So, with the losses on their roady, to teams who will not be contenders this year, regardless of the injuries/time off for players, it will be difficult to make a 6th or lower seed for the playoffs. What happened last year is typical; losing games to inferior teams, and then coming up short at the end of the regular season for homecourt advantage. When the main guys are out, the team is just ordinary. ('D' League) All the central players must be available on the road. There appears to be no sure thing. Most of the Jazz players are whuses, who have a variety of injuries that hurt the team. They cannot go on the road hoping Fes and Koufas are going to win games. The experienced players have got to suck it up; get in shape; warm up properly, and stay available to play. Harpring appears to be at the end of his rope. There is no hope of bringing a major, make the difference player to Utah.....as in "YOU PLAY IN UTAH" attitude. And with the economy.....the Jazz are toast.

Charley | 6:44 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

By any measure Carlos Boozer is a terrific asset to the Jazz. He would be to any team. He is a much improved defensive player- one of the best rebounders in the league- has outstanding offensive skills, sinks his foul shots and has a great attitude. What's the problem?

bozo is out | 6:59 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

man maybe someone who will play with some heart might take his spot. I think he is out for the year that girl.....

concerned fan | 8:02 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

i think the jazz can pull it off against the spurs, we are still a strong team compare to them, the jazz have a deep bench, both teams are missing their star players but if you look at the standings we are still a contender compare to spurs.. Go Jazz!

I hate to say it | 9:19 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

But I don't think Utah wins Friday night in San Antonio. There are just too many injuries to overcome and San Antonio has Utah's number in SA (although the tide is starting to turn).

#1 jazz fan | 10:28 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

I dont get why everyone is complaining on these posts. we are 8 and 4 we have the 2nd best record in the west right now and more injuries that any other team. imagine the experience and the team we will have when everyone is healthy. we could shock the world at how good our team can be! GO JAZZ D will we need you!

Sigh... | 10:32 p.m. Nov. 20, 2008

The only bozos around here are the ones ripping Boozer. The ONLY reason the Jazz had a chance to win any of those road losses was because of Boozer's inside scoring and board work. I love how so many people think they are experts in evaluating the talent level of the Jazz roster. Does Boozer have holes in his game? Of course he does, who doesn't? Is he one the best power forwards in the league? Absolutely.

Buff BT | 1:19 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

Jazz Rules- My point is, for all the talk on here that Boozer is great, double double guy, blah blah blah, he DOES NOT show up in the playoffs and ALWAYS gets handled by a bigger defender... for example, Spurs and Lakers.... He was AWFUL against these two and the biggest reason they lost....Boozer gets scared and starts relying on his TERRIBLE jump shot that is a constant brick.... Dwill is the true stud on this team and needs to have the ball to score in crunch time...Sorry Booze, but I hope you go to Miami next year so we can free ur salary

RE: Sigh... | 4:59 p.m. Nov. 21, 2008

IF boozer is our only chance, then our team really isn't very good.

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