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Doug Robinson: Interested in Boozer? Be careful

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Joe Moe | 12:08 a.m. June 3, 2009
Harsh, man. Harsh.
Perfect Ending | 12:30 a.m. June 3, 2009
Doug Robinson has summed up Carlos Boozer's Jazz career perfectly! Enjoy Detroit and its thriving population, Carlos!
Matt | 12:45 a.m. June 3, 2009
Best written article about Boozer I've read yet. Sums up the way I've been feeling the last 2 seasons about him as he rides the bench and collects his check. Mercenary for hire, I love it.
Comments continue below
JM | 1:15 a.m. June 3, 2009
You seen to forget that Detroit has been one of the most successful basketball teams over the past 7 years. Utah has zero championships and never will while Detroit had to sacrfice one bad year to get way under the cap and have positioned themselves nicely as many free agents in 2010 maybe getting traded if their current team believes they will get nothin in return for them after 2010. Milslip has no offense game he's like playing 4 on 5 come on and Okur plays no defense and is obsessed with the 3 ball, yeah so GO Jazz
Me | 2:12 a.m. June 3, 2009
Wow. Watching Deseret News sportswriters take apart one of the best players on the Jazz is giving me a greater understanding of how the Salem Witch trials worked. Sport and history, two for the price of one!
BrendonGunn | 2:23 a.m. June 3, 2009
Oh, The Boozer woes continue. Those of you who think we are going to be trading Boozer for Chris Bosch keep dreaming. O'Connor historically does about whatever is worst case scenario for the Jazz. Watch- Boozer opts out and RESIGNS with the Jazz. All these other offers are just smoke, but when it clears, believe me... nobody wants this guy, except for... and pardon my criticism, O'Connor and Williams. Buckle up and get ready for 2005-2009 part 2.
doc | 4:22 a.m. June 3, 2009
Right on!! I am just hoping the Jazz can manipulate this situation to bring in a player that will make the ball club a legitimate contender in the Western Conference like Chris Bosh; it would be a dream come true.
Mike fromk Fl | 4:59 a.m. June 3, 2009
Get rid of Booz and if possible Kir and Korv. They are not winning players. Need a Bosch, bigman and a shooter. Korv unreliable
refreshing | 5:00 a.m. June 3, 2009
Its refreshing to see an honest article on this Boozer thing. Most of the media, especially 1320 kfan which is owned by the millers, continues to spin this boozer thing as an overreaction by the fans and I am tired of hearing them tell me what I should think. Boozer is a lazy, selfish, injury-prone, chemistry disrupting, stat hound with no heart or desire to win. I don't even care if we win a few less games next year, but I need change. I've seen this song and dance, and I don't like it. If boozer is back, I will call that same day and cancel my season tickets even with the 10% non-refundable portion.
james nicholson | 5:23 a.m. June 3, 2009
If boozer is back I will not be.
Jazz in Nowhere | 5:37 a.m. June 3, 2009
Expiration date? Robinson, you summed it all up in those two words! Let somebody else feed and walk that tea cup poodle for a while!
JazzSpazz | 6:28 a.m. June 3, 2009
Couldn't agree more with everything said about Boozer, but have you got to put this in print now? Are you TRYING to screw up any potential deals we might get for the guy?
STUPID article | 6:31 a.m. June 3, 2009
Look, I have as many doubts as about Boozer as the next guy, but NO ONE can blame him for the move from Cleveland. They released him early, they lost him, their fault.
frank day | 6:36 a.m. June 3, 2009
Great sports journalism doug...this should have been
written long ago!!!!! Tell it like he is....a greedy
guy with no real team spirit. However, please do not
discourage any team that would get him out of town.
lMark | 6:52 a.m. June 3, 2009
They say that insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting different results. Larry was the first to pay Boozer large amounts of money. Anyone else doing the same thing and expecting a different result, is medically looney.

However, everyone needs to stop talking about Boozer this way or no one will take him off our hands. We all must start thinking like Boozer and act like we are in sales.....think of it as trying to off load a 74 Ford Pinto.....focus on the good parts, not the bad.

Boozer is a smart player. He is a 20/10 guy. He plays defense (ok this is just marketing hype no actual promise implied or intended). He has a great mid-range shot. He can drive to the basket (or the bank when he is injured) with the best of them.
falcon's beak | 7:00 a.m. June 3, 2009
Get over it the NBA is a business.
westg323 | 7:10 a.m. June 3, 2009
Jazz are lucky to have Boozer. This is all part of the free agency game that is played..rumors and more rumors...statements of loyalty ...statements of interest in the open market.Would we get someone of equivalent talent to replace him?
Let him go!!! | 7:21 a.m. June 3, 2009
Even if Milsap ends up not being as good as Boozer, you still get more out of Milsap for the money, you can afford to keep Milsap, Korver, and Okur, and you'll still have money left over to upgrade later on.

Let Booooooozer go.
Bye, bye, Booooooozer | 7:25 a.m. June 3, 2009
The Jazz don't need a 20/10 man as much as they need a leader with fight, passion, and shows it on the court with tough defense. Let Boozer go and everyone on the team will do better just like they did when he was watching the games from the stands for free.
Dixie Dan | 7:25 a.m. June 3, 2009
Here's a news flash to Jazz fans: free agents do not beat a path to play in Utah. While there are better free agents, none want to play in a small market town like Salt Lake. Boozer is the only free agent out there who actually enjoys playing in Utah. Be thankful for what you have.
Blind Fans | 7:51 a.m. June 3, 2009
Lets sum up what losing Carlos Boozer does for the Jazz. LOTTERY.

I hope all of these fans, and apparently columnists, will be happy to slap down their hard earned money to watch a team destined for the lottery next year. You all say that you would rather watch a player with far less talent (Millsap), than a guy who has had injuries but when healthy is one of the best offensive players in the league. When the time comes to put your money where your mouth is, I have a feeling you will all be back on these boards complaining about spending money on a team that isn't winning games.

Millsap is a role player, best suited for coming off the bench. When he had his time to start, he wore down physically and mentally after 20 games. Expand that to 82 games, playing continually against #1's, not #2's, and his energy and hustle won't be nearly as productive.

You say "Buyer Beware," I say be careful what you wish for.
Cowboy Joe | 7:55 a.m. June 3, 2009
Newflash to Dixie Dan I will give you 15million reasons to play in small market Utah that wins more than loses. Will you take it? of course so will anybody else.
CougarKeith | 8:04 a.m. June 3, 2009
I agree, this was a great article and very TRUE! Boozer is Boozed up and on a high for cash!!! That is what he wants, CASH, Cash, Cash! I remember the News "Special" the Jazz and their Cars, who had the best collection, Take A Guess??? You got it, BOOZER!!! He is a MATERIAL GUY!!! I think he wants a fleet of Hummers! I got news for you my friend, GM is selling Hummer to a Chinese group in China! Guys like this are not worth it. Yeah, he made the all-star team last year, but big deal! I hope he enjoys Detroit, New Jersey or Toronto. I highly doubt we will get Bosh out of the deal, but it sure would be nice!
JF | 8:04 a.m. June 3, 2009
Yes this article describes Boozer but if we have to many of theses articles, other teams might have second thoughts about wanting this looser. Keep it quiet and them after he is gone, them write about the truth.
Robinson | 8:11 a.m. June 3, 2009
Must be a slow news day at DesNews. Robinson's article is NOT news it is a malicious and personal attack on Boozer. I hope Carlos comes back and NEVER gives DNews or Robinson an interview again.

Doug, the article is juvenile and you are better than this.
Sum Whan | 8:20 a.m. June 3, 2009
Who is this paid whiner who calls himself a journalist? Find a real story instead of re-hashing emotions buddy. Jazz have some hard decisions to make...good thing you don't, you couldn't pass the muster.

Reality lesson
Boozer was injured skiing, driving a golf cart, or snowboarding...not likely. He got hurt playing b-ball. Trainers say he is hurt, coach says he is hurt...whining fans and journalists say feed him to the lions or get out, make him play. We know better than the people hired to look after that stuff... you are not really hurt. Play and make us happy for our entertainment.

Boozer is a thoroughbred, not some 1/4 horse you drag out of the barn when you need an extra plow horse or something for the kids to ride. He is used to special treatment. Live with it.

If you are going to quit your season tickets over re-signing him I say hurry up we need you less than we need Boozer.

We need more throughbreds to compete at NBA levels in order to do that fans and journalists are going to have to overcome their small minds.
re:blind fans | 8:33 a.m. June 3, 2009
I don't agree Utah will be a lottery team without boozer, because Williams is too good to let that happen, but at the same time I do agree that everyone that wants Boozer gone are in for a rude awakening when Utah doesn't have a go-to-guy or post up player with his same abilities. Utah will not get even close to fair value if they do a sign & trade.
Most Have It Wrong | 8:36 a.m. June 3, 2009
It's not the "small" market of Utah that these players don't want, it's the coaching we have here! As for Boozer-well what has been said is nothing but the truth. Just another spoiled primma-donna that is way overpaid for what you get back in return. Get him A.K., Collins, Knight, Miles,and "ALL" draft picks out of here. Trades, free agents and last years bench warmers ala Koufus, Fess, Price ect can and will change the mentality and performance of this team!
mark-e-mark | 8:44 a.m. June 3, 2009
The Utah media has been demonizing Boozer and tarnishing his reputation since before the season was even half over, yet they act betrayed and surprised when they learn that he's interested in signing elsewhere? Take a stance and stick with it, don't play the victim when the player you want to leave is on his way out.

Why did nobody write an article like this when Korver basically said on a radio show that he kinda likes Utah, but not too much, and if something else comes along he's outta here? Oh, because the fans like Korver and you don't want to upset your readers. I see.
Johny Fairplay | 8:46 a.m. June 3, 2009
"he's got more baggage than Paris Hilton on holiday" - great line.
Don't believe a word he says | 8:47 a.m. June 3, 2009
Wait and see, like Williams. The talk is never the walk. And I'm hoping Boozer's walk is a long, long one away from here for a long time.
BOOZ!!! | 8:49 a.m. June 3, 2009
All I keep hearing (especially on 1320 KFAN, which is basically owned by the Jazz) is that Boozer is a 20/10 guy. I keep hearing them try to beat into the fans heads that this guy is good. Ok, he can score 20 points and get 10 rebounds a game. Milsap did nearly the same during his time at power forward. Kirileko did nearly the same when he played power forward (pre-Boozer days). It is the SYSTEM that the Jazz play. Put a decent player in there and they'll get 20/10.

Fact is, Boozer gets his points and rebounds because that is what shows up in the box score. He is ALL about money, and he's smart enough to know that taking a charge or playing tough post up defense so the guy has to kick it back out will NEVER show up in the box score. He puts in the effort to get his numbers, and that's where his loyalty ends.

We need someone with a DESIRE to win, not a DESIRE to get the next paycheck cashed!!
Not blind fans | 8:51 a.m. June 3, 2009
Even loyal Boozerites always have to put a qualifier at the end of every sentence about him -- as in "He's a 20/10 guy WHEN (and only when) he's on the floor." P.S. That's only 2/3 of the time and money you're going to pay him for. Always a qualifier, and that's why he's a fraud.
MJB | 8:56 a.m. June 3, 2009
He'll fit in perfectly with the citizens of Detroit. They are all corrupt and manage to make way more than they deserve. Detroit is a burden to the country and Boozer is to whatever team he plays for.
zeke | 8:58 a.m. June 3, 2009
Yeah Detroit clearly is not a winning situation. A team in 6 of the last 7 conference finals is definitely a poor situation compared to Utah's illustrious history of success... Both Boozer and Okur only went to the Jazz because they offered more money- don't cry in your non-alcoholic beer now that they're leaving for the very same reasons...
Z | 9:08 a.m. June 3, 2009
To all of you who are worried about news articles chasing other teams away from taking Boozer. Wake Up!
If Boozer opts out the Jazz don't need to do anything. If no one wants him they could end up resigning him for a bargain deal. And if he doesn't opt out they will trade him to a team looking for an expiring contract. So just sit back, relax, enjoy the show, and hope that O'Conner and Sloan don't botch things up.
Cavs | 9:09 a.m. June 3, 2009
Best thing to every happen to the Cavs was lose Boozer. I mean look who they picked up!
STEVE-O | 9:17 a.m. June 3, 2009
Everything said in that article was 100% true. Doug might have taken it easy on Boozer.
re: re: blindfans | 9:24 a.m. June 3, 2009
In a season where Boozer was hurt and did not play for 40+ games, and came back not at 100%, the Jazz managed to hang onto the 8 seed.

It's not a far stretch to say that next season could end up 1 more slot down the rankings for the Jazz, especially without Booz.

boozer | 9:28 a.m. June 3, 2009
although I was excited five years ago when the Jazz signed Boozer, I believed even then that he lacked integrity by the way he deceived Cleveland. He is clearly talented, but he lacks the heart and character that real winners have. Does it hurt to lose a guy like Boozer? Yes and no. Sure, his talent and potential will be missed but his lack of defense and absence of heart will not be missed. He is entitled to pursue the team or money he wants and we are entitled to show him little respect.
re: Booz!! | 9:30 a.m. June 3, 2009
You are clearly thinking with emotion, not basketball intelligence.

Millsap played very well for the first 20 games after Booz went down. He then started getting nagging injuries, started being much less productive, and was exhausted. You forget to mention that in your comment.

Simply plugging someone into Booz's spot is completely unrealistic. Millsap is efffective and productive because he is able to come off the bench, use his energy and hustle to outwork opponents for baskets, and play much of his time against #2's on the other team. We saw what happened to him when his minutes were increased. Broken down body, less energy, and far less production.

As for AK, that is very obvious to anyone who has watched the Jazz. He was putting up good numbers, while playing with a terrible team around him. AK needs many more touches to get to the same output that Boozer does, and that means less opportunities for DWill. AK is nothing more than a #4-5 option on offense, and that will never change.
Dave | 9:31 a.m. June 3, 2009
Nice work Doug, you hit the nail on the head.
Head Case | 9:35 a.m. June 3, 2009
Someone once said " Boozer only plays hard when he's motivated". Such a true statement...and we all know the big bucks motivate Boozer. What a sad case! I think Utah would have embraced Boozer if he were a more personable guy. He has an I don't care what you all think attitude. Unfortunately he thinks he is a much better player than he really is! It's Boozer and his agent that is hyping him up to get the bidding going! Let Boozer be someone else's head case!
Happy Player | 9:39 a.m. June 3, 2009
Let Boozer go after his almighty buck and keep AK happy! AK will be a light hearted player without Boozer! He will get his mojo back! It would be great to see AK play the way he used to! I for one would like to see AK happy again. A happy player makes for a happy team. Boozer has had a sour affect on the Jazz players this season!
AFarns | 9:40 a.m. June 3, 2009
This article may seem extreme to some, but the sports media in Salt Lake is rather benign in its treatment of players when compared to other markets in the NBA. That's one of the reasons Boozer likes it here. If he were in L.A. or New York he would be fortunate to be in one piece.

Personally, I feel the truth is somewhere in the middle of the views expressed here. Boozer is not as bad, on the one hand, nor as necessary to the team on the other, as the two extremes suggest. The Jazz will go on either way. I would enjoy the team more sans Boozer. Throw in Kirilenko who has lost his enthusiasm for playing with the Jazz and I would be most happy.
Miles | 9:42 a.m. June 3, 2009
Best article I have seen the DN write. Detroit was all about defense when they were good. Boozer is not going to help them in that catagory. Problem is if the Jazz let him go, you have to replace him with someone that can help the team. If the Jazz do nothing but sign Milsap, lucky to win 45 games next year. AK is not the answer. We need to at the minimum get Amare. Millsap will break down by the Allstar break.
Positve Players | 9:45 a.m. June 3, 2009
Let Boozer move on! We need to keep Korver and Okur tho. Too many changes at once will not work for the Jazz. Korver and Okur truly like Utah and are very valuable assests to the Jazz organization! Both work on their game and are a positive influence on other players! They both have great basketball skills and love of the game!
Hey Doug, shhhh. . . | 9:47 a.m. June 3, 2009
Don't tip our hand that we know what Boozer's all about -- you'll scare off the bidders.
David Locke | 9:51 a.m. June 3, 2009
Carlos Boozer is a cancer that needs to be cut out of the Jazz. A black hole on offense, a mexican bullfighter on defense (ole!), and a chemistry killer in the locker room. Bye Bye Boozer.
BoozerNotBad | 9:51 a.m. June 3, 2009
The only question is who is more blind: GGund or DRob?

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