Reader comments
Doug Robinson: Boozer and Jazz are forced to be back together

Anonymous | 11:05 p.m. June 30, 2009

I hear alot of people saying he'll bring his A game because he will be looking for a new contract next year...don't be so sure..he's lazy and he's got 70 million in the bank...its not like he'll need the work...

Steve from Jersey | 11:18 p.m. June 30, 2009

The Jazz need to trade him this summer because the young team probably can't handle the distraction of Boozer on the trade block till the trade deadline. Maybe Orlando will sign-and-trade Turkoglu!

todd from santa ana | 11:20 p.m. June 30, 2009

ah yes a fine marriage, Like Lizzie Taylor and Dick Burton.

That should be part of ancedotes used by the "rock Monsta"

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 12:30 a.m. July 1, 2009

Boozer may play his best every game next season whether the team wins or not, his gameplan is to put up impressive numbers whether the Jazz make the playoffs or not, in other words he will play his best just for his own sake, the Jazz are so pathetic right now.. trade him immediately or suffer the whole season with him

Name | 12:33 a.m. July 1, 2009

I'm always amazed at drob's ability to know exactly what people are thinking. He knows just what Boozer is thinking, just what the front office is thinking, and just what the fan are thinking. Like a mind reader. Amazing.

B T | 12:58 a.m. July 1, 2009

This is a great article - I agree with every word. Boozer continues to add yet another reason for us fans to absolutely hate him as he's making it near impossible to keep Milsap and free up 12mill to get in another player that has a heart, shows up in playoff games, and doesnt sit out w/ injuries every season - - Boozer is really a heartless, spineless coward especially when he says hes gettin a pay raise and opting out, then resigns w/ Jazz - Boozer, know this- we all cant stand u as a person and player and hope ur lame ass is traded this summer as management is surely not dumb enough to keep u and continue to bring this team down

Explain To Boozer | 5:36 a.m. July 1, 2009

That he is either going to play hard at both ends of the floor and when he needs a breather he will get it or he might as well stay in the lockeroom! If he wants to try the Marbury, Tinsley, Iverson diet let him show up out of shape or not play at both ends. There is no reason other than laziness that a player doesn't put out on defense. Why do you think we have 12-15 players on the roster? That same scenario should apply to all of these primma-donnas. Work or go home!

SJ Bobkins | 6:16 a.m. July 1, 2009

Come on trashing Boozer who at least has the potential yet saying nothing about the overpayed and very lame AK "the stockman" who makes $4.5 million more than Boozer interesting. Why not trade AK-lame for two long in the tooth vets off let's say the Knicks, Detriot, or Miami, waive them then resign Milsap. I can't take anymore whinning and bawling from #47, you can't find a baby bottle big enough to shut igor up.

VegasJazzFan | 7:02 a.m. July 1, 2009

At least expiring contracts (one year left) are somewhat valuable, as whatever team might trade for him could also unload one or more players that THEY don't want or need, to us (might actually be a good fit) while they get a former all-star and olympian, knowing his salary will be off their books after this coming season, if they decide he's not going to fit there any longer. Boozer will likely put forth more effort since he is auditioning for a new contract. My guess is Booz will play through any minor injuries (as most players get dinged-up) unless it's a more serious injury like the one that required surgery this past season, knowing his next contract will be significantly influenced by how he plays in 2009-10. So, if traded before or during season, at least we get something (compared to if he would have opted-out and walked... although the salary clearing would have been great... more likely able to keep Millsap) or if Booz plays all or part of season for us, it wouldn't surprise me if he puts up the best numbers of his career so far.

THEeyepatch | 7:13 a.m. July 1, 2009

Boooooooozzzzer's back! Eighth seed here we come.

Anonymous | 7:37 a.m. July 1, 2009

Actually Boozer did get a raise. He got $11 mil last season, and will get $12 mil this season.
There are two scenarios for this season.
1) Boozer has another injury and is never able to get into the rhythm of the season and is traded at the deadline to a team looking to get cap space for the summer of '10.
2) Boozer has a career year and leads the team to a division title and top 3 seed in the West.

I would give a 30% chance for the first option, and a 70% chance for the second option.
People have already forgotten that Boozer and Williams were the only two players who actually played well against LA. If it weren't for Boozer we wouldn't have won the game we did.

There's no way we can make a trade unless the another team agrees. AK's salary makes him untradable for AT LEAST one more year, if ever. Just because you can make the salaries match in ESPNs trade machine doesn't mean the opposing team would agree to it.

Whoopdy Doo | 7:49 a.m. July 1, 2009

Another year of mediocrity on the way for the Jazz and their matador defensive leader Snoozer...And paying the luxury tax to boot. Father Larry is probably turning over in his grave.

I'll bet Deron is regretting his long term committment about now.

Oh, and to the first poster about Loozer having 70 mil in the bank. Ha, that's a good one. You think he's got that much left after paying for a divorce and alimony? You are out of touch aren't you?!

BuckeyeUt | 7:49 a.m. July 1, 2009

What a sad day in Jazz Land. Boozer wanted to opt out and the Jazz wanted that also. No divorce yet, just trying to get by living with each other. The real problem was Miller signing AK to a max contract. You can forget a trade of AK because if there are no takers for Booz, there's nil for AK. Most things that Miller touched turned to gold, except this deal. As he said of Boozer, this was the most stupidest think he ever did as the owner of the Jazz. If the Jazz don't trade Booz then it will be a very long and ugly season, even with his expiring contract.

What I would like to see happen, if the Jazz make good on their offer to sign Milsap and pay the luxury tax. Sign Milsap, start him and let him play starter minutes and bring Booz off the bench. Don't yell about the money we're paying him to not start, look at AK. Doing this will not make him very attractive in 2010 with the superstars available. Don't think he'll get his raise he says he richly deserves and will get.

BuckeyeUt | 7:52 a.m. July 1, 2009

One more thing, playing backup minutes this year just might save Boozer's body. Who knows, maybe he'll be able to play in all 82 games for once. Then he'll be able to add 'durable' to his resume. Cleveland got burned by him and so did the Jazz...whose next?

Kalyan | 8:01 a.m. July 1, 2009

Serves Jazz right. Back in the day Cleveland Cavaliers got "Boozerized" and Jazz was a player in that con game. Now, it's time to pay for it.

sob | 8:26 a.m. July 1, 2009

i wonder if you could get odds from vegas and how many games he will play next year.

Scott | 8:58 a.m. July 1, 2009

This is good news for the Jazz. Boozer is better than any other PF on the market, including Milsap. It's not his defense that's a problem, because his scoring balances out any other PF he faces. It's the defense from the SG position. We can't stop any of the league's top shooters including Wade, Kobe, etc.

Boozer may not play defense, but the Jazz would be toast without him this year. Plus, we can let him go next year and find his replacement in the draft after NY tanks its season or in free agency. We need Boozer this year and he needs us.

Ryan | 10:22 a.m. July 1, 2009

I don't know why this is so horrible for the Jazz... we're gonna be able to get 22 and 12 from our PF during the season... if the Jazz stay healthy we're top 3 in the West thus don't have to play LA until the WCF. Then we might have confidence enough to push it to 7 games... where Kobe will be Kobe - but a game 7 in the WCF will be a fun season for Jazz fans with a chance to get to the finals (an injury, some luck, or wonderful team chemistry now that we know everyone is here)

We should be glad as Jazz fans to get our team back to see what we can do when healthy (if we can stay that way). I don't think Boozer has said the right things all the time - but he is the right player for this system and will help us back to the division crown, push D-Will in the All-Star game, and give us a shot at taking out LA. Otherwise we would be rebuilding until we found a starter at PF - not the 6th man of the year (Milsap).

Kalyan | 10:35 a.m. July 1, 2009

You know what would be poetic justice? Jazz convince Boozer not to excercise his option (too late though) telling him they would make him some kind of offer if he opts out. Once he opts out just cut him lose. Then life would have come one full circle for Boozer.

todd from santa ana | 2:57 p.m. July 1, 2009

Notice standing next to Boozer, in the photo here how much shorter Paul is?

6 foot 6 guys....That is the real height. You cannot tell me he can start 82 games? He will be like Earl Campbell was and be out of the league in 5 years. this is not the days of AD...

If he was amidst a rotation with strong guys like maybe Camby., magette and some of the guys Cowboy talks about maybe it would work.

As it is now, no.

JD | 4:19 p.m. July 1, 2009

Which photo are you referring to? I don't see any photo of Boozer standing next to Millsap.

@Anoymous | 4:33 p.m. July 1, 2009

I loved this article!! It was so RIGHT ON!
If Boozer has another injury season that means Milsap, if he's signed by the Jazz, will have another season to show what he can do.
BUT, I'm hoping they trade Boozer just because he's loyal only to himself and more money. I don't like a man like that wearing a Jazz uniform. AND if it will free up some money to give to Milsap so he'll feel like staying, trade Boozer to free up 12 million.
Boozer is a loozer, we all know that. His agenda is his own and no one elses, not even the team he plays for. That's not good.

EdM | 3:24 p.m. July 2, 2009

Another great column...thanks for the entertainment Doug! I laughed my butt off over here in the islands!

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