Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Boozer says the 's' word

77 comments   |   Read story

Amber Alert | 1:04 a.m. May 9, 2008
Has anyone found Carlos yet? Maybe he's just taking a snooze, or maybe he crawled in a bottle of Booze. All I know is that because of him we are going to Looze.
Ticket Holder | 1:44 a.m. May 9, 2008
I guess nobody told Sloan that the rules had changed regarding hand and body checks. A slow, pondering, uninspired power forward who cant shoot or move is not what we need against a fast agile team. Who can we trade this loser to? Who would want him with this huge contract? Who would be stupid enough to take him? I know! The Grizzlies!! We can get Kwame Brown in exchange!! I wonder if they will also take Sloan. Just hoping.
believer | 5:36 a.m. May 9, 2008
I like what I'm hearing from Sloan, Williams, and Boozer in the last two days. They are a young team. Go Jazz tonight!
Comments continue below
I believe | 6:41 a.m. May 9, 2008
Boozer will shoot his way out of this slump tonight. Go Booze Go!
shooting slump? | 6:58 a.m. May 9, 2008
How about his defensive slump? This guy leaves his man to help on every play, and generally ends up screening his team mate and then letting the guy go to the hole or passing to Boozers open man. The fact is he is the laziest player the Jazz own. If he would work hard on defense it might transfer to his offense. And please, stop stumbling and falling every time you get picked, that is just an excuse not to have to run the length of the floor for a potential missed layup that you created.
Anonymous | 7:03 a.m. May 9, 2008
Shooting slump?!?! How about your lazy and get zero hustle points and never play anything other then matador defense slump? This guy is horrible, he has no fire in him. Watch the young Hornets team and see how David West takes everything personal kind of like Malone did and then watch Boozer and his "Aw shucks" reaction to the way he is playing. Play Milsap more leave heartless on the bench.
Booze better | 7:09 a.m. May 9, 2008
play better, it's that simple. we need his contribution tonight- missing his 20 pts and boards is too much to overcome.
Selfish | 7:12 a.m. May 9, 2008
It's just totally disgusting with this generation of punk ball players that we have to hear this crap about it being their team and various other statements to bring attention to themselves. This is a team game Booze, if your shot isn't going down there are still a number of things you can do to contribute--like rebound--play defense--these are effort items , so buck up and be a man. If your not the star every night things will be alright if you and the rest of the guys will just PLEASE give some effort towards the team success.
jtm/Boozer | 7:33 a.m. May 9, 2008
Watch it Boozer these fans will turn on anybody even their own players and coahces they can't live without blaming someone. It's their culture.
Lay off on Booz | 7:34 a.m. May 9, 2008
Look, he's doing his best. He may not be as talented as everyone would want him to be, but he is OUR big man in the middle. No matter what anyone says, we wouldn't even be in the playoffs if not for Boozer. So cut him some slack, he's a workaholic and he wants to win every bit as much as all you band wagon fans want to win.
Na Na | 7:36 a.m. May 9, 2008
Na Na Hey Hey Hey Goodbye. Lakers in 4. This is the same guy that backed out on Cleveland and took a year off because of a hammie. What else could you expect?
Got a suggestion | 7:56 a.m. May 9, 2008
Get out of the way early -- use your hands on defense like you have all year, rack up some early fouls and make way for Millsap. He seems to understand playoff basketball by using his mind, his body and his heart -- something you're still trying to figure out.
Jazz fan in SoCal | 8:27 a.m. May 9, 2008
Yes, Boozer needs to snap out of whatever slump he is in. But, I feel the greater problem is Sloan. I have always liked Sloan and he has done a great job with the Jazz over the years. However, can someone let Sloan know that we are not playing the Rockets anymore and this break your arm defense does not work on the Lakers. Feel free to do what coaches do and make adjustments. There is such thing as finesse defense, not just physical. Physical worked great against Houston. It won't work against the Lakers. Hey Jazz, play defense with your legs not your biceps.
BELIEVE!!! | 8:41 a.m. May 9, 2008
We believe in you Boozer!!!!!! Sounds simple and cheezey but hey the bottom line is that WE BELIEVE IN YOU, JUST GO PLAY BALL!!!!! Control what you can and get the job done!!! GO JAZZ!!
Re: Ticket Holder | 8:45 a.m. May 9, 2008
Sell your tickets!! Nobody needs to hear your your stupid comments about trading Boozer for Kwame Brown. If you were GM you would be fired for making a trade like that. In fact, you should be fired from your job bagging groceries for thinking that such a trade makes sense. To put it on your level, it would be like someone taking paper over plastic.
Richard | 8:48 a.m. May 9, 2008
What not have everyone give the guy a break?....he is a big part of the reason that the Jazz are in the playoffs...but he is an honorable hard-working guy, that is stuggling. All the scrutiny and analysis from people who don't know what is going on is counterproductive...Boozer is part of my team and has done nothing to make me not proud of that....Go Boozer....keep working...it will come. In the meantime...I am proud of you and the team.
concerned | 8:48 a.m. May 9, 2008
The "S" word folks is not Slump but SWEEP!
To Jazz Fans | 8:51 a.m. May 9, 2008
Jazz fans are being rediculous in their treatment of Boozer. The man is in a slump. We do not need to bench him and we certainly do not need to trade him for Kwame Brown (that comment was so rediculous that I hope it was sarcastic).

Some how Jazz fans think that Stockton and Malone never had slumps. I remember Malone saying something like "when in hot you keep shooting and when your off you keep shooting until you are hot."

Boozer just needs to keep doing what he is doing and he will pull out of it. In the mean time, it does help that we have Millsap coming off the bench.
Pot calling the kettle. . . | 8:55 a.m. May 9, 2008
I'm relly glad that all of you who are so against him right now are perfect in your careers. When it comes down to it, he's human and(believe it or not) he has off days. I don't know of anyone who doesn't. The only difference is that there are a few million people watching him and breathing down his neck every time he slips up. I have days where I'm not at the top of my game at work(which, let's face it, IT'S JUST HIS JOB), so I'm in no position to boo at him.
You're all a bunch of fair-weather fans. Lay off him, he'll come through. The Jazz need our support right now if they want to advance. We're the league's most irritating fans because we support our boys. DO YOUR JOB AND CHEER!
Selfish is as selfish does. | 9:02 a.m. May 9, 2008
It's disgusting that this generation of "punk" commentators aren't responsible enough to do anything but point fingers and assess blame. One of the things I admire most about the Jazz organization and players is that they don't make excuses, don't criticize the officials, don't fail to give credit where credit is due. Too bad the same can't be said of all the fans.
Troy | 9:10 a.m. May 9, 2008
I don't see any true desire coming out of Boozer. I get the feeling that he doesn't play any defense because he is afraid that if he gets into foul the team won't be able to compete offensively with out him. Honestly, when you are putting in 15 points a game and giving up probably a total of 40 to your man and every other player who penetrates or drives that is your responsibility, along with 7 turnovers that go for I am guessing 8 points, there is a 3:1 point ratio to the other team!!! Stop turning the ball over, stop saving yourself for the offensive end of the court. With the way you are playing, we are better with you in foul trouble and Pauly on the court. The refs don't owe you anything and no one just gets by on talent in the playoffs. I think all Jazz fans have seen first hand in '97 and '98 what wins championships. Granted Jordan is one of the greatest physical talents ever, his greatest talent was his will to win and desire to do anything to get there. We won't do anything until we get that.
Fair Weather Boozer Fans | 9:13 a.m. May 9, 2008
I'm a Lakers fan and I'm blown away by the lack of support for your team. All season I kept hearing Jazz fans talk about how great Boozer was, how he was under-rated and should be listed as a top PF in the league.

Now he struggles in a couple games and you're ready to trade him? bench him? Talk about bandwagon fans...

Look at Duncan, the Hornets are making him look like a rookie again and Spurs fans aren't demanding trades or trying to bench him.

You guys are ridiculous. If Boozer has 30 pts tonight everyone will say - "Great, we knew he could do it". I'm willing to bet that if DWill scores under 15 and has less than 6 assists tonight the trade/bench demands will start for him too.

I hope Boozer dominates the game (not so much that the Jazz win) because if he does, all those fans won't be sure what to say about him. It'll be fun to watch.
Hey Ticket Holder | 9:15 a.m. May 9, 2008
Give me your nosebleed tickets and I will give them to some kids who would die to see a Jazz game in person. Do you think people in Cleveland are calling for Lebron's head? He is having a worse playoff series than Boozer. How about Time Duncan's performance? I hate fair weather fans, and if you are going to criticize him, you better not cheer for him once he starts playing well again. Stay home!
Matt D. | 9:19 a.m. May 9, 2008
So for all those that are taking bad about Boozer and saying that he needs to be traded or sat I have one question for you, who helped greatly to get us into the playoffs? Boozer has given the Jazz an amazing season and was one of the main characters to get us into the playoffs and now you abandon him? Find a new team to chear for. Boozer will get his game back tonight and dominate the way that the Booze always did. He has had two bad games, give him a little bit of a break. Every great player has bad games. I think we will all be shocked on hose dominate the Booze is tonight.
We need a superstar! | 9:23 a.m. May 9, 2008
I really enjoy watching the Jazz although I am not a strategy type guy. It is apparent that Boozer will not make the cut however, even to me. When it is crunch time the Lakers show up with no excuses with their super-stars. Face it JAZZMEN, we are short handed as a playoff team. Where is the execution? Where is the fire? Where is the finesse?????? Maybe on the bench?
Anonymous | 9:24 a.m. May 9, 2008
Get off boozers back. How many of you guys have bad days a work. Do your fellow eployees call for job?
Jazz Fan (The Original) | 9:29 a.m. May 9, 2008
All you anti Carlos Boozer geeks make me sick. Carlos will get his ship righted....so don't worry you morons. The fact of the matter is....the Jazz have been shafted by the officiating in Los Angeles. We'll see what happens in Utah. I have had the feeling from the beginning of the playoffs that this is all about Boston and Los Angeles from the perspective of the league and Commissioner Stern. I see the Jazz putting the hammer on the Lakers in Salt Lake City and tying up this series....hey! they only have to win one game in LA LA land...it could boil down to a best of three series after Sunday. I like what the Hornets are doing to the Spurs.....how about a Jazz Hornets series? I like the sound of it. The main thing for the Jazz is to get Boozer and gang off to a big first quarter start and bury the Fakers early. Fisher is not going to victimize the Jazz in these next two games. Keep your heads up Jazz and fans....they can do!!!!

Go JAZZ!!!!!!
Boozer could have them up 2-0 | 9:29 a.m. May 9, 2008
Boozer has got it in him. Last playoffs Barkley called him out, and Boozer started playing with some swagger.

Confident moves to the hoop will get a lot of baskets tonight, because this one is at home; the Lakers will get called for all the swatting they do in a stacked lane. Take it to 'em. At the other end, when an out of control Laker jumps in the air, has his back to the hoop, lands on a defender, and chucks the ball in the direction of the hoop it will be called a charge like it should be.

Let's see how confidently the Lakers play when the calls go the other way. Lakers won at home. Big deal! Jazz will win at home, too! Winning on the road is the challenge.

Neither game was out of reach in the fourth quarter, so a Jazz team that gains a little confidence at home may be all it needs. Boozer playing like he did in just last years playoffs is all it will take. With the crowd behind them and the refs leaning toward the home court (playoffs b-ball), Boozer & the Jazz could get into blowout rhythm tonight.
Malone's slump | 9:34 a.m. May 9, 2008
Sorry, but shooting slump or not, Malone was always able to get to the free throw line pretty much at will by mainly driving hard to the basket and drawing fouls. Boozer really lacks in this area.

Being able to get to the free throw line not only works as a confidence builder for your shot, it also helps your team get much needed points and accumulates team and personal fouls against your opponent. Boozer has a long way to reach that point.
Jazz Fan Thru & Thru | 9:45 a.m. May 9, 2008
I get so tired of everyone complaining about Booz! I don't care if he is having a slump. He is a true asset and has done some amazing things for this team.

Our young team has not played the years that Kobe (total waste of human space) has. Our time will come. And I hope that it comes with Boozer, Williams, Kirilenko, Memo, Harpring, Millsap, Brewer, Price, Miles, Korver, and all the rest in tow. At least we have dedicated players out there. Not ones complaining about their team at the first of the year and asking to be traded!! I�d love to see Dee Brown back too!

As for you complainers, you don�t like the way Booz is playing? Don�t watch! Otherwise change your whiney attitudes and start showing him the support he DESERVES! Thats the way to get him back in his game! Unless you could get out there and do better. Wait - your not on the team - hmmmm - I wonder why?

Go Jazz � Go Boozer � Gotta Love It Baby!!
re: amber alert | 9:48 a.m. May 9, 2008
WOW, how long did it take you to come up with that? Did you stay up all night thinking of how to make everything rhyme?
To all the rest of you,
real fans stick by their teams, they can find ways to express frustration in different ways other than criticism. Whether the Jazz win this series or not, they are in great shape for the next few years.
Ban wagner | 9:51 a.m. May 9, 2008
What is this boozer 6th year in the NBA? Yes it would help if he was playing better. Keeping it short and real this young team isn�t ready yet basketball and sport in general are a refection of life , we learn as we grow and over come different challenges.
Carl Malone and john Stockton didn�t become who they were overnight or within the first 5-6 years of there careers takes a little time and patients.
To all the Jazz fans enjoy the journey because I think eventually they will bring Utah and NBA title.
Boozer go sleep the dreaded four letter word (slump) that you may or may not be in right now will only make you better in the future.
If you always played great how you would know you wouldn�t have anything to compare it too.
APB for Carlos Boozer | 10:00 a.m. May 9, 2008
Get off your high horses, all you Boozer apologists. First off, if I performed at work the way he's performed the past several weeks, I'd be in line at "JobsRus"! Given the kind of $$$ he makes to play and the kind of $$$ we pay to watch, it's not unreasonable to expect more from Boozer or to troubleshoot when he goes AWOL.

I don't want to bash Boozer. I mean, heck, he stuck around and made life work when he was having family health problems instead of jumping ship and hitching up with another team, in another town with no better medical care than Salt Lake. I'll stick with him now. I just want him to show up and shake off that funk before it's too late...Like TONIGHT!!!

Laker fans, you may very well win the series but take it from us and our series with the Bottle Rockets, get the brooms out too early and things go south in a hurry! If the Jazz go true to form, tonight should be a bounce back game.

GO Booz and GO JAZZ!
STEVE-O | 10:02 a.m. May 9, 2008
All I wanted to hear was for Boozer HIMSELF to take some responsibility! The fact that he watched the film and said "I need to move my feet more on defense" is a step in the right direction. He seemed to be in denial about his lack of defense but now he's owned up to it. I expect him to come out of this slump on offense and defense. The Jazz will be ok you'll all see.
Sokol | 10:05 a.m. May 9, 2008
The guy is a work horse and cares alot. He will not
let his teammates down. I just think he gets a little too timid. His shot will fall....Really, it
was Williams slow pace and unwillingness to push the
ball in each first half that hurt the Jazz.
And Harping cannot hit the broadside of the barn.
If we get this win, the series is on and they will
do good.
Booz needs to step up | 10:06 a.m. May 9, 2008
If Boozer scored at least twice more points than his playoff average, the Jazz would have at least split this series.
Anonymous | 10:10 a.m. May 9, 2008
It's the Curse of Gordon Gund.
Jeff Dixon | 10:20 a.m. May 9, 2008
I concur with the comment posted by concerned (even though I'm definitely not), which states that the 's' word in the Jazz' collective case is not Boozer's slump, but the eminent sweep y'all gon' suffer at the hands of the presumptive champs.

I'm so certain of this that the games are a mere formality.

Oh! Yeah! I said it! What!?

'Sup, Jody? Nice write-up. Been a long time; hope all's well, bruh.
risky | 10:22 a.m. May 9, 2008
Boozer was a second round pick that has out-performed the expectations of every GM in the NBA. He is not Malone but neither are the other thousand or so power forwards that have played in the league since the 1940's. I loved Malone but some of the comments that came out of his mouth were embarrasing. At least Boozer knows when to control his tongue.
TRADE!!! | 10:25 a.m. May 9, 2008
This offseason trading Boozer for Al Jefferson and Minnesota's first round draft pick in 2008 would be a great bid!!!
Great Jazz Fans!! | 10:25 a.m. May 9, 2008
Welcome to the wonderful world of Jazz fans. You guys are half the reason that the Jazz have never won a Championship. A couple of bad games and everybody hates the players and coaches. You guys are a joke when it comes to Basketball. Do you think in Cleveland every fan is saying..."lets get rid of Lebron, he sucks" I doubt that, and Boozer is still playing better the "King James" is.

Can't wait to see all you fake Jazz fans at the game tonight talking about how much you love the Jazz... unless they lose!
BBallLaker | 10:25 a.m. May 9, 2008
I think Boozer needs therapy.......perhaps some deep Zen meditation like the Lakers use.
step it up | 10:32 a.m. May 9, 2008
FOR SURE, BOOZE NEDS TO PLAY BETTER...HOWEVER, DON'T FOR ONE SINGLE SOLITARY MINUTE LAY THE JAZZS' PLAY OF LATE ON BOOZE BY HIMSELF....

I CHALLENGE ANY ONE READING THIS TO GIVE ME THE NAME OF ONE OTHER PLAYER (WITH THE EXCEPTION. MAYBE, OF BREWER) WHO IS PLAYING BETTER NOW THAN HE WAS WHEN THE JAZZ WERE RIPPING OFF DOUBLE DIGIT WINNING STREAKS THE SECOND HALF OF THE SEASON....

WIN AS A 'TEAM', LOSE AS A 'TEAM'...BOOZE NEEDS TO PLAY BETTER, BUT EVERYONE ELSE NEEDS TO AS WELL..
To Sokol | 10:34 a.m. May 9, 2008
"He will not let his teammates down."

Huh? Have you not been watching the past 3 weeks? What bigger let down could he be to his teammates than to dissappear on them, right when they need him most?
Zoo Mom | 10:38 a.m. May 9, 2008
I watched the interview of the Jazz players after practice yesterday and all of them seem to have lost their positive attitude some. We shouldn't be tearing them down. We need to be true blue Jazz fans and support them even when things aren't the way we want them to be. Let's help them get the fighting spirit back!
Troy | 10:47 a.m. May 9, 2008
To all of you who are calling the people making negative comments about Boozer a fair weather fan you NEED TO PULL YOUR HEAD OUT. I think the definition of fair weather fan is to leave when things aren't going well. Well, I don't think anyone who is a fair weather fan would care enough about the Jazz or Boozer to notice how poor he has played or to take the time to read 40 comments on his play and end up writing one in the middle of the day. They would be at the local sports store picking up a Kobe jersey. Unbelievable...

We love the Jazz, we love Boozer, and of course we want him to do well...and it is because of that the we have noticed his poor place and wish he would step it up. Responsibility and heart would be a good place to start.

Also, I don't make 60 Million dollars so I am not sure that the job comparison works.
Jazz need him now | 10:54 a.m. May 9, 2008
Wow, Boozer is human, like the rest of us. He's been a great asset to the Jazz in getting them this far. Too bad the slump has hit during the play-offs. Instincts need to be at their best. No time for second guessing. Go for it Booz!
Moto X | 10:59 a.m. May 9, 2008
Boozer is in a slump. News? Boozer ought to listen to his coach. Sloan has always preached "you can still play defense" when not making baskets. No excuse for a defensive slump--other than effort.

I think Boozer is a standup guy who is trying but I am not so sure that he is not too focused on his offense instead of defense. His defense has been just as big a liability which makes it flat out detrimental to have him on the floor. If he is lousy at both ends then why have him out there? If he is not going to play D then he ought not be allowed to play. Millsap will at least play D and bang inside.

Booz seems satisfied to stand out there and clank his jumpers. He ought to be BANNED from shooting those jumpers until he has gone HARD to the basket 6 times and got some layups. Open or not, NO jumpers!

I recognize the pressure for Booz is great but fans pay alot and Booz makes alot. People are entitled to say whatever they want about his slump. He is entitled to respond by at least playing some D.

Go Jazz.
Carlos | 11:03 a.m. May 9, 2008
The reason you are getting into foul trouble is because you don't move your feet and stay in front of your man, which results in your side slap fouls and grabs. Quick fouls are usually the result of poor defense. ( not moving your feet )

The struggles you are having on offense are because you are not elevating and attacking the rim, which results in points, confidence, trips to the free throw line, momentum, opens things up more outside, etc. etc.

This critisism is meant to be purely constructive and helpful Carlos. Take it for what it is worth and we'll play into June.

NOW LETS GET THIS PARTY STARTED!

die hard | 11:07 a.m. May 9, 2008
sorry but i hadnt read the comments before i posted the previous blog. Are you negative people for real? We are lucky to have a team in the playoffs. Boozer does not play the best defense, thats pretty obvious. He is a above average scorer and rebounder! This is a team sport, We need to play better team defense! Some one needs to knock KOBY RODMAN down a few times. (WHAT A FLOOPER). PHIL JACKSON is the biggest WHINNER IN THE NBA. AK has to block 5 shots a game and score 20 for us to win. Come on AK get your game face on and get your butt to work. IF YOU ARE AT THE GAME TONUGHT DONT LET THE REFS PROTECT KOBY (FLOOPER) RODMAN ALL NIGHT. GET ON THOSE BOYS! JAZZ LETS WIN ONE AND MAKE LARRY A LITTLE RICHER SO WE CAN GET A DEFENSIVE CENTER!

Add your comment

Comments are monitored. Any comments found to be abusive, offensive, off-topic, misrepresentative, more than 200 words or containing URLs will not be posted.

Words Remaining

E-mail address: For internal use only. We may want to contact you to publish your comment (not your e-mail address) in the newspaper or for a separate story idea.

Image

Carlos Boozer, who has struggled in Utah's second-round playoff series, answers questions from the media Thursday morning prior to the start of Jazz practice.

Advertisement
previousnext

Latest comments

Beck, Hannity, and Limbaugh get the audience they deserve and vice versa. ...

I find the rule,very discriminitory. I am not gay, I don't understand what...

Celtics crush Jazz

I understand we were outmanned last night. However, this effort was awful....

Tavernari has matured

My advice to Jonathan is shoot it when they pass it to you as soon as you...

Maybe they should try drafting a shooting guard who can shoot from outside ....

The sad thing about it is that there are actually people out there that are...

12 Utes return to Texas

Thank you TCU and BYU. Your wanting to beat Utah so bad has to drive you...

Celtics crush Jazz

Play fes and koufos. Look to the future. It looks like we will have two...

Letters: Obama 'too busy'

Oh come on. Obama's a horrible president, but I couldn't care less which...

"We had the best soccer of any place in the state. There's no disputing...

Advertisements
Advertisement