Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Boozer says Miami Heat rumors are just talk

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Boozer says Miami Heat rumors are just talk

PAYMON | 12:40 a.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer is a snake. liar liar pants on fire. he always says the right things in interviews but never follows through with action. For example, he always says how defense is so vital in winning a basketball game but yet he is the weak link on D. I have even seen him get in the way of other jazz defenders and set a nice screen for the other team. bottom line he is like drinkin warm milk on a hot summer day with a fur coat. (not good)

Cleveland | 1:14 a.m. June 29, 2008

Remember this is the guy that burned the Cavs. Not believing a word he says at this point.

gf | 1:36 a.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer never burned the Cavs. They did it themselves when their coach said he would never amount to anything. They released him thinking they would re-sign him for below value, and when the Jazz made an offer, they refused to drop enough contracts to match.

If their was a deal like their owner Gund said, it would of violated the collective bargining agreement and they would of lost multiple draft picks. No punishment means no deal. Waiting for '10 when LeBron bails out.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 3:29 a.m. June 29, 2008

Let's let him leave. With the 10 million a year he's eating up now we can keep Deron. After Fesenko and Milsap develop we won't need him anyways.

I'm tired of waiting for Boozer to develop. He's a good player but we would have beaten LA if he'd actually played well. Boozer is not worth 20,000,000 a year. End of story.

rvalens2 | 5:04 a.m. June 29, 2008

Deron is the "cornerstone" of the Jazz ... not Boozer.

While losing Boozer would be painful, losing Deron would be devastating.

JazzGuyz | 6:03 a.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer will be around for a while. This type of vile speculation is the type of thing that make Jazz fans look like dough heads.

Trade him now... | 6:55 a.m. June 29, 2008

he was terrible the last tow months of the season and in the playoffs. Trade him while you can get something decent (hopefully a defender) for him.

dnatt | 8:31 a.m. June 29, 2008

I don't think boozer is worth a max money contract. He plays absolutely no defense. I get so tired of watching him let guys go by him for layups all game long. It might not be a bad thing to let him go and go after someone else that plays both offense and DEFENSE. I say trade him if we can get someone good.

Reality | 8:36 a.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer is worth what he is making now no more. If the Jazz were to get ridiculous and give him the MAX next year they will get in financial cap problems real quick. A.K. is max, Millsap will need to be resigned, Memo will be up for a contract, Brewer will be up, Miles is up. Just where in the world is all of this money going to come from and still stay withing the salary limits of the NBA without paying the ridiculous luxury tax? This whole salary thing for NBA primma-donna's makes me PUKE. Is it really worth it as a fan anymore? I believe that there are other fish to fry.

Lo Porto | 8:58 a.m. June 29, 2008

You have to keep Boozer unless he really might bolt after next season. Deron is by far the most important player to the Jazz now and for the future. So Deron wants Boozer, then I say keep Boozer to keep Deron happy. Boozer is also the only true post up player on the Utah roster. Sure, Okur and Harp can post up some, but not enough to run an offense around.

First things first - We need to sign Deron to the 5 years, $90 million contract extension which is the max Utah can offer. After he's signed, we have the most important piece set in place for the long term. That has been the most important thing to do this offseason anyway. After he signs, the trades can begin...

Jimmy's Sneakers | 9:06 a.m. June 29, 2008

If Beasley has a good season, than Miami may no longer be in need of his services.

Fesenko? | 9:34 a.m. June 29, 2008

I'm tired of hearing about how good Fesenko is. Has he ever played amazingly well in the NBA? The D-league is very very different from NBA competition. I really don't think he's the answer. Remember, everyone thought Yi Jianlian and Nikoloz Tskitishvili were awesome in their workouts, posting up chairs and the like, but it's quite a different story when an actual NBA player is defending.

Thack | 11:43 a.m. June 29, 2008

Everyone talks about how the Jazz can "offer more money" than the Heat, however let us not forget how the Florida teams have the competitive advantage of no state income tax. I couldn't blame Boozer for wanting to be closer to his family and make the move to Miami--I would undoubtedly want to do the same. However, if he wants to win, he should stay here. I hope the Jazz don't give him the max...he doesn't deserve it. But if the Jazz don't, someone else will and then we're stuck--just like with Kirilenko.

Williams/ Stockton | 12:41 p.m. June 29, 2008

Stockton made Karl Malone, and Deron is making Boozer.

Williams and Stockton are the bestt Jazz players in Utah History. In Sloans program, they can take a "good" power forward and get him the numbers, but neither PF was or is "great".

Imagine a Kevin McHale, or James Worthy playing for the Jazz. Imagine a Stockton or Williams playing for the early '80's Celtics or Lakers.

If Boozer leaves Utah, he will be exposed. A Garnett or McGrady plaing in place of Boozer would make the Jazz unstoppable. The Jazz won't get them, but my point is Boozer is a pice of the picture, Williams is the artist.

Boise Bill | 12:53 p.m. June 29, 2008

I say let him go. We can spend the money on a power forward who can jump, block shots and dunk the basketball.

You can't blame him. | 1:12 p.m. June 29, 2008

for going to miami to play for the money they're offering him. I don't see how they will keep D-wade with the money they're offering boozer. But in 2010 when boozers and Ak's salaries come off the books I say we try to get amare stoudimire.

Colorado Fan | 1:14 p.m. June 29, 2008

I don't understand why everyone is so down on Boozer. Sure he can work on his defense, but the guy is so skilled and fun to watch on offense. Our offense would be in shambles without him. It would be disastrous for the Jazz to lose him. He is a 20, 10 guy. He is on the Olympic team. Just about every team in the NBA would love to him. Jazz fans should want him, too!

I agree... | 1:56 p.m. June 29, 2008

I agree with Colorado fan. I love watching Booze play in the post. He is a monster. Did you see how he played against Yao last year. I think this year if he plays like he is supposed to (meaning an all-star). then give him a max contract. But im talking about the through the playoffs. If he proves himself we keep him. C'mon Booze play some defense and we can take the championship.. GO JaZZ

Anonymous | 2:22 p.m. June 29, 2008

Everyone is down on Boozer because he can't play defense. Even when he's on offensively, he's a huge liability on the other end. Unless he balls up, players like Wilcox and Gooden will beat their own career highs against boozer time and time again.

Rich | 2:48 p.m. June 29, 2008

Colorado Fan, The reason everybody is down on Boozer is that he has so much potential but does not meet his potential. He could be a defensive stopper -- he's quick, smart and strong, and he can use either hand to strip the ball or block shots. But he does not put enough effort into defense and seems afraid to foul, seemingly worried about sitting on the bench with too many fouls. He is often indecisive. When his defensive help is needed on an opponent who is beating his defender, Boozer often just stands there and watches. Or he takes so long to make up his mind that nobody can help the helper -- pick up Boozer's man, who then gets into rebounding position and either gets the rebound or an easy pass for a dunk. Worse yet, Boozer sometimes plays the middle ground, getting halfway between his own man and the guy he should be switching to, and then he's in no man's land, where his presence is useless. Now, Boozer could commit to being a defensive monster, but only he can decide if he wants to become a great all-around player.

Moto X | 2:47 p.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer, a blessing and a curse. A blessing on the offensive end and a curse on the defensive end. He is virtually irreplaceable on offense though--go check the stats and the availability of the players who can produce what he does. Defensively, we could play 4 on 5 and do about the same. It bites.

On the upside, it may be our year next year because it will be Boozers contract year next year. He will have to produce or he will be draining his own pocketbook. What if he did another playoff no-show right before he opts out to negotiate his contract next year? That won't work now will it.

I don't think he is worth 136 million because even if he fakes it and plays defense next year he won't do it again after he signs a huge deal. He is not a cornerstone of a franchise--D-Will is. Afterall--he is the one making Boozer look like the all-star and we know who consistently produced in the playoffs last year--D-Will. If Boozer stays he gets a contract for alot less than 136 million or see-ya!!

Case closed.

Kody | 3:19 p.m. June 29, 2008

Enough Boozer bashing everyone. You always think the grass is greener on the other side. If we let Boozer leave, we'll be extremely hard-pressed to find another PF or even another player with his talent. There's a reason the Heat would want him. He is an All-Star power forward. So, he went through a rough patch the last couple of months of the season. Well, before that we were pretty spoiled with how great he was playing. Other teams obviously took notice in the playoffs and focused their defenses on him. Give him a break. I for one do not want to risk losing a player of his quality.

Hogwash | 3:44 p.m. June 29, 2008

In a league where the definition of a great defensive player is credited on how the ref calls the game is ludicrous. How many players scored 40+ on Harpring/AK? Should we get rid of them as well. Everyone was complaining how bad Amare Stoudemire's defense was against the spurs and Tim Duncan. Go ahead and try and play defense when you step away from the play and they call a foul on you, or you go to the other end and try a two hand dunk and get no call. Boozer is certainly no liability.

And to the silly response that Williams/Stockton made Boozer/Malone: Boozer won a national championship without Williams, and Malone led a small L-Tech team to the NCAA tourney multiple times and once into the Sweet 16, of which Stockton never accomplished.

socal jazz fan | 5:52 p.m. June 29, 2008

Boozer is not the Jazz only defensive problem. Jazz have many problems or holes on defense. They need to learn to play smart, straight up "D". The Lakers probably shot more free throws in one game against the Jazz than their entire series against the Celtics. Celtics don't reach, slap or hit. They move their feet to front a player or to rotate. Boozer or no Boozer the offense is there. It is defense that we need to win the west.

We need Boozer | 6:31 p.m. June 29, 2008

The likelihood of bringing a power forward to Utah that is better than Carlos Boozer is slim to none. Utah needs to keep Boozer here.

Bigjazzfan | 7:56 p.m. June 29, 2008

I hope the rumours are true.

There will never be championship as long boozer is around,

And also while we have 2-guard that can't shoot (even horny couldn't help make it happen, but then again, because of the system they never ran any plays for him).

fossil. | 8:33 p.m. June 29, 2008

people forget booz sat on his butt for a couple of years with the bad foot and still got his money. now he is doing fair he thinks he is worth max. he is bad on defense. i think he still owes the jazz.

Boise Bill | 10:07 p.m. June 29, 2008

Lets look at a valid defensive stat for a big man. Hmmm- according to Boozer's stats last year he ranked 70th in Blocked Shot for all NBA Players and 37th for all forwards. I'd say the numbers speak for themselves. He's got offense but his defense needs a lot of work. Even Milsap (off the bench) blocked more shots and he's shorter. Come on Boozer!

miami need boozer | 10:27 p.m. June 29, 2008

booze4r will be a good team mate with wade they will have nice connection on the floor and stuff so i think he should go play for miami heat

It's over | 10:30 p.m. June 29, 2008

looks like its over, call it day, the jazz will never win an NBA championship with the current state of officiating and league powerplays by the Commish Sterns.
forgetta about it. the NBA is rigged!

AL | 11:50 p.m. June 29, 2008

Amen Kody, and besides that, we are just a little spoiled. Looks whose shoes he has to fill, KARL MALONE. Enough about all the glory going to Stockton. Without Karl Stock may have been nothing too. Remember they worked as a team!!!!!!!

CAjazzfan | 12:44 a.m. June 30, 2008

I hope he stays, I bought a Boozer jersey for $75 and I don't want to feel like I wasted my money.

boozer is a six letter word | 6:23 a.m. June 30, 2008

there's a reason boozer wasn't drafted until the 2nd round. he'll always be a defensive liability in a league where championships will be won with defense. the only reason the lakers were in the finals is that the spurs gave up 100+ pts in half their playoff games - not to mention that awful no-call on barry.

Anonymous | 6:27 a.m. June 30, 2008

Carlos will take care of Carlos - period.

Face Facts | 7:56 a.m. June 30, 2008

Let's face it Jazz fans, this team will never win a championship without going over the NBA salary cap and paying the luxury tax. The Lakers with Shaq and Kobe? Has anyone won the championship since the luxury tax was put in place without going over the cap? We need some wealthy Jazz fans to put in with LHM and buy another all star caliber player to mix in with Williams and Boozer. No supporting cast of decent players will be enough for a championship. Ignore the cap, pay the tax, and buy a trophy and banner for loyal but long-suffering Jazz fans.

To Face Facts | 9:54 a.m. June 30, 2008

Dude you are very generous with other peoples money. How about you pay up with 20% more for your season tickets! Oh you probably don't have any. I would rather have a great team here in Utah! Than no more team, but one championship.

Moto X | 10:02 a.m. June 30, 2008

re: Face Facts??

You have no facts. There is NO CORRELATION WHATSOEVER BETWEEN WINNING THE CHAMPIONSHIP AND PAYING LUXURY TAX!! Duh!!

NBA Top Luxury payrolls 2007 Season:

Knicks 45.1 million
Mavs 7.2 million
Nuggets 2 million
T-Wolves 1 million
Spurs $196,082 Prior to 2007 they paid zero. This small amount is essentially nothing in the scheme of NBA salaries today--there is certainly no argument that paying the extra $196082 got them over the championship hump. The Spurs have won 3 of the last 6 championships while essentially vowing to pay little or no luxury tax--which they have done. They won because the have Duncan and found good role players to go around him.

Based on the numbers above one could say there is more correlation between paying the most tax and losing more games!!!

Better teams win championships not just teams with more overpaid egomaniacs. Mark Cuban has been paying luxury tax since day 1 and how many championships has that netted him?

Try some research before you post your "facts".

Now we know why they hire professionals to make decisions for the Jazz instead of fans.

spasms | 10:35 a.m. June 30, 2008

I wonder ... How much of Boozer's lack of defense at the end of last year and in the playoffs was due to his back problems? He's not a great defender true, but he played much better D last year.

Rich $ | 11:14 a.m. June 30, 2008

Boozer is a two time All-Star and will be on his second Olympic team. The Jazz are going to have a tough (nearly impossible) task in trying to replace him if they trade him or he bolts. I for one think he'll stay here. He gets along with D-Will and I think he knows he won't be as good without him. That being said, he's too good to trade. 20 and 10. Enough said. Just for giggles who would the Jazz realistically get for Boozer that will put us over the top and get us a championship? This should be funny.

Boozer stays | 1:45 p.m. June 30, 2008

The Jazz and DWill are a match, DWill likes it here and he will sign a long-term contract. The Jazz and DWill need Carlos and he needs them. Of course he'll stay in Utah. What is the matter with some Jazz fans. The ONLY definitive thing that has come out about any possible move to Miami for Boozer is what Carlos himself said... were you listening, Jazz fans? Booz plainly stated that he expects to play out his NBA career in Utah and have his jersey hung in the rafters at ESA. It can't be plainer than that. So pay no attention to the Miami sportswriters and the ignorant Jazz fans who claim they don't care if Carlos stays with the Jazz. They're wrong. Boozer and DWill are the best forward/PG tandem in the NBA and even the Miami sportswriters know that. The Jazz are set at those two spots for a long time, just have a little tweaking to do elsewhere and we're a top playoff contender for a long, long time. I'll be there when Carlos and Deron get their numbers retired and join the NBA Championship banners that will be hanging in the ESA.

WOW!! | 1:50 p.m. June 30, 2008

you know, I wonder why D-will wants him back so bad?? We jokers, called Jazz fanz, putting down our own star player must have a better inside look than his own teammates who play w/ him every day.

You know if Booz ever did look at this Blog w/ all this crap written about him, why would he what to play @ 110% or even 100%, let alone win a championship for us so called Fanz.

Sokol | 4:16 p.m. June 30, 2008

Loyalty is everything is winning championships and in
character building. Kevin Garnett is the model of
the retro-NBA. The Celtics had success because they
were a team. If Boozer bolts, the Millsap will take
over, because he is a guy who wants to improve.
Boozer has a reputation for struggling against quicker big men...The Miami Heat would only inherit
that problem if the got Boozer, so why invest in someone that has not proven himself yet.

Steve | 5:07 p.m. June 30, 2008

I am sick and tired of hearing the typical idiot Jazz fans. You guys never played competitive basketball, you only tune in for the occasional game and the playoffs, but yet you're experts. Boozer is a stud, one of the best power forwards in the league, an all-star and now two time Olympian. He is not the perfect player. He could improve his defensive night in and night out, but he is not nearly as bad a defender as some of these posters suggest. We are lucky to have him. Yes, he is worth 20 mil a year. Teams will line up to try to lure him away and offer him that much. Sorry guys, Milsap and Fes could not replace him. Learn and study the game and you'll see what every other GM and player in the league knows, this guy is a great player.

Yearsley | 8:48 p.m. June 30, 2008

I wish everyone would lay off of Carlos and all this talk of him possibly playing in Miami.Even though he makes alot of money there is no where else he would want to go especially not to Miami because they are in a rebuilding process and the Jazz are one of the top teams in the Western Conference .I agree though that Carlos needs to work on his defense because Andrei cannot be there to pick up on his mistakes all the time.

RE: Steve | 4:53 a.m. July 1, 2008

I never played competitive ball, but i have watched every jazz game since i can remember i am a true fan and so are many of the people who spend their time to write there thoughts on the jazz, so quit being so harsh on other people, and did you play competitive ball? who cares if you did anyway. lets face the facts booz is good, great offense awful defense, i for one dont think that equation equals 20 mil per season. if he wants to stay great, but he is going to bolt for miami and who wouldnt for that kind of money. he will be hard to replace but he is not the premier 4 in the nba, top 10 sure. im not going to worry cause he cant leave until next season, so dont worry about what you cant control.

Anonymous | 6:55 a.m. July 1, 2008

Boozer's health is not brought up much. His hamstrings (both) kept him off the court for nearly two years. Although he has played in the bulk of the games the last two seasons, he has had an ongoing low back problem. Check the end of last season. Booz rebounded well up high, but notice he struggles to bend down for loose balls and turns the ball over below the waist. The hamstrings and low back work together in general, and even more so in basketball. Given Boozer's health, his past (Cleveland), his home in Miami, his daughters condition requiring low altitude, and Pat Riley's wooing, the Jazz should plan for no Booz over 3.2%. Is Boozer a stud baller? Yes! Is his defense suspect? Yes. Do I like him in a Jazz uniform? Sure. However, if it was my choice to make, I would look to deal Booz. It's easier said than done, but the Jazz have to be looking hard. We don't want to lose Booz for nothing, but he's not worth the max money to keep him. Veteran status allows Booz to make $136 million compared to $90 million for Williams (max money). Boozer not worth it!!

STEVE-O | 12:26 p.m. July 1, 2008

I find it a little unfair that the Heat are reporting Boozer will be going there. Even dropping players to free up Cap space to pay him MAX money. Now, the Jazz will be hard pressed to find a team willing to take him in a trade knowing that he's just going to leave the team after a year anyway. Our only hope is to dump Boozer to a team that is just interested in dumping the salary to free up space for someone else!
If Boozer stays, great. If he goes, great. We've got a nice core of players and we'd have some cash to sign another good player if he leaves.
Amare Stodamire, Al Jefferson, Elton Brand (Although he plans to resign with the Clippers for some weird reason). Or maybe Beasley from the Heat since they won't need two PF! Things will work out either way as long as we have DWill.

Anonymous | 11:42 a.m. July 10, 2008

Interesting. . ..The foremost minds in USA basketball think Boozer is good enough to be a blue chip Olympic player selected to go to China, but many posters here think he's a bum. .. Who should we believe? Maybe we should focus on what Carlos is rather than what he isn't... He's a bona fide and proven 20/10 per night contributor. Not many of those around on the free agent market. If we didn't have Carlos we'd be shopping for somebody just like him. You can't order up a prototypical "perfect" player like ordering take out Chinese...

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.

Follow us on facebook

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Boozer says Miami Heat rumors are just talk

Add your comment

Syracuse woman gets 1 year in jail

USU tops Idaho State 77-44

Y. focused on 10-win season

Girls basketball rankings

Syracuse woman gets 1 year in jail

Cougars cruise past Southern

Thunder rolls by Jazz

RSL trades Seitz to Philadelphia

Letters: Gale level-headed

USU tops Idaho State 77-44

Reader comments Utah Jazz: Boozer says Miami Heat rumors are just talk

Add your comment

Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Boozer says Miami Heat rumors are just talk