Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Millsap's teammates happy he hit the jackpot

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Utah Jazz: Millsap's teammates happy he hit the jackpot

louisiana jazz man | 5:33 p.m. July 11, 2009

amen

JJ | 5:37 p.m. July 11, 2009

It's funny he deserves the money, Loozer, CJ, and AK don't.

Sign MILLSAP or get ready for the BOO-BIRDS all year.

If Portland gets MILLSAP

PORTLAND 61 - 21
DENVER 53 - 29
UTAH 40 - 42

B2 | 5:40 p.m. July 11, 2009

Keep Paul and trade Booz to Detroit for Rip Hamilton. Thats a pretty strong starting lineup of Williams, Hamilton, Kirilenko (possible), Millsap and Memo. Bench strength would be a problem, but it is going to be anyways.

Comments continue below

Anonymous | 5:43 p.m. July 11, 2009

I don"t think he"s worth that much!!!! He hasn"t proven he can play starter minutes for a whole season yet. All he did was in a back up situtation for how many games??? And remember he also got hurt and tired.

you would think | 6:01 p.m. July 11, 2009

that derron saying he is worth that much would be enough for jazz fans

tjrose | 6:17 p.m. July 11, 2009

IMHO...no, Millsap does not deserve that big of a contract and while I understand his teammates happiness for him, it shows their nearsightedness (if they want an NBA title) and lack of concern for the people paying their salary.

Millsap has not proven he can be a starter in the NBA. Yes, he was successful filling in for Boozer for a third of a season. Was he able to stay healthy during that time? Was he able to stay out of foul trouble in order to stay on the court? Did he prove that he can play D against bigger opponents for an entire season while getting starters minutes? ----NO to all questions

I say he still has a lot to prove and doesn't deserve 8-10 million/yr he can answer yes to those questions. I would contend that Millsap, making that amount of money, cannot be on a championship team as a starter unless many other players on the team are under paid. Good luck to whatever team pays him that much.

Anonymous | 6:38 p.m. July 11, 2009

get rid of boozer, he hasn't done the Jazz any good and just wants more and more. The Jazz would be stupid to keep him sitting on the benches, since he'll probably have a bruised thigh and be out half the season anyway!! Milsap has always shown he can play, unlike Boozer where he has been a huge let down since the first day with Utah!!!

Mike | 6:47 p.m. July 11, 2009

Millsap's contract is actually for 6-7 million for 4 years with a 5 million signing bonus. If you average out the signing bonus, his contract is between 7 and 8 million every year. That is not being overpaid at all. And with Williams saying he thinks Paul is worth the money and wants him back, that pretty much guarantees he's back. The same thing happened with CJ.

Tough | 7:42 p.m. July 11, 2009

None of these players are really "worth" it. If you have to pay it though I guess millsap is probably one you would want to blow the money on.

I am not convinced he is capable of being a starting PF so I suspect AK and he will rotate minutes so their bodies hold up and do not break down as if they played full minutes.

As long as they trade boozer before the deadline they can avoid most of the luxury tax bill anyways. I am not sure they can let Millsap walk now and boozer at the end of the season for absolutely nothing in return. If you sign him at least you can trade and get something in return.

Westg323 | 7:42 p.m. July 11, 2009

It's the reality, but NBA players are immensely overpaid.However, Millsap is a hardworking steady player who is a huge asset to the Jazz. I doubt the Jazz would be able to replace him anytime soon.

dsf | 7:48 p.m. July 11, 2009

We should somehow trade boozer and Ak and resign millsap

DWill does not run this team | 7:52 p.m. July 11, 2009

nor pay the bills. DWill is over paid and he is replaceable.

In this economy none of the current Jazz players are under paid with maybe the exception of Brewer. They all can be replaced with better cheaper players and should be.

DWill gets a lot of press for being a top 5 PG but he could be replaced. There are PGs out there who would do well enough if DWills extra money went to a great PF or SG.

It is a system. The system is greater than the parts. If a part is to expensive it should be replaced.

The players are all for any of them getting more money as long as it does not cut back on their money.

However, if 4 players hog all the money then the Jazz can't get enough quality role players. They are not aggressive drafters like POR. They develop young players slowly. They over pay the vets.

They will never win with that approach.

DWill, Boozer, Millsap, Okur are all replaceable. It is a lot easier to do that over the next 2 years.

Millsap is not capable of leading this team to a championship.

Make the Call | 8:04 p.m. July 11, 2009

This is an easy decision. Match the offer, TODAY!

Then, trade Boozer for Thomas and an expiring contract to make the numbers match. This really is a simple game...

doc | 8:22 p.m. July 11, 2009

I am pleased that Millsap received a nice contract, but the Jazz shouldn't damage the franchise to sign a player who would cost them dearly in penalties even a player as valuable as Millsap.

And remember, the Jazz still have New York's #1 pick next year and could possible sign a premium player out of the class of 2010 free agents, maybe the best class of free agents ever.

The Jazz might have to bite the bullet for one year, but it could be just dandy again in 2010.

Anonymous | 8:26 p.m. July 11, 2009

i told you guys (utah jazz front office) if you don't trade Boozer immediately then you will lose Millsap, poor you

Anonymous | 8:54 p.m. July 11, 2009

Well, Billionaire Allen at Portland knows something about investing in good loyal and hard working people. The Miller family apparently don't.

Well | 9:01 p.m. July 11, 2009

Billionaire owner, Allen knows something about investing in good, loyal, and hardworking people and how to make them happy. Apparently the Miller family don't.

look for | 9:18 p.m. July 11, 2009

boozer to end up at portland . had to pay millsap exatly what they did to make numbers match. all said and done preety cheap. 6.2 mil a year. 5.6 mil bonus for playing for nothing last 3 years. cheap

Dave | 10:30 p.m. July 11, 2009

What is sad is that Millsap's reps genuinely don't seem to understand what a favor the Jazz did for Paul by announcing that re-signing him was their top priority AND then asking him to shop around. PM's people seem to think that was a dis somehow. What it did was leave the Jazz brass vulnerable to a power play just like Portland laid on them. Portland is essentially pressuring the Jazz to include Portland in a 3-way trade favorable to Portland, since they are one of the few teams with the cap space the Jazz need from a Boozer trade. Smart move on Portland's part - unless the Jazz pass on the match. Then Portland is stuck with a very expensive backup. But they're not worried, because the Jazz would be even worse off if they don't match, needing a PF to replace Boozer. What the Jazz could do is admit their mistake, keep Boozer for this year, let him play his butt off during his contract year, and then bid for Bosh next year in the FA market (trading AK for more cap space).

Paul Millsap is not a back up | 10:52 p.m. July 11, 2009

What people do not realize is most free agents do not want to play here or live here. The Jazz have to take this into consideration. We will not get d-wayde or lebron, or lamar. They will not come here. The only way the jazz will win is by drafting and developing players like millsap.

Also the argument that Millsap is a backup is dumb. Who was Malones back up? Antoine Carr? Millsap is a much better player than Carr and will be a bargain at that contract price as a starter because the jazz will either trade or not resign boozer.

Anonymous | 1:05 a.m. July 12, 2009

Since Boozer really wants to be in Miami do you think a Boozer for Beasley trade would be possible, and try to keep Milsap?

TODD FROM SANTA ANA | 1:16 a.m. July 12, 2009

i would not bag on "Big Dog" #55

This is a man who was a go to player in this league whi had to change his role for SLoan and his "sloanaholics"

A former all star, Millsap has yet to do this.
He could board, defensively was pretty solid and not much of a scorer for the Jazz but certainly was a good member for this team like Millsap.

I love Paul but do not see what special or great abilities are there. If Tyrus came I would say resign him. I will say this again....If Sloan everyones hero tries to make him the "focal point of his system" the Jazz will not benefit

I see Earl Campbell being injury prone and out of the league within 5 years. A 6-6 guy basically cannot be the 40 minute a guy go to guy.,

This is not the same NBA it is more athletic and the game is higher scoring and faster than the days of AD

The Jazz Truth | 8:00 a.m. July 12, 2009

This John Deere system is fueled by the point guard and power forward. The power forward will always be the scorer, the piont guard the assist leader on the team and be in the league leaders just like the Stock to Malone days. It's the system dummies and when the Booze went down a few(ha ha) times Milsap was the benefactor. Paul has no skills what so ever putting the ball on the floor just like Boozer. When it's a high pick and roll every time down the floor just who do you think is going to benefit- your right the power forward! Lets not get carried away with Millie's skills, he's a very good sub and that is as far as his talent goes. Certainly not worth the Portland offer, let him go! His defense is barely par also. I say if these other players want him so bad, then they need to fork over some of their salaries to help faciliate the problem, otherwise let management do the deciding.

Just Me | 9:50 a.m. July 12, 2009

No NBA player is worth every penny they get.

Doug | 10:47 a.m. July 12, 2009

What would anyone expect Paul's teammates to say other than they're happy for him, that he deserves it, and on and on? None of them have thrown Boozer under the bus for the many selfish comments he's made about opting out, he's going to get a raise, no matter what so they certainly are not going to say anything other than "atta boy" to Paul.

ed in az | 3:00 p.m. July 12, 2009

I'm happy for him too.. Either way he gets the $$.

Don't know if he makes either team that much better in terms of wins/season... One of my favorite players to watch.. Does he sell tickets like a star? I trust Jazz front office to make best long term decision.. even if it means another year of mediocrity.

I admire Millsap | 8:00 p.m. July 12, 2009

I admire Millsap's work ethic, and the offer may be fair.

The problem is Deron and AK's contracts. If you give a guy two guys max contracts, then they both better be guys who can get you 12 boards and 3 blocks a night, or 20/10 with defense, or 40 points almost at will, or 15 points and 10 assists, or you aren't going to be able to afford the complimentary players to get you to a championship.

L.A. has Kobe, but they also have Gasol. Millsap is not nor ever will be Gasol.

San Antonio has Duncan -- and Parker and Ginobali.

Orlando has Superman, and their next guy is just not strong enough.

Miami had Wade AND a younger Shaq.

Cleveland has LeBron, but not a strong enough second guy.

The Celtics, Garnett AND Pierce AND Allen.

If you get two or three top-flight players, THEN you can get complimentary players to come to play with them, like people line up to go to Boston or LA or Cleveland or San Antonio, and you better not be paying guys who aren't your best three and LEAGUE best your three biggest salaries.

Go KOC | 8:38 p.m. July 12, 2009

Kevin how do we trade you?

how about we trade you for TMAC who doesn't really play either, is slow when he plays and likes to gamble with last second shots.

I know Boozer has put more fans in the seats than you but you continue you to think you have the need to be here.

Boozer has said some rude things and for that you throw him under the bus and make him out to be the bad guy when you fronted the deals for AK and Harpring who will get paid in excess of $20 million this season.

When Boozer messed up he said something to the press, you put us in a difficult situation for years now you put the blame on Boozer for being a hog.

12 million for a Boozer style player is cheap in todays market, as he is a go to guy, a starter and a force that has to be reckoned with inside. Nobody else on our team short of Dwill is that.

KOC find another Boozer because all you have done is shift the blame that is rightfully yours onto someone less deserving than you.

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