I’ve never met Carlos Boozer, but I’m not really sure whether I would like him or not.
I am supposed to hate him because he went to Duke and I am a Maryland fan.
I am supposed to hate him because he shook a blind man’s hand, made him a promise, and then welched on it.
I am supposed to hate him because in my circle of friends, swindling someone for money is now known as “Pulling a Boozer” (ex: Elton Brand totally pulled a Boozer.)
And now I am supposed to hate him because despite being on the shelf for nearly a month, he said the following...
"I'm opting out. No matter what, I'm going to get a raise regardless. I am going to opt out; I don't see why I wouldn't. I think it's a very good business decision for me and my family, but I'd also like to see what happens with the Jazz and stay here."
Now, it does take a pretty huge prick to shake a blind guy’s hand and welch on something. But, other than that, I can’t say I have any problem with what Boozer is doing. And the very teammate he splits time with is the reason why.
This year, Paul Millsap is nearly identical to Carlos Boozer in his final year with the Cavaliers. Not only does it humanize both of them, it justifies both of them.
Millsap was a second round pick, much like Boozer. Also much like Boozer, he made barely over the league’s minimum contract for a second round pick. This didn’t stop either of them from taking every opportunity they were given on the professional level, and seizing it.
Millsap is now in his last year of making the lowest salary on the Utah Jazz. And I say that because he has turned into a double-double machine. Come to think of it, in Boozer’s absence, Millsap has played an awful lot like Boozer.
I hate to sound like a Fox News reporter, but (deep breath in with a southern accent) “the numbers don’t lie.” Millsap is averaging a little more than 14 points and eight rebounds in his final year before his first free agency. In Boozer’s final year, he averaged 15 and eight.
I guess what I’m saying is that Boozer’s teammate is on the fast track to making Boozer money.
But, here’s the best part of the whole thing that really makes me love Millsap and certainly not hate Boozer. I have never heard Millsap speak in my entire life and with the exception of a post game press conference, I have never heard Boozer talk either.
It is interesting to me because Boozer does have a pretty bad rap, and people do call him greedy. But, there are only a few people in the NBA who go out and earn every cent of their pay and Boozer is one of them. He’s never taken a day off. He’s never been a distraction. He’s never been anything less than a godsend to the Utah Jazz and he’s still not even the highest paid member on the team.
And that is the cool thing about having a teammate who is so similar to you. When Millsap demands the big bucks (and you know he will), I can’t help but get the feeling that he is going to deliver. And despite what anyone has to say about Boozer, he has delivered every step of the way.
Maybe I should hate Carlos Boozer. Maybe I shouldn't. But, I have a feeling that when Paul Millsap looks to Boozer for advice, the former Olympian is saying and doing all the right things.
8 comments Last one added 4 months ago — Leave a Comment
Shan 6 months ago
never taken a day off??? wrong, wrong, so wrong, how about taking every possession off on the defensive end in almost every playoff game as of late....Malone nor Millsap do this.
but sure Booze gets HIS offensive stats and will yank a rebound away from a teammate if it is the tenth one....
as far as being a godsend....almost any power forward could come here and flourish in this Utah system if they want to learn and can play..... eg Millsap....
Utah breeds godsends, we dont get them from blockbuster trades....eg Boozer...
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Jared Zeidman 6 months ago
How many godsends have been bred recently besides millsap? Don't call the starting pg from an ncaa finals team a developed player either.
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Shan 6 months ago
no, you tell me what other team in the league gets as many second round nobodies and is as resourceful with what they are given than Utah. Oh thats right you cant.
Utah has many factors that prevent them from obtaining godsends, so therefore we must manufacture them. First off Utah is not necessarily a state that players circle as their prime destination, so there's one strike.
Secondly they hardly ever have losing seasons, so the draft for Utah is like a bonus and managemant usually drafts players who will mesh well with Jerry Sloan not too many godsends at 47th pick of the second round.
Simply put, Jerry breeds scrappers who could petentially develop into godsends, and to clarify Booze was never a godsend.
Deron Williams was the last godsend the Jazz got, thats it.
Basically its clear you dont watch much Jazz basketball or follow them too closely...
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Jared Zeidman 6 months ago
We are in a league where 60 players get drafted every year. There is no such thing as a second round nobody. And I also loved the way you dodged my question and just tried to criticize me. I don't think you team has had many 2nd rounders that have turned out to be serious contributors. and when I asked you to prove me wrong, your final answer was....
........
.......
Right.
And as far as circling Utah for a prime destination goes, I was under the impression that we were talking about drafted players. In which case, unless you are Steve Francis, you play wherever you are drafted.
And far be it for my to think you wouldn't ride deron williams into the sunset, as you have a picture of him for your profile.
Your stunning analysis has been pretty incredible.
But since you want to argue about second round "nobidies":
The Pistons field a handfull of them, who in the next few years will be handed the reins to the team.
And year in and year out, they are better than your Jazz sir.
So perhaps you aren't watching carefully.
I'm sorry that you don't like Carlos Boozer. But next time, you should just comment "man I hate Carlos Boozer"
Clown
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Shan 6 months ago
why are you trying to logically argue what was clearly a rhetorical if not a jest laced statement?
perhaps we have different ideas of what a godsend is...or perhaps that is not the point.
my point is Utah is the most resourceful team in the league with how small market and calculating they are with their selections.
Its clear you dont know much about what you are talking about when it comes to Utah, this was clearly demonstrated when you said....Boozer has delivered every step of the way, you lost credibility when you made that statement....
a player who has missed 35% of his games in his five year period with the Jazz is all of a sudden a godsend, who always delivers? its true Booze is a 20/10 guy but he gives up nearly the same amount on the other end, he has become a liability, a defensive one that is...
Millsap has been playing with a broken toes for the past two weeks or so....but you wouldnt know that, no one does, silly me...
call me whatever you want and just so you know I am not a sir....I am a female.....not that it matters just so you know.
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Jared Zeidman 6 months ago
Mam,
Re read the article, and see that I am praising Millsap every step of the way. Perhaps with a second MRI being scheduled there may be more to the Boozer Liability than meets the eye.
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Diana Allen 6 months ago
Boozer has been great for the Jazz except for his defense or his performance in the playoffs last year.
I had a very hard time with him the end of last year and the playoffs he played like he didn't care at all.
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yasmin ayon 4 months ago
I think that all of this is alot of BULL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! For alot of reasons I love carlos and why are you all so mad!!!!!!!!!!!!!Its true he has not been playing alot but at least he came back and is still trying to make this team work.Its not that I just like him I love the whole team and yes he is my most loved player because I have learnd alot from him like even though people are not liking you then you still come back and play!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So stop with all this and leave the man alone
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