Why Does Carlos Boozer Deserve More? Ask Paul Millsap.

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.