Hooped Up

Carlos Boozer has decided that it won’t be last call for him in Utah and he’ll stick around for one more season.

Carlos Boozer has opted in on his contract to play for the Jazz for one more season, the Tribune has learned. Boozer stands to make $12.7 million under that deal and will become a free agent next season.

A representative from Boozer’s agent, Rob Pelinka, delivered notice to the Jazz a little before 3 p.m.

Boozer averaged 16.2 points a game last season and 10.4 rebounds with the Jazz last season. In the playoffs, those numbers bumped up to 20.6 points a game and 13.2 rebounds.

“We are excited that Carlos has decided to remain with the Jazz,” said Utah Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor. “We are hopeful he can continue to play at an All-Star level and will have an injury-free season.”

This has got to be ice cold and refreshing news for thirsty Jazz fans everywhere.  Now excuse me as I drink a beer and listen to Miles Davis with some Utah fans.

Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Kyle Korver can all opt out of the final year of their contracts and have until the end of the month to do so.

”I’m not too worried about it. I’m sure it will work itself out,” Williams said during a conference call from Madrid, where the Jazz will play Real Madrid in an exhibition game Oct. 8.

The Jazz are awaiting decisions from all three players — who would cost the team almost $27 million if they return next season — and it could be a few more weeks before the team knows. Continue »

After Utah’s first two losses in the series, Deron Williams told friends he was growing increasingly frustrated with the softness of some of his teammates. Williams has previously targeted Andrei Kirilenko for criticism, but he’s said to have also soured considerably on Carlos Boozer. Boozer angered franchise officials and teammates alike early in the season, when he spoke openly of wanting to test his free agency this summer. It didn’t help that he made the comments while he was nursing a quadriceps injury that cost him more than half the season. 

Yahoo

When this guys goes to a Utah Jazz game, he doesn’t mess around!

Via SI Extra Mustard

Late last year, much was made about the lack of efficiency a few NBA player charities where run with.  However, I believe that any recipient of a charitable donation no matter the size, appreciates the contribution and nobody’s humanitarian efforts should be diminished.

For this edition of the All-Anything NBA Team, I’ve assembled the “All NBA Charity First Team”.

To make this prestigious team, you still must be playing in the league and have a charitable organization that is exemplary. 

Happy reading and get involved.

Continue »

Utah Jazz owner Larry Miller passed away yesterday in his home surrounded by his family due to diabetes-related health complications. 

“I think if we’d have had a month to script this thing out, we wouldn’t have changed one thing about it,” Greg Miller said at a memorial news conference at the Jazz’s practice facility”

Larry Miller’s health has been in steady decline since he suffered a heart attack last summer and then having his lower legs amputated Jan. 23. Larry Miller “gave it his all before he gave up the ghost” in the words of his oldest son and successor.

Larry Miller has been the sole owner of the Utah Jazz since 1986.

Via The Salt Lake Tribune

Deron Williams messes with Jason Terry’s equilibrium so bad on this crossover, he might as well have just punched Terry in the ear. 

Seriously, If crossover technology continues to advance at this rate moves like that will become offensive fouls by 2013.

That’s right, I’m calling the Maya calendars bluff. If I’m wrong and you can find the asteroid I call home, I’ll give you a million dollars.

If you’ve ever played basketball on any level, one of the first things your coach tells you is to “always play to the whistle”. Well, there are a few times when an exception to that rule happens. Like say for example, a box of Summer’s Eve with a mouth and arms in the crowd brings a whistle to a game and then blows it at the end of a play.

As punishment, that fan should have to shallow his whistle like the officiating crew of the Lakers vs. Kings in the 2002 Western Conference Finals did or like any officiating crew does when the Phoenix Suns play a game in Texas.

There..I said it!

Get use to Paul Millsap in Utah because it looks like Carlos Boozer will be on the shelf for a bit longer.

“The Jazz expect All-Star power forward Carlos Boozer to be out for at least another month because of a decision to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his injured left knee. Los Angeles area-based orthopedic specialist Dr. Richard Ferkel will perform the operation, which the team said may not be performed until Jan. 9. The procedure is being postponed until then, according to a statement from the team, because of an unhealed skin laceration that occurred during rehab and is located “very near the scope site.” 

Deseret News

Getting a technical foul for slapping a guy on the butt is apparently a new rule in the NBA and Reggie Evans was the first player to get hit up, after slapping Kyle Korver on the @ss last night in Utah.  

Demi Moore is sure gonna be pissed that somebody laid hands on her boy toy!

Via NESW Sports + Ball Don’t Lie