Printer-friendly
Send to e-mail
PDF versionSLIDESHOW: Utah Jazz vs Houston Rockets
SALT LAKE CITY — Jazz CEO Greg Miller gave a visual thumbs up to forward Carlos Boozer on Sunday, appearing on KSL-TV wearing a No. 5 jersey.
“This is just a ‘Welcome back Carlos,’ ” Miller said. “I want to make him feel welcome. I’m glad he’s here. I want to let him know that whatever happened over the summer is water under the bridge and it’s all about winning going forward.”
Back in July, Miller’s relationship with Boozer was brought into question after the two reportedly met together to discuss Boozer’s future with the Jazz.
The two-time All-Star believed he had been told the Jazz wanted to move in a different direction and that he was no longer in their plans.
He claimed he had been told the team would attempt to trade him to either Miami or Chicago.
After Boozer picked up the option on the sixth and final year of his contract, the Jazz explored trade options, but found nothing to their liking.
Now Boozer is playing without a contract beyond this season.
“There’s no personal hard feelings against Carlos,” Miller said. “If we could come to terms economically and Carlos wanted to be here and we felt that
Carlos was still in a point in his career where he could help us win, we would absolutely entertain an opportunity to bring him back.”
Boozer was asked about those comments following Monday morning’s shoot-around at EnergySolutions Arena, but for the most part sidestepped them.
He said he did not see the show and also noted he wasn’t going to worry about his next contract until the conclusion of this season.
He finished with just seven points on 1-for-6 shooting in Utah’s 113-96 loss to Houston.
GAME 3
- Rockets 113, Jazz 96
- BEST PLAY: With 2:39 left in the first half, the Houston defense overplays Ronnie Brewer. Deron Williams flips the ball inside to Brewer, who goes up for a no-look, reverse dunk.
- BEST LINE: Houston’s Luis Scola scores 14 points on 5-for-10 shooting. He also added 15 rebounds and two blocked shots.
- KEY STAT: The Rockets hit 11-for-16 from the field in the fourth quarter, including 5-for-6 from behind the 3-point line.
- NO BREWER DEAL: The deadline to extend Ronnie Brewer’s contract has come and gone. The Jazz and Brewer’s representatives were unable to agree on a deal before the league’s 10 p.m. Monday deadline.
Brewer will become a restricted free agent this summer, meaning he can sign an offer sheet with another team, but the Jazz have the right to match the offer.
“We can negotiate with Ronnie next summer,” Jazz general manager Kevin O’Connor told KFAN radio on Monday. - INJURY REPORT: Kyle Korver (left knee), C.J. Miles (left thumb) and Matt Harpring (knee, ankle, not with the team) were out for the Jazz. … The Rockets were without stars Yao Ming (left foot) and Tracy McGrady (left knee).
- ETC.: Houston rookie Chase Budinger finished with 17 points off the bench on 7-for-11 shooting. … He went 4-for-5 with a pair of 3-pointers in the fourth quarter, scoring 10 points. … Utah was held to just 37 percent shooting after halftime. … Jazz guard Ronnie Price and his wife, Jenni, have established a foundation to benefit local youth sports and after-school programs. They will hold a fundraiser Friday at Donovan’s Steak and Chop House in Salt Lake City. The event has already sold out.
- UP NEXT: The Jazz will play at Dallas tonight, then return home to face San Antonio Thursday night. It will be televised nationally on TNT, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
