Jazz's Boozer to get knee scoped, season in doubt

Carlos Boozer is close to wearing out his welcome in Utah, and with the announcement that he’ll undergo arthroscopic knee surgery sometime in mid-January have left some speculating that he’s played his last game in a Utah Jazz uniform.

Boozer has already missed 21 games this season due to a nebulous “strained quadricep tendon”.  He’s had an MRI done on the tendon three times and no significant damage has been found.  There’s been no announcement if the knee surgery is related to his quad problems.  Before his third MRI Boozer tried to say the right things:

"It may have gotten worst. They want to get another MRI done."

"The best case scenario is that I can get treatment on it and hopefully be able to play soon. The worst case scenario is that they have to go in there with a scope and find out what is going on."

Boozer began his career in Utah well, but soon injured his hamstring which kept him on the injured reserve list for the better part of two seasons.  At one point during his recovery process, his work ethic and commitment to rehabilitation were openly questioned by Jazz owner Larry H. Miller.  Boozer would eventually return to the lineup and play well—and fairly dependably—until this latest episode.

The severity of Boozer’s injury and his desire to get back on the court have been further questioned this time around due to statements that he’s planning to exercise an opt-out clause and become an unrestricted free agent after the season.  There’s been speculation that he and his wife don’t like the relatively staid and sedate way of life in Salt Lake City, and would like to relocate to a more cosmopolitan area like Miami or Los Angeles.  Miami has been a subject of frequent speculation, since Boozer owns a home there and lives in South Florida during the offseason.

Meanwhile, Boozer may have made unwittingly become expendable to the Jazz during his latest “injury”.  Third year pro Paul Milsap has performed impressively since stepping into Boozer’s starting power guard position, posting double/double points and rebounds in every game until Milsap suffered a minor injury on December 23rd.  Many Jazz fans are of the opinion that Boozer should get his wish and be sent packing, and that Milsap is the power forward of the future.  Milsap has drawn many comparisons to Jazz legend Karl Malone not only due to the fact that both are products of Louisiana Tech, but for similarities in their toughness and “blue collar” work ethic.

In any case, the Boozer situation has left the Jazz with a bit of an off court soap opera that they really didn’t bargain on before the season began.  With no date set for Boozer’s knee surgery (though team doctors indicated that it wouldn’t take place before 1/9/09) and subsequently no timetable for his return there’s some suggestion that the Jazz are going to start trying to trade him. Whether or not they prove successful, with many Jazz fans speculating that Boozer could care less if he makes it back on the court this season there’s a better than average chance he’s played his last game in a Utah uniform.