The Boozer Back Trial Balloon

[Glen Infante]

Williams likely Cavs analyst; will he be covering Boozer?
Friday, July 01, 2005
Roger Brown
Plain Dealer Columnist

Barring any last-minute snags, look for the Cavs and FSN Ohio to soon name Scott Williams as the team's analyst on cable telecasts this season. A 15-year NBA veteran, Williams played in 19 games for the Cavs last season. He'd replace former Cavs star Mark Price as the team's FSN Ohio analyst.

It's hardly drawn

major support - yet - within the Cavs organization, but this idea has been floated around Gund Arena lately: Re-acquiring former team star forward Carlos Boozer, who left the Cavs in a bitter split last summer to sign with Utah. And what pitch is being used by insiders floating the "Bring Boozer back" trial balloon?

One, the Cavs do need a solid power forward - because Drew Gooden simply isn't a top-caliber starter at the "4" spot. Despite a disappointing first season in Utah, Boozer is a definite upgrade over Gooden.

Two, everyone Boozer had problems with in the Cavs organization - owner Gordon Gund, General Manager Jim Paxson and head coach Paul Silas - is now gone. Three, the very problem that caused Boozer's departure - his desire for a fat, long-term contract - no longer exists: He has five years remaining on a $68 million deal. Four, word is LeBron James wouldn't be opposed to seeing Boozer return - and the organization is scrambling, in "hair on fire" fashion, to do just about anything to keep James content.

When Cavs General Manager Danny Ferry

took just-acquired rookie center Martynas Andriuskevicius to dinner at Morton's Steakhouse downtown for a "Welcome to Cleveland" meal, the two had plenty of other table guests. Among those also there for Andriuskevicius' "first supper" here were center and fellow Lithuanian Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Cavs head coach Mike Brown, along with assorted others

http://www.cleveland.com/search/index.ssf?/base/sports/112021023462573.xml?s1bro&coll=2

Another Roger Brown rumor. Yay.

Ok Tankster and Jon Bon, its time to come back with some Boozer support from the both of you.

 

[Karma]

Roger, Roger, Roger. I am guessing his father owns this paper, or he has some damning photos. What a load of crap.

 

[LyXo]

Roger Brown is such a fool. But I guess we need the controversy in one of our writers at least.

 

[KI4MVP]

Drew has more talent, Boozer has the better basketball IQ and doesn't have motivation problems. I don't see how he could return to cleveland, though. And what are they suggesting we trade? Drew + what for Carlos?

 

[Glen Infante]

Drew Gooden and Ira Newble?

 

[KI4MVP]

yea - I was going to say that pair - from a basketball standpoint, that would be good for us, I don't see how the Jazz agree to that, though, unless they just really want to dump Boozer's contract - take on Ira's smaller contract and Drew's expiring contract.

 

[TruBuckeye22]

true Boozer would be an upgrade but is it that big of an upgrade to justify taking on his contract? i say no.

 

[KI4MVP]

well, if we could dump Ira's contract and trade Drew, his contract isn't much of a hit at all. If we sign Redd to a max deal, sign Z to a 5 year deal, and give LeBron his max deal when the time comes, this is the only year we're going to be under the cap anyway.

 

[KI4MVP]

actually Drew + Snow is probably more viable. Snow gets more overpaid each year.

 

[Dungong]

Hey hey now, its not totally false until Peter Vescey reports it

 

[TruBuckeye22]

i have to admit i wasn't too mad at Boozer for taking more money because i can't say i wouldn't do the same, although it would have to be somewhere other then Utah, no way i am ever living out there. still i would have a hard time bringing him back into the fold and just going about it like nothing happened.

 

[joma]

Hey hey now, its not totally false until Peter Vescey reports it

haha


i dont know, drew would be an upgrade. but i dont know if anyone would like seeing him back in a cavs uniform. i would get used to the boo chants again.

 

[highplainsdrifter]

WHAT IS THIS BS!!!

With all the talk about character before talent, how can anyone think Boozer! And us Cleveland fans owe him a healthy booing if he has the balls to show up at the Gund. He chickened out last season, while he was hurt. But he traveled with the team during their other road trips. It was funny to see the fans boo his pic on the scoreboard screen though!!!

 

[King]

I wonder how forgiving cleveland fans would be willing to be if Boozer came back. Boozer's not THAT much of an upgrade over Drew. Drew's a better defender and is more athletic. Plus I think Drew's younger too.

I feel kinda silly giving a Roger Brown rumor more than two seconds of thought.

 

[West Remy]

WHAT IS THIS BS!!!

With all the talk about character before talent, how can anyone think Boozer! And us Cleveland fans owe him a healthy booing if he has the balls to show up at the Gund. He chickened out last season, while he was hurt. But he traveled with the team during their other road trips. It was funny to see the fans boo his pic on the scoreboard screen though!!!

Indeed. Every hour Ferry talks, he mentions the word "character." That in and of itself eliminates Boozer from consideration.

Plus I would like to see how Gooden plays for Coach Brown. Last season, I thought Drew gave everything Carlos did for the Cavs and Drew still has some leaves to turn in regards to his game.