Notorious B.O.O.Z.E.R. (Rocky Winder - NBAE/Getty Images)

Boozer really gets a bad rap. I am not talking about the kind of rap that Shaq just dropped on Kobe. This rap comes without Boozer making a sound. I am talking about criticism surrounding his contracts, and failure to recommit to the Jazz and to Salt Lake City every time he gets behind a microphone or recorder. Boozer is coming off a bad playoff series against the Lakers. He got blasted by fans and media for it, but it’s the ghosts of contracts past and contracts future that are now bringing the ‘Heat’ (no pun intended).

The above mentioned criticism is off base. It’s not legitimate. The first thing you have to understand and notice in all of this is that Boozer is notoriously quiet. While it sounds ironic or comical to put it this way – Boozer doesn’t defend himself. Why should he right? - he doesn’t defend anyone in the paint either. Now that topic is much more valid for criticism. So on the other stuff – I am going to step in and offer some defense for him.

In the public battle of Cleveland Vs. Boozer – Booz came away with two black eyes (and a bad hamstring). Public perception is that Boozer lied and cheated. While saying he would stay in Cleveland he shock the hand of a blind man all while signing an offer sheet from the Jazz with the other hand(he can aslo eat cereal and drive to the hoop with either hand). He really worked over the Cavs didn’t he? To be honest – yes he did. But in a much more fair game than people talk about. The Cavs front office was trying to pull a fast one on him at the same time.

Boozer was due to make roughly $700,000 if the Cavs picked up his option year. Well below his market value. So the Cavs offer to pay him 39 million over 6 years. It was awfully nice of them - except it was still only about half of what he could earn over that time frame. As to who lied about the agreement – no one can ever prove that. But make no mistake, had the deal gone through the way it was “suppose” to – Cleveland would have saved themselves 30 million dollars – all at the expense of Boozer. It was shady deal from both sides of the gun (both sides of the Gund).

Now, will Boozer opt out of his contract with the Jazz next year? I hope so. You should hope so too. The Jazz front office does. It’s always been the plan. It’s an incentive. If Boozer doesn’t opt out – it means he has a bad year and isn’t playing well. When he opts out the Jazz, because they have his rights can still offer him more than any other team – both in contract years and total value. Expect the option out – it doesn’t mean he wants to leave.

Finally – if you are nervous when you hear the Boozer to Miami rumors, and you don’t hear Boozer denying those rumors and stating he wants to stay in Utah. Don’t fret. Remember three years ago Boozer was injured and rumors were that he was milking the injury because he wanted to be traded to L.A. - where his off season home was (sound familiar?). Everyone was nervous except the front office. They had talked to Boozer even though the media had not and knew he wanted to be here.

Boozer wasn’t happy about the way the season ended. He is not happy about his own play and has promised to come back a “beast.” It’s time to focus on that instead of everything else. Until something happens – Boozer is still a captain of this team. Besides the facts tell me he deserves a little defense – hopefully it will be contagious.

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