Trent on July 16, 2009 said:

At first I was worried about the whole thing. However, I quickly learned of the Jazz’ intent to match the offer (especially made evident by Boozer trade talk).

I am happy to have Millsap back. Though Boozer may be capable of more offense than Paul, I think Paul’s work ethic and heart put him above Boozer. If Boozer would have played with heart, just think of what he would be capable of (like dropping 40 on the Rockets in the playoffs even with Yao Ming guarding him). Unfortunately, I don’t think he has it in him.

Make us proud Millsap! Show all the doubters why you’re worth the money! Go Jazz!

Betty on July 16, 2009 said:

Woohoo!! I love Paul. I, for one, was very excited when I heard this good bit of news. I’d much rather see Paul in a Jazz uniform than Carlos Boozer. Millsap has TONS of potential.

Linda Kay on July 16, 2009 said:

Hooray!!!!!!!!! He is young but his best years will be with the Jazz and I truly believe that he has the same mentality as DWill that is, he will try with every ounce of effort to give back to a team who believes in him. Go Jazz, it is getting close!!!!

Steven on July 16, 2009 said:

Great move Jazz. You really listened to the fans this time. Now Milsap will be the ultimate player next year. Milsap and Deron are going to make the all star game. Way to go Jazz thank you for keeping this powerful all star, but please Utah do not trade Boozer to Miami or New York. If you are going to trade him go after Tyrus Thomas in Chicago. We can really take this thing if Utah can stay healthy GO JAZZ!!!

Doug on July 16, 2009 said:

Big mistake, Milsap is a great player, not worth what we are giving him though. This was a plan by portland to tie us down, and it’s going to work. We were not a contender last year, and we won’t be for years to come now. With extending pauls and memos contract we chose to stay small. We do not have the size to hang with the elite teams in the league. This is very disappointing. but we have shown this pattern before. Our front office has done this for years. Tag had an awesome season so what did we do? sign him to a huge contract, but we learned our lesson right? nope! we did the same thing years later with ak. Boy that was dumb, surely we won’t do it again, oh wait we are about to in a matter of hours. Like I said paul is a great player, excellent role player. Not what we are going through to get him.

wompus on July 16, 2009 said:

Well, I love Paul, but I hope the pressure to replace Boozer doesn’t get to him. I think he’ll fit better on the team and gell more with the team

It’s sad to see Boozer, with so much talent, leave our team. He had the opportunity here to be a leader of the Jazz and make it his team, but the didn’t. He could have been the Labraun James or Kove Bryant of the Utah Jazz, so to speak. I guess if he couldn’t do it here, he won’t be able to do it elsewhere so we’ll have to trade him. Don’t get me wrong I love Millsap’s effort, but the talent Boozer had.

One comment though, maybe it was the Jazz’s system, coupled with Derron that made Boozer so good, so maybe having Millsap isn’t going to be so bad, only time will tell though!

Ultimate Jazzfan on July 17, 2009 said:

I think this is a good move on Utah’s part. Sure, the whole process could have been made easier if the Jazz had been more proactive with Milsap at the beginning and with a good initial offer. Unfortunately the Jazz front office may have paid an at best “role player” too much money. time will only tell.

However, I don’t think it is fair to compare this deal with the Jazz blunders of the past. First off, even when Tag played his best ball, he never came close to the effort that Milsap has put forth. Secondly, AK has let injuries, and also a questionable work ethic, drop his value to the team.

Last season I watched Milsap work his tail off, play hurt, and far exceed everyone’s expectations. On top of that he is a perfect fit for Jerry Sloan and the Jazz system.

In conclusion, it is possible that at the end of next season we will all look back and think that Milsap’s numbers don’t live up to his salary. However, I’m pretty sure that we won’t be complaining about effort. That’s more than I can say for the vastly overpaid and underachieving Carlos Boozer.

Ron on July 17, 2009 said:

With Paul back in the fold I think the Jazz should try and get a better defensive big man for
Boozer. Tyrus Thomas might be that guy. Or how about a trade for Lamar Odom? Wouldn’t the Lakers like to get Boozer for Odom? I’m not sure why that trade hasn’t been discussed?

Jame on July 17, 2009 said:

I couldnt’ afford drinks at the ESA anyway. Love Millsap, but I don’t like getting sentimental about business. I remember a time that I loved Jarron Collins’ for his hustle and work ethic too. Not that Millsap is Collins, but there have to be cheaper forwards out there that will show some heart.

Boondock Saint on July 17, 2009 said:

I, for one, am glad. I love Paul. I see where a lot of people are coming from when they say he is undersized and may not be able to bang with the big boys BUT I love his effort. I love his heart, energy and determination. His game isn’t as great as some proponents are portraying and it isn’t as bad as most of the nay sayers are arguing. He’s still developing on both ends of the court. His help defense improved significantly last year and his one-on-one has improved steadily but is already better than Boozer’s D. Every analyst I’ve ever read says that defense is MOSTLY about effort.and that Paul has. I can take the drop in offense because good defense creates offense and the Jazz offensive system works, that can’t be denied. So am I happy?! YES!!!!!! I can don my homemade Millsap Man Crush shirt and drink my cream soda watching the Jazz battle. One thing I am absolutely sure of is that Millsap’s herculian effort will ensure that he will not fade quietly into the night but, instead, will endear himself even more to Jazz fans who want to see an athelete that feels blessed to play a sport for a living.

J R Stewart on July 17, 2009 said:

A little overpaid considering the future of the market and salaries, but not much. $8M/year for a $6-$7M talent next year, but it’s not outrageous. It was a good move basketball wise, but a killer financially. But, they can still recoup some luxury tax with Boozers expiring contract in a short trade or playing out the year, for next year.

Yes, despite all the fan protest, Boozer could, and just might, have to play out his contract, and it probably wouldn’t be the end of the world. In fact, his expiring contract becomes more attractive right up to the trade deadline. If he doesn’t want to play, you ban him from the arena and get the salary relief at the end of the year. He’ll have to eat a lot of humble pie and put up a front, but he and Paul can get along fine.

Jazzaholic

JazzNoseBleed on July 17, 2009 said:

Well done indeed!

All this BOOZER > MILLSAP talk is crap! Statistiacly it seems that boozer would be the better player, but in the end your only as good as the whole TEAM.

Last season the Jazz played their best when Boozer was on the bench, remember February? There is something about Millsap being on the floor that makes this team better, and I am glad that the Jazz saw this. Stats are good to look at the end of the day, but in the long run its team W’s that everyone is ultimately chasing in the end. Boozer is pretty good go-to guy on scoring, but that is also where it ends. Millsap is better at finding the right place to be when the ball is in the air. Here is a little breakdown I did, and I tried to find a way to do this knowing that Millsap did play many more games than Badzer (booz) last season..

Boozer : Off-Rebound – 111 Def-Rebound – 274
Millsap : Off-Rebound – 251 Def-Rebound – 403

So for every Defensive Rebound, boozer got .4 of a rebound on the offensive side..
Millsap on the other hand was closer to .7 Offensive-rebounds for every defensive rebound…

To me this shows that Millsap may not have the strength or size of Boozer, but he has the determination and smarts that Boozer is lacking, and that drive of his makes him A BETTER PLAYER than Boozer. Plus he is trying harder at giving the Jazz those much needed second chance points, when boozer would already be half way down the court if it wasn’t him shooting the ball…

Great decision KOC! Go Jazz, Go Millsap!

-Jazz Nose Bleed

Steven on July 17, 2009 said:

Why do you guys want Lamar Odom so much? Did you watch the playoffs or did you stop caring about the NBA as soon as the Jazz where out. Lamar was horrible against Houston. He may have given us trouble but he was terrible against the Rockets. NO DEAL!! Ship Boozer to the bulls thats the best thing to do right now.

Joel on July 17, 2009 said:

Yeah.. definitely no Lamar. He may be a great player, but he’s very inconsistent. I don’t like his work ethic as well.. sometimes (most of the time) he looked really lazy on the court… forget him.

tman11 on July 17, 2009 said:

Why do you guys want Paiul so much? Lamar woudl be better then Paul I agree with doug bad moved KOC. You are paying him moneys he isn’t going to earn. You have a rising star in Kosta and, all you are doing is giving his minutes to Paul. If you ask me we should have kept Boozer this year, uless we could get that Tyrus trade down that would have been sweet. We can’t though we get Haslem wow sad. We shoul have kept Boozer Kosta could have backed him and, Okur up and, next year we have a top five draft pick you draft a power forward then and give Kosta his shot. He is the star in the near Future not Milsap. Milsap is a good bench palyer but, that is all he will ever be. He hasn’t worked on his game at all since he has been here it makess no sense to bring him back for that much money. He a good player not 10 million dollars good though. I know every ones going to get mad now cause i said he doesn’t work hard enough but, face it he doesn’t. If he did he would atleast have a sweet little jump shot by now and weigh about 10 to 15 more pounds but, he doesn’t I don’t see why you guys say he has work ethic when he hasn’t improved on the things that he needs to improve on. Bad move resigning Milsap on that price.

lin on July 17, 2009 said:

I love Millsap too. But when the Jazz shell out huge wads of money for a non-elite player, it makes me nervous. the words “greg ostertag” start to float thru my mind. and andrei kirilenko. i wonder what it would take for andrei to actually deserve his salary? hopefully boozer’s gone before training camp, and that he takes his bad karma with him.

Official Laker Hater on July 17, 2009 said:

What is all this talk about Koufos being so great? To call him a “rising star” is absolutely ridiculous. I mean can anyone here honestly see kosta koufos ever being a “star” in this league? I’m sorry but i really can’t see how you could think that koufos could match up to the bigs in this league better than paul can.

mike on July 17, 2009 said:

Height?

tman11 on July 17, 2009 said:

How could you think Paul is a rising atar in this league. The reason I say Kosta is is for one he is 7 feet tall and, run the court better then Paul can. He has an outside shot that Paul doesn’t have.He can pass the better better and, has an all around better knowledge of the game then what Paul does. In two years if it’s just Kosta and Paul I garentee you Kosta will start he’s a white Tyrus Thomas or Chris Bosh. Paul is a undersized power forward who is decent but, doesn’t have the talent to be a star like Kosta does.

Official Laker Hater on July 19, 2009 said:

I didn’t say anything about paul being a rising star in this league but i think his 19 game double double streak is a pretty good indication that he has a chance. But what do i know? The last person to do better than that was only that no talent Kevin Garnett right? But i bet you’re right about kosta. If only Jerry Sloan and KOC were as knowledgeable about basketball and scouting as you are then we’d probably have a championship by now.

tman11 on July 19, 2009 said:

Wow Laker Haters are real jackasses, well buddy please tell me and, the rest of the fans on here how Paul can Match up better then Kosta with the bigs in the league? Come on now you can just see it in his height did you watch the Laker series at all Paul couldn’t even get a hand up in there face. Kosta would at least be able to bug the shot. Your comparing a guy that is 6′8 to some one that is over 7 feet tall are you serious. You can’t even compare the two. About his 19 Double Doubles. Only Kevin Garnett did it last year but, the other seasons it has been done plenty of other times. I’ll give him credit on that but, did you watch any of his games after that by chance? Well just in case you didn’t his knees started giving out on him and, he started playing hurt. A hurt Milsap sucks he plays pussy ball. He started settling for shots he knew he couldn’t make and, not going after rebounds like the usual Paul does. If he didn’t get hurt last year I would say you have a star in Paul but, he did that shows me he won’t even be as good as Boozer is because he will be hurt just as much and, he doesn’t have the skill Boozer does. Kosta on the other hand he does have the skill Boozer does and, more. He has the potentail to be a Boozer that can block shots and, play D wich is what we need. Paul is a good player but, with his body and, inablity to develope an outside shot he will never become a great player. Like Kosta has the chance to be

Trent on July 19, 2009 said:

You know, I’ve wondered ever since you have started mentioning it tman11…How does the first injury in Paul Millsap’s career (first that affected his game-play) make him as injury-prone as Boozer? Did it require surgery? Did he sit out for months on end?

Don’t take this wrong; this is a sincere question, not an insult by any means.

I love what I’ve seen in Koufos so far. I think he has the abilities to be a starter in this league. However, he is a center, not a power forward. We will use him, but my guess is that he will be the primary back-up to Okur. I wouldn’t mind a 7-foot power forward, but I don’t think that is the position he will play for the Jazz.

Official Laker Hater on July 19, 2009 said:

Paul’s streak was the longest since Garnett did it back in 2005 not last season. Its also the longest streak by a jazz player since 1989 when stockton had 27 in a row (Utah jazz record). I just think that millsap has shown a lot more potential of becoming a star than kosta. Not that he will, just that there’s a lot more reason to think he would than kosta. Both because of what we’ve seen millsap is capable of and because of the lack of what we’ve seen of kosta.

tman11 on July 20, 2009 said:

See Trent that’s where i disagree with you just because of this reason. Kosta is very mobile and, has that jump shot. He fits are power foward posittion alot better then the center position. Because he can run the pick and role offence and, be that combo forward that teams have now days, like Amre or Dirk. In the sense that he can get up and, down the court and, spread the court with his shot and, driving abilities. I dislike every thing about Okurs games I would take Kosta over him right now. Fez is going to back him up though Kosta to me is going to be spilting time with Paul. As far as Paul goes no he didn’t need surgery but, just his kind of injury was just basic wear and, tear on the body wich means it will happen again depending on how much he plays. Basically he was hurt yes but, his bod just can’t handle playing his style of play with starter minutes. He is best fit coming in and giving you 20 24 minutes a game and, going all out for that time. I just didn’t like how he played when he was hurt he got really scared. When Boozer was hurt he stil drove in on guys and, posted guys up and was physical but, when Paul is hurt he is way passive. Kosta isn’t a center he is to versitale to just play him at center he is a power foward in the NBA

Boondock Saint on July 20, 2009 said:

Can I just say that I like both Paul and Kosta.

Trent on July 20, 2009 said:

Like I said, I wouldn’t mind a 7-foot power forward. If they do play him at the power forward, great! I just don’t think it’s going to happen (i.e. the Jazz will play him at the center).

tman11 on July 20, 2009 said:

How has Milsap shown much of any thing honestly. He got the start did great but, got hurt and played scared. He hasn’t developed a shot in the three years he has been here. He has just done the same thing for three years, the only real thing that he has improved on is getting more playing time. He isn’t the hard worker every one calms him to be if he was like I said he would have a shot by now or at least be able to drive better to the bucket. He showed ha can’t start in this league and, that he is to small and, to slow to play power foward in the NBA. Gasol had his way with him the whole Laker series. Kosta hasn’t had the opportunity to prove him self. In the jnk minutes he has gotten though he showed me he has alot more ablity then Paul does. He will play power in the league you have Fez and Okur at center Kosta will back up Milsap until Paul gets hurt again and, then he will take Pauls job period end of dicussion

Boondock Saint on July 20, 2009 said:

New trade rumors. Boozer to Chicago, Tyrus Thomas and Fes go to Houston and the Jazz pick up Shane Battier (please please please please please) and Carl Landry. I really like this trade. Shane Battier is a premier defender, decent three point shooter and just plays hard all the time. He is classy too. You just have to love the guy ESPECIALLY when he is guarding Kobe. Landry is a solid back up, good hustle, sub par offensive game but makes his money defending. Both are great position defenders.

Boondock Saint on July 20, 2009 said:

I found it here. Might want to check out some of the things Laker fans are saying about the Jazz. It might suprise you. http://forums.lakersground.net/viewtopic.php?p=2581499

tman11 on July 20, 2009 said:

there’s alot of respect there I was talking about the laker hater on here but, there is a ton of respect going thru those blogs

Linda Kay on July 20, 2009 said:

You do have to admit that Paul played for quite awhile after being hurt. End of discussion.

tman11 on July 21, 2009 said:

Please you cal that playing I was excited when he went and, sat down on the bench if he is going to play like he did when he was hurt he shouldn’t beout on the court. That was pathetic, he played scared and, didn’t do a thing at all. At least when Boozer gets hurt he doesn’t miss much of a step he isn’t going to play timmed he still going to go out there and throw guys around and, be physical. When Paul is hurt he takes outside shots knowing he can’t makes them and, won’t go after rebounds like he usually does.

Trent on July 21, 2009 said:

Except the fact that when Boozer is hurt he doesn’t play at all…

tman11 on July 22, 2009 said:

He can’t play when it’s that big of an injury. When does come back and, play you know he isn’t 100 percent and, he still goes out and, give 100 percent. I can’t say the same about Paul because when he is hurt he doesn’t even give 50 percent

Official Laker Hater on July 22, 2009 said:

Let me just make sure i understand what you’re saying. You’re saying that Kosta is better than Millsap, Boozer, and Okur? Should we throw in Deron as well or do you think that would be taking it a little too far? You also say that Millsap hasn’t really worked hard and has been doing the same thing since he got here, but somehow he has managed to increase his field goal percentage every year without changing a thing. (Just in case you were wondering, there’s no direct correlation between playing time and field goal percentage.) I thought i was kind of telling you how he’s shown that he works hard when i brought up the fact that, when he was given the chance, he got 19 double doubles in a row. Thats pretty impressive all on its own but if he’s doing that without even working hard then he’s got a lot more talent then i thought. You’re all hung up on Millsaps height but for some reason you must think that it’s easy for someone who is only 6′ 8 to go out and get eight rebounds a night coming off the bench, even when competing with 7 footers. Paul doesn’t have to work hard for those at all. Right?

tman11 on July 22, 2009 said:

As far as rebounding Laker Hater no he doesn’t he has known how to do that since he was a kid. That’s where most of his piont come from as well is put backs, I’m not caught up on his height I’m caught up on his style. As you can tell by watching him he is a guy that plays similar to Boozer but, his body won’t allow him to play that style for 30 minutes a game. Yes I did say Kost is better then Paul right now cause he is, he has the potentail to be better then Boozer and, I like his style better then Memo right now. If Paul works so hard why doesn’t he have a jump shot or able to drive to the bucket better? He works but, not on the right things so ok he works hard but, not smart. He needs to get more fundamentally sound before we all jump on the Milsap wagon. He isn’t a smart player by any means, he is just scrappy. He is like Matt he plays stupid ball and, doesn’t work on what he shoot be working on if he want’s to be a starter in this league. He needs to go Beef up put about 20 more pounds on that body wich he hasn’t. He need to get an outside shot he he hasn’t gotten yet and, he need to gain more knowledge of the game. He hasn’t done any of that in three years some things wrong with that picture. Last year just sealed the deal when he got hurt and, started playing sissy ball. That right there showed me he was going to be a decent player but, not an allstar by any means. His field goal percentage has gone up. there is one thing I just gave you at least three that hasn’t. He is a decent player but, not worth the pay check we are cashing for him right now

Rick on July 23, 2009 said:

booz is only 6′9″ not too much taller than paul… i dont think we should count paul out just yet. most scouts and pros say that you can tell how a players nba career should be after looking at their 4 years in college and 3 in the league… i dont know how long he was in college but i doubt that he stayed there the full years (nobody does anymore) so it would seem that he has 1 or 2 more years to show us how it should be. we cant forget that many sports journalists also considered him as a potential rookie of the year canidate (so that might say something as well) and just because he is smaller than a bunch of power forwards doesnt mean that he cant dominate on the defensive end. i have played againts plenty of people ranges 6′0″ to 6′4′ and had them post up on me. i’m only 5′8″ and by the end of the game i’m known as little dwight or yao…. not necesarily the same as milsaps situation but now that he has the rel opportunity he can prove if he can deliver or not. the reason getting him back was important was because of their situation with boozer. not matching the deal would have given the blazers a better team and good back-up (an expensive one too) and that would mean starting over at the pf position. one could argue that they ould just use the 2 giants they drafted at center and move okur to the 4 spot which is possible but those 2 big men arent playing obviously for some reason. and fyi both korver and d-will have been quoted as saying that millsap is one of the hardest workers on the team so that should end the debate on if he works hard or not

Rick on July 23, 2009 said:

also look at brandon bass. he is the same size as millsap… maybe lighter, but he is going to start for orlando and he is they key that is going to keep them a real contender. he is a very good player so dont count the small pf’s out yet

tman11 on July 23, 2009 said:

That doesn’t end the debate by any means every one says there teams mates work hard. I’m sure Paul does work hard but, like I said he doesn’t work smart. He doesn’t work on the stuff he should be working on. He went three yeat at LATech, so almost 4 years, jnust so you know. Come on Brandon Bass, being a big time contibuter? Riiiiiiight, they have Vince carter, Howard Lewis and, Jameer. Bass will be great help but, those guys are going to be carrying the work load. He also has a dribble drive and plays more face up basketball then Paul does. He doesn’t bang like Paul does, Brand Bass can go out there and, star 80 plus games because of his style of play, Paul already showed us he can’t do that last season when he got the start.Not to also bring up were asking paul to do alot more then Bass is being asked to do. Were asking him to play alot more minutes and, be alot more productive. His deal is also worth about half of what we are paying Paul. He is makeing 18 million over 4 years wich its right in the range where Paul should be 18 20 million for 4 years. We are paying him 14 million more bucks then Bass thats is crazy