Jazz Owner on Boozer's Contract Talk: 'One of the Top 10 Stupidest Things I've Heard'

Really, the local backlash over Carlos Boozer's obvious honesty in matters of his early termination option has gotten absurd. On Wednesday, Boozer told ESPN's Chris Sheridan he'd be executing his early termination option this summer to become a free agent. Most of the world responded with a collective "Duh."

Boozer has been counted as an '09 free agent for the past year because there is simply no question that it's the smart move. I mean, will we raise our fists to the sky when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade announce they will be opting out in 2010? Of course not. In a utopia, we would refuse to be insulted by the truth.

Larry Miller's mind is no idyllic entity. The Jazz owner (in the hospital again) basted Boozer on SLC sports talk radio Thursday. Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune has the quote.

Jazz owner Larry Miller slammed Boozer in his weekly radio appearance on KFAN 1320, saying, "It's one of the top 10 stupidest things I've heard an NBA player do in 20 years."

Miller said Boozer's timing detracted from the Jazz's victory over New Jersey and came not only as he has missed 15 games with a strained left quadriceps tendon but after he missed 80 games early on after coming to the Jazz. Those memories are hard to shake, with Miller saying, "a lot of people are still suspicious about that, a lot of fans and stuff, and we've covered for him and protected him, justifiably."

Amen, brother. The altruistic Jazz didn't leave Boozer on a spit to roast when Boozer's body would not allow him to compete in 2004-05. Wait, except ... he did. Miller questioned Boozer's heart back then because the dude couldn't play injured.

Miller's hissy fit brings Utah's problems into focus: why should Boozer act like Ward Cleaver for Miller's sake after Miller questioned the veracity of Boozer's injury claim in 2004-05? And I refuse to believe Boozer's comments hurt teammates' feelings. You mean to tell me every single one of them isn't thinking about their contract -- their livelihood -- every day? Do you forget about your paycheck from 9 to 5? In these times, your salary is a major part of your existence, sad as that may be. Torching Boozer for being honest when asked about his job prospects is the epitome of silliness.