<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post"> SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- The Utah Jazz placed forward Carlos Boozer on the injured list Wednesday because of a foot injury that hasn't healed after more than two weeks of rest. Boozer, who strained his right foot at Phoenix on Feb. 14, has missed five straight games and will miss at least five more while on the injured list. He's averaging a team-high 17.8 points and 9.0 rebounds in 51 games.</div> Source
With the season pretty much over, there are some advantages to this move. Firstly, Utah get to see more of Kris Humphries in action. It's been hard for him to get minutes with Boozer at PF, but now is his chance. The Jazz get to see how they play without Boozer, and can try out new combinations. Also, since the playoff hope is gone, more L's just mean more chance at the #1 pick.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Stockton:</div><div class="quote_post"> Also, since the playoff hope is gone, more L's just mean more chance at the #1 pick.</div> I'd take wins anyday over loses, even if the season is down the drain. The Jazz's confidence will be rock bottom if we tank the season and lose a bunch of games. You better believe that would carry on to the next season. On the otherhand, if you finish strong you're going into next season with more confidence...which is very important to a young team like the Jazz. Even more important than getting a better draft pick, IMO.
I too would rather W's than L's, but L's aren't all that bad when you consider the position Utah are in. The Jazz are going to the lottery, and obviously the better chance at the #1 pick the better. Although the Jazz should still go out and try to win every game they play. A strong finish would give Utah more confidence heading into next season, but there is an advantage in losing if the Jazz struggle without Boozer. The positives of winning out way the postives of losing though.
Boozer is leading the Jazz in PPG, RPG and Field goal percentage. I don't understand the barnyard logic behind thinking there's any kind of advantage to be had with Carlos on the bench! Tank
There are some advantages to Boozer been injured. I'm not saying it's a good thing Boozer went down, because it's not, but they are some advantages for the Jazz in it. Firstly, Utah get to see how they perform without him. If he was healthy, they wouldn't get to see this. They are 3-4 over the last 7 without him, which is a better win % than Utah's season win %. Who would've thought that Utah could perform like that without their leader in PPG, RPG and FG% ? Shouldn't they have a considerably worse record % ? If the Jazz do end up struggling without Boozer, there isn't that much to lose, Utah are going to the lottery after all. Kris Humphries will get some minutes, which he wouldn't of got with Boozer healthy. This will help him develop. If Utah were in the playoff hunt, then losing Boozer would be a big blow to Utah's chances as he is one of the biggest parts of the Jazz team, if not the biggest. But they're not in the playoff hunt, so wins and losses dont mean that much at all from here on in compared to earlier in the season.
Well, if you can hoodwink yourself into maufacturing a positive out of Boozer going down, you have my blessing. But you'll pardon me if I don't buy into it. Losing to win..... just isn't in my vocabulary. It makes no difference to me if we are lottery bound or not. And I'd bet the farm, if you polled the players, they'd tell you that winning.......... is the only thing! With everything that has transpired this year, using the results of the last seven games as a barometer to measure the worth of the season, would have to be delusional.................I'll pass. Just how I see it............Tank
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tankster:</div><div class="quote_post">Losing to win..... just isn't in my vocabulary. It makes no difference to me if we are lottery bound or not. And I'd bet the farm, if you polled the players, they'd tell you that winning.......... is the only thing! With everything that has transpired this year, using the results of the last seven games as a barometer to measure the worth of the season, would have to be delusional.................I'll pass. Just how I see it............Tank</div> I'm with you on this part of the post...
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting tankster:</div><div class="quote_post">Losing to win..... just isn't in my vocabulary. It makes no difference to me if we are lottery bound or not. And I'd bet the farm, if you polled the players, they'd tell you that winning.......... is the only thing!</div> Preach it Brother. But I also see Stockton's points. I think giving the young guys some time will help the Jazz in the long run, but to go to a game playing to lose is just wrong for yourself, the team, and the fans. Losing just gets you more ping pong balls, not the #1 draft pick.
I agree with what has been said about winning. No matter what the record or situation, the Jazz should always go out to win every game and give all they can. I can't see this not happening with Sloan at coach as well. The Jazz should never go out to lose a game, ever.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Stockton:</div><div class="quote_post"> Firstly, Utah get to see how they perform without him. If he was healthy, they wouldn't get to see this. They are 3-4 over the last 7 without him, which is a better win % than Utah's season win %. Who would've thought that Utah could perform like that without their leader in PPG, RPG and FG% ? Shouldn't they have a considerably worse record % ? </div> The Jazz are now 3 and 8 out of their 11. Do you still feel the question is legitimate? Or have you got your answer? Tank
Yes, the Jazz are struggling without Boozer. They struggle to win with him, but they struggle even more to win without him, like most would've predicted. But now we know this for sure, which we didn't before, now that Boozer has been out for an extended period of time, which is what I've been trying to get at. Back on topic, Boozer will be out for at a least a week from now, and will miss his return to Cleveland.
