Cleveland's mistake with Boozer was taking him at his word. You don't seem to have a problem with that, but some people do. Some people with see him as being dishonorable and some people will see him as being smart. Either way, it doesn't really matter. The only thing that really matters is whether players, teams, and agents will be able to trust each other to do verbal agreements again. My guess is probably not.
B-ball Freak, Sure it is not a classy move, but the NBA is a cut throat business. Boozer signing with Clevland for 6 years at 41 million would be a great deal for Clevland and a lousy deal for Boozer. In today's market he is worth more than that, and he knows it. People would forgive and forget, it is just all money that none of us will ever have. DD
Chilly, No doubt he is being dishonorable, but NBA players have a finite number of years they can play, and as you correctly pointed out he may get injured. 28 million is WAY too much to leave on the table...he should go to Utah, and play hard every night. GM's will have learned a valuable lesson thanks to Mr Boozer. They could have excercised their rights and had full bird rights next year...they gambled, tried to get him cheap, and lost. That is the way poker errr...negotiations are played. DD
At this point I think it would be foolish for him to take the 5 million and go back to Cleveland. The damage has already been done, and he might as well go through with it. There is too much money on the table to turn back now.
The thing is though, they had Boozer at $695,000 for another year and Boozer himself asked to be released from the contract. The Cavs didn't ask Boozer if they could not pick up the option so they could sign him to a 5 year, 41 million dollar deal. Maybe after he asked, the Cavs saw the chance to sign him to a bargain contract, but the fact of the matter is, he went to them and made promises using words such as loyalty, respect, and trust, so that they would let him out of his $695,000 option.
well....Shaq claims that Faker management promised to give him an extension if he brought the glove and the failman aboard but didn't
You've actually sat thru an episode of Arliss? I forward the motion that you be banned from the board. Seriously though, this nonsense about what's best for his family & whatnot is BS. At $41 million he'll never have to work again a day in his life if he blew out his knee signing the piece of paper. $28 more means nothing really, when you have that kind of $$$ you're set for life if you don't blow it on stupid ****. He sold his good name for nothing really. Who wants to bet that his wife is making him do this? Just a hunch. Don't mean to generalize but the woman's name is CeeCee after all.
I agree...Ken Griffey Jr. comes to mind here. Boozer will be battling knee injuries for the rest of his career.
hell Pheonix traded Chuckie brown and didn't even have the courtesy to inform him until he was IN THE LOCKER ROOM LACING UP HIS SHOES FOR A GAME . . . . .EVERYONE IN THE D*MN ROOM KNEW except him yea. . nine times out of ten it is not the MAJOR players getting d*cked but it happens all the time BTW - The Cavs were trying to screw him . . . .by paying him under market Value Rocket River "yea. . .you can make the roster. . . You'll see some playing time."
you know . .. we disagree often but d*mmit you are consistant I agree with this 100% 2 yrs from now. . NO ONE will care about this flap Hell . . . . name the number of players that have done FAR MORE despicable things than this? [look at Malone. . ON THE COURT] Rocket River Boozer should take the money . . he is a wimp if he backs out now.
i think i might sell MY GOOD NAME for 28 Million Rocket River *might* - Hell a Good name can be bought and sold like everything else. . . look at Madonna. .er. . estther whatever she is now
I don't think people will forget about this so easily, and you would be hard pressed to find someone more cynical than me.
it is bending over . . .when u could get 68 Million If you job offer u a raise of 1000$ a month but another offered u a 2000$ a month increase would loyalty keep you from leaving your job? Rocket River