While others might be focused on his personal life, Jazz forward Carlos Boozer says his focus remains on Basketball.
Boozer, who was on the bench when the Jazz made their comeback to beat the Phoenix Suns 104-99 in overtime Saturday, said matters at home weren't affecting his play. That was all he'd say about the news that he had filed for divorce from his wife, CeCe, on Thursday. "I'm not talking about it," he said, after saying his focus, "is fine."
The two have been married for 6? years and have three children together. The marriage was described as "irretrievably broken" in court documents.
While it can be debated whether the off-the-court business may or may not be affecting Boozer, what is clear is that Boozer isn't Utah's go-to guy at the end of games recently.
Saturday's game was the third in the row that Boozer watched the ending from the bench. He finished with 14 points and 10 rebounds. He played 10 minutes in the fourth quarter, logging four points and two rebounds but picked up his fifth foul with less than five minutes to go and was replaced by Paul Millsap with 2:03 remaining. The two subbed in and out for the final minutes of the game with Boozer on offense and Millsap, who had four fouls, on defense.
Millsap played the entire overtime.
While he gave credit to his teammates for finding a way to win, Boozer didn't deny he wanted to be in the game at the end.
"Obviously I am a warrior and a warrior wants to be in the battle so I want to be in there," he said. "But coach coaches the game and I play the game, but you know I want to be in there and I think I can help our team win in every situation no matter what it is. I've been that kind of player my whole career and that is the kind of player I am."
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lwodraska@sltrib.com Boozer by Quarters
1st ? 6 Pts., 4 Rebs., 1 PF, 8:03 min.
2nd ? 0 Pts., 1 Reb., 2 PF, 3:14 min.
3rd ? 4 Pts., 3 Rebs., 0 PF, 6:18 min.
4th ? 4 Pts., 2 Rebs., 2 PF, 10:08 min.
OT ? DNP
