Carlos Boozer says he's happy to be in Chicago and likes the Bulls' chances. (Andrew E. Bernstein/Getty)
Staff report
Carlos Boozer hasn't given up on the possibility that LeBron James could join him on the Bulls, despite reports that the free-agent superstar is leaning toward signing with the Heat.
"I think there's a chance until it's done," Boozer said Thursday on "The Waddle & Silvy Show" on WMVP-AM 1000. "Until he decides where he's going to go, I think there's a chance to get him in a Bulls uniform."
Boozer, who will be introducted to the Chicago media at a 3 p.m. Friday news conference at the Berto Center, played one season with James in Cleveland and has been trying to recruit him to come to Chicago.
"I'm hearing the reports about him going down to South Beach, but hopefully we can sway his opinion and get him up here," said Boozer, adding that he sent James a text message Wednesday. "I told him with DRose at the one, him at the two, Luol (Deng) at the three, me at the four and Jo (Joakim Noah) at the five, we could be one of the best teams of all time. But he has to make his own decision."
"I'm going to text him again this morning and see what his reply might be. If we get him, we could rival one of the best teams of all time and be able to put together championship after championship. If we don't get him, we'll compete against him and we'll bring it to him."
Boozer said James texted back to him that he was "weighing between two different teams."
"He didn't give me too much more juice than that," Boozer told WMVP. "All of us basketball fans, players and non-players, we're going to be watching that show. If he comes, we'll be so excited. We want to welcome him with open arms, but if he decides to go someplace else, this team will be ready to play."
Boozer arrived in Chicago early Thursday to finalize his commitment to join the Bulls and said he was pleased with how his free-agency process played out.
"It's been fun and exciting," Boozer told Jason Goff of WSCR-AM 670, who spoke with the former Jazz forward at O'Hare International Airport. "A little bit of a long road, but came to the place I'm happy to be at."
Boozer confirmed earlier reports that he met with the Bulls on July 1, the first day of free agency.
"I was here on Thursday and Friday, as soon as free agency opened up," said Boozer, who the Tribune reported will sign a five-year, $76 million deal. "Felt like it felt right the entire time. Went to talk to some other teams, did my due diligence, see what the other teams had to offer, but I always felt like Chicago was the best fit."
Asked about the Bulls' biggest selling point, Boozer said, "Championships ... they want to win. That was the biggest thing for me."
In the WMVP interview, Boozer addressed the injuries that severely curtailed his playing time during three of his six seasons in Utah (he played in 78 games last season but only 37 the year before).
"You can't control injuries," Boozer said. "Sometimes I've gotten hurt and had bad injuries but there's nothing you can do about that. I'm completely healthy, been healthy all last season, healthy this season, and I'm looking forward to many, many more healthy seasons.
"Injuries are a part of the game, the wear and tear we take on our bodies, we go out there and give everything we have and sometimes you might do something that you have to sit out, which is the worst part for any athlete to go through."
Meanwhile, fellow free-agent forward Chris Bosh tweeted his well-wishes to Boozer: "Congrats to my fellow gold medalist Carlos Boozer! Very happy for you and your family."
Bosh, who plans to join Dwayne Wade (and possibly James) in Miami, tweeted Thursday morning: "Waking up to more speculation. This makes tonight's show more interesting. .... The bags are packed and I'm ready!"
"He didn't give me too much more juice than that," Boozer told WMVP. "All of us basketball fans, players and non-players, we're going to be watching that show. If he comes, we'll be so excited. We want to welcome him with open arms, but if he decides to go someplace else, this team will be ready to play."
Boozer arrived in Chicago early Thursday to finalize his commitment to join the Bulls and said he was pleased with how his free-agency process played out.
"It's been fun and exciting," Boozer told Jason Goff of WSCR-AM 670, who spoke with the former Jazz forward at O'Hare International Airport. "A little bit of a long road, but came to the place I'm happy to be at."
Boozer confirmed earlier reports that he met with the Bulls on July 1, the first day of free agency.
"I was here on Thursday and Friday, as soon as free agency opened up," said Boozer, who the Tribune reported will sign a five-year, $76 million deal. "Felt like it felt right the entire time. Went to talk to some other teams, did my due diligence, see what the other teams had to offer, but I always felt like Chicago was the best fit."
Asked about the Bulls' biggest selling point, Boozer said, "Championships ... they want to win. That was the biggest thing for me."
In the WMVP interview, Boozer addressed the injuries that severely curtailed his playing time during three of his six seasons in Utah (he played in 78 games last season but only 37 the year before).
"You can't control injuries," Boozer said. "Sometimes I've gotten hurt and had bad injuries but there's nothing you can do about that. I'm completely healthy, been healthy all last season, healthy this season, and I'm looking forward to many, many more healthy seasons.
"Injuries are a part of the game, the wear and tear we take on our bodies, we go out there and give everything we have and sometimes you might do something that you have to sit out, which is the worst part for any athlete to go through."
Meanwhile, fellow free-agent forward Chris Bosh tweeted his well-wishes to Boozer: "Congrats to my fellow gold medalist Carlos Boozer! Very happy for you and your family."
Bosh, who plans to join Dwayne Wade (and possibly James) in Miami, tweeted Thursday morning: "Waking up to more speculation. This makes tonight's show more interesting. .... The bags are packed and I'm ready!"
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...Didn't Boozer jet out of Cleveland to the Jazz just as LeBron was coming on...?
LBJ don't want to play with Carlos...he'll never forgive him for that...I wouldn't.
Bulls should go and get David Lee immediately. Trade T. Gibson for a defensive minded shooting guard. Or even have Deng play the 2 and just pop 18 footers all game.
A frontline of Noah, Boozer and Lee would be formidable. That team could beat the Miami trio and give the Lakers a fit in the finals...
The 2 teams Lebron was referring to in his text was the NY Knicks and the Chicago Bulls. He is not going to Miami. Bank on that.
Yea wade is so full of it.I swear a town like miami dont even deserve this.Those cornballs cant even sellout playoff games.Chicago management is a joke compared to miami who has better ownership Period,Its also safe to say we lucked up into Jordan and Derrick rose.
Bulls have a stigma of firing coaches on christmas eve,choking up coaches,Running Jordan,pippen and phil outta town and breaking up a title team that is gonna hurt the bulls image forever like it or not
Tom on July 8, 2010 2:25 PM
Rodman is a bad example
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There was no bigger attention whore than Dennis Rodman, and that couldn't have sat very well with Pipp and MJ.
MIAMI HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAT
Rodman is a bad example. Rodman was the defensive specialist on a team that otherwise would not have been strong enough in the middle to get past Patrick Ewing and the Knicks.
The Big 3 in Boston had a good point guard, a good power forward/center in PJ Brown, and other roll playing specialists. If they do get Bron, Miami will not have the money left over to bring anyone else of any quality.
Especially with so many teams out there with cap space cleared to get one of the big three.
Wade is such a liar. No wonder his wife hates him.
Boozer is a great fit for DROSE & NOAH! We need a strong SG w/ superior defensive skills and an outside shot. Good luck finding that profile in the NBA. Bulls fan, we must trust that our superstar, DROSE is motivated to dethrone Kobe and all-comers. I believe...then again, I am Cub fan as well. haha.
Welcome, Carlos! Lets bring it to the Miami Treat! Heard that phrase here first.
I have put a hex on those three. Wade's luck is about to run out!
If LeBron signs with Miami I hope he becomes the Donovan McNabb of the NBA and never ever wins a championship.
Lol poor delusional boozer.Keep thinkin that buddy
If LaBron goes to Miami, it is simply 3 players who saw the opportunity to monopolize their chances of winning championships and dominating the league. They decided to take advantage of the huge cap space Miami had to impose their free agency power and try to become the greatest team of all time instead of competing against each other for titles over the next few years. The "Miami Thrice" or whatever they will be called could go down as a great force for years to come winning multiple championships or the biggest flop.
Da Coach could beat LeBron in HORSE after blowing cigar smoke in his face and making him spell CAT instead.
""""Boozer said he texted James on Wednesday and got a response back that James "was weighing between two different teams.""""
Cleveland and Miami.... have to be the 2 teams, looks like we are officially unofficially out of the running
Those of you that think Boozer is all about winning are delusional. He may be more about the $$$ than any player in the league. That's all he cares about.
Remember Cleaveland? Then last year he stated "I'm going to get a raise regardless". When it became clear he wasn't going to get one he opted back in with the Jazz.
Most people in Utah (including Deron Williams, IMO) are glad to see his no-defense-playing and constant injuries gone, replaced by the hard-working Paul Millsap.
The Jazz actually played better with Millsap because he puts up near comparable offensive numbers while giving 100% effort on both ends of the floor. When you never see Boozer block a shot (much less contest one) you'll see what I mean.
The fact that Millsap makes 40% of Boozer's pay is a bonus.
George on July 8, 2010 11:46 AM
Mmm, 3 players who think they are the alpha dogs on one team on one court equals one big bitchy season-long catfight.
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Didn't you say the same thing when the Bulls picked up Rodman?
And you are right, it sure has killed the Celtics too. It sure would suck if the Bulls had 3 good players, I'm with you.
Going to Miami seems like a no-win situation for LBJ. First, he has to accept less than max money. Second, if they win a bunch of championships, three-fourth of the world will believe that it's not because he's great, but because he colluded with a couple other a-holes to manipulate the competitive balance of the league. Third, if they don't win a bunch of championships, he'll go down as the the most overrated laughing stock in NBA history. I can't think of anyone more deserving of these alternatives. Go for it, LeBron.
"I'm going to text him again this morning," Boozer said.
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Text him? Carlos, if you can't even get the guy to talk to you directly, there's no chance you're going to convince him of anything. Use some of that $80 million to buy a clue.
George on July 8, 2010 11:46 AM
Mmm, 3 players who think they are the alpha dogs on one team on one court equals one big bitchy season-long catfight.
__________________________________
Didn't you say the same thing when the Bulls picked up Rodman?
And you are right, it sure has killed the Celtics too.
Mmm, 3 players who think they are the alpha dogs on one team on one court equals one big bitchy season-long catfight.
If the Bulls go out and find 1 or 2 more Boozers (players who want to play for the Bulls because they want to win) then we'll be fine. The egomaniacs can go and destroy the Heat.
""" on July 8, 2010 11:17 AM
Nate on July 8, 2010 11:03 AM
Is his decision hidden in the numbers??? Bulls have 6 championships, the King's announcement comes on 07/08 at 9pm in year 10. Is he trying to convey a secret message??? Hmmm...
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And he will be wearing # 11?
The 2 and the 3 on his jersey equal 5.
Nate on July 8, 2010 11:03 AM
Is his decision hidden in the numbers??? Bulls have 6 championships, the King's announcement comes on 07/08 at 9pm in year 10. Is he trying to convey a secret message??? Hmmm...
=========================
And he will be wearing # 11?
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Quentin
Carlos Silva
Carlos Marmol
...............and Carlos Boozer.
Is his decision hidden in the numbers??? Bulls have 6 championships, the King's announcement comes on 07/08 at 9pm in year 10. Is he trying to convey a secret message??? Hmmm....
I think it will be pretty weak for LeBron to go to Miami. Even if they win 5 championships, I just don't think I'd get the feeling that it was because of him. The Bulls titles were because of Jordan, Lakers were because of Kobe, Miami because of Bosh? Wade?
Miami, to me, would be a sign of weakness for someone who could be the greatest of all time. Come to Chicago, compete against Bosh/Wade, and own this city. He can't own Miami.
My two pennies.
I, too, was questioning the "relationship" between Wade and Bosh. They truly sound like a "married" couple. Makes you wonder......
And I am being a sore loser when I say that I hope the "Miami Experiment" fails big time!!!! And unless James comes to Chicago, I will continue to hope he suffers the same fate as Barkley, Ewing, and Malone......An all-time great without the ring.
This guy keeps on saying all the right things! Man I'm happy we signed him!
Agreed! Welcome to Chicago, Carlos. He's going to be a great addition to a team that wants to win through teamwork and not so worried about personal image and celebrity. Of course, Lebron isn't coming to Chicago. Would've meant living in the shadows of Jordan. Who's shadow does he have to worry about in Miami; another team full of egos that win a quick championship (or close to it) then go FA for more money. No loyalty in Miami. Let's sign another big name player known for his sportsmanship and production on court.
If we don't get him, we'll compete against him and we'll bring it to him."
"Championships ... they want to win. That was the biggest thing for me."
I like this guy already. He is here for the right reasons and he is competitive with no fear like the Bulls.
If Lebron really want to win like he says, he'll come to Chicago, If no we know other things are more important to him right now point blank.
Does anyone else think Wade and Bosh are a couple? You know the story. Man leaves wife and kids. Man sees the light and comes out. Man and man have romantic dinners together and then move in together.
Hmmmm.
I respect players signing with a team that wants to win because they want to win a heck of alot more than players playing for whoever offers the most money. Welcome to Chicago Carlos.
After reading these comments it's very hard not to see Chicago fans as the countries dumbest. I'm just surprised none of them have brought up the 85 Bears yet.
Forget Lebron. Who would want an ego like that on their team? 1hr special on his decision, are you serious!? NBA (National Bron Association)
Honestly, I believe that missing out on LeBron is a blessing in disguise. The Bulls are on the verge of being really special because of chemistry as well as talent and experience, and it seems like Boozer is a great addition to this young core. The biggest reason he has no championships is because he's more concerned with his "brand" than he is with winning. He is not a team player and has a history of disappearing in big moments. LeBron might be the best individual contributor in the game but a winner he is not, as for Bosh, how many playoff games has he played in let alone won? Wade is on the downside of his career, as others have said D-Rose is going to be better than him in a couple of years. If the rumors are true that LeBron is going to Miami, my bet is that the drama and catfighting ("Pat! He took the ball away from me!") will overshadow what will be a surprisingly mediocre won-loss record. The "friendship" between Bosh, James and Wade will be tested real quick when the realization hits that it takes a team attitude to win anything. Who hit the winning shot in 91? Not Jordan, not even Pippen or Grant - Paxson. You can't win without balance and depth none of which Miami will have. I am also reminded of the White Sox with Frank Thomas and Albert Belle. How many championships did they win? That's right, zero, and I predict it will be the same in Miami.
It is obvious that Chicago has the best team to win now for Lebron but he will likely join Wade and Bosh in Miami. For a guy who wants to be larger then life i do not see how going to Miami helps him with Wade being treated like God down there.
I am sure Lebron thinks he can win in Miami but if he was truly about winning and winning for a long time Chicago is the place to go with that nucleus.
Anyone else think Bosh with that neck looks like a giraffe or brontosaurus?
Until the signature is on the contract don't really believe anything a free agent basketball superstar says especially DWade. How can you tell DWade is lying? When his lips move.
I am not getting my hopes up, but it wouldn't surprise me if he decided to come to the Bulls. If he really ends up in Miami, he will always be second to Wade. In fact, he can win as many championships as he wants with Wade in Miami, but Wade will always have 1 more than him. This alone is probably a good reason why he will not end up there.
The Bulls have a ready made championship team for him. All he has to do is take the reigns. Unlike in Miami, he would be the reason why we would win. In Miami, they will always say he needed two other superstars to help him win.
He could create a legacy with the bulls.
That said, I think he is going to the Clippers (haha)
Welcome to town Boozer! We're greatful to have guys with the right attitude! Honestly, I really am happy hes here. His attitude fits in with the core of this team. T E A M. These guys wanna win, and will work together to make it happen. Its not about a individuals.
Boozer and Rose want to win. Wade, Bosh, and James just want to chase women in Miami Beach night clubs.