Sloan, though, was less than impressed with the Suns' 45-35 rebounding edge and the Jazz's overall effort.

"We didn't rebound the basketball. We didn't defend very well, didn't shoot our free throws," Sloan said. "Those are indications that you're really not into it."

Fesenko notwithstanding. The second-year pro was still a bit starry-eyed in the locker room after his dream-come-true duel. The center said he now has a clear idea of what he needs to do to improve his game.

"He puts me a little bit down," Fesenko said. "I will try now to work on my defense, to work on conditioning, rebounding, everything. It was a great experience for me."

And one Fesenko will feel and remember. He said O'Neal jumped on him, which hurts worse than it might look from afar. The Suns' center also pounded into him in a play the Jazz felt was a defensive foul but resulted in a traveling call against Fesenko.

Fesenko will also never forget on particular moment from Thursday.

"One time I pushed him in the back," Fesenko said. "He looked at me and this look I will see probably in my nightmares."

This wasn't their first meeting, though. Fesenko had his picture taken with O'Neal when the Miami Heat were playing Detroit in the 2005 playoffs.

"After the game, I wait for him in the lobby and I ask him to take a picture of me and he said OK," said Fesenko, who had worked out for the Pistons prior to the NBA Draft. "So I got this picture and I was really proud of myself that I get it finally."

Sloan didn't know O'Neal was Fesenko's idol, and the Man of Steel might become the Jazz coach's hero, too, if he indeed has a positive influence on the youngster's game.

"Well, that's a good one to pick. He's had a great career and he's still going strong it looks to me like," Sloan said of O'Neal. "He's a real factor out there on the floor when he plays."

Tell Fesenko about it.

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E-mail: jody@desnews.com