From Deseret News archives:
Utah Jazz: So far, so good for Koufos
But with starting center Mehmet Okur still out because he returned to Turkey to be with his seriously ill father, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan felt compelled to stick with the 19-year-old.
How long it lasts, and whether or not the stint has earned Koufos a place in the Jazz's regular rotation even after Okur returns, remains to be seen.
"Only time can tell," Sloan said before the Jazz's 105-93 loss to Cleveland at Quicken Loans Arena, where Canton-native Koufos played his first game as a pro in his home state in front of about 30 friends and family members. "He's come a long way from when we started off the season."
And Sloan, it's safe to say, is pleased with the progress.
"It's unfortunate we don't have our players here," said Sloan, who also was missing injured guard Deron Williams and forwards Andrei Kirilenko and Matt Harpring on Saturday. "But he was ready to step up when he got the chance."
Sloan likes much more of what he's seen from Koufos than not.
"As he learns some more of that stuff it will be able to help him play inside and out, because he can shoot the ball. And he's shown that he can block shots here and there. That's a real plus for him."
Just what will it take for Koufos to stick with the Jazz and avoid any stints this season with the NBA Development League's Utah Flash?
"Just learn how to react to situations in the game," Sloan said before Koufos had a five-point, five-rebound night in 27 minutes while Ilgauskas went for 17 and seven.
"It's too early for (projecting the future), because we've just got to have somebody that can play," he added. "We get our people (back) first, then we'll worry about that later on. Because we have to have him play right now to see if we can try to compete. Those things will take care of themselves as we move forward."
INJURY UPDATES: Kirilenko indicated he'll probably play when the Jazz face Phoenix at home on Monday, and Williams has said he'll probably play either Monday or Wednesday vs. Milwaukee.
Recent comments
What ever...CJ is far from the most disappointing players on this team.
Miles | Nov. 17, 2008 at 11:36 a.m.
Koufos is already an average player in the NBA. He will only get...
JazzFanInHouston | Nov. 17, 2008 at 12:21 a.m.
Don't ever say CJ is one of the team's MVPs ever again. I have to...
Re: Miles | Nov. 17, 2008 at 12:03 a.m.
- 5A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 4A All-State volleyball teams 5:14 a.m.
- 3A volleyball All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 2A All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- 1A volleyball All-State teams 5:14 a.m.
- Teen girl killed in Kaysville crash 1:22 a.m.
- HIV study asks BYU biologist to help 12:57 a.m.
- Orem pair getting a rep for crime 12:56 a.m.
- McCoy to resign from Utah Senate 12:55 a.m.
- USU vs. BYU this decade 12:54 a.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Witness: Mitchell wanted attention
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- MWC '09 season in review
- Jazz win 6th in 7 games
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Jazz ready to be without Harpring
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
906 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
483 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
404 - Max Hall issues apology
387 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
349 - Utes won't respond to Hall
276 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
238 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
161 - BYU is champion of the state
143 - Religion in politics is tiresome
129
Those were quite the pictures of Jamie Whittingham mixing it up with BYU...
so sorry to hear this terrible news..much sincer condolences to the her family.
Time for him to go. PAST time for him to go.
After reading many comments posted on several stories since the incident...
Hey, I was at that Pres. Holland devotional, too. It was the year after the...
Sometimes when we loose we win, but not in this case. Want a future?...
First Meeting Utah, 12—4 (1896) Last Meeting BYU,...
Max Hall's only mistake was hating the sinner instead of the sin. He...
Kind of refreshing isn't it, Lee.
I voted for Morgan for Vice Chair, and I think he would still be worth voting...



