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Jazz, Fesenko deal almost done

Here's hoping Fesenko can help the Jazz this year. His enthusiasm during the summer league was refreshing. Big money tends to make some players forget why they are here.

Can't wait. The kid has potential!

The only article about the center position that a Jazz fan wants to read before the season begins: "Jazz buy out Collins."

Very nice. Huge upside!

See ya later Rafael Araujo....

It sounds nice to get a big guy in there who can give Okur a little help. We all love Memo, but he could surely benefit from some help against the big men on the defensive end.

Well written elpadrote84. The jazz should keep Araujo and look to deal Collins or dump Collins and target a legitimate SG, with size, who can defend. This is an excellent move, I hope he gets a shot to play before Sloan shelves him. Mr. Petries is still available as the Warriors look to resign him, make a move Jazz!

I like that he can block shots and can give Memo a spell. My concern is his bulk. Could he withstand a Shaq?

Jimmy agrees with elpadrote84, but Jimmy would be happy with a trade too.

I'd prefer that the Jazz kept Rafael Araujo, and got rid of Collins. I think Hoffa has some potential when he gets the chance to play. Collins is just dead weight.

I like him but Sloan will boot him to play with Utah flash for the season to get batter and older but he will be fun to see him play for the jazz

I am all for keeping haffa, but I think we would need to package Collins and Gira together for....any thoughts?.....

Like most fans, many of you undervalue the contributions of players like Collins. He will never be a star in the league but here are just a few reasons why he is still in the NBA:

1) He has a pretty decent 15 foot shot and he can shoot free throws pretty well for a big man (Araujo struggles in both those areas)

2) Although he is not a great defender, he is one of the best floppers in the league; this often frustrates much better players to the point where they begin to make mistakes or commit fouls

3) He never complains about playing time; you can't have 12 guys on the team who all think they should get 30 minutes/game or more

4) His coaches and teammates genuinely like him because of his attitude, work ethic, and character; he is a good influence on younger players and he will never be the source of a locker room problem

5) He is steady - you pretty much know what he is going to give you (unlike Araujo and Fesenko that will give you some good games and some horrid games)

I like Araujo - a lot. I think he brings things to the table as well. But we could look pretty hard before we find a credible back-up center at the bargain price that Collins demands.

You fans who are detractors are the proof of the old adage that the most popular guy in town is the back-up quarterback. Everybody thinks the untested, unproven guy is better than the guy who is playing - whose weaknesses are out there for everyone to see. If you get your wish, it won't even be Christmas before you are complaining about Araujo and Fesenko.

It's not "the Ukraine", it's "Ukraine". The Soviet era is over! I like K.F., I hope he can blossom as fast as Millsap did - he'll be like our European Dikimbe Mutumbo.

Shawn- can anyone withstand a shaq? Lets just kept all are centers like we do with shooting guards.

Gira is the BEST 2 Utah has. Potential means sit to Slone. You don't just dump a player that gets playing time. Fes will not play much this season. We need Haffa. It looks like Utah is on the road to a championship!!!

Jimmy's a funny guy. I also agree with elpadrote84, Collins gots to go

I think last year was the year for the Jazz to win a championship, it's going to be tough to win it this year

There are plenty of people who really want Gira to succeed and do well, but there are plenty more of us who feel like he has been given a chance to prove he can hit the shot, and time and time again he misses. I am glad we traded to get Gira, and I will be glad when we trade him away.

I will be good center for Jazz. I like to play basketball.