Reader comments
Jazz, Fesenko deal almost done

rvalens2 | 1:08 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

LW | 1:09 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Can't wait. The kid has potential!

elpadrote84 | 1:17 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

Comments continue below

justme | 5:59 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Very nice. Huge upside!

Jake | 6:05 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

See ya later Rafael Araujo....

tayzan | 7:14 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

Ivysweep | 7:56 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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!

Shawn | 8:13 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

Jimmy;s Sneakers | 8:23 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

JJ | 8:43 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

sam | 8:54 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

tayzan | 9:23 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

Joe | 9:28 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

Anonymous | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

Terry | 9:34 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

SMW | 9:51 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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!!!

Eddy | 10:08 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

Word | 10:47 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

tayzan | 10:59 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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.

Kyrylo Fesenko | 11:05 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

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

dibb | 11:07 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

I like Joe's comments.. especially number 5... how Collins is steady and we know what he will give the team... your exaclty right, every time he goes in he gets a few fouls, misses easy layups that he should dunk, flops on the floor, oh and lets not forget the consistancy of fumbled balls going off his legs out of bounds and dropped passes... I agree with you joe, we know exactly what he will give the team... I say get rid of Ostertag #2

RCD | 11:10 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Joe, I think that I bring to the table everything you mention Collins does and with my girth I think I can withstand Shaq. When Sloan sees my 3pt hook shot he will want me on his team for sure.

Seriously though - does it really matter. We are talking about Collins and Arujio. Neither will see much playoff time and neither one will make a serious difference in a single game.

Ostertag | 11:20 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Did I hear that you guys are looking for a Center. I am looking for a place where I can get paid Millions to cost the great players a Championship.

Kyrylo Fesenko | 11:21 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

GO JAZZ! Collins stinks bad.

DelbyR | 11:34 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Buy out Collins, keep Araujo!!!!

Anthony | 11:42 a.m. Aug. 14, 2007

i think with the additions the jazz made they should trade gira and not resign dee brown

Russ | 12:32 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Haffa has a ton of upside with more playing time. Collins will only slide in value. Did you see the way Haffa bullied Tim Duncan? He has the power to slow down an aging Shaq also. Keep him, Dump Collins.

Sokel | 12:37 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

The Jazz have alot of work they could do yet. They
need a taller two gaurd. Why are they not listening to what all of the basketball world knows? There are
plenty of vets and people to get. I still think Sloan conceded the San Antonio series before it started, it almost looked 'fixed'.

Ginger | 1:01 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

HI Fess! Thanks for posting (if that's really you ;)

McFly | 1:36 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Why don't all you coaches with so much expertise back off and let the Jazz brass do their job.

SLewis | 1:38 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

With all the kings horses and all the kings men;
Humpty fell off the wall...again and again.

I salute the signing of the 2nd (semi) Rusky.
Haffa is likely off to Europe - hopefully he plays.
Collins is dead weight on the bench - personally
I'd take Haffa over Collins - more intensity.

Where do the Jazz "fall off"? Personally I'd like
to see Mr. Sloan walk into the sunset; and bring in a coach that play's the rookies and not nightly
sing the melancholy blues that takes the spirit and soul out of so many players. Almond better have a decent chance to play; and I'd like to see what Miles and Brewer can do. It's a pandoras box at #2 guard - too many players, and those that sit, will put on a good face but privately wail.

Amazing to me - so many million paid to player personell, asst. and head coaches. Sack them likewise? and run the show via a Des News bulletin board blog committee. The above thread is evidence that (some) bright minds are out there - yes Larry,
folk not within your Jazz tent - can still have a viable pulse and sense of direction re "your Jazz,"
even though you often say it isn't so?

Mike | 1:39 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

The Jazz want a bigger roster this year. That's why they've signed so many. Dee Brown will play most of the season with Orem, and probably Fes will too. Both of those guys have potential, but they need a lot of playing time to develope, which Sloan won't give them. That's why they didn't rescind Dee's offer, they don't want to let another good point go like they did with Mo. After he has a year in Orem, the Jazz will decide if they want to keep Dee and trade one of the expiring contracts that they just got(Hart or Price) or dump Dee and keep those two. But because Fes will be playing very limited minutes, if at all, we will keep both Collins and Araujo.

As much as I wouldn't mind a Gira trade, he'll probably stay also to try to give some developement and leadership for Ronnie and Almond, who will be Utah's main 2's in a couple years. After Ronnie and Almond start to develope and get into a regular rotation, that's when the Jazz will win a championship because the rest of the team will be in their prime or still improving with many good years left in them.

Kevin | 2:20 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

McFly: To respond to your comments about letting the brass do their job: What fun would that be? Isn't it our job as fans to weigh out the options and express opinions? If we didn't do any of that I'd say the Jazz would be in big trouble because that would mean that the fans just don't care anymore. Quick sidenote, I like Dee Brown he's got a quickness and passion for basketball that some of the other players just haven't shown. Keep the Dee! Oh and Sloan, let the rookies play! Look at what Millsap accomplished this year.

Joe | 3:42 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

I think the Dee fans are drawing the wrong comparison. He is not Mo Williams - Mo is taller, stronger, a much better defender, and a better shooter. We all love Dee for his enthusiasm, hustle, and hard work. We especially love him after taking that nasty collision with Okur in the playoffs. But a more apt comparison is Jacque Vaughn. Like Vaughn, Dee can stay in the league as a back-up for a long time because of his energy and his hard work. But he will doesn't have the tools to be the main guy.

dee fan | 4:14 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

I think that's why the jazz will keep him. He will be a good back up for D-Will for years to come.

Joe | 4:53 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

I agree, dee fan. Unfortunately I don't think that is what Dee wants. Either his agent or fan that have gotten carried away or his posse or somebody has convinced him that he is going to be a star someday. And so he has expressed a desire to go to a situation where he can compete for a starting job. And I applaud him for that and wish him good luck. I hope I am wrong about him and he gets to be a star because he's a good kid and deserves it.

As a Jazz fan, there is nothing I would like more than to have a decade or more of D-Will and Dee Brown, but I just don't see it happening. And if I was in Dee's shoes, I think I would be just like him ... I would have to go and see what is the greatest height I could achieve.

Nobody is the bad guy here. I think the Jazz brass would love to have him around for a long time. I think Dee has to go see what he is worth and he ws honest enough to say so. I think the Jazz then had to make sure they were covered at back-up PG and now Dee appears to be the odd man out. The Jazz (or any team) cannot move any free agent signees for at least 90 days - league rules.

brigster | 7:12 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

I like Dee, if the Jazz gave Miles 2 years, Dee definitely deserves at least one more year. The jazz should sign him and get rid of Miles.

Logan | 9:04 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

The jazz are doing a great job at addressing all the needs for the team, I'm not worried about how well they will do, i think they will do fine i just want the season to get started.

elpadrote84 | 10:03 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

Joe may have a point. I may be undervaluing Collins' abilities. Maybe the Jazz can trade Collins for the Sonics' mascot uniform (since an OK city sasquatch doesn't make any sense), and a life-size cardboard cut out of Collins. We can put it in the key and it will fall down whenever somebody touches it, much like the real Collins, and we won't have any drop off in the rebounding and shot-blocking statistics.

I hear everything you said Joe, but after three seasons of watching 70+ Jazz games on league pass since I left UTah, I just can't take take watching Collins' lay-ups get blocked over and over and over. Sorry. At least with Hoffa I get the entertainment value of his ink.

BAL | 10:44 p.m. Aug. 14, 2007

please buyout collins and keep "Hafa". Arujo can play just as well as collins and he is more physical and is also willing to do whatever is asked of him. not to say collins doesnt either. personally i think Hafa has better upside than collins!

Scott | 12:41 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

I wish they could've kept around Dee Brown, he was already a solid pacechanger who was a valuable back-up. Due to my trust in Dee's ability I was upset when they signed Jason Hart... and moreso when they added Ronnie Price. One or the other, but not both please, because we had Dee. I hope they hang onto Miles, he could be really good in a couple of years, you must keep in mind that he's still only 20 (I think). Fessenko probably would've stayed in europe for another year or two if not for his increased buyout. I wish that was the case, but now it won't happen and it looks bad for Araujo as well.

Greg00 | 3:45 a.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Come on guys, leave Collins alone...I totally agree with what Joe wrote....Collins is steady, but has flashes, he's way better than Araujo on offensive end (I still remember his 3-point play on Duncan), defensively there're more or less the same...

and stop thinking of a buyout of his contract - the Jazz didn't sign last year for 3 years just to dump him after one...he'll definitely be here for the remaining two years of his contract and first and formost, he'll be a very good influence on younger players and the team as a whole....he can surely teach Fess how to defend with his body - he won't learn that from Memo...

and don't worry of Collins taking playing time from Fess..you saw how may fouls Fess had during Revue....he's not yet NBA ready, and 10 minutes per game is maximum what he can play...noone would use him as a back-up center just yet

lynx | 3:43 p.m. Aug. 15, 2007

Whats wrong with Hart and Price? Both are strong terrific defenders and both don't have the size disadvantages that dee brown has.

Scott | 12:05 a.m. Aug. 16, 2007

Nothings wrong with Hart or Price, I just grew to like Dee and wished he could stay. I'd like to have seen the team kept together with as little shake-ups as possible, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

anthony | 9:52 p.m. Aug. 16, 2007

what the heck this is supposed to be about fess

TonganKid | 11:25 a.m. Aug. 20, 2007

We had ostertag... Start this kid!

BradStoker1 | 1:38 p.m. Sept. 10, 2007

What's wrong with Hart and Price? Hart's a decent backup PG imho. But Price has less PG experience in two years than Dee has had with one year. I like Price's hops, but Dee had solid assists productivity (nearly 9 assists per 48 minutes) and assist-to-TO ratio (around 2.5). Both Price and Dee are subpar shooters, and Price is only a couple of inches taller.

Anastasia | 8:50 p.m. Dec. 2, 2007

Fess is really cool, i was a cheerleader when Fess played in the ukrainian team. his play sometimes is really awesome

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