Reader comments
Flash drop a heartbreaker

shiz | 7:54 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I was at the game last night and made several observations:

1) There may have been 4500 ticket holders, but there were no more than 1000 attendees tops.
2) Fesenko had an off night. Missed countless shots from the low post and had several balls stolen from him. His ball handling skills are similar to Ostertag. He can be a monster on the boards at times.
3) Michael Cuffee has a nice stroke. Can penetrate and hit the outside jumper.
4) John Milsap (Paul's brother) looks lost out on the floor. He went 0-4 from the line, and didn't contribute in any other way. I was pulling for him, but really don't see any promise.
5) James Lang has game. He needs to drop a few pounds, say like 40, and I think he could play in the NBA. I would take him over Collins today. His game is MUCH further along than Fesenko's.
6) The Flash were robbed on that last second shot. The guy had his back to the basket, caught the inbounds pass, turned, squared his feet, shot the ball, it went thru the hoop, then the buzzer went off. All within 1 second. Yea right.

Ted B | 9:22 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Is there any radio coverage on this team?

Flash Fan | 10:02 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Will there be any TV....schedules....what is the ticket pricing? Why don't league officials get with it and have local teams announce the actual attendance at the games, as well as sold seats? Go flash....get some players!!!!!!!!

Comments continue below

Shiz | 10:36 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I am not aware of radio coverage, but all of the home games are broadcast on TV. Last night's game was on KJZZ. Tomorrow night's game is on Comcast CH 1. All home games are on one of these 2 channels.

Basketballogy | 10:45 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Nice observations, shiz. To continue the discussion...

o There were reasons for Fesenko's off night; the Wizards were allowed to play him OVERLY physical. Fes was brutally hit in the chin early in the first quarter, his arms were continually being pulled off the ball, and opposing centers were using (illegal) double arm bars to uproot him from his position. And despite their letting Fes get knocked around, the refs called two early fouls on Fes in the 1st quarter and he sat early and never got into the flow of the game.

o Cuffee good night started with a Kobe-esqe layup through a triple team, and he felt it from then on.

o I agree: Milsap looked, well, more like a sap than a Milsap.

o It was astonishing how in tune the refs were to the Wizard coach. I don't know why they didn't just give him a whistle.

o I talked to Thurl Baily at the scorer's table about the last shot. He said the video replay shows he got it off before time expired, but the scorekeeper waited forever before starting the clock. I guess everyone's needing development in this league.

Tim | 11:26 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I was at the game as well and although I agree there weren less than 4500 people there, the number was definitely more than 1000. That last second shot did take forever they need to do as the NBA and have 1/10 second clock for the last minute (not sure if Mckay Events can accomodate though).

Kruger, Cuffee, and Hamilton looked good. I agree with the first poster that Fresenko needs some work and Millsap looked lost. It would have been nice to have seen Pruitt for a home game or two but he's back in Boston.

Anyway it should be fun season.

Ol'pro | 11:41 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Hey shiz , I saw the game on the tube . They showed a picture of you sitting by your self in the nose bleed section . It must have effected your eye sight (the nose bleed). The fact is, Lyde did not have his back to the basket,it was a catch , shoot , rhythm type off play . It also was well before the RED light came on to end the game . ROBBED ? No, it was more as a missed coverage , Choked ?

John M was not the only one that looked lost out there .

Anyone with size can replace Collins ,Just not his Stanford intellectual knowledge of speech .

You must not have seen Fezenko prior to last night. As like Ostertag ? Must have been that nose bleed section obstructing your view point.

Wooooouuuuw , Dude , you remind me of this writer in the Deserted News , the Ol'Rock Head .

Have a nice day !

HOOPS | 11:55 a.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Is this much different than glorified hoops at your local stake center? The only reason it will be covered is because Larry H has a hand in it. Nobody cared about the snowbears. Why should we care about the FLash. Great nickname that gives the mascot all kinds of possibilities.

AAA Trash Talk | 12:18 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Wherever there is a sport to be played, there is trash talk. Even if it is low budget, just a rung up from playground play, developmental league.

If I am feeling down, I will come and read the NBADL trash talk, because, Ol'pro, you made my day. Meanwhile, I'll be here heckling a local tee ball game.

Urlacher | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Hoops, over sixty players on current NBA rosters have played in the D-League, so it is better than what you think. There is no radio broadcast, but the games are available on line at the Fan's website. I think Klauke is doing the home games and they take the home team's feed on road games.

Basketballogy | 12:59 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

HOOPS - How can you call yourself "hoops" and not see how cool it is to have the Flash in our backyard? Why should you care about the Flash?

1. The level of talent is above BYU, UVU, etc., so it is no where near stake center ball.

2. These guys are hungry and eager to impress, which also makes watching them a joy.

3. There isn't the prima dona -ness of the spoiled millionaires of the NBA.

4. They play NBA rules, including a REAL three point line, not the joke of a line we find in stake centers, high schools and colleges.

On the other hand, I wouldn't say that the level of coaching or officiating is above college basketball.

About 15 percent of NBA players have played in the D-League, but I'd be surprised if many coaches rise through their ranks.

At any rate, the passion and the talent are there and the crowd was way into it as well. It was a great time, even for my wife who isn't into basketball at all.

JB | 1:01 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I watched the game on the Tube and I'll take a Top 25 College ball matchup anyday over this. But hey, at least there is another option for something to do in Utah during the winter!

Oh Please | 2:13 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

A "heartbreaking" loss? Can we get some perspective with this sports report, please? "Heartbreaking" is when a child dies young. "Heartbreaking" is when innocent people suffer. "Heartbreaking" is NOT a developmental league basketball team losing the first game of its home schedule with 1000 people in attendance.

Jazz fan | 2:15 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

The Flash are in the same category as the Orem Owlz and it is fitting that they play at a junior college.

I have been a Jazz season ticket holder since 1982 and I see absolutely no value in having a D-league team in Utah. We already have a real professional basketball team and the d-league should stick to markets void of NBA franchises, such as current NBDL teams: Albuquerque, Bakersfield, Dakota, Idaho, Iowa, Sioux Falls, and Tulsa. Why would the NBA saturate our market instead of spread its presence to non-NBA locales?

I, for one, will never attend a Flash game nor watch one on TV. Our universities offer better entertainment and with 82 games a year for the Jazz, I don't have time for the minor leagues.

Flash Fox | 2:44 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Does anyone remember that great WNBA team with had a few years back? Well the Flash new mascot looks an awful lot like the Starzz old mascot. I'm sure Larry H. gave it to Brandt Andersen cheap!

The game was great, I had a blast. I am proud season ticket holder and forward to all 24 home games.

After last nights game, you realize what they are in the D-League. Kruger and Cuffee looked good, Lang looked Fat and powerful (oliver Miller-ish) Fess needs to grow up and could turn into the old Blazer great Arvidus Sabonus (however you spell it)

Tons of free stuff. I really like the "T's for Three's"

Not to mention the fireworks, nice looking new floor, the not so fabulous flash dancers, and the burriot eating contest at half time.

GO FLASH!!

Flash = Lame! | 3:20 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Flash Fox - How could we forget the "great WNBA team" that had to move to San Antonio because nobody went to their games?

I agree with Jazz fan - this has no place in Utah. We have a legitamate professional basketball team and three collegiate basketball teams that compete for the NCAA tourney every year (BYU, Utah, Utah State).

I'll let the Utah county folks enjoy their burrito-eating contests and I'll take in some real athletic entertainment!

Mascot | 3:25 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

I'm surprised Brandt Andersen isn't the mascot for the Flash. He seems to want his face front-and-center at all times!

In agreement | 4:59 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

Brandt Anderson should be the Mascot!! That would be the perfect job for him! Maybe they should get him to come out on court in his fancy Ferrari!!

Funny People | 7:50 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

The Utah Flash are a perfect fit for Utah County. Lots of families who either won't fork out the dough to go to the Jazz games only to have to sneak down at halftime to get decent seats, or who don't want to take the time to go to the Delta Solutions Arena Center. This is an affordable and quality alternative. Less than 15% of Jazz season ticket holders actually come from Utah County. Shall I go on?

The game was a lot of fun and will get even better as people actually give it a chance. Those who write it off because they think it's a joke are the ones missing out. Go Flash!

Funny Person | 8:00 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

As a Utah county resident (who has Jazz season tickets), I fail to see the "quality" part of the Flash as an entertainment alternative. College has-beens who are never-will-bes in the NBA are not worth my discretionary income.

BYU basketball is a much better product for those inclined to stay in their Utah county cocoon.

Watch out - the next thing you know, Brandt Andersen will be looking for a Dave Checkets-type public subsidy for his real estate development project disguised as a "professional" sports team.

The Flash will be just that: a flash in the pan and out of Utah in 5 years!

Anonymous | 8:54 p.m. Nov. 28, 2007

At $7 to $150 the tickets are to expensive for the quality of play. Why have them in Utah? Because a player can be called up to the Jazz and be there in 40 minutes. The Jazz coaching staff can visit their players on off days. So many benefits, support them and demand lower ticket prices.

Shocked | 12:16 a.m. Nov. 29, 2007

I'm really stunned. Some people just don't get that when they something about others, they are also saying something about themselves.

What possible reason could people have for putting the Utah Flash down?

Are they jealous of young entrepreneur, Brandt Anderson? That would explain the snide mockery and personal attacks.

Are they elitists who look down on anything without a Jazz, Cougar or Ute logo? That would explain the disdain for the buzz the Utah Flash has right now.

Are they embarrassed by people who actually believe in themselves enough get off the couch (and away from a computer) and WORK to make their dreams come true? That would explain why some belittle the very existence of the D-League.

People are down on things they are not up on. Go to a game or catch them on TV. And for heaven's sake, stop mocking them; it just makes you look petty.

D-Leaguers are not spoiled multi-millionaires crying about how life doesn't treat them better. They are not athletes pretending to be students so they can play before partisan, frenzied, and irrational crowds.

D-Leaguers are simply hungry guys who are brave enough to risk failing in front of thousands.

Flash Fan | 2:05 p.m. Nov. 30, 2007

Hey "Jazz Fan" once you can figure out how to fit 600,000 people from Utah County into the Energy Solutions arena and make it affordable for all of them come back and talk. And for your information Jerry Sloan, Ronnie Brewer, Paul Milsap, Gordon Giracek, Ronnie Price, and CJ Miles were all at the Flash game on Nov. 29th. The fans love the games and they all support the Jazz. Unlike you.

re: HOOPS | 7:09 a.m. Dec. 1, 2007

Larry Miller has as much to do with the Flash as Arte Moreno has to do with the Bees - nothing other than a professional affiliation.

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