Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Brass impressed with rookie's effort

KDog | 1:28 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

I guess the writing is on the wall for Fez isn't it? Who shows up to Sloan's camp with bleach-blond hair anyway?

LArry | 1:50 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

There was another rook that Sloan loved. Remember Millsap's rokkie year. Look how that has turned out. One can only hope that Koufos can do the same as the paperboy.

fez | 3:02 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Why did they get rid of Rafa Araujo who worked very hard and had quality back up minutes for Fez? He even had a local tie to make the fans happy! Anyway, it will remain to be seen if Koufos gets more than a token minute here or there in Sloans do not play rookie system.

Comments continue below

sob | 5:52 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

collins is a black hole in the roster, this kid can shed some light.

PurplePeopleEater | 8:20 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

I'm unconvinced that the D-League is such a good idea. It allows players to get playing time against better-than-college talent, but also allows them to get into bad habits because they're the go-to guys(already being part of an NBA team, which most D-Leaguers aren't)

I'd prefer to see highly-talented draft picks get their time with the team, even if it's only in practicing with the team that they get any floor time. The constant week-in/week-out time with the real team's coaching better prepares them for their role on the team when the time comes to play in an NBA game.

I think Koufos would benefit from NOT playing in the D-League. Look what it did to Almond. He looks out of place on the Jazz team in games because he's used to being the go-to guy. And, he didn't have to play as much of the Jazz-style defense down there, which hurts his floor time with the Jazz. He might have gotten more floor time, especially when Korver was having trouble because of his injury during the latter part of the season and in the playoffs.

STEVE-O | 9:13 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

I loved Fes when he first joinged the team. He's funny and goofy. The problem is he doesn't seem to be a very good basketball player. I think the talent is there... but the maturity level isn't coming along. Fes will be out of the NBA after this season and I think it's gonna be a slap in his face.
Kosta on the other hand seams to understand and value hard work. You can get ahead with Sloan if you work hard. I just hope he works out because we're in desperate need for another big man. We don't find somebody soon we're gonna have to re-sign Collins after this season and NOBODY wants that!

Araujoke | 9:48 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Araujoke was the biggest stiff - unreal he was picked 8th. More proof that NBA GM's are generally lacking in judgment on some of these picks. Koufos might avg. 10 min a night if he's lucky. If he averages more than 4 pts and 2 rbs a game I'll be shocked.

BigJazzFan | 9:54 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

While I like a player who can shoot,

You don't win chamionships with bigmen who like play on the perimeter.

I can't think of one championship team in the last forty years who had bigmen like that.

But there are plenty of examples of bigmen who like play on the perimeter that have never won a championship.

Like Dirk Nowitzske and Ralph Sampson (at 7'4 he didn't even do it in college)

Okur is an exception, on the other hand, he was sitting on the bench when it happened. GO figure.

It seems futile that the jazz will ever get the right players and the right system to win a championship.

Anonymous | 10:03 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

I watched the review and this kid looked like just the kind of player the jazz will need to back up Memo, because, no offense to Jaron cause I love his perseverence, we lose so much offense when Memo is out, mostly because he can draw the defense away from Boozer(who is still the softest PF in the league), and Kosta could do the same for Millsap, and he can play inside too. If he can pick up some d skills he could be a great addition to this team.

Araujo | 10:07 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Their job isnt to put a guy with local ties on the team to make the fans happy. For the most part fans dont care who is on the team, as long as they win.

To: fez | 10:09 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

"Why did they get rid of Rafa Araujo who worked very hard?"

Because this isn't little league, where working hard can earn you minutes. That hard work has to generate some productive play, or you're just a hard working, crappy player.

I liked Araujo as much as the next guy, especially on defense, but he was an absolutely terrible offensive NBA player, and not very smart.

re: fez | 10:33 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Araujo is gone because he has heart and plays hard, but can't hack it in the NBA. If a guy has talent, he will play. I don't understand why people can't figure that out. They worship these guys in college and when they don't make it in the NBA it's some sort of conspiracy or the GMs are idiots. Also, if you have good players and are winning you don't need some gimmick like, "come see the guys that played college ball here".

really? | 11:01 a.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Did someone just bring up araujo? REALLY?

Brass? | 1:14 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Hey Harmon, why the military reference. this term is going out of style. Please hang out with some younger people for a week or so. It will help update your vocabulary.

Re:BigJazzFan | 1:21 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

I agree with you that you can't win a ring with bigs that can ONLY score from long range... they need to be able to go inside too--like Memo has been getting better at. I fundamentally disagree with you about having Bigs that can shoot being a bad thing.

Past NBA Champs with Power Forwards and Centers who can shoot:
1. Detroit Pistons:Sheed's one of the best three 3point shooters who is over 6 foot 10 every year! They're consistently one of the best teams in the league.
2. Boston Celtics: Over 60% of KG's Field Goals are on 15-20 foot jumpers.
3. Lakers/Spurs/Rockets:Robert Horry (okay so he didn't start on all of those teams, but he did play a significant roll on each of them-and how many HUGE threes has he hit to win games?)
I can go back to the 80s with Laimbeer and McHale but I think you get the idea. It's extremely important to have a big that can shoot... but he needs to be able to bang inside too (ala what Dirk NOWITZKI can't do).
Also imagine how clogged the lane would be for DWIL and Booz w/o Memo...

Re: BigJazzFan | 1:32 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Bill Lambier????? Detroit Pistons. 2 NBA championships???? He loved to shoot the 3.

While it is true that MOST teams don't win championships with perimeter shooting big men, I still have hope with Okur. Besides, he was doing A LOT better at the end of last year taking it to the hole. He just needs to develop some back-to-the-basket moves.

Jazzaholic | 2:14 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Hoffa is with the Timber Wolves now.

Don't give up on Fess just yet. Most big men are a project, even with advanced maturity, which Fess lacks. Kosta will probably provide some role modeling for Fess, despite being younger.

A wake up call?

Jazzaholic

Fess | 4:02 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Fess is trash...he needs to go...maybe that will wake him up..

Rose Holladay - Lehi | 4:25 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Fess is Rusian for Ostertag. Fess is a freaking imature looser, he is too dumb to know hwat he has going for him.

LDS Jazz Fan | 8:39 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Jazz will go undefeated, just like BYU.

Go Jazz
Go Cougars

Jazzsinger | 10:28 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Shaq loves to shoot the 3 and he has had some championships. I think that we should move Fess over to forward like AK they have alot in common.He really worked hard to try to get into the Olympics for team USA. I wonder if the jazz will ever be able to get Kobe, I have a friend who knows some people in LA and there is insider talk that he will come to the Jazz for Boozer, Milsap, Almond and Price. Price is supposed to be the one holding up the deal. I didnt know Ostertag was russian, that makes sense because he is supposed to be trying to be a super heavy weight Roman Grecko wrestler or something like that. By the way what is Darrin Williams tatos say on the back of his elbows?

Go Fess | 10:33 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

Give Fess a couple more years before rushing to judgement, it isn't like the Jazz are paying him 6 milllion a year like Ostertag.
Not every player will be a smooth fit for Sloan but when you unload players you will be be lucky to get 75% of their value. I think being a headcase is a sign of a good big man. ie Malone, Barkely, Lambear and Rodman. Playing inside is brutal. We have enough offense we just need some consistent interior defense.

Hollywood | 10:41 p.m. Oct. 4, 2008

There was a reason Fes lasted all the way until the 2nd round. He's a project. He played a total of 29 games for his Ukranian team before being drafted.

Yes, he's older than Koufos, but less developed. Kosta had the advantage of playing an entire year of college ball for Ohio State.

Fesenko has made some strides over the course of one season. It's very obvious he did some weightlifting over the summer.

There's a rule of thumb that big guys take 4-5 years to develop. I think it's very premature to declare Fes a "bust." Even if the Jazz eventually do let him go, no harm done - most 2nd round picks never make it in the NBA. Guys like Millsap, even Collins (who gave us a few serviceable years) are the exception.

RE: RE: BigJazzFan | 1:06 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Lambier shot consisyanyly in the 15' to 17' foot range.

That is not a three point shooter not a perimeter player.

And he was very physical defender.

And I should point I have no problem with a plyer who can shoot.

But big men should NOT be standing out beyond the three point and doing all thier scoring there.

And post is play way over-rated.

Detroit of the 1980's who was posting up?

Chicago who was posting up?

You need outstanding play from your smaller positions.

Go championship team by championship team and contribution from the guards and small forward are startling and huge. Inside contribution came mostly from a center or in couple of exceptions a power forward who 7' feet tall and played defense.

Every single team!

Who had more to with winning a championship in detroit recently, offensively and defensively? Billups, hamilton and prince or rashad wallace and ben wallace?

Offensively Billups, hamilton and prince
Defensively wallace and wallace

Now campare all this to the jazz, the jazz look to get all their scoring from the power foward, and defense everywhre else.

Who won the championship?

Tommy k | 10:42 a.m. Oct. 6, 2008

Maybe this is a wakeup call for fes. Work hard for your dream or your going to be the outside guy looking in! I love hard worker.

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