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Utah Jazz: Sloan rips Jazz intensity in loss

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Stewart | 12:42 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Well as long as there were some things taken from this game. I would be extremely happy to go head to head with the big cactus too.

Lessons learned. Hopefully we'll do better next time.
Steve | 1:31 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Larry looks massively bloated. I wish him well...
What's New | 5:54 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Utah loses and Sloan rips them. Seems like that happens after every loss. Maybe it's time to use a new approach. Maybe they need a big group hug. Or, and I know this is probably way out there, maybe they need a coach that inspires them to play harder and a coach that carries his weight - neither of which I believe Sloan has done in the past 8 years.
Comments continue below
This is why... | 6:42 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I don't follow professional sports anymore. These guys get paid more for a nights "work" than most of us make in a year, yet they still won't show up and play.
I'll take small town high school sports over the big boys any day.
good for Fes | 7:21 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
article starts out with Sloan ripping the jazz for intensity, then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, he actually somewhat praises Fes for battling Shaq. Good for him. Unfortunately, unless Fes continues NOT being a "little girl", as he called himself.....he'll be seeing a lot of time in the D league. I'd like to see Fes battling for playing time as the #2 center, instead of Collins.
Anonymous | 7:36 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I agree way to much money for me. The bottom line is not the fan but money. When are we as people going to wake up and stop going to the games???
Tommyk | 8:11 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Yea this writer doesn't know what he talking about? Sloan rip jazz? come on, if sloan wanted to win, then he wouldn't be putting in Bums at the end of the game? put in Mo or fes at the end? don't put in rocky Mountain revue rejects? lol
utarded | 8:13 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Chocolate chip cookies are delicious. And so is this article.
this guy | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Tell me, why is it only now Fes is motivated to do what he should have been doing since last year? This tells me the guy is worthless and full of it. For all of you that think he is our great white hope, think again.
Re: This is why.... | 8:44 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
If you don't follow professional sports anymore, then may I just ask what you are doing reading this article? And not only reading it, but taking time out of your work, which I could go off about because you complain they make more, I wonder why?????? Maybe because you're too busy reading and commenting on the web instead of doing your job. Perhaps this article should be about you, your job is paying you too much to just sit and comment and not show up mentally to work...Grow up)
Casual Fan | 8:46 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Well, if you actually watched the game on TV, you saw the stands were quite empty. Ha ha. The only good thing that came form this game was Fes's quote about being a little girl, one of the best sports quotes I've ever read. He'll be out of the league soon enough. The Jazz, for some reason, have these romantic ties to their draft picks and can't ever seem to cut them loose. Take a look at CJ Miles, who will never be anything more than a role player, if that. The Jazz should have cut him loose while they could. If I was running the team, they would have four championships right now and Sloan would be plowing a field somewhere in Illinois. Take my word for it.
re: this is why | 9:00 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Dude, I respect your decision not to follow pro sports. However, the mere fact that you are reading an article about pro sports and taking the time to comment on the article suggests that you follow pro sports. Just a thought.

On topic, I may eat my words one day, but signing Fesenko was a huge mistake. Letting Araujo go was a blunder (he wasn't a star, but he came in with lots of energy, he wasn't a little girl, and he could man up to Tim Duncan).
friend of the Big Aristotle | 9:08 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
re: Steve | 1:31 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008

You mean weight and not salary cap, right?

Seriously, at least, the Suns play at the proper tempo for a 2nd rate sport.
Stan | 9:30 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Obviously, this article was written by someone who doesn't follow the Jazz much. The "Dream come True" happened last year, when in a regular season game, Fes played very well against Shaq and the Jazz won that game.
Do your research and don't give us a story line that is inaccurate. Its made out like he has never stood on the same floor as Shaq, when in reality, it isn't.
X NBA Fan | 10:12 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
What does it matter anyways...? the NBA is corrupt and fixed and Stern and his clones will never allow the Jazz to win a title. It's like watching a movie and already knowing how it's going to end. I will stick with College Ball where at least teams are given a fair shake.
Araujo!? | 10:21 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
To the person who posted at 9:00.....

You lost all credibility when you said "Letting Araujo go was a blunder". Araujo is the worst first-round pick in the history of the NBA, and maybe in all of pro sports. He is terrible. The blunder was when Larry signed him in the first place.

I realize you're a BYU fan, but seriously dude, you're wearing some very thick blue goggles if you think lettin Araujo go was a "blunder." Put down your copy of Rise and Shout and learn something about basketball.
to re: this is why @ 8:44 | 10:22 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I read the headline, that was all I needed to know. Also, I've already worked my 40 plus hours this week and that's why I have time to comment.
What about You? Are you writing from work? Are you doing your job? Maybe the story should be about you!
I still think pro athletes are a bunch of overpaid whiners.
Re: Stan | 11:14 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Looks like Stan needs some help with his research too. For someone who claims to follow the Jazz more than the author, you seem to be misremembering last year's details a bit.

Fes's big game was against the Lakers when Boozer and Okur were both hurt (17 min, 6 pts, 7 rebs). Shaq hasn't played for the Lakers for several years now.

Last year, Shaq started the season playing for the Heat, to whom the Jazz lost in Miami (still can't believe that one...) and beat here, but Fes only played 5 min and scored 2 pts in one of those games (website doesn't say which one - sorry). Mid-year, Shaq was traded to the Suns, and Fes did not appear in any game against the Suns last season.

Unfortunately, Fes is trapped in Sloan's "I have a veteran at that spot (Collins) so why should I play a rookie" mindset. I'd love to see Fes get 15 minutes a night and see how he does. Could be his NBDL results are not indicative because he gets more motivated playing in the big show.

(Stats courtesy ESPN.)
Nexu | 11:21 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
"I'm not strong"
"I'm a small girl"

Watch it now Fesenko. They could backfire on you and Sloan might keep you in the minors again.
re:Aruajo | 11:24 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
You seriously think Aruajo is the worst first-round pick in the history of the NBA and maybe in all of pro sports? Maybe you need to learn something about basketball and sports in general.
Anonymous | 11:29 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
the phrase "work smarter, not harder" comes to mind.
Sloan Hater | 11:37 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Same old Sloan same old crap. Its a preseason game, of course they dont care. Sloan cannot motivate these younger players. Heres to another 1st or 2nd round playoff exit.
BJ Jazzy Rasta | 11:54 a.m. Oct. 10, 2008
The Jazz only lost this game because 1) Its the pre-season and starters are getting half the minutes and guys who won't even make the team are playing 5-6 minutes each... 2) They got out-rebounded. 3)They could not hit their free-throws.

Things I liked that I saw in the game were: 1)Mo Almond looking more comfortable out there and hit some shots. 2)Okur looked decent overall. 3)Korver is a stud. He's fun to watch! 4)Brevin Knight looked solid. 5) D-Will is in mid-season form! 6)AK looked solid (except for one atrocious air-ball)

We will gain back the rebounding edge that we always have when we get Boozer back and we're in our normal rotation.

Glad to see Larry H back in his seat! Glad Sloan ripped them for lackluster effort. And sad that I think Matt Harpring will never be the same.

GO JAZZ! Boo KJAZZ for dropping two pre-season telecasts!
magnus | 1:05 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
@ Sloan Hater

Ya, just like two years ago...Wait a minute, is the Conference Final in the second round? I forget.

In my opinion, you have a differernt philosophy than Sloan, and while both are valid, you choose to waste your time hating him for his.

Sloans philosophy: He is going to be honest with players and not try to protect their feelings or put on a pretty face for the public. He's going to point out problems, and expect that they will rise up to the challeges he issues to them. He puts a premium on trust and experience and often chooses these things over tallent and youth. He makes the players fit the system. He feels that trust needs to be earned before it is given.

You on the other hand would prefer to encourage players and use more positive reinforcement. You think the coach should be a role model and a ra-ra type leader. You think that youth and talent should be given a higher priority and that trust should be given to all and then taken from those who would abuse it. You think the system should fit the players.

Am I right?


Henry Drummond | 1:24 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I don't now if this was about intensity or if the Jazz subs were just confused. They certainly seemed to be against the uptempo offense. Phoenix looks like they have a good bench. Its too bad Shaq is so far off his game though. Kinda sad to see.

jazz and miller | 1:35 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
i am a huge fan of the jazz, BUT larry miller pulled a big one last night that may turn fans that are both RSL and Jazz fans away from his games.
By scheduling his only home preseason game on the same night as the Rio Tinto Stadium opener (which is not just ironic, dont tell me larry didnt plan that) he made me as a fan, very disappointed in his ego that seems to be expanding every second
re: sloan hater | 1:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Jerry Sloan is, without a doubt, one of the top three coaches in the nba, if not the best coach in the nba. Utah should consider themselves the luckiest SOB's on the planet to not only have him coach their team, but do it for 20+ years. I guarantee at least 20 of the current 30 teams in the league would fire their current head coach for a chance to sign sloan. The post stockton/malone/hornacek years should have been absolutely atrocious for utah but sloan kept them competitive (except for maybe 04-05 when they were 26-56, blame that one more on the injuries of AK and Booz anyway). For you to hate Sloan proves you have the basketball IQ of a two year-old.
Araujo!? | 1:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
OK 11:24, I'll take your bait.

Name me one thing - one single thing - that Arajuo's done in the NBA that makes him worthy of being a first rounder. If you can do that I will concede my point and admit what a great player he is.

*sound of crickets chirping*
sloan fan | 1:54 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Jerry Sloan is the fourth all-time winningest coach in NBA history and he's done virtually all of it with the Jazz. Only Lenny Wilkins, Don Nelson, and Pat Riley are ahead of him when it comes to winning percentages. Sure, he's never won a championship, but I don't put that on him, I blame Karl Malones tendency to choke in pressure situations. And I hate to tell you but Larry Miller knows what kind of an asset Sloan is to his franchise and as long as Sloan will do it, he'll be the head coach of the Jazz. (Which is how it should be)
JR | 3:21 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
Larry doesn't own Real. Dave Checketts does. It would make perfect sense that the two had to compate last night because they don't like each other.
Utarded comments | 3:35 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
re: "huge mistake signing Fesenko"? to the Utard that said that I say no it wasn't. We get an athletic 7'1 290lb guy for 3 years to find out if he can play or not in the NBA. What they are paying him is table scraps by NBA standards.

re:Araujo. I agree with the side that says if Araujo was any good then he would have stayed in the NBA. I like the guy and he is a tremendously hard worker but not that great of a B-Ball player and picking him at #8 was certainly won of the worst draft picks ever. Not often top 10 picks entirely wash out of the league but Araujo basically has.

Regarding the game. The players weren't that sharp for sure but lets put this in perspective. This is preseason and there is a bunch of guys out there who normally do not play together and Booz is out. We have CJ starting and he could not even get on the floor last year?? Brewer still can't throw it in the ocean.

Preseason--not the end of the world Sloan Hater. Chill out folks.
RE: Araujo!? | 5:40 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
The worst draft pick in the history of sports, are you kidding me? What about Alex Smith, (tell me one thing he's done in the NFL, and he was #1).

I'm not saying that Araujo's great and should be in the NBA, he was quite raw and undeveloped, but the hustle and effort he put on the floor was fun to watch once in a while, even if he couldn't put the ball in the ocean. But he wasn't the worst draft pick ever.
Marty | 5:52 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I must stick up for Araujo---I think Bradley was a bigger bust as a pick.
Martin Seamus Mcfly | 6:28 p.m. Oct. 10, 2008
I don't understand the antipathy toward Araujo. His hard play helped to promote the values and reputation of a university of similar fame. Like Mad Dog Madsen, he brings hustle AND character to the game, and both were deserving of their first round picks. I'm guessing by the anti-BYU player comments that there are some lurking Ute fans. Talk about overrated...Andre Miller, Michael Doleac, Andrew Bogut. What have they done in the league to justify their being drafted where they were?
Re: Martin...McFly | 2:56 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
Are you kidding us? Andre Miller is the starting guard for a rising 76ers team. Andrew Bogut is a good center and starts for the Bucks. Michael Doleac.. well.. he has a championship ring.
Darko Milicic | 10:04 p.m. Oct. 11, 2008
How in the world has Darko's name not been brought up in this discussion of terrible draft picks?! Especially considering who was on the board still when he came off it?? I don't know who the 49ers should have picked instead of Alex Smith, but milicic, in my opinion, has to be the worst draft pick ever.

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Utah Jazz center Mehmet Okur (13) throws up a baby hook shot over Phoenix rookie center Robin Lopez (15) as the Utah Jazz face the Phoenix Suns Thursday night at EnergySolutions Arena.

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