Comments about ‘Utah Jazz: Sloan showers praise on Milwaukee's Bogut’

"We ... don't have any shot-blocking, so we give up a lot of easy baskets because of that." - Jerry Sloan

Hmm ... well Coach, you have had two 7+ footers sitting on the bench as book ends?

You need to take the time to develop them into the post defender the team needs. Personal practice and initiative is great but they need someone who is heavily involved in making them play up to their potential, while realizing that they will make mistakes.

I know you like to say it isn't up to you to motivate them, they are professionals and should do it themselves. I guess John Stockton and Karl Malone spoiled you all those years ago.

However, this is a different era and players are coming into the league who need coaching and motivational help.

Just look at CJ Miles, he has been with the team five seasons and is finally starting to show flashes of what he could become in the next year.

You didn't give up on CJ and you shouldn't give up on Koufos and Fesenko, at least not yet.

agree with rvalens2.

I also agree with 95% of what Sloan is doing. However, in games like this why not try Fes out for just a few minutes? Test the water. He did have a big part in the come from behind win at portland if I am not mistaken.

'Big guys somehow take longer than the others.."

Fez the shooting guard can keep sitting for a while yet.

All you Fes lovers are gonna have a hay-day with this article.

Look at it this way. Sloan obviously recognizes the value of a big man that can block shots and be a presence down low. Bogut is listed at 7'0, 260 and Fes is at 7'1 300.

Sloan recognizes how 'bringing a long a big man' changed the Bucks.

"The biggest thing (about Milwaukee's success this season) is they've stuck with Bogut, and kept him out there. He's gradually gotten better. Big guys sometimes take a little bit longer than others, and he's a real load to play with now."


Why do you think Sloan hasn't 'stuck' with Fesenko?

Probably cause he doesn't see the potential in Fesenko that exists in Bogut. Please recognize that Sloan is better at recognizing talent than the average Jazz fan. I know you love Fes, but Sloan knows how to manage basketball players better than Chuck Nunn does.

In my view... this article shows to me that Sloan recognizes how important it is to have a big guy to develop and he doesn't think Fes is that guy.

Funny to hear Jerry talk about what we need, what we don't have when he's sitting about 7 feet away from him down on the end of the bench.

Koufos is tearing up the D League in his last game he had 26 pts. 16 reb. and 4 blocked shots. FDR has been touting Koufos all along. Memo and Kirilenko are both out for tonights game, more spasms. Fes will be there most likely in his usual spot on the end of the bench. Maybe he will get in for a few seconds and then get jerked right back out.

We have two very talented big 7 footers that Jerry Sloan refuses to develop on this team. I hope this is Jerry's last year because he has something on his agenda more important than winning. His EGO.

I have followed Chuck Nunn's newspaper articles and his online blog for years (yes, he's a sports writer).

He has been a big fan of the Jazz for a very long time and has, on many occasions, astutely analyzed what the team needs.

He understands that the Jazz need a defensive presence in the middle. The only guy the Jazz have that is big enough to plug up the paint is Fesenko.

Chuck has seen the same thing I have. Whenever Fes is in the game he alters shots and prevents the opposing team from simply running roughshod right through the middle of the Jazz defense.

I wish Fesenko had a little Bill Lambeer or Harpring in him. He'd be a terror in the middle. Just once I would like to see him get mad and dare anyone to stop him from dunking the basketball.

It's too bad the Jazz don't hire someone like Rick Majerus to come in and teach the big fella how to play the post position. A $50,000.00 investment and a few weeks of having Majerus chew on him would likely do wonders for Fesenko's play.

Sloan needs to retire.