Deseret News | Utah Jazz: Kosta comes to Salt Lake

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Utah Jazz: Kosta comes to Salt Lake

EEEP! | 12:13 a.m. June 28, 2008

Can't wait to hear what kind of damage Hot Rod can do to a name like Kosta Koufos. Probably be entertaining.

VegasJazzFan | 6:37 a.m. June 28, 2008

Welcome to the Jazz, Kosta!!! Awesome attitude. Man it's downright refreshing to read those things he said, and it didn't just sound like the canned responses of less-cerebral or less-sincere athletes that often come and go. And based on what this article said about his background, etc... anyway, we might have just gotten a real steal this time. Sounds like a good guy, skilled athlete, hard worker. I can imagine him as being a good backup for Okur reasonably soon, as they are similar in size and some skill aspects. Only time will tell, but I'm optimistic about him.

wayne | 7:56 a.m. June 28, 2008

is this the second comming of chris bochart. the Jazz have not had good luck with centers that somehow slide down the draft board. can anyone remember luther wright? I hope there luck has changed.

on a second note how are melmo and Kasta going to get along. the greeks and the turks have been at each other each other throuts for a long time now. (for those how could be offended this was ment to be a joke.)

Comments continue below

PEEE! | 8:19 a.m. June 28, 2008

can't wait for the jazz to cut collins, probably long overdue!

RE: EEEP! | 8:36 a.m. June 28, 2008

I, Sir, am in thy debt. I laughed for about twenty minutes when I read your comment. Haha. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go laugh some more.

MC Welk | 8:54 a.m. June 28, 2008

Could have done a better job of saluting Utah's Greek community than mentioning a couple of fast food franchises

RockOn | 9:08 a.m. June 28, 2008

Comparing SLC or Orem to Canton... not much of a comparison. Canton is nice but has a number of very run down areas. Neither Utah city has anything as bad. Rose Park looks like a garden compared to south Canton. SLC is on the rise and Canton is crumbling.

page | 10:22 a.m. June 28, 2008

what a great attitude.

Anonymous | 10:45 a.m. June 28, 2008

Welcome Kosta. Get strong, eat raw meat and come out with a vengeance!

Glen Oak Fan | 12:11 p.m. June 28, 2008

As a Glen Oak Eagle fan I have watched Kosta since 8th grade. SLC is getting one of Canton's best kids and oh by the way he can play some hoop. He is a 7 footer who still can do things like a gaurd. Congrads Koof

Guaranteed -MLR | 12:19 p.m. June 28, 2008

I will guarantee that Koufus will make several various network so-called experts EAT their words before this dance is over. I can't believe the good fortune of the Jazz to get this player at 23. Real young but a class act GUARANTEED. I can't wait to see him bloosom in Utah. Hang on for the ride Jazz fans.

Anonymous | 12:46 p.m. June 28, 2008

After watching him in high school and at OSU I hope his lack of quickness does not come back to haunt him! Falling down the in draft normally signals workouts were not that good. Hope his sweet shot offsets his defensive abilities

Greek food, Yeah Right | 1:04 p.m. June 28, 2008

Somehow I doubt that the "Mad Greek" will compare to food from Athens. What a joke.

NYC | 2:05 p.m. June 28, 2008

Agreed 1:04 - It's always a bit scary when all the teams he worked out for pass him up. Maybe he's not quick enough for the league - we'll see - I am very hopeful though - I think the Jazz might have drafted a real piece to their puzzle - unfortunately next year the Jazz won't be much better than this year - we'll need the top guns to resign - if they do and this kid can play then look out for the Jazz in 2010.

Optimist | 2:41 p.m. June 28, 2008

I disagree NYC. I think the Jazz were one of the premier teams already, and getting better as time went on. They will be really good anyway, but if Fess or Kosta can help next year, we'll be even better. Great draft considering our options. Welcome Kosta!!! Best of luck here in Utah.

Timothy Malinski | 3:30 p.m. June 28, 2008

Geez, what does it ake to mke some of you you guys excited? I don't think we need to worry if he's quick enough to play some of the centers in the league. He's already assuredly quicker than some centers like (Shaq, Ming, Gray, Hibbert, Ilgauskas, Biedrins, Collins, Okur? (sorry about that Mehmet etc.). He certainly looks quick, nimble and definitely skilled enough for the league in the videos I've watched. The only question is he willing to passionately work at improving and making himself stronger and quicker to handle some of those beasts and the other athletes playing center. If he does, which he states in the article is his goal and drive(hey, a guy who asks, we may have truly ended up with a steal....and I'm the guy who wanted Hibbert

Anonymous | 5:01 p.m. June 28, 2008

i hope kosta is a strong physical player not only on offense but on defense cuz we need someone to stop the tim duncan's and the pau gasol's and greg oden's because memo cant stop them and boozer cant do it by himself...

RiversBandGks | 7:32 p.m. June 28, 2008

Congratulations to the Jazz on selecting Kosta. We have known Kosta and his family for many years and you are getting a quality young man of the highest character. He has always done exactly what he says he is going to do. We have do doubt he will be extremely successful in the NBA and will be an asset for the Jazz. Shame on the Cavs for passing on Kosta for a player of "questionable character" off the court. What a mistake the Cavs made! Cleveland's loss is Utah's gain!

Anonymous | 8:55 p.m. June 28, 2008

Mr. O'Connor--please understand that sunk costs are a part of business. In other words, please stop dwelling on past mistakes and cut Collins and Hart. I know they are under contract, but you need to test the potential of kids like Koufos, Fes, Miles, and Almond. They need to be on the active roster--not Collins or Hart. By the way, both of these players were smart enough to work hard and earn millions despite being European league talents. They will be fine even if you cut them. Please make the right business decision.

BP | 2:21 a.m. June 29, 2008

I wrote in a DN post the day before (or morning of)the draft that JASON THOMPSON is the steal of the draft, and the guy the Jazz should get (based on A LOT of factors)...Well, he was taken 12th so I guess I was on to something. Anyway, I am still bummed we didn't have a chance at him...as I think he will make some team very solid for a lot of years.
Though I think at this point I am fairly satisfied with Kosta from OH St. One nugget I found was that in the fall right before he went to Ohio State, he was having consistent games of 35 pts, 15-20 Rbs, and 4-5 blks. CRAZY! He wasn't quite so good at Oh St., but he was only a freshman...and many have said if he waited one more year he would be top 5...so if any of that is revealing of what the future might hold, then the Jazz did good. The only weakness I've read about Kosta is NO left hand whatsoever...and he finesses more than bruises, but he seems to be a better Shot Blocker than I originally had thought. All in all, good pick!

fossil. | 6:23 p.m. June 29, 2008

i was reading in a report card for the nba draft and utah got a A. most teams got a b or c. portland got a A plus. so they seemed to think where we drafted we did a good job even with the foreign players we might not see for a while.

fossil. | 6:30 p.m. June 29, 2008

i think that foreign players can be just as good aa americian players but they don't seem to ge5 the good coaching and competition. i hope the jazz keep track of the two second round picks as they were saying the second of the picks was doing so well a team might buy his services and i wonder if that sets us back from seeing these guys.

Anonymous | 9:11 p.m. June 29, 2008

Jazzs will not be disappointed. They are getting one of the best players. Kosta Koufos is an example of what basketball is all about. He has it all, and we all will see it during the games. We wish him and the rest of the team the best of luck.

Moto X | 11:34 p.m. June 29, 2008

Kosta Koufus, or K2 as I have heard him called, is a decent pick up this late in the draft. He has at least a couple of things going for him. 1. He is already 265 at 19 years of age. He already has an NBA body which is a huge advantage that we are not dealing with some 7'0 bean pole who will get pushed out of the paint easily. He likely can still put on some beef with age/work. 2. He is only 19 years--he could still grow over his current 7'0 height!!

We are not going to be able to sign 1 of our current big 3 and if Boozer stays and Memo goes then Kosta could conceivably replace him since he is already being compared skill-wise. He would be a lot cheaper for sure.

If he can move his feet and alter/block a few shots...mission accomplished. Any offense is a bonus because we don't really need it.

Can you imagine Kosta and Fesenko on our second line? Two mobile 7 footers? Tough to shoot over that!!!

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