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Utah Jazz: Revue leaves youngsters far from satisfied
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Oldfan | 5:53 a.m. July 26, 2008
I hope Fes will find someone to mentor him during the summer and help him figure
out the things he needs to do. I really like the physical presence his brings,
he can be the defensive presence the Jazz need if he can figure things out,(big
if). He has to get in better shape and work on being consistant with his
offense, I think part of the problem offensively was the coaches fault, they
needed to get the guards to get the ball to Fes in the low block. Pound it in to
him and let him use him big body, he has the tools.
Positive | 7:33 a.m. July 26, 2008
Comments by both Koufus and Fess regarding their play in the revue hopefully
will go a long way towards their ultimate goal of being a quality player in the
NBA. We as fans just need to let them go to work on their conditioning, and
other items that them and the coaching staff feel like needs improvement. If we
all stay positive maybe we will see a positive this winter on the basketball
court. Good luck guys and work HARD.
Comments continue below
Dapper2k | 8:19 a.m. July 26, 2008
"helped Rafael Araujo so much a few years ago". And where is Rafael
now? uh oh...
JazzFan4ever | 8:42 a.m. July 26, 2008
I'm glad the two big guys are planning on sticking around here to work on
their games.They both should realize now that they are going to have to work and
work hard for that paycheck and it wouldn't hurt to work for a little pride
in their game and not just the paycheck. Good Luck guys and leave buckets of
sweat at the gym!Fess, at least you got another 7 footer to train with, be sure
too take advantage of it.
JazzFanInHouston | 8:59 a.m. July 26, 2008
The addition of Gasol turned LA into Western Champions. For the Jazz to beat LA,
it is not a matter of just changing one person.
It is a matter of much better defense at the SG position and much better interior defense. It is also a matter of improving the eff of the second team. That means improvement at back up PG and better eff across the front line and more points from the SG position.
The Jazz are not likely to trade any of the starting 5. Boozer and Brewer could improve on defense.
For the most part, the better defense and improved second team efficiency has to come from Korver, CJ, Price,Almond, Fes and Koufos. Harp and Collins are not likely to improve a lot.
If Fes can get to the point where he is a great shot blocker and rebounder and Koufos gets to the point where he can back up both Boozer and Okur we will win the West.
It is a matter of much better defense at the SG position and much better interior defense. It is also a matter of improving the eff of the second team. That means improvement at back up PG and better eff across the front line and more points from the SG position.
The Jazz are not likely to trade any of the starting 5. Boozer and Brewer could improve on defense.
For the most part, the better defense and improved second team efficiency has to come from Korver, CJ, Price,Almond, Fes and Koufos. Harp and Collins are not likely to improve a lot.
If Fes can get to the point where he is a great shot blocker and rebounder and Koufos gets to the point where he can back up both Boozer and Okur we will win the West.
Anonymous | 9:54 a.m. July 26, 2008
and where are you now draper2k, working for minimum wage I bet. Kfes can get
better at this joint, I know, its mine.
JazzFanInHouston | 12:26 p.m. July 26, 2008
Why not make Almond play PG in D-league for a while. That will improve his team
BB IQ, force him to pass a lot more and make him a lot more versatile and
therefor valuable?
rick | 2:17 p.m. July 26, 2008
Utah will not win the title in the next 5 years if they don't get a tuff
veteran defensive shut down guard at the 2 position; just like S.A. has Bruce
Bowen.If it wasn't for his "d" , do you think he'd be
playing for S.A. ? (NO)......If Utah gets back RAJA BELL to shut down the 2
guards of the league, the Jazz will win 2 titles in the next 2 to 3
years.........The Jazz don't have a tuff leader of this team; everybody is
soft; but can play terrific ball together.....We also need a young coach to put
a fire in the belly of the players.When Jeff Horny played for us, he had fire
& grit....Jeff would be the perfect coach for this team; he knows the system
real well...........
rick | 2:23 p.m. July 26, 2008
THE UTAH JAZZ NEED RAJA BELL.....WILL YOU PRINT THIS SO UTAH CAN FINALLY WIN A
CHAMPIONSHIP.I'v been following this team since 1972, the N.O. days.This
team never gets over the hump & RAJA BELL WILL BE THAT PLAYER....UTAH CAN
NEVER SHUT DOWN THE OTHER TEAMS NUMBER 2 GUARD...IF THEY CAN'T DO THAT, A
TITLE WILL NOT COME.......UTAH NEEDS RAJA BELL BACK ON THIS TEAM FAST......UTAH
HAS NO TUFFNESS................
Anonymous | 2:44 p.m. July 26, 2008
Fess looked so out of shape that it was pitty. There are so many players who
try their hardest with their skill and conditioning and there is no way he can
be a quality NBA player. He got pushed around by smaller PFs. He is slow,
weak, not skilled. He needs to work really really hard otherwise he is out of
here. It is bit harsh but it is fare.
Grant | 3:05 p.m. July 26, 2008
The problem with the summer league is that it is driven by the guards so you
don't see alot from the "bigs" Ie Lopez, Fez and Kofus. Everyone
is looking for their own shot.
My advice to Fez is to spend some time with Mark Eaton If you can do what what he did you will have a successful carear (provide good interior defense, rebound, great outlet pass, block shot and throw up an occasional hook shot) that will give 30 minutes a night for a nice 14 year carear.
I think kufus should go play in the Olympics this will give him some international experience and I think he will always regret not representing his contry. I can't see how practiceing your hook shot will prepare you for the NBA more than playing on a team.
Finally it takes big men alot longer to develope, the fundamentals of rebounding and interior defense is what you are paid for.
My advice to Fez is to spend some time with Mark Eaton If you can do what what he did you will have a successful carear (provide good interior defense, rebound, great outlet pass, block shot and throw up an occasional hook shot) that will give 30 minutes a night for a nice 14 year carear.
I think kufus should go play in the Olympics this will give him some international experience and I think he will always regret not representing his contry. I can't see how practiceing your hook shot will prepare you for the NBA more than playing on a team.
Finally it takes big men alot longer to develope, the fundamentals of rebounding and interior defense is what you are paid for.
Jimmy's Sneakers | 3:55 p.m. July 26, 2008
Jimmy thinks Boozer will improve on defense. Jimmy saw him play last night on
the USA Olympic team and had a monstrous block. He can play defense, he just
chooses not to.
JazzFan4ever | 5:20 p.m. July 26, 2008
I Like most of the comments.It just boils down to work you just have to outwork
your opponents on and OFF the court.Everybody needs to improve because thats how
you stay in the NBA. I disagree with everybody worrying about the garding the 2
spot. I personally felt Odom and Gasol were just too much for us last year and
not Kobe.If our 2's all continue to improve we have options and Brewer was
great his first year starting. I think we just need some help in the middle on
defense and guys really hitting on the outside for Boozer(and company) can work
inside.It's disappointing Fess did not make a jump this year(so far)
he's not the cure all but 10-12 minutes from a big body and a block here or
there sure would help this year and the years to come.
JazzFanInHouston | 7:18 p.m. July 26, 2008
Boozer and Okur would play more aggressive defense if they did not have to worry
about foul trouble while playing so many minutes.
If we had a real C/PF back up all 3 of them could play defense and not be as worried about picking up fouls.
We have too many good Gs and not enough good bigs. The Gs are not great defenders and that puts a lot of pressure on the existing bigs.
To bad Koufos does not have 3 years of NBA experience.
If we had a real C/PF back up all 3 of them could play defense and not be as worried about picking up fouls.
We have too many good Gs and not enough good bigs. The Gs are not great defenders and that puts a lot of pressure on the existing bigs.
To bad Koufos does not have 3 years of NBA experience.
Anonymous | 7:51 p.m. July 26, 2008
I can't remember where I read it, but Fesenko battled with various ailments
this offseason. I know that even a "24 hr bug" can really whipe you
out for as long as a week. I'm not completely defending him though.
I'm certain he could have worked harder this offseason, but he's young
what did you expect. I doubt he makes that mistake next year.
Anonymous | 3:37 p.m. July 27, 2008
At least Fesenko and Koufos realize they need to improve their game. Ostertag
never seemed to care much when he couldn't hit a shot outside 2-feet or
even make free throws. I doubt Fesenko, or Koufos will play much this year
which is sad because they're so much taller than Boozer, Okur, and Millsap.
Almond is out of luck too now that they matched CJ's contract offer.
I'd almost rather watch the Flash than the Jazz now because I doubt the Jazz will do any better than last year. Other teams have improved but it seems like the Jazz are happy to win 45-50 games and bow out in the playoffs every year.
Flip Saunders, Avery Johnson, and others get fired for this kind of thing, meanwhile Larry H. Miller and this market couldn't be more thrilled with Coach Sloan's 'success'. I don't get it, I've seen this kind of mediocrity for more than 20 years and it's disappointing and frustrating to watch.
I'd almost rather watch the Flash than the Jazz now because I doubt the Jazz will do any better than last year. Other teams have improved but it seems like the Jazz are happy to win 45-50 games and bow out in the playoffs every year.
Flip Saunders, Avery Johnson, and others get fired for this kind of thing, meanwhile Larry H. Miller and this market couldn't be more thrilled with Coach Sloan's 'success'. I don't get it, I've seen this kind of mediocrity for more than 20 years and it's disappointing and frustrating to watch.
dodski | 6:09 p.m. July 27, 2008
jazz is not really chasing for a championship ring. if you take a look at their
performance even during the malone and stockton era, the are just contented with
just entering the playoffs and that's far enough.if you are a jazz fan,
don't hope that this team will become champion in the near future as
obviously this is not the goal. playoff is only the target that is why this team
is very conservative in selecting new recruits,not so keen on acquiring proven
talent nor are they willing to make trades and exceed the salary cap.Having only
3 players that can produce scores but cannot defend is not good enough to become
a contender. with other teams building up in the west, this year is just another
one the past 20 years--cannot expect more.
JT | 8:07 p.m. July 27, 2008
I wonder if by keeping CJ, it means they're going to use ALmond as trade
bait. Throw him in with AK47 for a deal, like AK, Almond & Collins to NY
for Marbury & Gallinari. After seeing how well Almond did for the Flash, I
was fine with them letting CJ go, but now theyhave a glut of talent on the wing.
I just spit | 8:12 a.m. July 28, 2008
orange juice all over my monitor at the thought of Marbury to Utah. Were you
serious when you said that?
I'm still laughing... | 8:14 a.m. July 28, 2008
Hahahaha... Marbury. Ridiculous.
Almond | 10:18 a.m. July 28, 2008
Almond as trade bait--maybe, but swapping D-Leaguers does nothing. Take a look
at the D-League, it's full of 'potential'. However, at least
Almond knows his deficiency--if his defense was on par with Brewer's,
he'd have a spot. Along with this tangent--how often have you seen the
Jazz use a shooting guard as a scoring option? 4th, maybe 3rd option at best.
They're not looking for points, they're looking for stops from this
slot.
Adding a shooter to the mix of AK's "I want 47 shots" and there's the other trouble. Plus, they just bought their female pleasure cruise in Korver. I couldn't see Almond getting minutes over him--especially because Korver is golden at the foul line. (Brewer plays 3 quarters, Korver plays the 4th)
Forget salary issues--I'd LOVE to see Coach Sloan lay into that child of a Knick.
Adding a shooter to the mix of AK's "I want 47 shots" and there's the other trouble. Plus, they just bought their female pleasure cruise in Korver. I couldn't see Almond getting minutes over him--especially because Korver is golden at the foul line. (Brewer plays 3 quarters, Korver plays the 4th)
Forget salary issues--I'd LOVE to see Coach Sloan lay into that child of a Knick.
Marty | 12:08 p.m. July 28, 2008
Ouch, still trying to crawl back into the chair after the Marbury
comments...still imagining a Sloan-Marbury confrontation.
As for the firing of Saunders and Johnson, seems like the Wolves and the Mavs did worse after their firing. Seems like a good reason to continue with the "mediocre" but very consistent play-off record that Sloan has brought.
I think I would rather have hope every year of getting to the finals than to know most years that there was no chance at all of making the playoffs.
As for the firing of Saunders and Johnson, seems like the Wolves and the Mavs did worse after their firing. Seems like a good reason to continue with the "mediocre" but very consistent play-off record that Sloan has brought.
I think I would rather have hope every year of getting to the finals than to know most years that there was no chance at all of making the playoffs.
JazzFanInHouston | 12:42 p.m. July 28, 2008
With Fes struggling and CJ signing, Koufos knows he has a shot at playing this
year if he can improve enough before training camp. That is why he is staying
home and working. The Jazz can only have 2 D leaguers at a time. One of the 3,
Almond, Fes or Koufos have to play with the Jazz. Koufos would be of the most
use as he can play both C and PF. However, he has to get to the point where he
can actually help.
As far as the Jazz being serious about winning. The problem lies with Miller. He over pays guys he should not and then will not go into the lux tax in order to win. That may change with Greg running things.
Boozer is gone next year. Koufos or a trade will have to replace him. If necessary AK can play PF for a year while CJ plays SF. That means Okur has to be re signed, then Koufos can back up both C and PF.
Both Boozer (2) and Okur (6) are ranked in the top 10 free agents next year.
As far as the Jazz being serious about winning. The problem lies with Miller. He over pays guys he should not and then will not go into the lux tax in order to win. That may change with Greg running things.
Boozer is gone next year. Koufos or a trade will have to replace him. If necessary AK can play PF for a year while CJ plays SF. That means Okur has to be re signed, then Koufos can back up both C and PF.
Both Boozer (2) and Okur (6) are ranked in the top 10 free agents next year.
fossil | 1:30 p.m. July 28, 2008
we should invite that kid from utah state to our fall camp. he looked like kobe
at least in that one game. what would we have to lose. in fact if he ever made
out team look at the northern utah fans we would have. koufos looked pretty good
i thought in the last game. gee hes just nineteen give him a chance.
Moto X | 2:55 p.m. July 28, 2008
There are some very ridiculous comments here:
"Marbury"? Pleez!!!
"Not serious about winning" and then you list our Jazz players as 2 of the top 6 free agents? How are we so lousy and not serious about winning when our players are among the best on the free agent market? Duh!
"Koufus should go play Olympic/International ball"? Ya, AK was the MVP when he went and played last summer...and what did that do for him/the Jazz??? He still can't hit an outside shot worth beans.
Please stop with the ludicrous comments!!
If some of these fans were actually in charge of this team we would be a perenial loser/bottom-feeder and over the salary cap a-la-Knicks within two years.
Koufus and Fes need to get to work and not let up until training camp for them to have a chance of contributing. From their words at least, it sounds as if they both recognized how much work they will have to do to see the floor. If they don't they will both be toast.
"Marbury"? Pleez!!!
"Not serious about winning" and then you list our Jazz players as 2 of the top 6 free agents? How are we so lousy and not serious about winning when our players are among the best on the free agent market? Duh!
"Koufus should go play Olympic/International ball"? Ya, AK was the MVP when he went and played last summer...and what did that do for him/the Jazz??? He still can't hit an outside shot worth beans.
Please stop with the ludicrous comments!!
If some of these fans were actually in charge of this team we would be a perenial loser/bottom-feeder and over the salary cap a-la-Knicks within two years.
Koufus and Fes need to get to work and not let up until training camp for them to have a chance of contributing. From their words at least, it sounds as if they both recognized how much work they will have to do to see the floor. If they don't they will both be toast.
Go Look | 4:54 p.m. July 28, 2008
at the salaries of the teams that have been winning the championships. For the
most part they are intelligently spending more than other teams.
The Jazz will not be able to get a championship on the cheap. Further, if they pay the wrong player (s) too much it prevents the Jazz from getting the right combination of players that are required for a championship.
Most knowledgeable folks think the Jazz are one player away from at least a Western Conf Championship. That player will have to come from an intelligent trade or more money or both.
At the moment we have the 2nd and 6th best free agents (2009) for cheap. However, we will not have them for cheap in 2009 and beyond.
They either have to be replaced with less expensive players or the Jazz will have to go into the lux tax if they are serious about a championship.
Go look at the Per numbers for Boozer and Okur. This year free agents are averaging 2.6 mil for each Per point.
Both Boozer and Okur were intelligent risks that paid off. Next year they will want bank.
The Jazz will not be able to get a championship on the cheap. Further, if they pay the wrong player (s) too much it prevents the Jazz from getting the right combination of players that are required for a championship.
Most knowledgeable folks think the Jazz are one player away from at least a Western Conf Championship. That player will have to come from an intelligent trade or more money or both.
At the moment we have the 2nd and 6th best free agents (2009) for cheap. However, we will not have them for cheap in 2009 and beyond.
They either have to be replaced with less expensive players or the Jazz will have to go into the lux tax if they are serious about a championship.
Go look at the Per numbers for Boozer and Okur. This year free agents are averaging 2.6 mil for each Per point.
Both Boozer and Okur were intelligent risks that paid off. Next year they will want bank.
Moto X | 9:43 a.m. July 29, 2008
Booz wasn't the player he is until he came here. Sloans system and D-Will
have made Booz what he is. He will not easily be replaced but with all the
scoring this team can do, I honestly believe we could survive.
We will have to dump a big salary after next season--it will either be Booz or Okur--we can not afford to re-sign both UNLESS we can move AK and his contract. Everyone else on the team is chump change relatively speaking and will not really solve the salary cap issue with a single trade--it would take unloading multiple role players which is too harmful.
We need some of what AK brings (when he brings it) but his albatross of a contract may be the death of our championship hopes. Big mistake to give him that much money. Hindsight is always 20-20. Seemed wise at the time.
The Jazz have tried to move AK but teams are only offering real bad contracts/players in return--we may be stuck with that contract until the final year when it expires--then other teams will be begging for him--but only to get the 17 million in cap relief he will provide when his deal ends.
We will have to dump a big salary after next season--it will either be Booz or Okur--we can not afford to re-sign both UNLESS we can move AK and his contract. Everyone else on the team is chump change relatively speaking and will not really solve the salary cap issue with a single trade--it would take unloading multiple role players which is too harmful.
We need some of what AK brings (when he brings it) but his albatross of a contract may be the death of our championship hopes. Big mistake to give him that much money. Hindsight is always 20-20. Seemed wise at the time.
The Jazz have tried to move AK but teams are only offering real bad contracts/players in return--we may be stuck with that contract until the final year when it expires--then other teams will be begging for him--but only to get the 17 million in cap relief he will provide when his deal ends.
JazzFanInHouston | 2:40 p.m. July 29, 2008
I agree with Moto X (and usually do). However there is one other option. The
Jazz management simply eat the lux tax until AK's contract is in its last
year (tradeable)or can be renegotiated.
It is almost impossible to maintain 4 very large contracts in the long run. In the meantime the weak $ is raising the price of mid level players (go to Europe). The new NBA bargaining agreement will have different rules, caps etc and the Jazz also have to anticipate what those will be or they will be stuck with long term contracts designed for the old rules.
It is almost impossible to maintain 4 very large contracts in the long run. In the meantime the weak $ is raising the price of mid level players (go to Europe). The new NBA bargaining agreement will have different rules, caps etc and the Jazz also have to anticipate what those will be or they will be stuck with long term contracts designed for the old rules.
One more thought | 2:46 p.m. July 29, 2008
The dollar will probably still be weak when Okur's contract comes up. He is
the perfect European Center. He is bound to get some very attractive offers from
Europe. It will be hard for the Jazz to keep him at a relatively low salary.
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it must not have been the best news for almond, that cj was retained. but i think almond has a future with the team, and tirelessly working doesn't seem to discourage him, he has a great attitude-
fez can learn something from that.
fez would be a huge addition to the team, he's the player the jazz need most, fez has a style of play that would make the jazz a much better team.
koufus is a rookie, but he seems to have a great attitude, skipping the olympics? i wouldn't advise him to do that, i hope he takes the chance to represent greece.