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Utah Jazz: Fesenko beginning to perform
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Big Fes | 8:20 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Whatever 2k is doing to work hard, Fes needs to hop on that wagon, then do 10%
more; just like it was with stockton and malone. It's all work and no play
for big fes. There's worse jobs than being a professional athlete. With
big fes body and natural ability, there's no reason why he won't
become a pillar for the team. The jazz would really have one up on most of the
competition, as a player like fes is so rare; a big body, who is skilled; a
defensive minded center. Get in there and work it big fes; the first one to
arrive to games and practice; the first one in the weight room; 10% more reps,
10% longer on the bike; last one to leave; 10% more shots than anyone else; go
out work them all big fes, show us that big funny guy is also a guy who is
serious about working. you'll have the fans love, and tons of money in the
bank; respect of teammates and coaches, and opponents. As a fan, I believe too;
the natural ability is obviously there, the other part, the work, appears to be
showing up, go big fes.
Hopefully | 8:32 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
This isn't just a one time flash or mirage. Work, work, work Fess we need
you to be more than a town and team CLOWN. You have the ability as shown Sat
nite, now keep focused and try to improve each day and you will be rewarded
handsomely.
Comments continue below
Miles | 8:31 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I thought it was the coaches job to work with the players. OH I forgot, Sloan
doesn't do that. He just complains that they don't know what they are
doing. His famous words, "They just looked confused on the court".
Great coach!! The young guys will only get better if Jerry actually teaches
them how to play in the NBA. Jerry thinks that since they were drafted that
they should already know.
hopefully | 8:57 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
he dosen't crack under the pressure. The better he plays, the more trade
value he has. I still think koufos will be better.
Sloan Lover | 9:01 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Great article. Lot's of positive feedback from the head coach!! That plus a
mention of Matt coaching Fesenko on post moves...nice... How is it that Fess
isn't getting taught post moves/tricks from the coaching staff? Apparently
the D-league was great at teaching him as well! Why haven't the Jazz
brought in a center assistant coach like other teams have
(Lakers/Bynum),(Rockets/Yao)to work with Fess and Koufos? Come to think of it, I
don't know if I have seen anything new from Koufos that he didn't
already have when he got here. Maybe something other than my way or the highway
would work on Fess. Jerry could have mentioned how Houston went to Artest in the
2nd overtime cause of the good job Fess was doing on Yao. Oh yeah come to think
of it, nice adjustment by Jerry leaving Brewer on Artest possession after
possession in the 2nd overtime. Maybe Miller should come out and give Jerry a
Fess like vote of confidence. Well Jerry could do more than just yawn on the
sideline and well I didn't understand him not calling a time out at the end
of the game and advancing the ball to halfcourt with .O4 secondsleft?
re: rvalens2 | 9:07 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
They should put Matt Harpring in a gym with Kufos and Fez and just let Matt
coach them. Put CJ and Almond in another gym with Hornacek. The young players
are not being developed in the parts of the game that they missed or didn't
play in college. Matt Harpring's ankle is too sore to play anymore anyway.
Collins can bring them gatorade.
Miles | 9:23 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Your pathetic. You let your inmaturety speak too many times every day.
Deja vu | 9:43 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Haven't we seen this before? Fesenko is the new Ostertag.
Get a CLUE | 9:45 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Phil Johnson is the assistant coach that works with big men. The basic problem
is with Okur and Boozer, they play because of the pecking order/salary, and the
less experienced players sit and don't get PT. Boozer is an undersized
inside player who for the most part can't play the leagues big guys on the
defensive end of the court. Naturally he's going to score, because he is
dominating the ball, like D Will. Fes and the other younger players like Brewer
and Miles are hurt with less PT when the team is completely healthy. It amazes
me that the Jazz can compete with depleted lineups. It tells me that the league
is watered down. The old Laker and Celtic teams would blow away the current
league.....no question. Sir Charles Barkley is right. The Jazz still have a
shot.....but it is a much smaller shot this year with the Boozer/Okur injury
situation, along with the likely Boozer departure spectre looming. I hate the
three point basket, and zone defenses....they have ruined the league. Whoever
dreamed up the three pointer is insane. How about a
four/point/or/a/five/point/basket?/come/on!
Nevertheless....the Jazz provide the only pro entertainment in Utah....so, go Jazz!
Nevertheless....the Jazz provide the only pro entertainment in Utah....so, go Jazz!
Playing Time-Nonstarters | 9:56 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
One idea would be to play the entire roster 20 minutes each....and play their
behinds off while each player is on the court....as in fullcourt pressure
defense....man-to-man coverage.....and then "see what happens", as
Karl Malone used to say. This baloney with a sagging zone is unworkable, and
wears out the players, who have to fly around the perimeter of the defensive end
of the floor to guard three point attempts, unless they do as I suggested.....DO
MORE SUBSTITUTING.
I like Fez and Kufous....Harpring and Collins should be retired.
I like Fez and Kufous....Harpring and Collins should be retired.
Miles | 10:09 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
you all will soon see. CJ will be an all-star. It will be Labron, Kobe, Wade
and CJ that dominate this league. I have seen him do it in Texas! Wait and
see, you all are fools.
PurplePeopleEater | 10:16 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Fes is young. He'll come around.
Once he gets tastes of success (like he did against Yao) a few times, his attitude towards basketball will change. He'll mature.
Having both Kufos (this year's surprise) and Fes at the center position can only help the Jazz in the future. That can put Memo into the forward position, where he'd do better, not having to expend energy defending other centers.
How's this lineup (starter, backup, alternate):
C = Kufos, Fes, Memo
PF = Boozer, Millsap, Memo
SF = Memo, Millsap, AK
SG = Brewer, AK, Miles
PG = D-Will, Knight, Price
I like AK and Millsap off the bench, as long as they're getting enough playing time. This starting lineup is a tall, beefy one.
And, this is without any bigs getting so much playing time on average that they're legless at season's end. Fresh legs can go a long way in the playoffs.
This lineup would give all of the best talent plenty of playing time.
Remember, all you need from your center position is a double-double (points, rebounds), with some shot-blocking, which both Fes and Kufos have shown they can do. Combined, these two can do this.
Once he gets tastes of success (like he did against Yao) a few times, his attitude towards basketball will change. He'll mature.
Having both Kufos (this year's surprise) and Fes at the center position can only help the Jazz in the future. That can put Memo into the forward position, where he'd do better, not having to expend energy defending other centers.
How's this lineup (starter, backup, alternate):
C = Kufos, Fes, Memo
PF = Boozer, Millsap, Memo
SF = Memo, Millsap, AK
SG = Brewer, AK, Miles
PG = D-Will, Knight, Price
I like AK and Millsap off the bench, as long as they're getting enough playing time. This starting lineup is a tall, beefy one.
And, this is without any bigs getting so much playing time on average that they're legless at season's end. Fresh legs can go a long way in the playoffs.
This lineup would give all of the best talent plenty of playing time.
Remember, all you need from your center position is a double-double (points, rebounds), with some shot-blocking, which both Fes and Kufos have shown they can do. Combined, these two can do this.
Miles | 10:41 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Pathetic? Tell me one thing that Sloan has done to make CJ, Fess or Koufus
better since they arrived? He doesn't teach them to play in the NBA. He
belittles them as much as he can. Pathetic would be YOU. You post under the
name of Miles pretending to be me. Like I watched CJ play in Texas. Get a life
dude, I don't attend high school basketball games like you.
not buying it | 10:42 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Last year I went to a lot of flash games to watch a awkward pathetic "BIG
FES" Lose the ball time and time again while "MO" would drain
nearly every shot he tossed up. Then one night after a game we walked into the
parking lot to see "BIG FES" talking to a group of girls from his
country casually smoking with them. what an idiot. STOP SMOKING FES AND MAYBE
YOU"LL MAKE SOMEHING OF YOURSELF!!! really you got the god givin body and
your throwing it all away.
re MILES | 10:52 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Miles Cj was in high school. remember he didnt go to college. and he should have
then maybe he could learn to play as a team and not shoot it everytime he has
the ball like high school players do. I like Cj's scoring but sometime he
tales terrible shots. and does none of the little things to help. if he could
improve his other areas and pass a little more he would be dangerous. So please
stop posting your ignorant comments. until he actually performs in other areas.
Ing | 10:58 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I like the idea of being able to play Memo as a forward -- probably he's a
more natural fit at power forward than center. But I think that only in certain
situations could you really put him at SF. Those smaller, quicker guys would
eat him alive; he'd never be able to defend them.
If Koufos (K2: I like that!) and Fes come anywhere close to developing their full potential, the Jazz are going to really have something good. There hasn't been a really strong center in Utah since Mark Eaton retired, and if these young guys develop well, we might end up with two decent ones, maybe even two strong ones.
Well, make that three. Memo might not be a classic NBA center, but he is a pretty decent one, all things considered. If K2 and Fes keep getting better, we might have three good options at center, not to mention the ability to use Memo more as a forward, where he'd be freed up for more scoring. And then when Boozer leaves (as he probably will), we'll have Memo, Koufos, and Millsap who'll be more than able to take up the slack.
If Koufos (K2: I like that!) and Fes come anywhere close to developing their full potential, the Jazz are going to really have something good. There hasn't been a really strong center in Utah since Mark Eaton retired, and if these young guys develop well, we might end up with two decent ones, maybe even two strong ones.
Well, make that three. Memo might not be a classic NBA center, but he is a pretty decent one, all things considered. If K2 and Fes keep getting better, we might have three good options at center, not to mention the ability to use Memo more as a forward, where he'd be freed up for more scoring. And then when Boozer leaves (as he probably will), we'll have Memo, Koufos, and Millsap who'll be more than able to take up the slack.
magnus | 11:18 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
@ Miles (the real one)
You need to chill man. So you have an imposter, or maybe it's just a guy who's name is actually Miles, either way it's pretty clear when it isn't you so maybe a better way to deal with the situation would be to ignore it and assume it will go away, because it surely will.
Also, You have no idea what Sloan has done or tried to do for Fes or any other player any more than I do. As the season has gone on I have noticed that you have been blaming Sloan for things more and more.
Fes never said the coaches hadn't tought him anything, he just said Harpring took time to show him a few things and he appreciated it. That probably happened either before or after practice when the coaches weren't around, and that is the kind of thing that Fes is going to need to keep doing if he is going to make it in the NBA.
You need to chill man. So you have an imposter, or maybe it's just a guy who's name is actually Miles, either way it's pretty clear when it isn't you so maybe a better way to deal with the situation would be to ignore it and assume it will go away, because it surely will.
Also, You have no idea what Sloan has done or tried to do for Fes or any other player any more than I do. As the season has gone on I have noticed that you have been blaming Sloan for things more and more.
Fes never said the coaches hadn't tought him anything, he just said Harpring took time to show him a few things and he appreciated it. That probably happened either before or after practice when the coaches weren't around, and that is the kind of thing that Fes is going to need to keep doing if he is going to make it in the NBA.
The Truth | 11:42 a.m. Dec. 29, 2008
The Jazz have roster issues. Memo and Booz are somewhat undersized as a front
line. If AK or Milsap play at the SF then it's not as noticable. However,
with Memo and Booz they are also a slow and non-athletic line up as well. Hence
the poor defense when they are both in the game together.
A.K.,Booz,Milsap,Memo,Koufos (until he bulks up) best position is at power
forward. We also have a league w/o as many big centers which put's Fess in
an interesting position. He isn't ready to guard smaller players and unless
the jazz use him more in a zone and without playing him more how does he
develop. Koufos isn't big enough yet to guard shaq/yao. The Jazz have some
of the same issues at the two guard. Korver's not quick enough to guard
2's, Brewer is, however, he can't shoot 3's. Same thing with
A.K... CJ or Almond could be the future at the 2 but they aren't ready for
prime time. I like Brewer alot, at the 3? maybe let him create more? D-Will
looks average this year. The Jazz need to sort out the Center and the SG
positions before they are championship worthy!!
to deja vu | 12:19 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
fes isnt half the player tag was... and to purpul people eater i like ur
starting line up but memo is way to slow to gaurd and sf they would eat him
alive
Anonymous | 2:40 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
The Jazz have never had a good big man that could play the 5 spot with any
consistency. The closest one was big dog and he was undersized. Memo can't
play inside, and Boozer can with smaller people. They need Feseko to step up if
they are to have any chance again'st L.A. L.A. is just to long for the
Jazz. I think Jerry hit it on the head. Does he really love dasketball or is it
just a job for him?? I think he lacks the self disipline it takes to be a good
pro. Someone tell me I am wrong?
Miles | 3:21 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I love Sloan
sloan haters | 5:04 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
WHO has won more games for the same team than ANY NBA coach?
a coach who makes as much as only 10% of what the players does cannot MAKE the players better if they won't do the work.
I think Jerry has done more with average players than Phil Jackson accomplished with some the top players of all time and unlimited $ to get the best players.
SO go post about how great the ZEN master is and stay off the Jazz sights if you know so little about basketball and coaching that you cannot recognize one of the all time BEST NBA coaches to ever coach!
a coach who makes as much as only 10% of what the players does cannot MAKE the players better if they won't do the work.
I think Jerry has done more with average players than Phil Jackson accomplished with some the top players of all time and unlimited $ to get the best players.
SO go post about how great the ZEN master is and stay off the Jazz sights if you know so little about basketball and coaching that you cannot recognize one of the all time BEST NBA coaches to ever coach!
Miles | 5:33 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I can`t think of another Jazzman other than Matt Harpring that I`d want working
with Fes or Koufos,he`s tough,tough minded,knows how to rebound,set hard
screens,bust through hard screens....maybe it would do CJ some good to work with
someone like Matt,if he would listen...and learn
Fire Sloan! | 6:54 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I am so sick of Jerry (the sniper) Sloan constantly belittling his players. When
if ever do you hear Sloan praise his players for a good job. Um never. All he
does is undercut his young players. Instead of complimenting Fez for doing a
great job on Yao he rips him a new one. Sloan will always be the epitome of
mediocrity. If you can't win a championship over the course of 20yrs with
players like Stockton, Malone & Horny; then you never will.
Jayson | 7:16 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Yes fire Sloan.... Especially seeing how well the vast majority of players who
go elsewhere never play at the same level as they did here
Miles... | 8:51 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Miles- I couldn't agree more!!!
Harpring reminds me of the unassuming, hard-working kid on a farm who gives it his all every time he steps on the court!!! The NBA as a whole would be much better with more people like Matt.
Harpring reminds me of the unassuming, hard-working kid on a farm who gives it his all every time he steps on the court!!! The NBA as a whole would be much better with more people like Matt.
Ridiculous | 2:05 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008
Many of the comments listed here are simply clueless.
1. Listing Memo as a possible SF? Get real!!
2. Wonder why we are winning with injuries and makeshift lineups? Duh!! Coaching!!!
3. Coaching staff not developing players? Duh!! D-Will/Millsap/Brewer/Koufus/CJ(would be out of the league if not for Jazz) and now Fes showing signs.
You can't make players do it all. They either want to do what it takes to be good or they don't. The world is littered with elite athletes that coulda/woulda/shoulda but did not want to excercise some personal self discipline to achieve their potential.
Example: CJ has loads of "potential" but still does not want to make the effort to defend well or rebound--he only does enough to try to stay on the floor to get "his shots". He is interested in scoring and little else. He could do other things very well but he simply is too immature to understand the bigger picture and he feels he is getting by without.
Most players simply take the path of least resistance. Sloan wants players to have to work hard so they can achieve more than what the average player does. Terrible of him to make them work.
1. Listing Memo as a possible SF? Get real!!
2. Wonder why we are winning with injuries and makeshift lineups? Duh!! Coaching!!!
3. Coaching staff not developing players? Duh!! D-Will/Millsap/Brewer/Koufus/CJ(would be out of the league if not for Jazz) and now Fes showing signs.
You can't make players do it all. They either want to do what it takes to be good or they don't. The world is littered with elite athletes that coulda/woulda/shoulda but did not want to excercise some personal self discipline to achieve their potential.
Example: CJ has loads of "potential" but still does not want to make the effort to defend well or rebound--he only does enough to try to stay on the floor to get "his shots". He is interested in scoring and little else. He could do other things very well but he simply is too immature to understand the bigger picture and he feels he is getting by without.
Most players simply take the path of least resistance. Sloan wants players to have to work hard so they can achieve more than what the average player does. Terrible of him to make them work.
Dave P | 8:46 a.m. Jan. 3, 2009
I've never been a Sloan fan, but I have to admit he can make good players
better. He can be harsh and over critical of players, but I think he can bring
out the best in them, also...if the player wants it. If Fes has talent, he
needs to take his practice time more seriously. The team needs players who will
work hard to earn their millions...not another class clown like Ostertag who
may, or may not, have had talent but refused to develop it. He had his bank
account and that was what was important to him. If Fes is headed in that
direction, he needs to be released now so the team has the money to look for a
more serious player. Talent isn't everything...you must have the
"head" to go with it. Lead, follow, or get the hell out of the way!
Utah has the basis of a very good team. We don't need to waste our time on
the likes of Boozer or others who would prefer to be somewhere else; or who
would rather be on the play ground.
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Utah center Kyrylo Fesenko intensely defends Dallas Mavericks center Erick Dampier during Friday's home victory for the Jazz.
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Continue to play like you did last Friday and Saturday and you may yet get a chance to stay with the Jazz.
Coach Sloan has no choice but to play you these next few games. Now is the time to prove to him (and Jazz management) that you deserve to stay on the team.
I'm rooting for you.
*****
P.S. Thanks Matt for taking the time to work with Fesenko. Most NBA players wouldn't even bother, they'd just figure it's the coaches job.