Deseret News | Utah Jazz: O'Connor unhappy Fesenko is not with team

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Utah Jazz: O'Connor unhappy Fesenko is not with team

Get over it | 12:22 a.m. July 9, 2009

Fez would gain nothing from this mess. I have watched 3 games so far and it was a waste of time and also a waste of Jazz money. A week of practice would be worth more.

This summer league stuff is nothing more than a show case for Euro bound try outs. It does not benefit the real Jazz players in any way. It is also a chance to get needlessly injured.

It is a stupid NBA ritual that provides little benefit other than to case out potential players that could be picked up for cheap.

If you draft a clown | 12:46 a.m. July 9, 2009

Don't be shocked when he shows up with shiny red nose.

rvalens2 | 1:00 a.m. July 9, 2009

Dumb and dumberer move.

I like you Fes but ... not showing up for summer league was STUPID.

The Jazz are one team that values loyalty and commitment. And you just slapped them in the face.

You'd better come to veteran's camp improved and in the best shape of your life. That's the only way OConnor is going to forgive your youthful indiscretion.

Comments continue below

What?!? | 7:59 a.m. July 9, 2009

What is everyone so upset about? CJ Miles proved you don't have to play in summer league and you can still get a big fat contract.

Drop It | 8:43 a.m. July 9, 2009

O'Connor doesn't like what? The organized mass confusion of summer leagues flat out doesn't benefit anyone other than new rookies, and that just lets them know what kind of offensive, and defensives schemes they play, which are as old as the game of basketball. Fess will get more out of his time at home and his conditioning will be fine if he really wants to be an NBA player. If not he can bet that the rest of his years are going to be spent in the Ukraine, maybe where he belongs anyway! I just wish A.K. could resign and go home too, but the NBA has all of these phony rules and regulations that quite frankly vastly favor the players.

Sneaky Jimmy | 9:21 a.m. July 9, 2009

He was smart not to show up to the summer league debacle. Why would you want to allign yourself with what looks like a bad group of church league players. If I was KOC I'd be embarrased to have my team get used by the other rookie teams there.

FES | 9:37 a.m. July 9, 2009

Is a freakin joke of a player, I rather have Ostertag

three11stu | 9:41 a.m. July 9, 2009

Fez is working with his National team. It is not like he is just staying home. You need to deal with players working with their countries as well, especially when it is just a pre-season league that this is.

I agree but... | 9:41 a.m. July 9, 2009

Summer league is a mess but Fess needs time practicing in our system. Every minute he can possibly get is what he needs. He still wanders around on the floor lost not knowing where he is supposed to be. Another week of practice and games in our system could only help him.

He is going to get some minutes this year since collins is gone so it would nice for him to be prepared somewhat. He is a big that we will need to produce a quality 10 minutes + a game if we are going to have any chance.

CJ--this essentially is his 3rd season in the league (despite it is actually his 5th). The first two were essentially no experience when you look at how many minutes he played.

Typically it is in the 3rd season that most new players take off and make the jump to being a decent NBA player if they are ever going to be one.

I think CJ realized he got punked last year. With increased minutes his stats/48 mins ALL DECLINED. Not good.

This is the year CJ should likely "get it" or he never will. Do or die.

Unhappy? | 9:42 a.m. July 9, 2009

Well, I'm unhappy with Kevin O Connor sitting on his hands and doing nothing this offseason. Almost every team in the west has made a significant trade to get better, and KOC is asleep at his desk.

Fire KOC right now. He has done nothing in Utah but mismanage the payroll for this heartless roster.

todd from santa ana | 9:43 a.m. July 9, 2009

I wish Kevin showed this much emotion, trying to get the Jazz to a "championship level" then pout because someone missed 5 stupid games being played months before the regular season.

After all "priorities"

FIRE KEVIN O CONNOR | 11:34 a.m. July 9, 2009

I agree with 'Unhappy..?'. It is about time the Jazz management gets it together and fires this bum. He sits idle and does nothing. We are the only team not getting better.

FIRE KEVIN O CONNOR!!!

John Wicks | 11:41 a.m. July 9, 2009

Another lame duck off season by KOC. By the time he wakes up everyone is gone. He needs to resign and I don't mean tomorrow. The people of Utah deserve a better product then the one they have. Nothing better than an 8th seed and early exit with the present squad!!

Agreed | 11:44 a.m. July 9, 2009

Kevin O Connor needs to go. Or maybe it's Jerry Sloan making all the decisions and KOC is his little secretary. Either way, the Jazz need change. Fans want change.

Richard Hickson | 11:57 a.m. July 9, 2009

I have seen this song and dance before, and to be quite honest, it wasn't that good the first time. Fire Kevin O Connor, let Sloan retire, and turn the reins over to Deron and a new set of running mates.

Dirty Diana | 12:09 p.m. July 9, 2009

Totally agree. Kevin O Connor needs to go, as this Jazz team needs change and he apparently is too incompetant to make it happen.

TJ | 12:15 p.m. July 9, 2009

I love that his is happening. I think now that the Jazz see that Fes is not a player that needs to stay with the club for years. I think by mid season he is gone in a trade. Throw in him, Price and CJ for someone. I think your future will be Koufos at either the 4 or 5. I don't see Fes ever really becoming more than a 5-8 minute a game player for a different team and Millsap is good but not a franchise. I would love to see Boozer stay and start along with KK but that will never happen. My guess is Boozer is gone after this year. so the starting 5 of the future will be Memo, Koufos, CJ(unless he is traded, Brewer and DWill

Nicholas Hall | 12:19 p.m. July 9, 2009

I'm not a huge Jazz fan, but it seems to me that Jazz fans are disgruntled and want change. Why would the company - the Jazz - not respond to consumer demands - the fans - ?

todd to nicholas | 12:40 p.m. July 9, 2009

How long do you have? It would take hours

Nicholas to Todd | 12:59 p.m. July 9, 2009

The only explanation needed will be the empty green seats and the dramatic slip in tv ratings this coming season. It is business suicide to not give the consumer what they want.

tokis creation | 1:22 p.m. July 9, 2009

KOC- 86% of loyal jazz fans agree, keep millsap here. Last thing you should worry about is fes.If you let mansap walk to the blazers- or even the thunder, they will never forgive you. you do remember the Dantley jersey retirement? we booed you. we will again.

todd to nicholas | 1:34 p.m. July 9, 2009

it would have to be no shows because they have a season ticket base of 14,000, per the ESPN poll last week people like Sloan and O Connor (why) but have high doubts regarding the rest of the it, entertainment value, costs and most importantly "effort to win a title and questioning the players efforts and other issues"

Fez needs to understand | 1:56 p.m. July 9, 2009

the Jazz system better. However, summer league better not be the Jazz system or they are a lottery team. I see very little of the Jazz system out there!

Fez needs to work on his inside moves. If he learns a couple of good ones this summer in Europe that helps him a lot more than Summer League. At least the national team speaks his language. I doubt if the Jazz coaches really teach him in a way he understands.

Much of the problem with Fez is communication, understanding and language. He knows he has enough talent to make it but he does not understand what the coaches want him to do.

A different set of coaches could do wonders with Fez. He will be as good as good as Gortat if he gets the right coaching.

Come on | 2:24 p.m. July 9, 2009

to Fez needs to understand

Your arguement is not a good one at all. You can't be serious. AK and Memo are both form other countries and have language problems too. Have you heard their post game interviews? Many times they don't answer the questions they are asked. It is not a communication problem at all. It is a problem that Fez does not work hard and is happy with nothing. He doesn't deserve an NMA contract. He needs to be playing in Europe and not here. KK has so much more potential and is already better than Fez. Trade Fez along with Price and CJ an then the Jazz will be better. I bet you would have to offer atleast one of those players along with Fez before anyone will take it

Trade fez... | 3:21 p.m. July 9, 2009

and boozer, and AK.

Anonymous | 3:47 p.m. July 9, 2009

Trade all the bums and the overpaid and the no defense players. There are still good players left (Stoudamire, Hamilton ) Whoever heard of luxury tax for this bunch.

Anonymous | 4:15 p.m. July 9, 2009

What the hell is with Jazz fans. You complain about lack of moves and signings. You have to realize this is Utah. Players dont want to come here. Utah is a small market and with its public perception few NBA players would come here. Were not LA or SA. Get over it. How can you complain about a team that makes the playoffs. Hey maybe if they were aggressive like the Suns they can be just as successful.. Oh wait they went backwards last year.

Uuuu just put in the contract | 4:51 p.m. July 9, 2009

that you will be in the summer league! How tough is that?

As the employer, you are paying big bucks. And this "potential" 7" dude just does as he pleases!!
Hey Larry, kick you kid in the butt and direct this team at contract time.

Fire O'Conner | 5:03 p.m. July 9, 2009

and hire todd from santa ana since he thinks he knows everything. Actually as a true Jazz fan I would not want either to be in Jazz management. Mot in a zillion years! Charles Barkley is the man! He loves the Jazz and everybody would want to play where he is present and would not goof around.

Sesame Street | 5:13 p.m. July 9, 2009

Big Bird would make a terrific center for the Jazz. At least more terrific than past or present centers.
Don't mess with the Bird!

Fesenko & Koufas | 5:42 p.m. July 9, 2009

are 2 players in the NBA that only the Utah Jazz would want, nobody else would carry such dead weight as these 2 jewels of the great salt lake

RE: I agree but... | 9:41 a.m. | 6:00 p.m. July 9, 2009

Exactly what is there for FEZ to learn to do in the system?

all he has to do stand out beyond the three point line and yell point out illegal offenses,

oh wait...that was '90s...

all Fez has to learn to do is stand out beyond the three point line.

Yeah, great system, great coaching.

Fez Losing Opportunities | 12:07 p.m. July 10, 2009

Fesenko really hurt himself and his team by not showing up in the Orlando Summer league. Since Kosta Koufos broke his finger we had no one else at center so this would have been an opportunity of a lifetime for Fez. He was disappointed that his name wasn't called during the playoffs last year but "has he earned it?" Fesenko decided to stay at home and work with his personal trainer instead of being a key component of the Jazz Summer League team. He likely with find himself a candidate for 12th man on the bench if he doesn't want to be a complete part of the Utah Jazz. My advise for him in the future is "Don't let another opportunity pass you by."

kram | 1:12 a.m. July 13, 2009

Fez needs to go! Honestly he didn't show because many of the no names competing could beat him hands down. He laughs and thinks everything is great, but he hasn't done much even in the D league.

Anonymous | 6:28 a.m. July 13, 2009

I agree with everyone who wants KOC to be FIRED!

What a mess!

Let me see . . .fire KOC & then Sloan!

Start over!!!!!

Reasons | 8:22 a.m. July 14, 2009

With great concern, I asked Kyrylo to go back and get himself ready in his homeland. He needs to go back to the start to get himself better. All I can say is that he got lost here in the states and distracted by everything in Utah. Like there is much to be distracted by, but it was mainly the lifestyle the rest of the team was adjusting him to. He is a great player and can be even greater when he reaches his stride. I must say that I am personally not happy with the fact that Kyrylo remains in the Jazz system, but then again, everyone has their reasons...I only wish for Kyrylo to get into a better team system than the one run by the Jazz. They expect results but the system they have fails the players before they can reach any results. This is all due in part to the coaching and management of the team. Its time for a new system or to let Kyrylo go to a play where he CAN get TIME to play. I wish we would get him in Denver or Minneapolis, both teams need him.

Jaxson | 8:00 p.m. July 21, 2009

Trade this guy Fez to Houston. We need a 7 ft. player. I don't give a dang if this guy does nothing but get 6 rebounds a game and plays defense. We just need someone to clog the lane next year. That's right, "GO ROCKETS"!

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