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Utah Jazz notebook: Big game gets big cheers for Big Fes
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Anonymous | 9:19 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009
i think he needs to play more. his size alone makes tough for other team to
score.
ad | 11:14 p.m. Oct. 31, 2009
I agree. Watch the opposition in the paint. Fes really makes them think twice
before putting up a shot. He is a "Presence".
Yeah | 1:41 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
I remember when the jazz were in a similar situation and Fes went up against
Yao, the commentators marveled at how well he did, even commenting he was
playing Yao as well as they'd seen anyone in the league.
Unfortunately his work ethic has probably played a big factor in him riding the pine. In the Sloan system work ethic > talent and ability.
Unfortunately his work ethic has probably played a big factor in him riding the pine. In the Sloan system work ethic > talent and ability.
Comments continue below
todd from santa ana | 1:08 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fez I hope gets a "ton of time Monday vs the Rockets" although with a
small lineup who knows
This guy if he keeps developing could be a key to tremendous success this season.
WE WILL SEE IF THE DEFENSE IS READY...
I watched Houston vs Portland
Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks had field days shooting 3s. Ariza had a career high 32. Carl Landry had 16 and was getting to the rim
We have to really board hard Landry,and Scola are very aggressive. Anderson has helped the team.
They are outmanned with the injuries but at (2-1) and Adelman expect a hard fought game with many 3 point treats like Budinger although he was off tonight.
This guy if he keeps developing could be a key to tremendous success this season.
WE WILL SEE IF THE DEFENSE IS READY...
I watched Houston vs Portland
Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks had field days shooting 3s. Ariza had a career high 32. Carl Landry had 16 and was getting to the rim
We have to really board hard Landry,and Scola are very aggressive. Anderson has helped the team.
They are outmanned with the injuries but at (2-1) and Adelman expect a hard fought game with many 3 point treats like Budinger although he was off tonight.
Kiev Jazz fan | 6:14 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fesenko has develop better than some people think, and he will keep doing it. He
is 7'1" and 300 pound but not fat, he is young and strong and we love
him in Ukraine (by the way, it is not "the Ukraine", just
"Ukraine"). Some people were mean on big Fes becuase he sometimes a
bit playful, but can not players enjoy the game and maybe they play better? and
maybe their teamates too? So he comes from summer last year with his hair dye...
who should care about it? Kyrylo will have long NBA career, and Jazz will be
smart to keep him... he will get better and better. I love Jazz too and Fes can
help them finally get a true BIG strong center who have the skils... even if he
will only a reliable back-up. Okur and Koufos can play 4 or 5, and this is good,
but Jazz also need a true 5. Keep all 3. I hope he can get more play time. Go
Utah JAZZ!!!!
PurplePeopleEater | 8:41 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fes was one of two who led the team last year in shot "blocks per
minute" played, and AK was NOT the other one, as most might suspect. Of
course, AK was up there in blocks made per game because he played more minutes
than the other two (guess who the other one was! The rookie center!).
So, I'm not surprised about Fes' ability to block up the middle for opposing teams. Great to see him be aggressive on dunking instead of laying up and getting himself blocked.
Hope he gets a lot more playing time in subbing for Memo. Wouldn't even mind seeing them both on the court at the same time when Boozer needs a break.
So, I'm not surprised about Fes' ability to block up the middle for opposing teams. Great to see him be aggressive on dunking instead of laying up and getting himself blocked.
Hope he gets a lot more playing time in subbing for Memo. Wouldn't even mind seeing them both on the court at the same time when Boozer needs a break.
Big Fes | 9:42 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
I've been a Fes fan all along. I couldn't believe we actually drafted
him. He is Mark Eaton with an offensive game. Mark Eaton shut down the paint.
Period. It's been frustrating knowing how important defense in the paint
is, and seeing Fesenko dogged to the D league and the dog house.All while
watching the pathetic efforts on defense by Boozer and Okur. They open up a
freeway for free layups down there. It's obvious you can't have Boozer
and Okur in the game at the same time so hopefully Sloan will catch on and we
will see alot more of big Fes. I'll be cheering him on from behind the
Rockets bench Monday night. Go Fes! Go Jerry, and let the big one out of his
cage!
Excited | 10:06 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
The vibes with Jazz fans around town is excitement. Excitement about FINALLY
having a defensive pressence down in the paint with hope that the embarrassment
of the poor defensive down there is over. Fans are hyped about Fes and Koufos.
I believe if Sloan doesn't play them this year the fans will all turn on
him and run him out of town. We've seen enough of the softies in the paint.
BIG FES FAN | 10:20 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fes is the freakin' man. I have said since I first saw him play at the
Rocky Mountain Revue that he would be a better than average center for the Jazz.
I don't think he has reached that status yet (because I don't think
he has gotten a fair shake yet), but he will get there with more time. As a
big, athletic, defensive-minded CENTER, Fes is better than Okur. Amen.
Mak Ray Kris Jansen | 10:51 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fess is a lot gooder than Memo!
Anonymous | 10:59 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
We need fez just to clog up the middle for us. That's the only thing Tag
could do, and as much as we love to hate the consistently inconsistent play of
Tag, he was our starting center for both our finals years. Come on, FEZ!
The Fes | 11:06 a.m. Nov. 1, 2009
rocks! loved watching him drive to the hole through traffic, melting clippers in
his path. my new favorite player to watch, after deron.
BN | 2:14 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
While I am a big Fess' supporter, it's obvious that he has ways to go.
At times he seems lost on the court and at other too slow to return back on D.
His attitude is a bit of an issue. He is not tenacious enough. I hope it will
all come with increase court time. He's got the size and his hands are
soft.
Get Serious Fes | 3:02 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Now is the time buddy! Leave the B.S. at your room. You can play in this league
but it will require dedication, seriousness, effort, and willpower. You can do
it if you want to, but the ball is in your court now! Make a liar out of some
and believers out of the rest. Show us if you have the desire!
Seriously | 5:54 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Fes looks pretty good out there on the basketball floor to me. I don't care
if he has a little fun once in a while as long as he keeps doing a good job
defending the paint. That's something that was non exsistant around here
until Fes was let out of his cage. The sorry defense has gotten down right
embarassing for Jazz fans the last couple years. Fes and Koufos seem to want to
do something about it. I say bring them both on it's about time.
truefan84 | 6:41 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
ok so here's my take, fez did great when deron was getting him involved. he
needs to do better at not getting lost on offense but that will come. has
anyone else noticed milsap refuses to pass to boozer? against la there were 4
times in the fourth where he just wouldn't. watch for it. oh an ronnie
price had my favorite dunk since when he dunked on boozer. awesome my man.
james | 7:37 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
got to like Fes's play...
like many have said, he is one of the best combinations of strength and speed for NBA 7ft'ers but has had to learn a new language, new customs, play for a demanding coach in one of the more compolicated systems as well as improve his basketball skills..
one thing to keep in mind...any big man (shaq, wilt, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan) took 5 yrs with regular pt to reach their peaks as players..
one thing i am anxious to see..when a loud, intimidating,. thug-like team challenges, tries to intimidate Fess...how will he react?
like many have said, he is one of the best combinations of strength and speed for NBA 7ft'ers but has had to learn a new language, new customs, play for a demanding coach in one of the more compolicated systems as well as improve his basketball skills..
one thing to keep in mind...any big man (shaq, wilt, Bill Russell, Tim Duncan) took 5 yrs with regular pt to reach their peaks as players..
one thing i am anxious to see..when a loud, intimidating,. thug-like team challenges, tries to intimidate Fess...how will he react?
Re: truefan84 | 7:56 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
About your observation on Millsap refusing to pass to Boozer. It's foolish
to even suggest such a thing. If Sloan or any of the coaching staff ever saw
that happening it would cease immediately. It's a team game and the
objective is win. There's no room for such antics and that would in no way
be tolerated...certainly not by the other players.
DWill said it best. "I can play with anybody. I'll play with whoever they put on the floor with me."
DWill said it best. "I can play with anybody. I'll play with whoever they put on the floor with me."
the Mailman | 9:31 p.m. Nov. 1, 2009
Yeah we all love Fez and realise how vital a good big man is to success, but
just wait till Memo is back and Fez is banished to the bench again.
Seems everyone can see the big picture except the one person that matters.. How frustrating!
Seems everyone can see the big picture except the one person that matters.. How frustrating!
Banished? | 3:25 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Whoa! Ease up a bit, there. I like Fes and I'm excited about what he
could be able to do, but let's not deep-six Okur yet. Remember that Fes is
young and still learning. He needs and deserves playing time, but at this point
he shouldn't be starting. 10-20 minutes off the bench would be a great
thing for him and for the Jazz. But starting...no. Not yet, anyway.
It would be nice to see him continue to develop; he could be the inside guy we haven't had since, well, ever. If Fes plays 20 quality, consistent minutes per night, we're in the finals. But he's not at that point yet, much as we'd like to think so.
I hope he keeps his focus and determination and keeps getting better; if he does, Sloan will play him. Come on, Fes, help us all out.
It would be nice to see him continue to develop; he could be the inside guy we haven't had since, well, ever. If Fes plays 20 quality, consistent minutes per night, we're in the finals. But he's not at that point yet, much as we'd like to think so.
I hope he keeps his focus and determination and keeps getting better; if he does, Sloan will play him. Come on, Fes, help us all out.
V'geni Suds | 8:10 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Ellen loves Fezz! Cathurn does too!
Fess will win for Jazz Utah | 8:24 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Not like fess, why you not like happy player? Happy times for happy team, make
tasty and pepe! Fess will long time Jazz playing. Go for Fess! Go For Jazz
Utah!
Rich | 9:13 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
I like Fez, too. He is still developing, but Sloan handled him right. He made
him see that you must work hard and come in good shape. Fez has learned that
lesson, and now it is only a matter of time before he gets good enough to play a
lot of minutes. One thing I noticed about him the past two years in both the
developmental league and the NBA was that he tended to miss close-range shots
that a better center would have finished. He was great at getting the shot off,
showing remarkable coordination and agility for a 300-pound seven-footer, but he
just did not concentrate on actually making the shot. He seems to have improved
in that category. Sometimes big centers tend to try to prove that they could be
good players even if they weren't huge men. Wilt the Stilt even had that
problem. And when you can get a big guy to try fadeaways or other weak shots,
you've succeeded. A big guy should go in strong and expect and even demand
physical contact -- a battle that he will usually win. It seems that Fesenko is
learning. Go Fez!
Don | 9:25 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
I like what Fes brings out on the basketball court. The way the rest of the team
plays when he is out there. The interior defense awakens from a deep sleep when
Fess is in the game. It becomes even better with Koufos in there too. Then our
total half court defense becomes functionable with all the 5 pieces working as
one. It's a thing of beauty.
Miles | 10:21 a.m. Nov. 2, 2009
One game,a fluke,he`ll be back down in the D-league in 2 weeks,nothing to get
excited about, we are nothing until CJ comes back,we lose tonite without him
he`s the only player that can shut down Ariza
Doc Jonsin | 12:26 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009
(Miles, you should go and watch your cartoons.) We need CJ back. He is a
shooter, nice southpaw!
rvalens2 | 1:42 p.m. Nov. 2, 2009
Re: Miles
FYI ... Fesenko is no longer eligible to play in the D-league. The Jazz can no longer send him there.
This is Fesenko's year and he knows it. If he plays well for the Jazz he'll get a well deserved pay raise. We don't need much from him, 8 to 10 points per game, a few rebounds and his defensive presence.
Fesenko's improvement would be huge for the Jazz. It would help to negate (to a large degree) the loss of Boozer at the end of the year or by the February trading deadline.
My hope is Fes will continue to improve and become the "clog up the middle" force the Jazz have been lacking since Mark Eaton retired.
FYI ... Fesenko is no longer eligible to play in the D-league. The Jazz can no longer send him there.
This is Fesenko's year and he knows it. If he plays well for the Jazz he'll get a well deserved pay raise. We don't need much from him, 8 to 10 points per game, a few rebounds and his defensive presence.
Fesenko's improvement would be huge for the Jazz. It would help to negate (to a large degree) the loss of Boozer at the end of the year or by the February trading deadline.
My hope is Fes will continue to improve and become the "clog up the middle" force the Jazz have been lacking since Mark Eaton retired.
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