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Brad Rock: Where's 'Tag when Utah needs him?
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Nevada fan | 8:06 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
I agree there is 10 fouls there 5 hard fouls between them (fes and koufos). Why
isn't Sloan using them. Instead he runs the legs off the starters. The 4Th
quarter is where they lose the game. Okur is not a good defender,and he would be
better at the 4 and use booz between the 3 and 4. These would make these team
alot longer.
Wow | 8:09 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
Watch and 1997 game 6 semi final vs. Houston and watch Ostertag shut down
Olajuwon and maybe that will change your statement that he wasnt much of a
defender. He was one of the top low post defenders in basketball for many years.
It is a shame that so little focus was put on his defensive ability when he
played.
The fact that people think because Okur and Boozer score a few points, that Utah can win with their hideous efforts on defense is almost unbelievable.
Sloan has always been a hero of mine, but the fact that he just leaves Okur and Boozer on the court when they DONT EVEN TRY ON DEFENSE is really making it kind of difficult to understand what he is thinking.
The fact that people think because Okur and Boozer score a few points, that Utah can win with their hideous efforts on defense is almost unbelievable.
Sloan has always been a hero of mine, but the fact that he just leaves Okur and Boozer on the court when they DONT EVEN TRY ON DEFENSE is really making it kind of difficult to understand what he is thinking.
Comments continue below
todd from santa ana | 8:29 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
great article! All for it, if he is in shape I agree he is a much better low
post defender than given credit for. Then again is Fez and Kous are not used,
then who really knows what they can do with valuable minutes
Ostertag? | 8:43 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
Whats wrong with Fes and Koufos? Jerry couldn't coach Ostertag either? DUH!
todd on the "paint" | 8:45 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
so far tonight Erick Dampier has 14 points and 19 rebounds vs Houston He is
playing well for several games now. He is expensive but maybe we could have
trade ak or Boozer in off season as part of a trade but salaries would have to
closely offset.
Bottom line i want more FEZ
Bottom line i want more FEZ
Ostertag | 10:04 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
I've always supported Ostertag, even though his hands may be the worst in
the history of the NBA. At least he took up the paint.
Yes, Open with Fez | 11:17 p.m. Nov. 10, 2009
The fans would appreciate this I am sure. The mizerable feeling of watching Okur
and Boos stand flat footed while the opposition makes easy points drives me up a
wall. Please Jerry, Fez gets major minutes until he either proves his worth, or
fails.
Do something now. Coach him, train him. Tomorrow night would be a goode time to face up to it. We need him with our injuries. Something has to be done anyway so why not do it now. Why did we hire Fez anyway?????????
Do something now. Coach him, train him. Tomorrow night would be a goode time to face up to it. We need him with our injuries. Something has to be done anyway so why not do it now. Why did we hire Fez anyway?????????
green mind | 1:33 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
My prediction is Boston would beat the Jazz by 25 points. Not only are the Celts
good offensively, they are a lock down defensive team.The Cavs would probably
beat the Jazz by only 15 points simply because LeBron would be chucking up too
many 3-point attempts that he would miss. Zone D would be the Jazz
opponents' simple game plan. Maybe the Jazz can get Bruce Bowen out of
retirement? He plays defense AND shoots threes rather well.
Anonymous | 1:51 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I don't know, Ak can be horrible too, there are those times when he only
shoots and doesn't play D. That's when the jazz get wasted. Not to
mention the fact that Boozer plays no defense at all. fez could make a
difference. It's sad but true bring tag back.
Chuck Nunn | 3:32 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I'll be breaking this down further on Oracle, but here's a couple of
quick Fess Facts. Fact: when he left the game against the Kings, the Jazz were
up by 12 and the Kings were having a hard time getting inside. Fact: No sooner
does Fess leave the game than Tyreke Evans starts taking the ball to the hoop.
Not saying that Coach has to turn the team over to the big youngster, but 20
minutes a game with him plugging up the inside could do wonders for the Jazz
defensively. Plus, with his minutes going down in the last few games, the
confidence he was playing with earlier might be squandered. Hope that
doesn't happen.
Peace out from the Jazz Oracle!
Peace out from the Jazz Oracle!
Eye Dee Ten Tee | 6:57 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Tag would play hard, but only when he felt like it. This year's team seems
to have the same work ethic so I will join them and only watch when I feel like
it.
I guess if the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins still have fans, so will the Jazz. But I have a feeling this is lottery year.
I guess if the Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins still have fans, so will the Jazz. But I have a feeling this is lottery year.
rvalens2 | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I agree with Chuck Nunn.
Fesenko has improved and with more playing time might improve a lot more. Jerry just has to accept the fact that Fes is going to make a few mistakes along the way.
In the meantime, if the Jazz lose a few games while Fes and Koufos improve ... then so be it. I'd rather have them both playing well by the playoffs then have to throw them in the Lion's Den when Boozer, Millsap or Okur get hurt.
It amazes me that the Jazz keep looking for a veteran BIG when they've got two young guys they could develop into the defensive presence they need over the next year or two.
Bite the bullet Jerry ... give Koufos and Fesenko as much playing time as possible!
Final word ... Don't bring back Ostertag! With him in the lineup it will just hold back the development of Fesenko and Koufos.
Fesenko has improved and with more playing time might improve a lot more. Jerry just has to accept the fact that Fes is going to make a few mistakes along the way.
In the meantime, if the Jazz lose a few games while Fes and Koufos improve ... then so be it. I'd rather have them both playing well by the playoffs then have to throw them in the Lion's Den when Boozer, Millsap or Okur get hurt.
It amazes me that the Jazz keep looking for a veteran BIG when they've got two young guys they could develop into the defensive presence they need over the next year or two.
Bite the bullet Jerry ... give Koufos and Fesenko as much playing time as possible!
Final word ... Don't bring back Ostertag! With him in the lineup it will just hold back the development of Fesenko and Koufos.
to Nevada Fan | 8:31 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Boozer at 3? Did you really think before you posted that?
Did you watch the Knicks game? Al Harrington would bring Boozer out on the perimeter and easily drive past him. 3's would eat Boozer alive. He is too big to try and guard threes.
Did you watch the Knicks game? Al Harrington would bring Boozer out on the perimeter and easily drive past him. 3's would eat Boozer alive. He is too big to try and guard threes.
The Jazz must be pretty bad | 9:00 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
if our only answer is bring back Ostertag.
Remember the good old days when he would swat the ball against the backboard five times in a row so he could get credit for 5 rebounds. He swatted the ball around everywhere. He even swatted it out of the hands of his own team. The big fly swatter. The reason he was good on D is because everyone backed away. They didn't want to lose an eye.
Remember the good old days when he would swat the ball against the backboard five times in a row so he could get credit for 5 rebounds. He swatted the ball around everywhere. He even swatted it out of the hands of his own team. The big fly swatter. The reason he was good on D is because everyone backed away. They didn't want to lose an eye.
Miles | 9:55 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
You can't change the makeup of this team but you can change the coach.
As a matter of fact | 10:05 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I do remember a couple of Delta Center games where the Jazz were down in the 4th
and started a run. Tag wouldn't let anyone near the front of the rim. And
lets remember, he did that against really good players and not rookie guards
slipping by and finding the front of the rim. Tag had a lot of weaknesses as a
player (though not many as a person of character) but he did clog up the middle
and on occassion, he made a difference.
Matt Connelly | 11:35 a.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Yes, it's frustrating to watch Okur and Boozer take every other play off on
defense, just watching as someone prances by them for an easy bucket. It's
like they think that putting a body on someone, or putting their hands up, is
going to hurt them or something. C'mon guys. We know Sloan is preaching
defense. You either aren't listening, don't have the ability to play
defense, or simply don't want to play defense. All three are good reasons
for finding other players who will. Malone, Stockton, Carr, even Ostertag would
CONSISTENTLY put a body on their man, get their hands up in his face. You guys
do this sometimes, but you aren't consistent doing it. If that doesn't
change soon, it's time for the Jazz to make some big trades.
TAG FAN | 12:22 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
The best part of TAGS shtik was listening and watching him needle ZIPPY on the
golf course.
The only person more bored by his basketball skills was TAG himself.
The whole NBA thing was good for the money but bad for the soul.
The only person more bored by his basketball skills was TAG himself.
The whole NBA thing was good for the money but bad for the soul.
gdog3 | 3:07 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Jazz stink! Injuries are going to be an excuse AGAIN. I say they are they
expected norm. Everything needs to be evaluated on down to the conditioning,
training, and trainer. Maybe in 2012, the Jazz can bring back the same roster.
The thinking is that they could fight the end of the world if they are healthy.
Let's see what this team can do when healthy eh?
Wheres Fes? | 3:16 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Where's Koufos?
BigJazzFan | 5:14 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
Once again we can blame sloan.
he won't play fes or koufos among others,
again sloan refuses to play and develop the players that need playing time.
he won't play fes or koufos among others,
again sloan refuses to play and develop the players that need playing time.
Bob | 7:17 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I agree, bring Tag back!
Nevada fan | 9:19 p.m. Nov. 11, 2009
I can apperciate that post, but with 2 -7 footers under the rim you are only
drive so far.
jazzman72 | 1:21 a.m. Nov. 12, 2009
Let Fes and koufos play and develop. They won't make the playoffs at the
rate they're going, so might as well improve for the future. We could be
looking at two lottery picks next summer. Maybe they can pick up a talented big
and shooting guard and take the team to the next level.
willbaja | 1:12 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
Bring on the TAG
bam | 3:50 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
The solution is easy. Trade straight across Boozer for Stephen Jackson. Play
Okur more at the 4 and give more time Fes and/or Koufos. Jackson will LOVE
playing with DWill and getting out of Golden State.
Greg00 | 4:33 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
great thought - Jackson would bring us the character and defensive mentality we
need
??? | 5:49 p.m. Nov. 12, 2009
Jackson would bring us the character we need? We're talking about Stephen
Jackson, right? "Punch a Fan in the Face, Malace at the Palace"
Jackson...right?
BTBB | 7:48 a.m. Nov. 13, 2009
Bring Thurl Bailey Back!
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I am not sure who would do the scoring but the defense would improve a lot.
Maybe AK, Mathews and DWill with Fez and Koufos assuming that AK and Mathews were hot. Fez and Koufos could rebound and plug the inside while the other three could shoot outside or penetrate. Moving Brewer to 3 with Mathews and DWill might also be an option.
The Jazz just do not have a lot of good combinations right now for breaking a zone or defending outside shooting/penetrating guards.