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Houston in talks with Kyrylo Fesenko.

Archie, quit digging. Fegan inherited Fes when former agent Jason Levien decided that he wanted to get into team management. Fegan is the big kahuna, and Stu Lash is an agent in the same firm but still a henchman of Fegan, who is based in L.A. Fegan most likely assigned Fesenko to Lash, because although Fesenko is 285 pounds, he's still small potatoes for Pharaoh Fegan.

As the slcdunk artile showed, Fegan has had a string of tough negotiations in the past (Varejao, Ricky Davis, etc.) He also is notorious for cherrypicking clients. The problem here appears to be that Utah doesn't want to pay more than the bare minimum, and they probably don't want to raise the stakes until a competing offer is on the table. Unless Fegan/Lash are demanding far more than the QO, I think that it is a bad decision. As go4jazz pointed out elsewhere, Fes's playboy notariety is overrated. IMHO, it matters far less than the signs on the court that he's given that he can be a decent backup center. I could see Fegan advising Fes to hold out longer.
 
I don't see how people can say I'm "digging" a hole. It's been reported by multiple sources online and on the air today that Stu is Fes's agent. But since "posters" on jazzfanz say it ain't so, I'm digging to China? How in the Flogging Molly does that work? Seriously? Even if it's true, how am I suppose to know that?
 
Archie Moses said:
I don't see how people can say I'm "digging" a hole. It's been reported by multiple sources online and on the air today that Stu is Fes's agent. But since "posters" on jazzfanz say it ain't so, I'm digging to China? How in the Flogging Molly does that work? Seriously? Even if it's true, how am I suppose to know that?
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Because Dan Fegan is a billy badass, Fegan & Stu Lash work for the same firm (Lagardere, which bought Fegan's firm recently), Fegan was the one who picked up Fesenko, agents within the same firm sometimes tag-team or hand off clients (especially from a senior rainmaker to a junior professional), people use the term "agent" loosely, Fegan & Lash have "co-agented" players in the past (Gooden, etc.), Fegan has bigger fish to fry (such as the #1 draft pick or the #1 center in the NBA) than to dork around on a daily basis with KOC's stonewalling, and Stu Lash doesn't.

Besides that, no shovel was harmed in the creation of this thread.


Edit: Another news org reporting talks over Fesenko; this time it's the Cavs.
Link

(Could've been generated by the Fesenko camp just as easily, but it doesn't surprise me that his agent(s) can keep this going a while longer--or look elsewhere for good.)
 
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Archie, I'm not certain why you care so much about this issue. The reality is that Fesenko is represented by both Stu Lash and Dan Fegan.

They work for the same company. Without knowing the full structure of the company it sounds like it could be stated that Fegan is Stu Lash's boss and Fegan is pulling a portion of the commission. He's also ultimately responsible for the work Lash does and has to supervise him. In other words, it's structured like a law firm. That shouldn't be shocking given that most sports agents (including Fegan) are lawyers.

In any event, this isn't something to get worked up about and certainly not worth purposely pissing off someone who's trying to give you information. If your position is that Fegan isn't involved you're simply wrong.
 
Also on Fess's weight, last week I posted a link about Memo but it had a small tid bit about Fess saying he was in town and had dropped weight from under his 300lbs to around 290lbs, just to kinda back up go4jazz and Fess sounding like he's in better shape.
 
Recent claims that a disgruntled Kyrylo Fesenko quit the Ukraine national team and had a feud with his federation might have been a little mistranslated between Europe and the U.S.

According to his agent, the media reports were at the very least "a little misreported."

Fesenko's agent, Stu Lash, disputes published allegations that his client left the Ukraine national team in the middle of a tournament earlier this month because the center was disgruntled or had a disagreement with the country's coach.

In fact, Lash insists Fesenko's European experience — which he chose to pursue over being on the Utah Jazz's summer-league team — was still sweet even if shortened for a family obligation.

And the agent believes Fesenko's summer stint was good for the 7-foot-1 center and will be for the Jazz this NBA season as well.

"It was positive," Lash said of the Ukrainian's brief national-team time. "I think one thing it gave him was an opportunity to be back home and play and build his confidence up more than anything. … (It was) all in all a good experience for him."

Some, however, wondered if the opposite was the case from perusing box scores and viewing the situation from the outside — especially considering Fesenko didn't exactly tear it up against mostly non-NBA talent.

Fesenko only ended up getting action in three of his country's six European relegation games. He played 20-plus minutes in the first two games, but his participation quickly diminished. He logged only nine minutes in the third game, didn't get off the bench in the fourth contest and wasn't even with the team for the final outings against Estonia and the Czech Republic.

Asked if Fesenko had a dispute with his national team or if he bolted after being benched, the agent responded: "No, not at all." Rather, Lash claimed the real reason for Fesenko's early exit from Ukraine's team wasn't hastily made in the heat of the moment.

"He had a family thing to attend to and the team was playing some younger players, so it was kind of mutually agreed upon," Lash said. "... And just with his schedule, wanting to get back here and getting ready for the (NBA) season, it was something we had kind of spoken about ahead of time."

Though he missed the summer league and didn't exactly shine with Ukraine — aside from a 13-point, seven-rebound outing against Hungary — Lash believes Jazz brass and fans should be encouraged about Fesenko's future.

I know the intent of the attachment was to prove who the agent was (cuz thats real important) but I think it is funny that his agent claims the Ukraine team was "playing younger players". Are they auditioning 12 year olds? Fes is the definition of younger players. This whole statement does not ring true, why would no one else report about a pre-arranged agreement? It looks to me like his playing time was reduced game by game until he wasn't playing - due to performance.

If the Jazz sign Fes, I really hope that he comes back to the Jazz with Cornrows and covered in tats cuz he will already be in Sloan's doghouse and I would like to see him relish the role. Kinda like an old WWF villian. Fes could re-brand himself as Kyrylo "the pinko" Fesenko.
 
friendsinmyhead said:
Recent claims that a disgruntled Kyrylo Fesenko quit the Ukraine national team and had a feud with his federation might have been a little mistranslated between Europe and the U.S.

According to his agent, the media reports were at the very least "a little misreported."

Fesenko's agent, Stu Lash, disputes published allegations that his client left the Ukraine national team in the middle of a tournament earlier this month because the center was disgruntled or had a disagreement with the country's coach.

In fact, Lash insists Fesenko's European experience — which he chose to pursue over being on the Utah Jazz's summer-league team — was still sweet even if shortened for a family obligation.

And the agent believes Fesenko's summer stint was good for the 7-foot-1 center and will be for the Jazz this NBA season as well.

"It was positive," Lash said of the Ukrainian's brief national-team time. "I think one thing it gave him was an opportunity to be back home and play and build his confidence up more than anything. … (It was) all in all a good experience for him."

Some, however, wondered if the opposite was the case from perusing box scores and viewing the situation from the outside — especially considering Fesenko didn't exactly tear it up against mostly non-NBA talent.

Fesenko only ended up getting action in three of his country's six European relegation games. He played 20-plus minutes in the first two games, but his participation quickly diminished. He logged only nine minutes in the third game, didn't get off the bench in the fourth contest and wasn't even with the team for the final outings against Estonia and the Czech Republic.

Asked if Fesenko had a dispute with his national team or if he bolted after being benched, the agent responded: "No, not at all." Rather, Lash claimed the real reason for Fesenko's early exit from Ukraine's team wasn't hastily made in the heat of the moment.

"He had a family thing to attend to and the team was playing some younger players, so it was kind of mutually agreed upon," Lash said. "... And just with his schedule, wanting to get back here and getting ready for the (NBA) season, it was something we had kind of spoken about ahead of time."

Though he missed the summer league and didn't exactly shine with Ukraine — aside from a 13-point, seven-rebound outing against Hungary — Lash believes Jazz brass and fans should be encouraged about Fesenko's future.

I know the intent of the attachment was to prove who the agent was (cuz thats real important) but I think it is funny that his agent claims the Ukraine team was "playing younger players". Are they auditioning 12 year olds? Fes is the definition of younger players. This whole statement does not ring true, why would no one else report about a pre-arranged agreement? It looks to me like his playing time was reduced game by game until he wasn't playing - due to performance.

If the Jazz sign Fes, I really hope that he comes back to the Jazz with Cornrows and covered in tats cuz he will already be in Sloan's doghouse and I would like to see him relish the role. Kinda like an old WWF villian. Fes could re-brand himself as Kyrylo "the pinko" Fesenko.
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too bad your story came from two summers ago.
 
friendsinmyhead said:
I know the intent of the attachment was to prove who the agent was (cuz thats real important) but I think it is funny that his agent claims the Ukraine team was "playing younger players". Are they auditioning 12 year olds? Fes is the definition of younger players. This whole statement does not ring true, why would no one else report about a pre-arranged agreement? It looks to me like his playing time was reduced game by game until he wasn't playing - due to performance.
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That was my reaction to the article as well. Fes ain't exactly Shaq. For whatever reason, Kyrylo had his minutes cut. My guess is he was overweight and out of shape but felt entitled as an NBA player to be the main guy at the 5. As we know, Euro centers are thinner and quicker. Fes is a bull in a china shop; he probably just couldn't guard anyone and that's why he was benched.

I hope his experience with the Ukranian team and lack of concrete offers will serve as a wake-up call. If he has dropped from 300+ to 285, that's a good sign.
 
go4jazz said:
too bad your story came from two summers ago.
Click to expand...

I thought it was from this summer's European tournament. Two summers ago makes it even worse. Playing the "younger players?" So let me see if I understand this...Ukraine was playing a qualification tournament, Fesenko was a 22 yr. old with limited NBA experience and his coach decided to play "younger players." Hmmm...

In any case, Fes didn't have a real impressive tournament this summer. Playing against teams that did NOT make it to the FIBA tournament (powerhouses such as Bosnia, Hungary, Macedonia and the UK), Fes was a complete non-factor in 4 of those games, scoring 7 points or less.

There's a reason Fesenko is generating tepid interest - at best - around the league.
 
BabyPeterzz said:
Better yet, has the Jazz offer been pulled?

https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/rumors...t=Ak_7COkkZ6qfdKx4Wq1QiGq8vLYF?urn=nba-271205
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"Better yet," huh? I guess that you prefer that the Jazz face the Lakers with two thirtysomething backup centers, one of whom doesn't even have two good heels. And the Jazz can scrape up whatever scrub is left.

Interesting, though that this Yahoo rumor posting reiterates that a multiyear offer might have been on the table. I speculate that there was a multiyear offer but that it was at or near the minimum, which made Dan Fegan flush. I'd be surprised if KF camp thinks that he can get more than $2 million * 2, but maybe the Cavs will step up. Dampier hasn't been signed at that level, although his career is well, damp.
 
GlassEater said:
I thought it was from this summer's European tournament. Two summers ago makes it even worse. Playing the "younger players?" So let me see if I understand this...Ukraine was playing a qualification tournament, Fesenko was a 22 yr. old with limited NBA experience and his coach decided to play "younger players." Hmmm...

In any case, Fes didn't have a real impressive tournament this summer. Playing against teams that did NOT make it to the FIBA tournament (powerhouses such as Bosnia, Hungary, Macedonia and the UK), Fes was a complete non-factor in 4 of those games, scoring 7 points or less.

There's a reason Fesenko is generating tepid interest - at best - around the league.
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It was last year when his run ended with the national team early (looks like someboyd spliced two stories together). Seems like he played pretty well for them. With Okur's return uncertain we need another Center. We all know he is not a scoring machine. The bigger question is how he did on defense and on offense was he running it correctly. Not much out there to choose from. Biggest problem might be if Cleveland offers him 3-4 million. They are pretty thin at the Center position.
 
GlassEater said:
I thought it was from this summer's European tournament. Two summers ago makes it even worse. Playing the "younger players?" So let me see if I understand this...Ukraine was playing a qualification tournament, Fesenko was a 22 yr. old with limited NBA experience and his coach decided to play "younger players." Hmmm...
Click to expand...
Um, the article above says that Fes had a family issue to take care of. Hmmm ...

(Also, you pointed out that Europe has smaller, quicker players. Also, the team had more to gain from playing the younger players than from a dude who's playing overseas. Not a good sign that Fes wasn't a prominent player in the roster, but the dismissal of this fact isn't quite as clear cut.)

GlassEater said:
In any case, Fes didn't have a real impressive tournament this summer. Playing against teams that did NOT make it to the FIBA tournament (powerhouses such as Bosnia, Hungary, Macedonia and the UK), Fes was a complete non-factor in 4 of those games, scoring 7 points or less.

There's a reason Fesenko is generating tepid interest - at best - around the league.
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I hope that you're right. Unfortunately, I don't think that Fegan is gonna come back begging to the Jazz at this point. He'll force Fes into an equal offer (or even lesser offer) elsewhere, if he has to, if it means avoiding to kowtow to KOC, who is probably sick of Fegan's (and Stu's) shenanigans by now.

Or maybe KOC just wants Fegan to show him the money (i.e., a signed competing contract), just like Cleveland did with Fegan and Varejao six years ago.
https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/b...erry-credit-for-Varejao-victory?urn=nba-56227
The Cavs ended up getting Varejao at a lower amount than Fegan was demanding. I think that Utah has RFA rights on Fes, so I think that they can match--if Fegan (or Fes) is not dead to them by then. I definitely don't anticipate Utah matching anything above $2M per.
 
InGameStrategy said:
"Better yet," huh? I guess that you prefer that the Jazz face the Lakers with two thirtysomething backup centers, one of whom doesn't even have two good heels. And the Jazz can scrape up whatever scrub is left.

Interesting, though that this Yahoo rumor posting reiterates that a multiyear offer might have been on the table. I speculate that there was a multiyear offer but that it was at or near the minimum, which made Dan Fegan flush. I'd be surprised if KF camp thinks that he can get more than $2 million * 2, but maybe the Cavs will step up. Dampier hasn't been signed at that level, although his career is well, damp.
Click to expand...

Don't get your thong in a twist. Bad choice of words.
 
Revolution 9 said:
I wish we could have afforded Amundson. sigh.
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I like Admundson, but were were looking for a bigger player. I think the last 3 years in the playoffs have shown that we need bigger guys to match up with the Lakers that is why it is important to bring Fes back.
 
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