Bull. He plays pretty similar all the time. Jerry just finds reasons to bench him. One bone-head play seems to turn on a red light for Jerry and it does not go off for 3 weeks. While failing to see the value he brings despite the occassional bad play. DWill is right.
DWill on Fes
- Thread starter homeytennis
- Start date
Bull. He plays pretty similar all the time. Jerry just finds reasons to bench him. One bone-head play seems to turn on a red light for Jerry and it does not go off for 3 weeks. While failing to see the value he brings despite the occassional bad play. DWill is right.
Yeah, there are times when I think he wishes he was playing football. Got to be tough when you are that size are you are not allowed to just cream someone.
When has Fess every got consistent minutes? I remember last year or the year before last that he played a couple of solid games (Houston) and then he went right back to the bench.
The argument that he is inconsistent. Heck pretty much everyone on the Jazz is inconsistent. Why are there two standards? Play Fess as long as he can stay on the court and be productive and don't yank him every time when he screws up. If I were DW, as the captain, I would sit AJ and Millsap down and say I need one of you to come off the bench (I think Millsap should be the guy or perhaps matchups should determine it). Then explain the benefits of playing off the bench and how it will help the team and how the individual with be the star(go to guy) of the bench. At least I can dream of a utopia setting with the Jazz organization. I have to have some hope.
I really don't think this team can win a championship until this team vastly improves their bench. Having Millsap or AJ come off the bench would automatically improve it. Then once AK's contract comes off the books the Jazz can get some more help to improve the team.
It is not unheard of for the captain to go to the coach and say how about we try this. I know everyone will say Sloan won't buy into it but it certainly doesn't hurt to try. I am not suggesting a revolt but a dialogue between the coach and captain.
The argument that he is inconsistent. Heck pretty much everyone on the Jazz is inconsistent. Why are there two standards? Play Fess as long as he can stay on the court and be productive and don't yank him every time when he screws up. If I were DW, as the captain, I would sit AJ and Millsap down and say I need one of you to come off the bench (I think Millsap should be the guy or perhaps matchups should determine it). Then explain the benefits of playing off the bench and how it will help the team and how the individual with be the star(go to guy) of the bench. At least I can dream of a utopia setting with the Jazz organization. I have to have some hope.
I really don't think this team can win a championship until this team vastly improves their bench. Having Millsap or AJ come off the bench would automatically improve it. Then once AK's contract comes off the books the Jazz can get some more help to improve the team.
It is not unheard of for the captain to go to the coach and say how about we try this. I know everyone will say Sloan won't buy into it but it certainly doesn't hurt to try. I am not suggesting a revolt but a dialogue between the coach and captain.
Karadrys30
Well-Known Member
I have to disagree with whomever said that fess playes pretty much the same all the time. What I have noticed is that when fess gets longer stretches of time on the floor, he settles down and plays pretty well. He still gets out of possition and tries to get deflections out on the perimiter (facepalm everytime I see it) but he tends not to go for the foul just to foul. When his time is short, he appears to want to make an impact on every play. That tends to get him in foul trouble. Fes always plays with energy and really focuses on defense, sets good screens (does pull them too soon at times, usually when he is a short timer). His man D is good and his length and supprising quickness makes other bigs work hard for shots.
When he is not hyperactive 5 year old fes can play. Not an allstar or anything, but a contributor particularly on defense. His hook is also looking pretty good. He can contribute if when he gets settled in.
When he is not hyperactive 5 year old fes can play. Not an allstar or anything, but a contributor particularly on defense. His hook is also looking pretty good. He can contribute if when he gets settled in.
It is obvious that Fess size is a factor. I have seen him make opponents take notice when he is in there. Just let the kid play if he is sucking up big time then take him out and talk to him about what he is doing wrong. Then after a rest give him a chance, don't just banish him to the bench for 3 weeks.
Ya, that piece of fiction must be frustrating. Sloan does not reward good performance. He rewards, well, I'm not sure what. Players who practice hard or something.
Finally, a player calls out Sloan for not playing Fes. I will say it again, I love the Utah Jazz. For my 20 year anniversary my wife got me utah jazz tickets, so we traveled to Utah to watch the game against NOH. For some reason all the bigs were injured and Sloan had no choice but to play Fes. What I saw and what I could not believe others did not was a guy who could dominate a game without doing anything. The size Fes brings to the court is just intimidating. Guards stop driving, bigs start passing out of the post, players miss layups trying to avoid him. Now DW is correct you have to live with some boneheaded plays, but its worth it. In the NOH game he actually passed to player standing out of bounds. SO WHAT.
To answer you the real question, you bench Jefferson. I know, everyone will ignore the rest of this post and focus on this suggestion, but I think Jefferson is the key to winning it all. Jefferson could anchor the second unit, where all they have to do is pass it to him on the low block and let him work. The second unit has been good on defense, but lacks an offensive punch. It's not like a demotion for Jefferson, he will still play more minutes than Fes, but I like the idea of changing the starting line-up to improve our starts and I like the idea of a major scoring threat facing second team defenses.
To answer you the real question, you bench Jefferson. I know, everyone will ignore the rest of this post and focus on this suggestion, but I think Jefferson is the key to winning it all. Jefferson could anchor the second unit, where all they have to do is pass it to him on the low block and let him work. The second unit has been good on defense, but lacks an offensive punch. It's not like a demotion for Jefferson, he will still play more minutes than Fes, but I like the idea of changing the starting line-up to improve our starts and I like the idea of a major scoring threat facing second team defenses.
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
Do we start Millsap or Jefferson? I'd say Paul. He's earned it. And Jefferson is a black hole once he gets the ball anyway and won't disrupt our second unit nearly as much as our first.
jazzrule
Well-Known Member
Isn't this what you and others said about Millsap?
And his defense and rebounding have steeply declined as it has become more and more important for him to not pick up cheap fouls. Obviously his offense has improved immensely, though.
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NAOS
Well-Known Member
I'm not saying I endorse it, but there is a pretty strong argument for starting Big Fes and moving Big Al to the second unit.
1. A starting lineup of DW/CJ/AK/Millsap/Fes would be able to run the flex somewhat like in years past. And, with a bit of time, could be similarly efficient. Fes is out there for his lane clogging, rebounding, and defense -- something those previous offensive squads sorely lacked.
2. We're all seeing what Jefferson is capable of; he can change the game when he steps out there for the second unit. EXAMPLES: Manu came off the bench for the Spurs for so many years because he was able to institute his own brand of basketball; before Manu, it was Bobby Jackson for the Kings who could do the same. It's like a pitcher setting up a hitter for an off-speed pitch. Popovich used this to perfection. And, yes, Al would still get in the neighborhood of 30 minutes a game.
let me anticipate a rebuttal: I AM AWARE THAT SLOAN AIN'T NO POPOVICH.
1. A starting lineup of DW/CJ/AK/Millsap/Fes would be able to run the flex somewhat like in years past. And, with a bit of time, could be similarly efficient. Fes is out there for his lane clogging, rebounding, and defense -- something those previous offensive squads sorely lacked.
2. We're all seeing what Jefferson is capable of; he can change the game when he steps out there for the second unit. EXAMPLES: Manu came off the bench for the Spurs for so many years because he was able to institute his own brand of basketball; before Manu, it was Bobby Jackson for the Kings who could do the same. It's like a pitcher setting up a hitter for an off-speed pitch. Popovich used this to perfection. And, yes, Al would still get in the neighborhood of 30 minutes a game.
let me anticipate a rebuttal: I AM AWARE THAT SLOAN AIN'T NO POPOVICH.
I'm a big fan of Fes but he looks bad 75% of the times. Poor hands, guards drive up the middle on him all the time, barely gets blocks for a man of his size/strength, but that said, I love seeing him call for the ball in the post!! I really want him to succeed here (played really well as Memo's understudy vs DEN) but the only way I see that happening is if we trade Millsap (Al = higher upside/potential, plus his & Fes' length would be nasty!!).
The only drawback in trading Millsap is that's the tipping point on keeping DWill (extended), trading a hard working "friend" for a player (SG) who's a stud or dud.
The only drawback in trading Millsap is that's the tipping point on keeping DWill (extended), trading a hard working "friend" for a player (SG) who's a stud or dud.
unluckyseventeen
Well-Known Member
Fes is as hot and cold of a dude as you'll find in the league. Sometimes he gets minutes and racks up fouls on consecutive plays. Sometimes he comes in and plays well. The dude has potential but he's wildly inconsistent. You never know what the hell you're gonna get out of him, and him singlehandedly putting the other team in the bonus has got to grind the coaching staff's ****.
Thee Idiotic Minivan K
Well-Known Member
That's exactly it his deffensive philosophy is to foul.
Maybe some really really bad episodes of 2 to 3 minutes, but those are not really "games". Jerry is ready to pull him instantly almost every time he steps on the court. It seems to me that many times he starts a little slow in the first couple of minutes, but IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN THE GAME he generally settles down and performs fairly well. Oh, and even when he plays like a goofball, he is always a large 7' 1" goofball who clogs the lane.
Maybe some of those fouls are bad calls. Maybe the refs are the ones who are inconsistent.
Sometimes this is true. The foul called on him when Cousins smashed into him is a good example.
unluckyseventeen
Well-Known Member
Of course. NBA refs are awful. But getting 3 fouls in consecutive trips typically isn't due to the refs. I've seen just as many games where Fes fouled and fouled and sat his butt back on the bench in 3 minutes, versus how many I'd consider him putting in valuable minutes. And I've been a Fes supporter ever since he started getting time. He has a huge upside - just plays really dumb sometimes.