twentytwo
Active Member
Last edited:
Pre Season game 2 Jazz @ Blazers---Monday October 11,2010---8:00 pm.
- Thread starter The O'Connor Cocktail
- Start date
mkbelle
Member
I think Big Al is going to be great once he settles in and feels more comfortable in the Jazz system. I got the impression from one of his interviews that he's been a bit overwhelmed (my word, not his). Decent game for him though, and I expect that he will improve with each game.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
One more game and then I think Sloan has to start locking in a rotation. I'm not saying the starters need to go 30+ mins, but guys have to get used to playing together. This team is different than in past years when the same starters have been in place. Jazz will have 3 new starters - perhaps 4. Sure, a couple of those players have been in the Jazz system, but they haven't played with Al or Raja.
InGameStrategy
Well-Known Member
Why? The starters are getting 10-25 MPG together, and the last thing that I want is for Sloan to get into some tired old rotation rut that ignores chemistry or matchups. To his credit, he is giving different players and different combinations playing time. I'd rather that he use the playoffs to continue experimenting with matchups and instilling competition for contested minutes and positions on the floor. Sloan might end up gravitating back to a robotic substitution pattern, but the difference might be that the backups aren't a big dropoff from from the players ahead of them
InGameStrategy
Well-Known Member
Poppycock. It probably helps that he's slimmed down and is a bit more serious about his job, but the bigger difference is that Sloan is finallly giving Fes the crucial minutes that he needs for development--not the paltry average of 3 or 4 minutes per available game that he's had for the past three years. Most players--and especially big men--don't develop in such short stints.
Marty McFly
Well-Known Member
I seriously hope that I am wrong and you are right. Seriously, seriously hope.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
It's never the same starters. Precision offense & help defense...both require players to anticipate what the others are going to do in certain situations. At least he's giving Deron, Millsap and Jefferson a chance to develop some chemistry. But the team is different if you have AK at SF vs. CJ. Or if Raja is the starting SG, for example, you know you can leave him out there on an island against even the best. You can't do that with Hayward or Miles.
I'm not saying matchups shouldn't determine some PT. I just think Sloan needs to decide on his starters and let the 5 of them gel.
Stifle Tower
Punch Bowl Re-Filler
This.
Playing time certainly helps, but you can develop a lot in practice. Fesenko seems to finally be serious about his game. I don't evem mind the finger-wagging, if that's what it takes to get him to play nasty.
The big thing with Fesenko is whether he can keep this up. Not 18/7 every night, but just the effort. If he gets abig head after this game and goofs around he'll be quickly grounded. I hope for the sake of the Jazz that Fess has knocked some sense into himself. Where he needed improvement(apart from FT shooting/conditioning) was mostly omn the mental side.
I also think the if the Jazz have to go far in the playoffs, one of the young guys needed to have a Wes Mathews like rookie season or better. I am not sure who amongst Hayward, Thompson, Evans is going to be it. But expectations from Hayward is probably the highest.
I also think the if the Jazz have to go far in the playoffs, one of the young guys needed to have a Wes Mathews like rookie season or better. I am not sure who amongst Hayward, Thompson, Evans is going to be it. But expectations from Hayward is probably the highest.
I was there, because I don't know when next the Jazz will get to play in Memorial Coliseum, and because the seats were much cheaper than regular-season Rose Garden ones. $33 for fourth row right behind the season ticket seating.
Took some video of the last 50 seconds or so here. The cheering after the Blazers free throw was because everyone gets a chalupa coupon if they score 100, regardless of if they win or lose. But the Jazz got in the final exclamation point with Fesenko grabbing the missed FT with 3 seconds left and going in for the dunk.
Still, if we can get Fesenko playing like tonight more often (minus that turnover there), it would bode very well. It was almost getting to the point where every time the Blazers would get close, I'd look over at the bench and hope Fesenko was about to get called in soon.
Took some video of the last 50 seconds or so here. The cheering after the Blazers free throw was because everyone gets a chalupa coupon if they score 100, regardless of if they win or lose. But the Jazz got in the final exclamation point with Fesenko grabbing the missed FT with 3 seconds left and going in for the dunk.
Still, if we can get Fesenko playing like tonight more often (minus that turnover there), it would bode very well. It was almost getting to the point where every time the Blazers would get close, I'd look over at the bench and hope Fesenko was about to get called in soon.
If Fes pulls his head out of his *** he'll get PT. I don't know why that is so hard for some here to understand (S2).
And if he's starting to pull his head out of his ***, then good for him. Took him bleeping long enough.
"Poppycock"? Seriously? Are you Mary bleeping Poppins?
And if he's starting to pull his head out of his ***, then good for him. Took him bleeping long enough.
"Poppycock"? Seriously? Are you Mary bleeping Poppins?
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
If Bell rounds into shape/form well, I'd love to see a lineup of Williams-Bell-AK-Jefferson-Fes with Watson-Miles-Heyward-Millsap-Okur off the bench. It won't happen but I can dream.
Thanks.. but since you were THERE with a CAMCORDER - could you have filmed a little more than 2 min. of the game? Preferably, also, not at the end of the game where the possessions were meaningless? May be?
~__~ (speechless)
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
How many games has Fes had in his career, pre-season or regular that were this strong? Even a handful?
7StraightIsGreat
Well-Known Member
Fes deserves mad props for how he is finally coming into his own, but Jerry Sloan shouldn't be the one taking the fall for it taking this long. The kid has NEVER deserved minutes up until now. Plain and simple he was a goofball who took nothing seriously. Is Sloan supposed to just give minutes to somebody not ready to utilize them?
It's starting to turn into a win/win. Fes seems to be finally seeing the light and it looks like Jerry see's that and is willing to reward him and give him minutes that he's finally earned.
Instead of Jazz fans complaining about how long it took to get to this point, we should be thrilled that it finally looks like there's forward progress on the Fesenko front. If he can play like this in the regular season, it could elevate Utah from a good team to a downright special team.
It's starting to turn into a win/win. Fes seems to be finally seeing the light and it looks like Jerry see's that and is willing to reward him and give him minutes that he's finally earned.
Instead of Jazz fans complaining about how long it took to get to this point, we should be thrilled that it finally looks like there's forward progress on the Fesenko front. If he can play like this in the regular season, it could elevate Utah from a good team to a downright special team.
This is my first time posting, but I have been following this board for years and apreciate the insights you all have. I was at last nights game and thought it might be prudent to share some of my impressions, seeing as how the game was not televised at all.
Overall: It was as clear as ever tonight why I have not been able to latch onto this Portland team (outside my affinity for the Jazz) since I moved here. They run easily one of the most boring offenses in basketball with little movement off the ball and a whole lot of dribbling around the three point line. On the other side the Jazz looked alright, but they are clearly still working out the kinks with the new players. The offense wasn't looking as crisp as it usually does, but I guess that should be expected.
Individual players:
Deron: Looked as good as ever, best point guard in the NBA. Had a nice crossover to three on Matthews that was pretty sweet. Had a few careless turnovers, but that seemed largely to be because people were not in the spots they should have been.
Big Al: Had a pretty good game. Rebounds like a monster, has an un guardable and automatic right handed hook shot from the left side of the basket. Still figuring his way in this offense though, as I can think of only one bucket that came in the flow of the offense (a sweet wraparound dish from AK). The offense seems to stall once the ball goes into him and he starts working in the post. This will certainly be an advantage, but I would like to see it incorporated more into the overall offense so that he could get some easier buckets that didn't require 2-3 pump fakes and 5 seconds of the shot clock. Still needs to get better on the defensive end. He was challenging his man, but was also getting scored on pretty easily by both Aldridge and Camby when he was out there.
Fesenko: If he plays like this the rest of the year he will get paid next summer. He was very active and was actually finishing at the rim quite well. Had a hook shot that was on the money that he unleashed a couple times. Looked like he had been working on his free throws (no airballs) and had a sweet authoritative block at the end of the game. Still could be a bigger presence on the defensive end and had a few clumsy trips on offense, but overall great game for Fes.
AK: Looked good tonight. Had some nifty plays at the rim and knocked in a long jump shot. He was really operating well in the flow of the offense. He seems to really get things moving in the half court and certainly makes plays. Could be a big year for him.
CJ: Better game than last time for him. Was active and playing pretty agressive defense. Knocked in some shots. Still should be hard to knock AK out of the starting lineup.
Thompson: Didn't do much on offense, but played pretty good man to man defense. Forced Brandon Roy into an airball early in the game. Could contribute a little this year as a defensive body.
Hayward: Still looks a little like a deer in head lights. You can see flashes of his talent, but he seems to be timid and a little scared. Got stuffed on a drive to the basket and turned bright red and it looked like his teamates needed to console him a little. He should figure it out.
I am sure there is much more to be said, but I have to get to work. Hope that was helpful to you all. I know how much I appreciate your insights when I am not able to watch the games.
Overall: It was as clear as ever tonight why I have not been able to latch onto this Portland team (outside my affinity for the Jazz) since I moved here. They run easily one of the most boring offenses in basketball with little movement off the ball and a whole lot of dribbling around the three point line. On the other side the Jazz looked alright, but they are clearly still working out the kinks with the new players. The offense wasn't looking as crisp as it usually does, but I guess that should be expected.
Individual players:
Deron: Looked as good as ever, best point guard in the NBA. Had a nice crossover to three on Matthews that was pretty sweet. Had a few careless turnovers, but that seemed largely to be because people were not in the spots they should have been.
Big Al: Had a pretty good game. Rebounds like a monster, has an un guardable and automatic right handed hook shot from the left side of the basket. Still figuring his way in this offense though, as I can think of only one bucket that came in the flow of the offense (a sweet wraparound dish from AK). The offense seems to stall once the ball goes into him and he starts working in the post. This will certainly be an advantage, but I would like to see it incorporated more into the overall offense so that he could get some easier buckets that didn't require 2-3 pump fakes and 5 seconds of the shot clock. Still needs to get better on the defensive end. He was challenging his man, but was also getting scored on pretty easily by both Aldridge and Camby when he was out there.
Fesenko: If he plays like this the rest of the year he will get paid next summer. He was very active and was actually finishing at the rim quite well. Had a hook shot that was on the money that he unleashed a couple times. Looked like he had been working on his free throws (no airballs) and had a sweet authoritative block at the end of the game. Still could be a bigger presence on the defensive end and had a few clumsy trips on offense, but overall great game for Fes.
AK: Looked good tonight. Had some nifty plays at the rim and knocked in a long jump shot. He was really operating well in the flow of the offense. He seems to really get things moving in the half court and certainly makes plays. Could be a big year for him.
CJ: Better game than last time for him. Was active and playing pretty agressive defense. Knocked in some shots. Still should be hard to knock AK out of the starting lineup.
Thompson: Didn't do much on offense, but played pretty good man to man defense. Forced Brandon Roy into an airball early in the game. Could contribute a little this year as a defensive body.
Hayward: Still looks a little like a deer in head lights. You can see flashes of his talent, but he seems to be timid and a little scared. Got stuffed on a drive to the basket and turned bright red and it looked like his teamates needed to console him a little. He should figure it out.
I am sure there is much more to be said, but I have to get to work. Hope that was helpful to you all. I know how much I appreciate your insights when I am not able to watch the games.
Thanks ERC.
Good to hear the opinion of someone at the game.
Good to hear the opinion of someone at the game.
billyshelby
Well-Known Member
Nice post ERC. It is clear from your reporting skills that you are not write4u. I will allow you to continue posting here, but you need to answer a few questions for the board: 1. Are you One Brow? 2. Are you Hopper? 3. What is your stance on cruelty to gay aliens?