The Downbeat - 15 October 2009 - #79 - The KOOF Will Prove You Wrong Edition

by Basketball John on Oct 15, 2009 8:37 AM MDT in Features - Downbeats

1_medium If you haven't been to UtahJazz.com in the past 12 hours or so, head there now to check out the new look. I like it. The layout is better and a little cleaner. I like the big story banner. Most of all, I'm glad to see the team embrace the team's roots and showcase the note at the top.

2_medium Great pics from the food drive that the Jazz held yesterday. Are you suppose to be showing your ninja skills without being in your Shinobi Shozoku?

8_medium Trying to find out from Locke why he thinks that Fess, instead of the KOOF, is in line for the 4th big spot. Not that the KOOF has done anything to impress this pre-season, it seems a little early. Maybe it's because the Jazz can't send him down to Orem?

I hope he develops, but we'll see.

4_medium Return of the Flop tonight. I think Deron's synopsis from Siler's column sums it up,

As Williams joked, it would read as follows: Flops on defense. Not athletic. Range to about 8 feet on his jumper. A couple of other things, too: Outstanding teammate. Hard worker. Embodiment of professionalism.

He's kind of the anti-Boozer. Nobody would ever question Collins' character both on and off the court. But we do question his basketball skills. Boozer on the other hand, no one questions his offensive output on the floor. It's his off the court persona that rubs everyone wrong.

Collins will probably get a good ovation tonight from the ESA crowd. Class act and a good guy. I really hope Deron does get a chance to dunk on him though.

And if he doesn't catch on with the Blazers, he can spell his brother when Jason needs a night off.

5_medium Best of luck to AK who will be heading back to Russia to attend to some personal, family issues. It's hard enough if your family lives a couple hours away when something happens, let alone a couple of continents

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Tonight's game

I double checked my FREE ticket for tonight’s game. It’s front row of the upper bowl! Nice gesture for trying to get the word out on the Twitter feed.

by chamont on Oct 15, 2009 9:17 AM MDT via mobile reply actions

That's a nice seat. I've sat there a couple of times when I go. It's great for the price.

SLCDunk.com, The Utah Jazz on SBNation

by Basketball John on Oct 15, 2009 9:35 AM MDT up reply actions

re: Koof vs. Fes

Many reasons . . . one of them being age and potential. Koof is very young still — he’s only 2 years out of having a homeroom and designated lunch period. Often we hear about how he doesn’t know what’s going on / what the plays are. He is a very hard worker and full of energy. I think Kosta should be the 4th big (sharing with AK), but he’s not perfect for the job. He’s a good shooter and makes his free throws. He does not have the respect of the refs though (do any Jazz players?) — so he’s essentially Memo with less consistent range.

I think Locke (you know me and him are tight) feels like Fes brings something different to the table. Absolutely no offensive game (save for dunks) and a really big body. Fes is 7’1 with a standing reach og 9’5 (same as greg oden), he’s over 300 pounds and isn’t against hard fouls. Fes does not know that you shouldn’t challenge stars on dunks.

The Koof is an suv, has all the potential in the world to do anything. Fes is a pick up truck — limited in focus, but built specifically for one job.

The Jazz — I think — don’t have a 7 foot banger who plays recklessly and can get in guys heads. (Fes owned Bynum when they match up against one another — let’s not forget that)

Follow me on Twitter: AllThatAmar
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by AllThatJazzBasketball on Oct 15, 2009 11:58 AM MDT reply actions

fes also had solid outings against yao and shaq -- but how many true bigmen are there still?

Kosta is the better answer in the long run.

Follow me on Twitter: AllThatAmar
Visit my blog: http://allthatjazzbasketball.blogspot.com/
E-Mail me at: allthatjazzbasketball@hotmail.com
Really, I'm totally not lonely or anything . . .

by AllThatJazzBasketball on Oct 15, 2009 12:09 PM MDT up reply actions