Impressions on Fes

[GP]

I have read that a lot of people thought Fes played rather poorly at the RMR. Since I didn't see any of the games, it isn't possible for me to gather too much info on his play, other than his stats. From what I could glean from those, it looked like he had a decent RMR, not great, but not bad either. What I mostly look for are blocks and rebounds, since we need a defensive presence in the middle, I figure scoring is something we already have plenty of. He averaged 17 min/game, averaged 2.1 blk and 4.8 rebs (please correct me if these numbers are wrong). To me at least, these don't look too bad. For people who watched the games what was your overall impressions of Fes?

[Beto]

I think Fes has the potential to be a defensive pressence in the paint. He definitely has the big body and mobility to be intimidating. Probably more so than Kosta, who seems to avoid physical contact down low.

However, Fes is still learning the game and is evident when he plays. He often gets out of possesion which allow players to drive against him and make easy uncontested lay ups. When he does this he either gets to far to make a block or ends up commiting a foul and allowing the player to score at the same time. On offense, sometimes he doesn't know where he has to go or what he has to do after the play gets going. He knows some of the things like coming to the top of the key and asking for the ball; dishing it to the player coming off the screen. But when the play doesn't come through, he gets nervous and doesn't know what to do next. I get the feeling like he is trying to do everything by the textbook and is not confident enough to diviate from it.

There was also talk about his lack of conditioning. There were times where he looked like he was dominating the paint i.e. blocking shots, dishing the outlet pass, running the floor for a lay up or post up. But then there were time he looked like he was a fish out of water sucking up air, lost, making dumb plays. Sloan comment on this on several occassions and hinted that the disparity had to do with his lack of conditioning.

Finally, there has been questions as to his maturity. How he doesn't take practices seriously and lacks the focus to make himself the player that he is capable of being. Ultimately, it is up to Fes whether he will live up to expectations. One encouraging thing which I read today in the Trib was how both Fes and Kosta were dissapointed the way they played in the RMR. Kosta has decided not participate in the Olympics and Fes has decided not to go back to the Ukraine and instead both will go to LA and work on their game. Fes especially said that he was really dissapointed in his play and how he blew his opportunity to make a good impression on the Jazz staff. He vowed to work hard and be ready to go for Jazz training camp this fall. So I guess, only time will tell if he is committed to his game as we all hoped he would be.

[JStockLivesOn]

Nice assessment. I think you've hit on it.

If he really does have understand the situation, that'll be great. I have no doubt that Koufos knows the score, so if Fes does as well, that bodes well for us.

[JazzInsider]

There is no hope for Fes period. He isn't even a decent D-league player. He has no future other than the circus. You homers holding onto that one Lakers game that he "played well" in, need to turn the page. He SUCKS!

[dalekjazz]

Just as Kirilenko has been working with Hornacek on his shooting, Fes need to start working out with Mark Eaton who despite been an unathletic, unheralded fourth round pick, used his work ethic, superior basketball IQ, and great position defense, to become one of the best defensive players in the history of the NBA.

[gojazzmjsucks]

watching him in the RMR he looked like he was in really good shape,but is still way to slow on making decisions!He needs to get a nasty strike in him like Harpring said.

[carrottop12]

I was disappointed, I thought he'd be closer to being ready then he was. Looks like he'll have another year in Orem, and if that doesn't work out he could be trade bait.

[BiggMann]

throughly unimpressed.

But hopefully Sloan can light that fire, because it seems that's all he needs.

[erudite23]

I think its definitely time to ratchet back expectations. The dude is starting to look like someone who just isn't ever going to "get it". However, there's still some hope. Its just that right now its a very very dim one.