Me or Fes?

Posted by Laurie Nylund on December 17, 2007

The game Saturday night against Seattle was certainly a welcome win. Watching the game from the stands is always more fun than watching it from the couch, even though this game was not in any way close to the level of excitement or skill I saw at the Laker game a couple of weeks ago.

I read the Salt Lake Tribune story afterward that attributed the win to better defense on the part of the Jazz, but I am not so sure about that. I firmly believe that the best offense is a good defense. But the Sonics could not hit the broad side of a barn all night long. It got to the point that I almost felt sorry for them-almost but not quite. So while this game offered Sloan the opportunity to preach the importance of the D word again, I think in this case it was the complete lack of offense on the part of the opponent that had more to do with winning.

Or maybe it was something else. A couple of theories I came up with:

1. My presence at the game. The Jazz have won every game I have attended this year. For example, I went to the Lakers game and the Jazz won, even though Boozer was out. I didn’t get to the Heat game Monday, but maybe that could be explained by some carryover aura from the Lakers game. I didn’t get to the Portland game the next week and we lost. Then the next win didn’t happen until I went to the Seattle game on Saturday. See the connection? Just in case this is the real reason that the Jazz win at home, I am sure that all the true blue Jazz fans out there will want to make sure I attend every home game in person for the rest of the season. If you agree, please send me email and I will give you directions on how to get your tickets (preferably lower bowl) to me. I promise to adjust my schedule and make whatever sacrifice is necessary to accommodate the needs of the team.

2. Fesenko’s presence at the game. Fes played more than 17 minutes in the win against the Lakers and more than 10 minutes against Seattle. After having been sent back down twice now, he can only go back to the Flash one more time this year. Perhaps Sloan should just keep him with the team and get him at least 10 minutes every night. He certainly is the fan favorite this year, so no matter what, pleasing the crowd would be an upside for the organization. Those loud Fes fans who were in the upper bowl corner Saturday night would certainly agree.

3. Memo’s presence on the bench. It isn’t that I want to see Memo sit, as his money ball was one of the highlights of last year. I would much rather he find his touch again and improve his defense to help the Jazz win. But it is somewhat disconcerting to think that we won both times when he was out of the line-up.

So what do you think? What do the Jazz need to do to keep winning?

1 Comment

Linda McFarland on December 17, 2007 said:

Appreciate your description of some of the game. I was attending a Christmas party in Sun Valley and missed seeing it. If ( and that is one big if) the players would be happy to see the team win as a team and not worry about how much they play and how the numbers are individually, then the second team needs to come in strong and give the points while the starters rest. That should be whichever players are working the hardest in practice and showing the energy that they need to bring to the game. They get paid the same if on the bench or playing so work as a TEAM and quit worrying about individual stats. Make the Jazz the best, not certain players. Keep Fes and give him some time so he can go in when needed and play well. The answer is team,team,team but I wish I had the answer to how you make them think that way.

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