The Kids

Posted by J R Stewart on November 01, 2009

I call them “The Kids”.  The 7’ 0” Kosta Koufos is just 20, and the 7’ 1” Kyroylo Fesenko is only 22. So, they’re just kids in terms of most NBA players. Also, Coach Sloan and his assistants tend to treat them as kids as well.

Fes is as goofy as Kosta is serious.

Both have had flashes of some nice skills.

Despite the under whelming performances by Jarron Collins over the years, Jerry has always had more confidence in the 8 year veteran, than either of the kids. This year with the Jazz having the 2^nd highest payroll in the NBA, and languishing in luxury tax purgatory, to save money, the Jazz didn’t resign Collins.

This will be a great move for the kids!

Jerry can look as far down the bench as his 67-year-old eyesight will allow, and still not find any other 7 footers to substitute.

So, this is their year.

Kosta is still in his rookie contract years and Fes will be a free agent at year’s end. It’s time for them to step up and show that they can either play or put an end of “the project.” Most of the big guys are “a project” and develop slower, than their speedy compatriots. The Kids have been no different.

They are now needed, and hopefully won’t be pulled out every time they make a mistake. They need to gain some confidence. They will get that by getting some extended playing time and working through mistakes.

With Memo nursing a lame knee and ankle, Fes got to start and Kosta also got some time off the bench against the PaperClips, who we may have to start calling the Clippers, when the #1 draft pick, Blake Griffin, returns.

They got 19 and 12 minutes. Fes made it through the entire 3^rd quarter, without being yanked and well into the 4^th.

Fes even got that rare, rare compliment from Jerry, “Nice game young fella.” That’s real progress!

The game??? Geeeeeze, those first 3 quarters were like watching a bull fight. I kept waiting for the red capes to wave another lay-up through to the basket.

TORO! TORO!!, I yelled. Then, OLE!, as the PaperClips made another unmolested drive to the hoop.

Finally, in the 3^rd quarter the PaperClips dropped their heads, as the Picadors and the altitude finally got to them. Or, perhaps they were just worn out from all those lay-ups.

Allowing 60 points in the first half was like watching a lay-up drill. The vaunted “defense”, we are supposed to expect, is still apparently in a gestational stage.

This may be a long labor and hard delivery.

Jazzaholic

6 Comments

tman11 on November 01, 2009 said:

I am really liking what i’m seeing from those two guys. Kosta having more skill and, athelticism and, Fex big muscel type guy. Both are playing great I did like Kosta performance a little better then Fezs last night . He played less time and got more rebounds and, to me made more of an impact but, they both are playing great for being how old they are

J R Stewart on November 01, 2009 said:

You’re right. They are very different players and you can’t teach height.

They should get some more PT this year.

I think that’s all they will need to jump start their games.

Jazzaholic

Linda on November 02, 2009 said:

I agree with your blog JR. It is funny though that when my husband coached I would get mad during the game because he would take out a certain player but it never faioed on the way home, he always had a good reason to esplain to me. I guess I will just get mad if Jerry takes out the “kids” when I think he shouldn’t and hope he has a good reason. Well, got home Saturday night and we are just leaving for SLC for the game. See ya!

Annie on November 02, 2009 said:

Nice post young fella!

Diana Allen on November 02, 2009 said:

Fess had a great game on Friday night. He was a lot of fun to watch. I didn’t hate Collins like a lot of people do I feel he filled a role. I am however excited to see these young kids get a chance to play.

J R Stewart on November 02, 2009 said:

Annie:
Nice comment young filly. I don’t know if I have any qualification left to the young part, but thanks.

Diana:
Jarron was the better player to sub, at the time, but these guys have the potential to be very good. Now that he’s no longer an option, Jerry just about has to go with the Kids, unless he wants to play “Donnie Ball.”. It might even cost the Jazz a game or two, but well worth it, if they develop like I hope they will.

Jarron is a great guy and team player. It’s just that he was causing a bottle neck.

I hope this will end up being an upgrade for the team, with out making a trade or taking on salary.

Jazzaholic

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