Playoff centers, the Jazz, and Fes

[zman1527]

It looks to me like every or almost every playoff team has a good-defense, little-offense center who gets a lot of PT: Perkins for OKC, Haywood for Mavs (backup, 19 mpg), Asik for the Bulls, Gray for the Hornets to name a few. The Jazz meanwhile have one they will not play because he is not good enough on offense? Doesn't seem to matter to these other teams and they seem to have done pretty well anyway.

Make all the criticisms you want about Fes and there can be many. But almost every time he plays more than a few minutes he is a very positive force for the Jazz, often in ways that do not show up other than +/-. Look how he shut down Bynum in his last game, and it took the Jazz 3 years to figure that out? After watching him do the same against Yao Ming 3 years ago?

Its hard to figure. I am guessing it is because he messes up their offensive system. But what kind of system is it that cannot fit in an important defensive piece? Anyway, look at the playoff teams and see the success they are having playing guys with similar offensive skills. Fes needs to play more, 20 mpg at least.

 

[gomretat]

If Fes played consistently good defense - just good, not great - he would get plenty of playing time.

 

[The Thriller]

Fess? Defense? Force?

Are you talking about donuts or basketball?

Every team in the playoffs right now has a big/bigs who play with intensity, defend, and are quick enough to help defend guards and forwards.

Fess is not that. This year of all years was his year to shine. Instead, he fumbled passes, played without any intensity, was slower and out of shape, and sat games out due to hangovers. The proof was in the pudding, when at the very end of the year Fess confessed that he needed to "get into shape." At the end of the year...

Somehow, I doubt Tyson Chandler or Noah waited until game 82 to decide to get into shape.

Biyombo and Favors might be able to be the defenders down low that we need for a championship. But not Fess. Time to move on folks. His era is over. Fess was just here for the ride (and a few million). Send him and AK on the same plane trip back to Europe. Lets get us some real players, ones who actually care about kicking ***; Who aren't just excited about having a visa and being here in the USA, via the draft.

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Did you really name Aaron Gray?

 

[zman1527]

Did you really name Aaron Gray?

Yes. Why not? They were a playoff team, he got 14 mpg, about double Fes.

What confuses you? That a guy who is not Jordanesque actually has some NBA value? Another guy who is big, blocks the lane, plays defense for a living.

It seems to be working for playoff teams. My suggestion is that the Jazz try it.

 

[Scorpjazz]

Fes = failure, totally. The idea is good, but Fes is NOT the answer

 

[BENTLEY]

zman1527 has a point. And the guts to make it. A guy like Aaron Gray is considered total crap, and yet he's 7'2" 270lbs. There's something to be said for at least being a big body just standing there. Ostertag was vilified for his lazy motor - and rightly so - but he was still valuable just because he was big.

Is it ideal? Of course not. But it is what it is.

Fes also suffers from a lazy motor I think. But I think he does help the Jazz just taking up space out there. The occasional good game is icing. I would be thrilled if the Jazz resigned Fes (for a reasonable price -- use all the arguments against him to keep the price down).

 

[7StraightIsGreat]

It's pretty simple: Fes doesn't want to be out there on the floor. He's lazy, he doesn't work to earn more PT and he seems to be rather happy being the 13th man on the Utah bench. For whatever reasons, some Jazz fans like punishing themselves and try and talk themselves into having more hope for Fes. This thread is a perfect "Exhibit A" in that regard but the bottom line is that Fes is a lazy, unmotivated P.O.S. and always will be.

 

[vslice02]

I'm often torn on Fesenko's future.

The good: With his massive size and bulk, Fes is a good 1-on-1 defender against massive centers and easily Utah's best defender against Andrew Bynum. He may appear offensively-challenged at times but is not an offensive liablity, and last year he added a nice little left-shoulder jump hook that's pretty reliable from 5-10 feet.
The bad: Despite his size and mobility, he's not a good team defender, shot-changer, or rebounder. He doesn't have the timing or positioning to alter alot of shots in the middle - and his foul rate is off the charts. His woeful FT shooting is essentially a turnover whenever he goes to the line. Even worse, of the 27 games he didn't play in - over half were due to injury or illness and it's frustrating to watch a young player miss multiple games from gastric distress and migraines.

He's not the savior many fans hoped, but with an offensive-minded center like Al, I think the Jazz could do alot worse at backup than Fes. I'd like to see him back - but I suspect the Jazz are ready to move on.

 

[NAOS]

what use will we have for Fes once Biyombo is on the team? eh?

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Fess has no future with the Jazz, especially if we drafter Kanter or Biyombo.

 

[zman1527]

what use will we have for Fes once Biyombo is on the team? eh?

How is that can't-miss superstar Greg Oden working out for the Blazers? All draftees are a roll of the dice.

 

[NAOS]

How is that can't-miss superstar Greg Oden working out for the Blazers? All draftees are a roll of the dice.

good ****ing point, man. Good ****ing point. Let's darft 10 of everything.

BTW, this is post #1000. I'd like to thank all my many supporters, especially those who are auctioning off my autographs for charity.

 

[Harambe]

Did you really name Aaron Gray?

This. If anyone's a defensive stopper down low for the Bulls, it's Taj Gibson. That dude isn't the keystone of that team, but they wouldn't be in the conference finals without him.

 

[YB85]

Fess has no future with the Jazz, especially if we drafter Kanter or Biyombo.

Hell, the Jazz could draft two point guards and that would end Fes' tenure with the Jazz. SirStalkyFes will have to find a new jersey to wear to Oracle Arena.

 

[NUMBERICA]

This. If anyone's a defensive stopper down low for the Bulls, it's Taj Gibson. That dude isn't the keystone of that team, but they wouldn't be in the conference finals without him.

Aaron Gray plays for the Hornets.

 

[zman1527]

This. If anyone's a defensive stopper down low for the Bulls, it's Taj Gibson. That dude isn't the keystone of that team, but they wouldn't be in the conference finals without him.

Asik plays regular minutes despite doing nothing on offense. Thibodeau must think he does something useful. Fes could do the same.

 

[BENTLEY]

what use will we have for Fes once Biyombo is on the team? eh?

I like his motor - at least from the little I've seen and read about it. I'm talking about Bismack, not Fes. Huge contrast there.
But where will Bismack be drafted? He's been all over the mocks.

 

[NUMBERICA]

The answer to the question you didn't ask is that he doesn't play because he's not a good basketball player. He's a poor rebounder for his position (let alone his insane size, power, and mobility), he generally has a poor motor, he generally plays poor team D, he has a poor basketball (and otherwise) IQ, and of course that means he's inconsistent. I'm done with the kid.

 

[NAOS]

I like his motor - at least from the little I've seen and read about it. I'm talking about Bismack, not Fes. Huge contrast there.
But where will Bismack be drafted? He's been all over the mocks.

I'd have no problem with the Jazz taking him at 6 or 7. I'm betting that Knight or Bismack will be there, and if they are both there I'd take Biyombo.