Fesenko!

[rainmaker]

Starting to upset me that with no backup center's on this team still, I haven't heard anything about us going after him. He still isn't signed.

We saw tonight just how much it hurts us when Cousins is on the bench. We have no backup center. JT doesn't cut it, and JJ just isn't an option at center. Now, that isn't to say JT hasn't played well defensively, he has, but against pf's.

So why not throw 1-2M at Fesenko? He has size, was schooled by Sloan, and has some experience, and best of all, is a good help defender who clogs the paint.

The lack of any depth at center will hurt us. Now with Hayes out for maybe a month, we'd be royally screwed if any of JJ, JT or Cousins were out for any time at all.

I'm concerned that we have a center starting only his 2nd season, surrounded by perimeter players who keep getting beat off the dribble, increasing the chances he gets in foul trouble, and not a single backup center on this roster. JT can fill in there at times or out of necessity, but he isn't a center.

 

[King Baller]

I think Fesenko would be a fine back up center for this team. Big guy, some defensive ability and an OK touch around the basket.

KB

 

[OptimusRhyme]

three words: os-ter-tag

 

[Tetsujin]

three words: os-ter-tag

4 more words: Big man in Thong

 

[Chupacabra]

Jason Thompson!

 

[Circa_1985_Fan]

Jason Thompson!

Jason Thompson= bone head...like the guy, he just doesn't seem to be that smart of a player on a consistant basis...I think as a 10-15 mpg energy guy off the bench is a good role for him, at PF though.

 

[Spike]

Jason Thompson!

Not at the 5. I think he's a pretty good 4. IMO, a very good bench player at the 4. I think he can only give spot minutes at the 5. If we need extended minutes from JT at the 5, then it will be a tough go because of the bigger bodies. I don't know how I feel about Fesenko per se, but I do feel like we need another post player. And not a stubby dude, or a skinny guy, but someone with beef.

 

[bajaden]

Not at the 5. I think he's a pretty good 4. IMO, a very good bench player at the 4. I think he can only give spot minutes at the 5. If we need extended minutes from JT at the 5, then it will be a tough go because of the bigger bodies. I don't know how I feel about Fesenko per se, but I do feel like we need another post player. And not a stubby dude, or a skinny guy, but someone with beef.

Interesting that everyone thinks Thompson is better at the four than the five. He was a center in college. On synergy.com, Thompson is rated as a better defender at the center position. His +/- numbers are better at the center position. His rebounding percentages are better at the center position. Having said that, I've always felt his best position is at PF. I guess perception isn't always correct. He's been jerked around more than anyone on the team not named Greene, and that hasn't helped his growth as a player. But it is what it is.

I'd be fine with signing Fesenko. He's a big body that takes up space under the basket. He's not exactly the kind of player you want if your going to be a running team though.
And before we get all excited about this guy, lets remember that in 4 years at Utah, the most he's been able to garner is 8 minutes a game. He's not a good passer, he's an average rebounder, and a terrible freethrow shooter.

 

[Chupacabra]

To give a clearer response i dont feel fesenko is worth the money his agent will want. Also consider he'd be a backup center. Id much rather have cousins see as much playing time as possible. Why pay someone a bunch of money to take court time away from a superior player?

 

[Bricklayer]

To give a clearer response i dont feel fesenko is worth the money his agent will want. Also consider he'd be a backup center. Id much rather have cousins see as much playing time as possible. Why pay someone a bunch of money to take court time away from a superior player?

I am not really concerend about that at all with Smart. He seems to be very, ahem, smart about how he uses his star guys. Which is to say he is going to ride them for as long as he can ride them and just needs the other guys to do some dirty work in support around the edges.