The Kyrylo Fesenko Era has begun.
It isn’t official yet, but local newspapers are reporting that a deal is in place to bring the 7-foot Ukrainian to the Jazz this season, either to play with the senior squad or to join the Utah Flash of the D-League when they open play this fall. The Jazz will have to buy out Fesenko’s current contract with Cherkaski Mavpi, his team in Ukraine, for a sum of $500,000, rather than pay the $1 million it would take to bring Fess over next year.
As the Salt Lake Tribune article mentions, this deal could mean Rafael Araujo is heading to Europe. It would be hard to let Hoffa take up another roster spot, whether Fess stays with the parent club or not. The departure of Araujo is going to be a bummer, because I really feel like he never got a decent shot in the NBA and think he suffered under the weight of unfair expectations. (I also have some residual loyalty to him as a former Cougar, but I digress.)
The best part of this news? Fesenko is a beat writer’s dream — he’s so quotable you just have to stick a tape recorder near his mouth and the stories write themselves. Prepare for wackiness, Jazz fans.
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Layton Shumway is the chief copy editor for BYU’s Daily Universe. You can reach him at lss83@byu.net.
August 14th, 2007 at 11:08 pm
Sure, it’s great for the Jazz, but think about the consequences for Cherkaski Mavpi! How are they meant to be competitive in the Ukranian league without Fesenko?
It is really disappointing that we’re not going to see Hoffa back playing for the Jazz next year, but if he is playing full time in Europe, at least he will be getting some more minutes and who knows, down the track we could see him back in Jazz colours.
I actually thought at the end of last season that Hoffa and Dee Brown would both be back this season, especially after Miller’s comments about how highly regarded Hoffa is by the coaching staff, and Dee’s efforts late in the year. Even though they don’t get a lot of minutes, they are two players that I am really disappointed we won’t be seeing again.
Every time someone hit a big shot you would always see Hoffa and Dee standing up at the end of the bench supporting their team. You could tell they both loved to play for this team and that is why it is really sad to see them go.
Just for the record, I’d still rather see Hoffa and Fess backing up Memo than Collins, but I’m probably being a little harsh on the big guy!
August 15th, 2007 at 9:04 am
No, you’re not being harsh. I would much rather see Rafa and Fess than Collins. They are much less expensive too. We really need to trade Collins and Giri and keep Rafa and Dee, the one man fast break.
August 15th, 2007 at 1:52 pm
“Ukranian overlord?” Deadspin or Simpsons much?
As long as he’s thick, willing to mix it up down low, and doesn’t let Sloan beat the fun out of him, I say, “welcome Ukranian overlord” indeed.
August 15th, 2007 at 6:27 pm
“Deadspin or Simpsons much?”
…okay, maybe a little of both.
August 16th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
I love and appreciate each and every deadspin, freedarko, and simpsons reference, anywhere, anytime.
August 17th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
I am excited about Fes, but like most here, I am saddened to see Rafa go. It is overkill to say it, but compared to Collins, Rafa is a much better option.