Second-year center Kyrylo Fesenko was ready and willing to play in the NBA Development League. But he's happy to be back with the Jazz.
When rookie Kosta Koufos was assigned to the Utah Flash on Thursday (he scored 21 points in Friday's 109-82 win over Anaheim), it meant the Jazz had to recall Morris Almond or Fesenko, since an NBA team can't have more than two players in the D-League at the same time. The Jazz sent for Fesenko, who averaged 12.2 points and 8.5 rebounds with the Flash this season.
"I'm happy," he said prior to practice Friday morning. "I'm on NBA team again. It is always better."
Fesenko, who won't turn 23 until December, has played 213 minutes in 27 games during almost two full seasons with the Jazz. It's time to have a greater impact, he said: "I am here now and I think I am ready to prove something to somebody."
In the zone
The Jazz try to avenge Wednesday's 118-114 loss at Phoenix when they play host to the Suns tonight. Against Utah, the Suns used a zone defense effectively, so the Jazz will likely see it again.
Asked if he was worried about the possibility, coach Jerry Sloan said, "Not if we play [well]. If we try to do the right thing, I feel confident every time we step on the floor -- if we execute."
According to Sloan, the Jazz took too many quick shots against the Phoenix zone. When those shots didn't fall, the long rebounds played into the hands of the fast-breaking Suns.
"We can't come down, take one shot and -- bam -- chase their fast break," Sloan said. "If we do that, we'll get in better shape, maybe. But the idea is to try and win the game."
