Some pain at Jazz practice

The first word that came to my mind this morning when I entered the Jazz’s training facility was a simple: OUCH!
And, no, Greg Ostertag was not there shooting jump shots.
I was simply feeling the pain that some Jazz youngsters — namely Morris Almond, Kyrylo Fesenko and Kosta Koufos — had to be experiencing.
Players generally hit the weight room next to the court prior to practice every day, but today those three brought medicine balls into the large gym to use during some painful-looking sit-ups.
While lying down they held the ball with their outstretched hands. They then had to do the sit up while throwing the heavy ball over their heads at a wall, catch, and repeat the painful process.
“That’s one of (strength coach) Mark McKown’s specialties,” Almond said with a chuckle. “I just do as I’m told. … He says it’ll get me right, so I just do what he says.”
Along with obviously strengthening his core, Almond says it helps him so he doesn’t just “walk in half asleep” to practice.
Almond joked that it can only help his fellow second-year pro and former Utah Flash teammate, too.
“Well, Fes has got a little bit of a midsection,” he said, smiling, “so it won’t hurt him.”
After it stops hurting him, that is.

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Speaking of painful…
Matt Harpring participated in part of the Jazz’s practice today. It’s just the second time this fall he’s been able to take part in some drills and scrimmages since his ankle was badly infected following offseason surgery.
“It feels good,” he said. “I’ve got to start somewhere. It’s nice to get back on the court, but … I’m just not there yet.”
Harpring said he still doesn’t have a timetable for his return, but he’s working as hard as he can to make it happen.