When rookie Kosta Koufos was assigned to the Utah Flash on Thursday, 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."

Asked if he gained anything from his most recent trip to the D-League, Fesenko said, "A lot of confidence. It is real nice to play there. To switch roles a little bit -- from last guy to starting player -- was nice. But this is NBA."

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."

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Getting some playing time

In 48 games with the Jazz, including seven starts, Koufos averaged 4.7 points and 2.9 rebounds.

With rotation regulars Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko returning from injury, however, Koufos hasn't played in a game since Feb. 17.

That's why the Jazz sent him to the Flash.

"He looks a lot better in a Basketball uniform than he does in a suit," said vice president of Basketball operations Kevin O'Connor . "He needs some game experience."

With the Flash, Koufos joins a team that is battling for the best regular-season record in the D-League. He will likely play an important role down the stretch for coach Brad Jones .

"Anytime you turn on a clock and keep score you want to see somebody who's competitive," O'Connor said. "Hopefully, he'll do that."

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In the zone

The Jazz try to avenge Wednesday's 118-114 loss at Phoenix when they play host to the Suns on Saturday night.

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."

Point guard Deron Williams admitted, "We didn't do a good job with our transition defense. That's something we have to work on. They sent someone to the other end as soon as the shot went up. That's something we've got to adjust to."

luhm@sltrib.com