From Deseret News archives:
Kirilenko continues to show versatility
That's how many wins ESPN.com NBA expert Frank Hughes predicted the Utah Jazz would earn this 82-game season. Hughes and others felt the Jazz had the least-talented team in the league and would likely be one of the all-time worst in history.
Some others weren't quite so harsh, but none figured the Jazz would finish above .500 this transitional season and be in the thick of the playoff race down to the wire especially in the loaded Western Conference.
But thanks in large part to new All-Star Andrei Kirilenko, the do-it-all Russian with the infectious smile the Jazz have proven the "experts" to be dead wrong.
Nine.
That's how many games the Jazz won in March alone.
Take that, Mr. Hughes.
There were others from the state who had outstanding performances last month including Jazz teammates Raja Bell and Carlos Arroyo, BYU big man Rafael Araujo, Ute guard Nick Jacobson and Utah gymnasts Annabeth Eberle and Melissa Vituj. But for his enormous role during the Jazz's unlikely playoff race, Kirilenko has been named the Deseret Morning News' Athlete of the Month for March.
He knows he's valuable due to his versatility.
"I am a pretty good all-around player, so I can concentrate on other things (rather than shooting)," he said after a huge game March 23 when he had 19 points, seven blocks, seven assists, four steals and eight rebounds against the Wizards. "For me, I think my game from defense to offense. Not from offense to defense. Start to play good defense, feel confident on the floor and you feel good."
Kirilenko admits he needs to be more consistent, but he's still young. He didn't turn 23 until mid-February.
Jazz coach Jerry Sloan likes the fact that Kirilenko listens in practice in an attempt to get better.
"I've gotten on his butt as hard as I have anybody," Sloan said recently, "and he's responded in the right way, in my opinion. He's a terrific guy to coach."
Kirilenko is currently third in the NBA in steals and fourth in blocked shots. Plus, he leads the Jazz in scoring and rebounding as well.
"He's such a force on both ends" of the court, said teammate Greg Ostertag earlier this season.
Comments
- Utah newborns part of health study 8:18 p.m.
- Girl called 'a hero' 8:04 p.m.
- Spectacular defense has RSL 7:51 p.m.
- Zone D giving Jazz headaches 7:39 p.m.
- Millsap a surprise on ballot 7:38 p.m.
- D.C.-area sniper executed 7:37 p.m.
- NBA's worry is Donaghy 7:36 p.m.
- Where's 'Tag when Utah needs him? 7:34 p.m.
- Utah Jazz have a problem at point 7:33 p.m.
- Nyhus steps down as coach 7:31 p.m.
- Utah group finds homes for orphans
- Pratt pleads not guilty to sex charges
- Y. tight ends talented tandem
- Jazz blow big lead, hang on
- Utes get extra motivation
- Senators want food tax restored
- Hair-pulling raises more questions
- BYU soccer incident still popular
- Lobo land like home for BYU lineman
- U. hopes to keep clicking
- House passes health care bill
259 - TCU showdown has big implications
187 - Lobo suspended
185 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Senators want food tax restored
146 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - No 'backlash' for pioneers, gays analogy
104 - RSL rallies to advance
103 - S.L. vote pending on gay protections
100
After beating the Knicks in New York on Monday night, Jerry Sloan was...
BYU coach Bronco Mendenhall said this morning that placekicker Justin...
Despite this, many people will still hate the church for their stance on gay...
"Any laws to favor gays should be put on indefinite hold until they and their...
Bring your A game Tigers, I want to see another game up at "The Turf" this...
This is the inclusiveness that the Savior would give. He wouldn't approve of...
Watch and 1997 game 6 semi final vs. Houston and watch Ostertag shut down...
serious credibility problem for years. They really should have some type of...
I'm just glad that Al Gore is going to be even richer than Bill Gates after...
I hope he mentioned the last game of the last championship series in which...
thank you for the very good counsel.
I agree there is 10 fouls there 5 hard fouls between them (fes and koufos)....




You can be the first to comment on this story.