From Deseret News archives:
Jazz players have summer reunion on Chinese court
Just like you'd expect from teammates, rather than opponents.
For 40 minutes Sunday afternoon at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, the Utah Jazz frontline tandem of Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko were just that teammates-turned-foes.
Actually, the Jazz combo was really a trio in the Shanghai spotlight Sunday afternoon, with Boozer and Utah guard Deron Williams part of the United States men's Olympic basketball team that posted an 89-68 before-Beijing warm-up win over the Kirilenko-led Russian Olympic squad.
Game MVP Kobe Bryant led the Americans with 19 points, while fellow starter Carmelo Anthony added 17 and reserve Dwyane Wade 16 on a combined 19-of-30 shooting.
Williams played just under 20 minutes, finishing with 2-of-3 shooting including a 3-pointer at the end of the opening quarter and five points to go along with a game-best nine assists and two steals.
He also earned some specific postgame praise from U.S. head coach Mike Kryzewski: "Deron Williams' floor game was sensational tonight."
About the only thing that kept Qizhong Arena becoming the Chinese equivalent of EnergySolutions Arena was a long 3-pointer from Mehmet Okur and a toboggan slide down the stairway by Jazz mascot Bear.
While both Boozer and Williams are both coming off the U.S. bench, Kirilenko is the Russians' obvious star on Sunday he led the team with 18 points, eight rebounds, four assists, a blocked shot and he added a steal as well.
Both Williams and Boozer liked what they saw in Kirilenko's play and hope that he contributes in similar fashion next season.
"We look forward to him doing for us more of what he did today," said Boozer, adding "AK was so aggressive and very confident he played great. Let me tell you, if we can get that out of him in Utah, whew, we might be cutting the nets down."
Kirilenko called the Jazz threesome's appearance as "interesting" but talked more as if he were envious of the other squad.
Recent comments
Me too.
To Ryan | Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:40 p.m.
I have repeatedly seen these "backhanded compliments" from Boozer and...
RE: Boozer | Aug. 6, 2008 at 9:04 a.m.
That still doesn't change the fact thats he only worth about 2.5...
RE: To AK Bashers | Aug. 5, 2008 at 5:00 p.m.
- Smoking up nationally, down in Utah 5:36 p.m.
- 4A: Springville holds off Dixie 5:28 p.m.
- Lit flicks: Holiday movie offerings 5:17 p.m.
- 1940s thrillers are new to DVD 5:17 p.m.
- Keb' Mo' enjoys independence 5:16 p.m.
- On the screen 5:16 p.m.
- Weekend entertainment calendar 5:16 p.m.
- 'Bruno,' 'Star Trek' new to DVD 5:16 p.m.
- Coming soon to theater near you 5:16 p.m.
- Musician writes first note to last 5:16 p.m.
- House passes health care bill
328 - SLC council OKs gay rights policies
312 - TCU showdown has big implications
195 - Senators want food tax restored
158 - Cougars crush hapless Cowboys
155 - Utah Jazz fall apart against Kings
131 - Will state consider gay rights law?
130 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
120 - TCU 4th in AP poll; U. 16th, Y. 22nd
119 - Letters: Strange breed in Utah
117
About that margin of victory, you got to remember that Bingham gains that...
This woman doesn't want to sympathize, she just wants to pick up the affair...
How did you get hired at your business if they have an intellectual...
"...explain to me how it's possible to know if a mouse is gay or not?" I...
I believed what you are saying.........3 years ago! I knew these wimps were...
Uh, to everyone discussing the Utes going to another BCS game: did any of you...
dear no dissing intended, I appreciate your question. I don't think that...
you care enough to make a post about it. Go RSL
I look for this game to be won or lost in the trenches. With Davis's DE...
Devils rule! Predicting a big upset and a state title for Springville next week


