Deseret News | Reader comments: Andrei wants out of Utah

Reader comments
Andrei wants out of Utah

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Bye | 11:35 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

Good, I'll help pack his bags.

Mailing it in | 11:37 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

Apparently the systems not focused enough on him!!
Typical of todays NBA players. That explains the lack of effort that could have helped his team in the playoffs. G O O D R I D D A N C E !!!!!!!!!

Jazz Fan | 11:51 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

Really too bad for all..some may wonder now if Jerry's comments in the Houston series of an apparent philosophy that his job is just to coach (and impose a structure like a team curfew) and not to get inside his players heads (paraphrase) may have cost the Jazz yet another young player. At the level these players are at, many would argue that the most critical piece of coaching is getting well inside a players head and heart, regardless of who is at fault here, Jerry did not accomplish this with AK and he is paid to do so. With younger "new era" players Jerry has yet to demonstrate any ability connect with the heart and mind of his players to motivate them to higher levels. Remember, Deron has yet to sign an extension and made some interesting comments this summer about his rookie season negative experience here.

By the way, any one know if Derek Fisher really opted out to leave for medical reasons? Remember he also had some issues as well. Too bad for all.

Comments continue below

WONT MISS | 11:52 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

DONT LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE ___ ON the WAY OUT! ! ! On second thought.

mixed blessing? | 11:52 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

The good news is that Andrei did increase his trade value at EuroBasket. The bad news is that his value has become much less relevant now that he has definitely asked for a trade, because every other NBA team now knows that we have to unload him, and will low-ball their offers accordingly. Couple that with his massive contract, and we'll be lucky to get 30 cents on the dollar for him.

But at least we won't have to keep wondering about his inconsistency. If we can get a decent small forward out of the deal, we might be all right. Can't replace his defensive presence easily, though.

Patience | 11:59 p.m. Sept. 18, 2007

Look, everyone knows that AK and Sloan never got along. However nothing is going to be done going into training camp. AK should know this and if a trade is what he wanted, that should have been brought up prior to the draft to get something done in the summer. Now, after a good tournament, all we can hope for is he plays really hard and we can unload the crybaby in febuary. I doubt anything of substance is getting done in the meantime. It sucks that he makes so much. I'm willing to wait a year if portland wants to part ways with Oden. Wishful thinking, but that would be awesome!

Jean-Claude | 12:13 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I doubt this is a real story. Probably another mixup lost in translation. If not, then Andrei may be better off elsewhere, but the Jazz won't be better off without him.

K-bomb | 12:27 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Can we let Phil Johnson have a shot at "coaching" this team. Bring AK back, address the issues, get a new coach and win a title.

P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if this whole team blows up under sloans direction starting with AK, next is D Will opting out (he's clearly pissed about his rookie year) and Memo and Booz won't be far behind.

As For fisher wanting to be closer to NYC, he moved farther west. Does this answer your question FYI hi daughter is still being treated in NY not LA

rvalens2 | 12:43 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I just wonder if Andrei would be willing to renogotiate his contract, take less and then let the Jazz trade him?

It would make it a lot easier to make a deal work. Of course it would be a great test to see how badly he wants to leave.

Too bad he can't work out his problems with Sloan. The Jazz have the core players to become a great team, if they can keep them together.

Jean-Claude | 12:45 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

K-bomb, I agree with you. I don't believe that Sloan coaching D-Will and Booz will get us any closer to the championship than the Stockton to Malone days. Back then, we needed an X-Factor, Shot blocker, type and we didn't have that. Kirilenko can be that player, and in the European Championship he was the star and his team won it all. We have the players we need already. A winner coach who isn't afraid of San Antonio is the key and trading AK-47 should not be an option. Jazz fans have experienced enough heartache and I don't want more of the status quo. I want a championship!!!

JP | 12:55 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

With the play of Paul Milsap, AK has become expendable. We have to make room for D-Wills contract and resigning Paul Milsap next year.

I've got friends in Phoenix who say the Suns want AK for Matrix, I'd take that deal in a heart beat. Marion is a three point threat, plays decent defense and knows how to pass the ball. He would make a better role player to Booze and D-Will than AK is willing. PULL THE TRIGGER KEVIN !!!

Brad Peterson | 1:00 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Kirilenko is an emotional softie. A very, very nice guy, but still a softie. He needs to grow up and be a man.

How many NBA coaches out there fit Kirilenko's nit-picky emotionally soft system? Not many...and those that do win just 20-30 games a season. If Kirilenko wants, we can ship him off to one of those teams, he'll be the star player, and the team will continue to win 30 games a season. Or if he wants to be on a team that competes, he needs to understand coaches will be tough, fellow players will have strong personalities, and he can't be the #1 go to guy every time.

Kirilenko, simply needs to grow up and be a man. He decides *now* that he doesn't want to stay with the Jazz? After a full trading summer? What a childish act. If Kirilenko doesn't change soon, he'll be crying the rest of his career.

Dmitry from moscow | 1:12 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Now the silence of Jazz office and Trib regarding AK's MVP and Euro Champ makes sense.

Unfortunatelly it is best time for him to demand trade. He was highly discounted after 07 Jazz season. But Eurochamp MVP title actually brings him in line with Dirk (MVP Euro 05 and MVP NBA 07) or Tony Parker (NBA finals MVP 07). And no need to explain what that means to Jazz: they can trade him in one week to any team that runs uptempo and smart basketball regardless of $63 mn. contract, but it kills Jazz championship ambitions for next 3 years. Unless you get Kobe in return. But I doubt Kobe to play with Sloan and vise versa.

Yet I keep my fingers crossed and hope Jazz office and AK resolves this situation and keeps him. All you need to do is to change the game plan.

Who would take him? | 1:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Demand a trade all you want, AK. There isn't a team on this planet that would take on your salary. The Jazz aren't going to part ways with you if they're not getting anything in return.

Sure, you played great in Europe. Now you think you have the right to make demands? You really are an overgrown, spoiled child.

Utah isn't big enough to hold your ego. Good riddance.

Phil-bong | 1:17 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Yeah, let's bring in the zen master, for sure. This guy can only win with 4 superstars on his team. He's done a phenom job the last two years with Ko-ball-hoge.

The players today want to be on Sportscenter, rather than work. How long have we waited through all of the booze's "injuries". Players have to want to work hard.

D-will's rookie year? | 1:24 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

We're past Williams's rookie year. He's past his rookie year. This is a non-issue. Let's not overreact here and cry out "the sky is falling" just because AK is crying again.

AK has a lot of nerve to spout off about his displeasure. Sure, he has a right to say whatever he wants, but his comments have consequences (burning bridges, not mending fences). He won't have the nerve to sit out like AI did. Not even he is that greedy. And if he does sit out, who needs him? But I'd say he's just overconfident after playing well in Europe and he's being impulsively impish.

Prediction: AK plays next year because 1) the Jazz aren't gutsy enough to make a move and trade him (even if they could) and 2) AK isn't gutsy enough to sit out. Not exactly a prophecy.

SAD | 1:33 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK 47 will make the Jazz look really stupid if he ends up with a team like Phoenix. He is by far the most athletic player on the team, and he will be greatly missed. Boozer complained when people questioned his heart, Williams complained when he didn't get playing time as a rookie--and we all seem to have forgotten about their "attitude problems." AK complains about not getting touches, and we instantly label him a "crybaby." This looks like a case of reverse discrimination (and no, I'm not white). If this team implodes, at least we'll be able to watch Kirilenko rise to all-star status again--only with another team. Good luck AK--you were quiet long enough. You were really your best with Stockton and Malone--now that they are gone, there is no need to hang around with the selfish remnants.

Anonymous | 2:08 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK is a good player. But HE IS NOT a franchise player. He is now only the 4th or 5th most consistent player on the JAZZ team. I've seen many JAZZ games and I've seen how shaky his shooting was last season. And yet, when he plays with passion, within the team's system, he was good, and sometimes, spectacular. As for the Jazz's offensive options, it's definitely Boozer, Williams and Okur ahead of AK. I hope AK would take his conceived "mishandling" by Jerry Sloan as a motivation to play better. Maybe later in the season his trade value would be higher. If a trade happens then, I'm sure it would be beneficial to both AK and the JAZZ.

Tiny | 4:25 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I think K-bomb has a point. How is LA closer to NYC then Utah is?? I think Phil needs a crack at coaching this team. Sloan should take a season off a re-think his tactics and coaching methods. Obviously they're not helping the Utah Jazz. AK has been one of my fav players since Stockton left.

the rawns | 5:13 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

U guys are crazy. You were prob singing Sloan praises after the 2003-04 season. Remember that season? yeah best coachign job I have ever seen. How many losing records has he had in Utah? Oh yeah just 1 losing record in Utah. He came in 2nd last year in coach of the year voting. And get y'alls facts right. First Dwill cannot sign an extention till next year. SO dont think that this is Sloan its a freaking rule he cant sign an extentionl. Next how can he opt out after this season when next year is a team option? Kind of hard to opt out of a contract when its a team option (unless im missing something in the rules).

lost in DC | 5:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Trade him for another overpaid max player at the end of his contract so that at least next year we have cap space for Williams' extension

JERRY | 5:58 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGING OF THE GUARD

endow | 6:06 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

It all falls on the shoulders of one man, Gerry Sloan. This team is very talented and with the right head coach, could win a title. Time to stop losing players, time to build a team.

Anonymous | 6:39 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK is just moody. IF the story is true he'll probably change his mind a few more times before the season starts.

It's hard to be a fan of the NBA these days anyway. Not enough space to list all of the reasons.

Guaranteed contracts are the primary reason that the NBA is in decline and will never return to the glory days.

Anonymous | 6:42 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Oh great, now not even the white guys want to play here! Move the team to Vegas!

nottyou | 6:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Cya, hate to bya.

Jazz Fan | 7:05 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK is a huge reason for the success the Jazz have had. D-will wouln't throw him the ball last year, and I believe the Jazz would be foolish to let this talented of a player go. I like Sloan, but if he can't change/adapt to a younger generation the jazz should consider finding another head coach.

Sloan Stays | 7:07 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Now is the age of "revolving door" coaches. Why would we want Sloan to leave? I can't understand 'K-bomb's' frustration. What has Sloan done for this franchise? More than people want to give him credit for. Whenever something bad happens, whose fault is it...The coach! Whenever something good happens; who get's the credit?...The players! Give Coach Sloan a break.

AK wants to be the center of a team. That's great; when he leaves, he will realize that he is not a "franchise" player on any team. Or, if he does become the main focal point on a team, they will never get far in the playoffs. AK is a defensive player!!! His points should come off put-backs and layups. Regardless of the team, AK's focus is wrong. The reason he can get a 5 X 5 is that he does alot of things "good"...but to get the infamous 5 X 5, you don't need 20 points a game and to play point guard.

Honestly, Andrei's unhappiness is not related to the Jazz; it is related to that big contract he signed. That is when he decided he loved money more than basketball.

Mark | 7:12 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I take the story at face value and I am not surprised. Andre is the one who doesn't understand. This is a business and he is paid to do a job. What does it matter if he is the leading scorer or sits on the bench. He should be thankful he has what he has and is on a team that cares about winning.....the problem is he is more interested in whining...

Buck up buddy and work your but off. Then maybe another team will want you. Better yet, don't show up for camp and you won't have to play....and you won't get paid.

Fhqwhgads | 7:12 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK leaving will be good for both him and the Jazz.

AK is to the limit!

Matt | 7:23 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Sloan is a great coach. Andre is a great player. The problem is that in the Jazz offense no one other than Harpring is very good without the ball. Memo, Dwill, Booz, and AK all need the ball to be effective on offense. Dwill handles and penetrates better than andre, Booz bruises better, and Memo shoots better. Andre does all of these well but there's no need for him to do these things on the Jazz. It's understandable that he feels underutilized as the Jazz are trying to turn him into a jump shoot which he is not.

Sloan is doing a good job. Is he supposed to not go to his number one options just to keep AK happy? With that said, I think Andres anger is somewhat justified. I would be upset if I never got the ball despite being pretty good once I got it, even if it made sense for the team. Everyone wants to have an impact.

Maybe we'll be able to get a solid starting shooting guard and then Harpring can slide over to play the 3. I'll miss AK but I think he's right- he just doesn't fit with our team anymore.

rm | 7:34 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

man stop calling out sloan we would have 2 nba champs if it were not for mj. this is on ak he needs to grow up and learn his role or ship him out get shawn m he is a better athlete anyways

Matt | 7:35 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Karl Malone said similar things....

Kirilenko is just being immature. Who knows what team he'll end up on? I hope he ends up on a lottery team where he's the high scorer but they lose everynight!

By the way, I really don't like the new format of deseretnews.com. The adds in the middle of the paragraph make it confusing

macon | 7:36 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

This can now open the door to do one of two things that have been rumored about the past few months:

1) Trade AK47, Jaron Collins & next year's first rounder for Joe Smith

or 2) Trade AK47 straight up for Carmelo Anthony.

I say we get Joe Smith. he has a lot of years left in him.

Buzz | 7:52 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Maybe If They Would Have Treated Him With A Little Dignaty , And Not So Much Bull He Mite Want To Stay .But As Always The JAZZ Is All Talk And NO Action.?

jc | 7:56 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Andre has had his sterling moments in the past, but his future, wherever he ends up, will be based on his ability to accept a coaches lead and adjust his attitude to his potential altitude of stardom. Growing up plays into this mix.

Doug | 7:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Monkey-wrench Sloan wins again--Jazz lose.

Anonymous | 8:04 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I thought AK liked Utah's frosty air...bummer. I do think this was innappropriate for AK to bring up in the media, if he really wants out, the best method of doing so is to let Jazz managment know and keep quiet about it. This is not good, AK was the only thing that resembled defense on this team, sure it was fun to make fun of his awful shooting, but truth is we didn't really need his scoring, we needed his D. I do think Sloan should have tried to pander to AK just a little, if he had done so I don't think we would be here. Not good for Jazz basketball.

Good one | 8:05 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Yeah, Denver is crazy enough to trade away a 25 PPG scorer in Carmello Anthony for a disgruntled defensive specialist.

No way is Utah is going to do a Joe Smith trade. As if Joe Smith would even report to the Jazz if traded here.

We are stuck with this joker unless he pulls a Derek Fisher and opts out. If he was an expiring contract, it'd be one thing. But this guy has an I.O.U. in the form of $63 million. That's a huge investment, and for a team not knowing what they're gonna get (consistent 5X5s or Sir Pouts-a-lot), no one will make that trade.

Singer Matt | 8:09 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I don't know which games some of you were watching last year, but Andrei was not hitting hs outside shots. Teams were leaving him open daring him to shoot. If you were a coach, would you give the ball to a guy who has a field goal % of
.561, or one who is shooting .471 (the only reason it's so high is because the shots he made were all within 2 feet of the basket a la Shaq). I love Kirilenko just as much as the next guy... If he can hit open shots like he did in the Euro tournament, then the Jazz can be very dangerous. Last season was the first complete season with all four of our big players playing together and I thinking Kirilenko is making the assumptions that no adjustments are going to be made and life is going to be exactly the same that it was last year. I say have patience Andrei and if life is still horrible in a couple of months then let's try to make all sides happy, but until then, work on your jump shot and quit whining. Your making $12,000,000 a year for goodness sakes!

CJ | 8:15 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Keeping a whining, undisciplined player does not help a team. Yes, AK has talent, but he also has a baby attitude. He doesn't have a jump shot, and he often leaves his defensive assignment unchecked. The Jazz has other players that can fill the role AK has had for the last two years. He has become a role player because he doesn't have a jump shot. Trading AK would not be the end of the world.

Man Up AK | 8:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

You know AK's value would go up to about everyone if he could put together a full season without getting hurt.
If he has a beef with Sloan then he should get up in Jerry's grill and let er rip. Not be a wimp and talk about trades on an internet blog.
He's another gifted tall guy who won't work hard enough to run with the big dogs.
He needs to get tougher physically and mentally.

Koob | 8:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Sloan is great and the ONLY reason I stuck with, not only the Jazz, but the ENTIRE NBA after Stockton retired. HE {Sloan} alone has held it together. No one can HONESTLY say they would rather have any other coach that would ACTUALLY come here. {Phil Jackson ain't walking throught that door!} So who {that WOULD come} would do better? Want Isaiah?? Terry Stotts?? There just aren't many winners out there.

Where did we get this thing about trading AK, Jarron, AND A "1st Round Pick" for .... Joe Smith????

Opinionated | 8:31 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Tough situation. He's really not tradeable because of his salary. Yet, to keep an unhappy palyer on your roster really messes with your ability to win because he's not going to give it his all.

Personally, I lost all respect for him the day his wife gave him permission to have sex with another lady of his choosing one time a year. Remember that article in the Des News? Sorry AK, frankly, I don't give a ...

rockets4rmday1 | 8:33 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Man that boy put T mac on lock and key in that game 7 playoff game last year.I would hate to see him on another western conference team.Send him to the eastern conf.....

Commentors are idiots | 8:34 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

D-Will was a little upset about his rookie season. Last time I checked that season is over. He is not going anywhere. Ak-47 is not willing to do the little things for a team and he wants to be a star. He may have been able to carry Russia, but he won't ever carry an NBA team. Unload him and lets move on.

Jazzazz | 8:40 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK played mostly at the four position with the Russian National team, and coach David Blatt's system created plenty of open space for him to move as freely as he wanted nearer to the basket. He is most comfortable at the four, he is still not a good shooter (% 28.6 three's for the European Championship)but when motivated and happy he is a one of a kind type of player. He played some great defense (Both man to man, and team defense), however this Championship did not have the physical type of power forwards that he would face in the NBA. So a difficult situation. It seems he can't co-exist with Carlos Boozer, and it is also a fact that he would be an outstanding player (perhaps a NBA All-Star again) if on the proper team, such as Phoenix, Golden State, New Orleans etc.

Sparks 24 | 8:45 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

The Jazz need AK they better find a way to work this out. Without AK there is not a decent defensive player on this team. This is a hugh moment in the Jazz development for this coming year and beyond.

Jerry Sloan | 8:52 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

You all think I am the problem? Open your eyes people! AK will never be the number one option on my team. Not as long as I have Deron and Boozer. He is a great defensive player. When I ran plays for him last year he missed 70% of his shots. If you want to see a losing season I'll show you how bad his offensive game really is. If not, I'll keep using Booz, D-Will, and Memo to lead this team. Not the crybaby you saw in Houston.
Love,
Coach

Tenger | 9:03 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

MATRIX! MATRIX! MATRIX! MATRIX!

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