Deseret News | Andrei wants out of Utah

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Andrei wants out of Utah

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El Paso Jazz Fan | 9:06 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Dmitry from Moscow, with all due respect. A few weeks of good playing in the European tournament does not put Andrei in the same category as Dirk. At his best, he never scored more than 17 in a season. That's not a go to guy by any means. If what you say were true, Andrei would be gone already and the Jazz would be celebrating there championship in 2008. Just think it of it: D Williams, Boozer, Okur, Nowitzki, and your dog. Who would beat them? It's a nice thought, but not going to happen. Kirilenko has to prove his worth in the regular season where he's being paid the big bucks. But for now, I don't care what he thinks. We'll keep him because he's much better than anyone we could get for him.

Huh? | 9:12 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Moderator: The post from "Jerry Sloan" at 8:52 a.m. violates your terms of use: it's misrepresentative. Yeah, it's meant to be a joke, Sloan's not sitting at home reading a board about his players, but it's still shouldn't have been posted.

My take: AK is a big boy, has a right to vent and complain and do what he wants (contracts notwithstanding) just like any of us, and has enough talent to land somewhere on his feet and keep himself and his family financially viable. Anyone expecting anything else is just that: expecting.

Get over the fact that it's sports and entertainment, not the end of the world.

had enough | 9:14 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

they are all over paid cry babies let them find real jobs like the people buying the tickets

Comments continue below

WooHoo! | 9:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Anyone that wants to keep AK on the Jazz team should review last year's playoff games! AK couldn't even catch the ball! For someone making $16 million a year, I think that should be a skill he's gotten down! I'll help him pack his bags too! Let's get a team player and not a cry baby!

Jazzfan | 9:15 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Here is the deal. The Jazz cannot go deep into the playoff's without Andrei. He is our ONLY defensive player. Boozer and Okur are terrible. Combined, they only average a block a game. Sloan is not good at making any type of positive connection with his players. We have all heard how critical he is. Negative criticism does not work with all players.

And all those who think we can just move Andrei and someone will fill his shoes (i.e. Millsap) you are gravely mistaken. Andrei is the ultimate X-factor. Charles Barkley, (love him or hate him he knows basketball) who is really the only supporter of the Jazz on TNT or ESPN, said that there is one guy in the league he would love to build his team around, Andrei.

I predict if Andrei goes, Williams will go. It is hard to get players to play in Utah. If one person leaves, you can expect a domino effect.

I fear that if the Jazz trade him, we will regret it for a long time as Andrei tears it up with another team. Imagine him with the suns....scary!!

Terry M. Haimes | 9:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Keep Sloan and Andrei.

I thought Sloan spent all last year trying to catch up and got out coached in the playoffs. For the first time in the history of Jazz basketball they have 10 or more players that are good enough to start. Sloan has to get used to this and adjust to it (I think he will).

Last year Sloan had all sorts of questions and few answers going into the season. He accomodated Fisher and developed a winning team. Thank God Fisher is gone.

This year Sloan has to deal with player unhappiness, settle on starting lineup and rotation. The biggest problem that I see is Williams' and Boozer's desire/intention of recreating the Stockton/Malone era. This is not a two/three player team. If Williams is allowed to create such a team then the Jazz will continue to be winners but not Champions.

The two new point guards are an attempt to solve the problem, we'll see.

Trade AK for marion | 9:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I think that Jerry Sloan is one of the best coaches I have ever seen coach. His system makes since if the players are willing to play the system. What I think the problem is that AK isn't getting all of the attention like he used to get. Deron Williams has opened his eyes about him and knows not to pass to him because he can't shoot. He wants the ball so someone takes a chance on him and he trys to drive it in through the middle, what happens? He loses it. I say trade him to phoenix for Marion. And I think I could see a championship. Make the trade!

RenDance | 9:18 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Joe Smith would be a nice addition. Where was this coming from, you ask? Maybe Macon is the only other one paying attention. He told USA Today in July that he wants to suit up for Jerry Sloan and that he thinks he is the last piece of the puzzle. He could take on Duncan, Nowitzki, Delambert, or even Kwami Brown and stop them dead in their tracks.

As for Anthony I know those talks have been discussed but he is not a Sloan type player and wouldn't last. And his foot infection isn't getting any better.

One other possibility that hasn't been mentioned is the one where the Jazz sign Jalen Rose, package him and Andrei and ship them to Cleveland to get Donyell Marshall back. I'd do that too.

Reason | 9:19 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

It was obvious watching the playoffs that AK wasn't playing at the level required to win the championship. I find it funny that he blames Jerry Sloan for his troubles. AK needs to accept some responsibility for his lackluster play and stop whining about Coach Sloan. It's also painfully obvious that Andrei lacks maturity, and needs to "man up" and move on.

Vegas Ed | 9:19 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Funny comments from "Jerry Sloan". Andrei should be moved. His trade value is higher now than it would be later. He's a good player, but not worth a max NBA salary. I hope he does well elsewhere.

CB | 9:21 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I say it's time for NBA teams to sue its players for breach of contract. Why did he sign the contract if he didn't want to play here. AK's misrepresentations of his intentions is certainly legal grounds for voiding his contract. It is time the team owners took back their league. AK will be paid more than $14 million dollars this year, and he doesn't want to play for the Jazz. Oh, he still wants his $14 million a year, however! He should just stay in Russia where he can be the big shot! See if they will pay in $14 million.

Cry Babies R Us | 9:25 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

There is still the developmental league. Maybe he can work on his shooting there.

JF | 9:26 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

AK is right. Sloan does not use him right. Sloan way of motivation is by putting someone down. It is the exact reason why we have so many player that do not want to come to the jazz. And for those who worry about D-Will resigning, believe me he ill not be around seeing how Sloan treated him in his rookie year and his dealing with D-Brown.

If the jazz want to win a championship get a new coach who is willing to take risks. They have the players. If not its going to be a repeat of Stockton and Malone error, win a lot but not the one that counts the most.

Stephanie | 9:27 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I am also tired of Jerry Sloan's coaching. Foul and free throw. Foul and free throw.

RE: had enough | 9:29 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Andrei doesn't have to sit at a desk all day and push papers b/c he is a 6/9" freak athlete. I hate it when fans say that, yeah its true, they are insanely overpaid, but thats what the market is willing to pay them, therefore, thats what they are worth b/c fans go to games and watch them on tv.

Hey Buzz | 9:31 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Buzz- In order for AK to be treated with dignity, he should be dignified. He needs to earn respect, not just throw tantrums and expect Jazz brass to lay down for him.

Regis Philbin, Jr. | 9:34 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

To all you AK haters out there listen up. If the Jazz get rid of him they will be making the biggest mistake since maybe forever. The only thing I can think of that would even be comparable is trading away Dominique Wilkins for squat. I believe he is the best player the Jazz have EVER had. That's right, better than Stockton and Malone too. Think about it, he's freaking awesome! If they trade him, they might as well trade me too. Do you really think you could get equal return for him. A guy who excels in all facets of the game? I doubt it, unless his name is Kareem Abdul Jabbar, or Michael Jordan, or Larry Johnson. Man, I loved Grandmama. Anyway, I have a message for Sloan, get off of your high horse and just give him whatever he wants. Is it really that complicated? Honestly. I don't mean to sound preachy, and I am sorry if I hurt anyone's feelings, but I feel strongly about this matter. I want AK to retire with the Jazz, or maybe the Clippers, or even the Bucks. But no one else. Kirilinko is the only player who loves us all.

Marion for AK: Yeah, right. | 9:35 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Phoenix wouldn't be stupid enough to trade for AK. Sure, the rumor mill put the two together. I bet the Suns just mistakedly drunk dialed the Jazz. Phoenix: "Oh, I'm sorry, I thought I had dialed Boston. Sorry!"

LET GO OF THE MARION TRADE. It's not going to happen.

Moiz | 9:41 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

The Jazz are better without him:

1. Unpredictable. If any of you are Bears fans, then you will notice a similarity between Grossman and Kirilenko. Anytime they do something, you have NO idea what's going to happen. This guy's not a rookie anymore, and his shooting and ball handling (!!) consistently gets worse.

2. If Millsap had AK's minutes, they would be perfectly fine. They would lose that craziness factor, where he can make things happen, but that's fine, that can be a 2-edged sword. Millsap might need 1 year, but after that he will be even better with the minutes.

3. Sloan's problem with young guys? Millsap, Williams, Boozer = young guys. They don't have a problem. If AK could shoot, rebound, steal, or even block CONSISTENTLY, then he would have NO problem in the system. He can't, so he gets benched.

Let him go, I say. But what I think will happen?:

NOTHING. They can't trade a max contract, so they're stuck. But to be honest, he's holding them back. And his max contract? He didn't deserve it, the team needed to do SOMETHING because he was all they had, NOT because he deserved it. Sorry AK.

Trade him for . . . | 9:42 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I say trade him to one of the lower echelon teams preferably in the Eastern Conference for their Top Pick in the 2008 draft and a decent role player. There's a lot of potential on this team, but the Western Conference is filled with great teams. Don't do anything that would make Dallas, San Antonio,Phoenix, or the Lakers better.

Risks?! | 9:47 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

JF are you crazy? If it aint broke, don't fix it. The Jazz had a 50+ win season, no thanks to AK. He was probably responsible for 2 of those victories, and accountable for more losses. Know how many games the Jazz won when AK was the leading man? Try a dismal 26 games. Put that on a resume.

The Jazz have a good core of players now. It would be ridiculous to deconstruct everything just to satisfy a whiner's whim. They must've done something right if they got to the Western Conference Finals. You better believe that no one expected them to go that far.

Maybe Sloan should hand the clip board to you, since you know some secret about coaching that we don't.

AK for coach | 9:50 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Maybe AK should coach the team. He seems to have all the answers.

Carl Weathers | 9:51 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Who is this Regis Philbin Jr? He is crazy. First of all Karl and John are way better. How can you say AK is the best we have had? Secondly, they need to get rid of him fast. I am a big fan of this Joe Smith trade. I would even throw in Harpring if I had to. Or maybe also Almond and Harpring and AK for Joe Smith. He was once the first pick in the draft. That would be special. I admonish O'Connor to atleast think about this. If not I should be the new GM.

Get Outta Here | 9:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

First off - Regis Philbin Jr. is an idiot. Dominique? Gimme a break - what did he ever do besides win a dunk contest? Geez - some peoples kids.

AK - Get outta here. Good Riddance. You're not a clutch player and your blocks primarily come off the weak side blocks. And that's all you can do. Trade for The Matrix!! Enough complaining from AK-47.

Kevin Meacham | 10:00 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Get Marion already! AK Wants out..Phoenix is looking to trade Marion? Duh Kevin O' Conner pull the trigger already! Why wouldnt we want a proven all star that averages double-double and put fans in the seats? What is wrong with everyone? Marion will be able to go back to his small forward spot..think of this. PG: Deron Williams SG: Ronnie Brewer/Jason Hart/Morris Almond SF: SHAWN MARION PF: Carlos Boozer C: Mehmet Okur. Thats championship caliber. Get it Done Jazz

I love AK | 10:04 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I love AK and he is the main reason we buy season tickets. If he really wants to leave we will probably sell our season tickets. I know he had a rough year last year but I don't think it was his fault. We will cheer for him no matter where he plays (even if it is the Lakers, UGH).

Trade him for.... | 10:06 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

...if you don't want him to go to a good team in the west, obviously he has some value. why would you trade him then?

Downtown Dan | 10:08 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Most NBA players have big egos as in Kobe,MJ,Isaiah,LaBron and in order to be effective players the ego needs constant nurishment. Sloan is not a ego feeding,nurturing players coach. He is an excellent fundamentals system coach, who is better at coaching adults than spoiled children. Sure Sloan is hard on players and expects them to act like grownups. Andrei is a fragile free spirited loveable man/child. AK needs the run and gun Phoenix/Golden State freestyle free-for-all. Sure we'll take Shawn Marion for AK straight up. Bye, bye we loved you before you turned on us. Don't let the door hit you on the way out causing a debilitating lower back injury limiting your playing time to 20 unhappy minutes a game.Bona fortuna

Oregon Duck mascot | 10:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I say we trade AK-47 with someone with some real fire power like the mascot for the Oregon Ducks!

VH | 10:24 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

It seems like everytime AK got the ball in critical situations last year he either threw it away, dribbled it away or missed the shot.
If he isn't willing to come back and work through that he will do much more harm than good.
Sloan just took what could have been a mediocre team to the semi-finals and people still complain!!
He obviously is a tough task master but he gets the job done much better than most.

macon's crazy! | 10:27 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Macon everyone is this forum is now dumber having read what you just said. I award you no points... and may God have mercy on your soul!

Joe Smith, Collins, AND a first round pick. That would be like trading ME for Kirilenko!! And Carmelo Anthony is in a different stratosphere. I just hope you're being sarcastic!

J. Fan | 10:27 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Dear Andrei,
Don't let the door hit you in the backside. If you worked as hard on improving your jumpshot in the offseason as you do complaining about your role on the Jazz, you'd be a double-figure scorer. Go underproduce elsewhere. Your lack of production is your own fault. Quit blaming everyone but yourself. If you don't work hard, your success will be limited. That's on you, pal.
Sincerely,
Jazz Fan

Rocky IV by AK-47 Look-a-Like | 10:34 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I am a fan of AK-47 and Ivan Drago. If the Jazz want to understand this situation, they should watch Rocky IV. In the final fight, when Drago is winning then everybody is cool with it. When Rocky starts winning, then the fans turn against him and even his coaches. Drago's coach calls him an idiot and an embarrasment to which Drago picks him up by the throat and tosses him and says "I fight for me." This is happening in Utah and AK-47 has shown "see he's not a machine, he's a man." Had the Russian coaches stuck on Drago's side, his freakish strength and height would have been enough to eventually win. But after the coaches, fans, etc. turned on him he became a mere shadow of his former self. I say, let a week or so pass then bring in a KOC, Sloan, AK-47, and an interpreter then let everyone speak their mind. In the Jazz zystem, AK-47 looks like a broken Drago right now and we all know how that turns out. If the coaches, etc. are back on his side, then we will see the "I MUST BREAK YOU" AK-47 we all love. GO JAZZ

Jazz Fan | 10:35 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I hope this is one of those "lost in translation" deals where he really said something else. I do believe we have the players we need. I think Jerry needs to use them better. Andrei has not become expandable. But if all this is true, Andrei just has to remember that the grass is always greener elsewhere and when you get there you realize just how much greener yours was.

Arnold Kopf aka AK | 10:35 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I love Andrei too. But he is not right for Jazz he is too punk. Jerry likes consistency and Andrei is up and down like rollercoaster. Andrei, Mr 5X5. AK is not THE MAN but he is the BOY. I disagree with Jerry because he would not lose going with Andrei more but he would tear out all of his hair and start sucking on a binkie to relax and end up in an institution for old coaches driven crazy by demanding NBA babies crying about playing time and being #1 option in the offense.

ID Jazz | 10:37 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Simply as I have said all along and now I get to gloat is that it was up to AK to be happy with his role and obviously he is not. With his new statements he really needs to go for two reasons. 1. His teammates are not going to be happy with him and despise him which will be disruptive for the team. 2. Jazz need to get rid of him while he has some value from this off season.
One thing about it is he may go to another team and be the focal point(what he wants) but he will never win a championship where he is the focal point. To win a championship on another team his roll would not change compared to what he is asked to do now.
If Marion was on the table still that would be a good trade. Jazz would not lose a step with him if anything they gain offensively and a small drop defensively but not much. Plus he can dribble and create on his own.

JAZZ WHO? | 10:49 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

The Problem Is Jerry Sloan. I have said that every season, Fire Jerry, get a coach that can coach younger players. So fire Jerry cause i want to see Larry H. Miller cry again!!

Ordinary Dude | 10:51 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

I'm not the most knowledgeable fan or speller for all that. But AK is exciting! He has awesome talent. You can either sink or swim with him, so wear a nose plug. Then when he is awful and stinks up the place you will still enjoy whats left of the game. The superstars are consistent AK needs to be constantly reassured that he is the MAN even when he plays and acts like a little boy. The answer is KISS, keep it simple stupid! Kiss and make up or Kiss AK goodbye! Or maybe Andrei could just wear KISS makeup and sing duets with Masha after the game. That's worth a few mill isn't it?

Wink Martindale | 10:52 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Get Marion. He boards, he frickin' crashes those boards with reckless abandon. He's a small forward playing power forward in the Suns' system and he's still getting all of those boards. He can help out on the boards what Memo lacks in that department. We've already seen him play the 3rd banana role (behind Nash and Stoudamire) and know that he doesn't complain about it, he just gets the job done with a smile on his face. AK wants the world. Let him try and get it in Phoenix.

Bball fan | 10:53 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

This is a wake up call for Sloan and the Jazz! He's still got it. Find out a way to use him & we'll win!
Andrei-STAY! Keep pushing them to work your talent into the offense!

Quincy Smith | 10:53 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

So AK wants a trade... trade him. Why do we continue to hold onto a guy that doesn't want to be here. We might say "oh, andrei, it'll all work out just come and play hard etc etc" but guess what? HE DOESN'T WANT TO BE HERE. How many times has he said that now? Yes, he's a good player. Yes, if he would get some manhood and come and do the things he does well night in and night out the jazz could probably win a title in a year or two. But again, he doesn't want to be here. I understood trying to make it work the first few times, but now that he's crying again, just dump the loser. Sloan knows what he's doing. We were a few wins away from the finals last year. And the guys that will come and play (d-will, booz, memo) are the ones that matter. Find the best possible deal and pull the trigger. We don't need to have whiny babies on our team "I just want to excel elsewhere not be a robot" type crap. Shut up AK, trade him. Give him a bottle

OJ | 10:57 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Jazz coach,team, fans, AK. Ya all quit ye whinnie. You think you got troubles??? Well let me tell ya . . .

Go Jazz | 11:03 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

How about AK for Corey Maggette? I think that would be a great trade. Maggette likes Utah and is a very good scorer. You are never going to replace AK's defense but what can ya do, he doesn't want to accept his role on the team and win a championship, he wants to go somewhere and be a star.

Anonymous | 11:08 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

ANDREI IS A GREAT GUY ON AND OFF THE COURT, WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE HIM. HE HAS A BAD SEASON AND YOU HATE HIM. THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT WE NEED TO LEAVE THE ORGANIZATION ARE ALL YOU BAND_WAGON FANS. YOU ARE MORE INCONSISTENT AND MOODY THAN HE IS. YOU HAVE NO ROOM TO SPEAK. HE STILL HAS A LOT TO OFFER! GO UTAH JAZZ, GO ANDREI, AND GO TRUE FANS!!!! LET'S HAVE A GREAT YEAR!!!

The paperboy | 11:11 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Kirilenko and a first rounder for Joe Smith? are you kidding me? that is ridiculous!but in reality that would be about the best possible offer we would get out of trading AK right now, and that is why we should not even think about trading him. he had a rough year, we all know that, but we all saw what he can do when he is on the top of his game, and i think we should be patient and see if he can find his role on a the team. I have loved watching AK in a jazz uni ever since his first day at the rocky mountain revue, and i think he is a huge part of this team, and us fans should get off his back. He works hard on the court... he DOES work to improve his jumper (he commited the entire off-season last year to working on his shot) and he is capable of hitting big shots when pressure is on (remember his game winning 3 pointer seven against the rockets in game seven?)if the fans and sloan will be patient and supportive he will be just fine, so get off his back

GREAT NEWS | 11:16 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

What an over-priced crybaby! I'll be happy to see the back of him. Perhaps we can take his bloated pay and get someone worth watching. Bye bye, AK!!!

ID JAZZ(AMEN Quincy) | 11:19 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Why do people on here not understand that(HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE HERE) not only does he not want to be here if he is here (HE WANTS TO BE THE STAR) He will never be the star on this team. Get over it people Sloan is not the problem with AK. AK is the problem with AK. You cannot kiss and makeup with a guy who has the problem. AK knows that there are many stars on this team that being said he knows his will never shine the brightest and he wants out. Now again for those who always have to be told twice. (HE DOES NOT WANT TO BE HERE BECAUSE HE IS NOT THE STAR). Well spoken Quincy!!!!!!

AL | 11:20 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Jerry Sloan does not know how to use his players effectifly! Jazz needs a coaching change or for the best of AK and Jazz I'm all for the Matrix trade. Matrix to Jazz for AK and Geri!!!

Shawn Marion | 11:32 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

Utah? You go play in Utah!

A Phil by any other name | 11:34 a.m. Sept. 19, 2007

A few posters have confused references here to Phil Johnson with Phil JACKSON . . . Please note that the Jazz's own PJ is NOT the Zen Master.

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