Deseret News | Kirilenko wants to play ball in Russia

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Kirilenko wants to play ball in Russia

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JF | 9:44 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Did Nelson and Wilkens have Malone or Stockton. If Sloan was so great why couldn't find a way to another NBA final. Sloan is a good regular season coach but during crunch time he chokes just like Malone.

By the way lets have you run up and down the court and later call you slacker and let see how you would react.

Another thing, if Sloan was to coach Kobe, LeBron, or any of the other young superstar do you think they would be as good as they are. Would Sloan have let Kobe airball in the playoff. I think not, he would have bench Kobe for his entire career and Kobe would have been just another NBA player.

Sarah | 9:44 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Its good that he wants to play in Russia, but I think he should still stay here in Utah.

LA Jazz Fan | 9:44 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

AK just killed his trade value with his statement that he wants to play in Russia. I understand not wanting to work for a boss you don't like, but AK has really screwed the jazz over (lowered trade value, plus waited too long for the Jazz to use his money if there is a buyout). AK has lost all of my respect for him as a human being. The Jazz have done so much to help him launch his career and cause he has one bad season where he isn't the "Man" he stabs the Jazz in the back. The Jazz need to do damage control, but it is in their best interest to wait and see if AK shows, cause if he doesn't he won't get paid and he will be paying the league (and maybe team) some money. Even if he does come back, he is sittin on the bench. Now I am gonna have to burn my AK uni, thanks alot AK!! This season is definitely going to be interesting! PS, being in LA, I've seen hart play, much better than Dee.

Comments continue below

chevere | 9:49 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Does no one remember the rantings and ravings during the regular season and then the crying fits during the playoffs.? AK is a sad homesick little depressed puppy. He thinks that if he goes back home he will be the hero and his depression will go away.

He needs some Prozac and Xanax and alot of counseling to help what he has. When he leaves Utah, he will be happy for a few months, then will realize he left the only good thing he had; he won't be able to go back to his divorced "wife" and realize it wasn't "her" ( the team ) that was the problem, but him.
The Jazz were held back by AK last year.

Fisher was only hired for a year to help out while younger players were developing. We lose nothing with him leaving. Williams is now a confident starting guard and does not need the FFF ( father figure Fisher ) out there anymore. The Jazz are better off without AK and DF.

chase SL | 9:54 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Ive defended coach sloan in dinner time conversations in the past but.. despite being a great coach that produces from sher effort, his reputaion is over taking his abilty to draw players. I knew it would be hard to bring players looking for a party in Utah but now it will be hard to bring in any player who wants to play basketball with a smile.

MTN | 9:55 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Sick of AK said the team chemistry will falter if AK-Cancer is in the locker room. I agree that he can't be bringing the locker room up...but what chemistry? That was the whole problem last year - there was chemistry between D-Will and Memo for half the year, chemistry between D-Will and Booze for the second half of the year and NO CHEMISTRY AT ALL with AK. If Sloan is not going to be a psychologist, maybe he could try and be a chemist. He has to accept some responsibility for his players' state of mind. NBA Coach in 2007 is more than just X's and O's. He needs to get with it. If he drives D-Will out of Utah, that will be unforgivable.

jazz fan | 9:57 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

that could be the best way i've ever heard it... Sloan subs by clock and not by performance. Its time for him to go. He's had two of the greatest players ever to play the game, and the best he could do was two finals appearances. Not many players wanna come here, D-Will will probably be sportin someone elses uni after this season due to Sloan. And by the way..Who cares about that long play off streak.. All the years the Jazz were 8th seed and got dominated in the first round shouldnt even count.

AGREED | 9:58 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I agree with "GO-JAZZ" the Jazz do not want an unhappy player on the team, we saw how well T.O. worked in Philly. Also the Jazz must get something from LINKO, lots of money is a start, and i would like to see Millsap get more time, also maybe Fasaynko could emerge too, i have only herd good things about him.

TOO Quick to conclude | 9:59 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I would not neceserrily like to see LINKO leave, you might not realize how valuble he is untill he is gone. I don't mind him leaving as long as we get value for him. Shawn Marion maybe could be a good fit.

WNBA Developmental League=Russia | 10:05 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Anyone can go back to the minors and be a star.

Russia isn't even equivalent to Triple A baseball. It's more like high school.

It's the WNBA Developmental League. Of course AK will go there and flourish and "Be the man". That's all he cares about is "being the man"- not "being the best of the best".

Loser.

re: GoJazz (What up with cap?) | 10:09 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I like the conditions GoJazz listed.

Let him go. Make sure he can never play in the NBA again.

Does anyone know the true situation regarding the salary cap? If he bolts, will his salary still count against the cap- similar to a player retiring. (Allan Houston retired from NYK, but his contract still counted against the NYK cap)

Jimmy's friend | 10:10 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Jimmy Sneaker's friend thinks that Jimmy is right. Jimmy's friend thinks the Jazz should have traded Kirilenko for Richardson or for any one of a number of lesser paid players. Jimmy's friend thinks that Sloan can take marginal players, plug them into his sytem and win enough to make the play-offs. Jimmy's friend thinks the Jazz fans wil be happy with that and then maybe they can learn the difference between lose and loose as well as your and you're. Jimmy and Jimmy's friend would like that.

lamonte | 10:16 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

All of you crybaby Jazz haters need to do a little reading. Utah is the most consistantly successful team in the NBA over the last 20 years (Sloan's tenure.) No, they haven't won it all but they've done a lot with just a little. What other teams have never made it to the top? Dallas? Phoenix? New Orleans? Charlotte? Atlanta? LA Clippers? Denver? Minnesota? Cleveland? It seems like they've got a lot of company in that winless club.

Jerry Sloan has never been Coach of the Year - but Doc Rivers has!? That must be some selection process. The Jazz were in the Conference Finals last year. And your complaining? Grow up!

Sloan is the Man | 10:21 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

If players don't want to play for Sloan it is the players problem. Sloan wants 3 things 1- Hard Work 2- Dedication 3-Play Sound Fundamental Basketball.

If no players want to play this way, I don't want to watch or be a fan anymore.

pj | 10:25 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

this is ridiculous, lets just wait and see what happens with this, kiri or not this team is still a playoff team. and if sloan were to leave who would take over? what other good coach would come here?!

Anonymous | 10:26 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

hey Sloan has chased away AK for complaining to much when will he chase away Larry, he complained way more last season than AK and He shed a lot more tears. Its true He cant coach AK and AK wont get any better with sloan. Simple solution find a new coach who can whine and cry with AK and Miller.

Anonymous | 10:35 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

As long as he is in a Jazz uniform; I will cheer for him. As long as he plays sollid d in utah; i will cheer for him. As long as he takes 15 foot jumoers in utah; i will have a vomit taste in my mouth but I will continue to cheer for him. I just hope this doesnt set us back a few years. He says that we can take his money and buy new players? The off season is come and gone? What players can be buy?

Wake Up AK!!! | 10:36 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Wake up AK, who do you think you're dealing with?

The Jazz are not going to smile and say good-bye to AK. Larry, Kevin, and Jerry will NEVER allow players to dictate how their club is managed. If the Jazz can pay AK the ridiculous millions he makes, they own him as a player. If he's going to be paid for playing basketball anywhere, he will do it through the organized channels, not by whinning to the media. How childish!

Look at D Will, he could have shrugged under Sloan's pressure but instead he used that pressure to become a champion. He grew-up, he became mentally tough. If AK is ever going to become a champion he will find that toughness, that mean streak, just like Williams did. The best thing the Jazz could do for AK is expect/require him to report to training and hope he will FINALLY learn to play Jazz basketball...not his version of it.

The Jazz will never allow this kind of presidence to be set by a player, ask Karl.

Thank you for your time.

to" Lamonte | 10:39 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Actually I would have to say that the Spurs have been the most consistently successful team in the NBA over the last 20 years. How many championships have the Spurs won compared to the Jazz?

Nobody wants to play for the Jazz. Boozer and Williams will be gone after their contracts finish. The money doesn't matter. Look at D-Fish, Kirilenko...

Steve W | 10:53 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I'd be willing to wager than in a few weeks this will all blow over. AK is highly emotional with a propensity for speaking his mind while still in the thick of his emotions. He had a great run in the European Championships this summer and it has left him yearning for that kind of attention and praise. Whst he forgetting is that he EARNED that praise in Spain this summer. He didn't earn it here in SLC.

AK, O'Connor and Sloan will sit down while in Boise and make peace. Scoring #s aside, he's an amazing player. AK will be in a Jazz uniform on Oct 30. How he'll play this season is another issue all together.

the other LA Jazz fan | 10:58 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I have heard a few great comments (LA jazz fan, chevere) and some really ignorant ones(Urban Meyer hahaha). Having rarely missed watching a game over the past decade I can say with assurance that AK is a baby and IT IS NOT SLOAN'S FAULT. Lack of playing time, PLEASE! His selfishness and immaturity is an issue worth noting. Sloan needing to motivate more? Maybe he seems too hard core for the masses but for the real ballers, they love playing for sloan because he is a die hard competitor (last year talking smack to jerk Stackhouse after a flagrant foul was classic). I remember Kobe and Barkley lauding Sloan in interviews and even saying they would like to play for him for ALL he gets out of players. Most players that don't want to play in Utah are usually the type that a self-respecting ball club would stay away from anyway. Please leave Andrei, the leaders of the team want you out to (Boozer and Williams last year after the playoffs)! It is a tough job to educate the ignorant masses. Love the Jazz, HATE the Lakers. Andrei makes 600% of what most make, and still needs motivation to play???

Mark | 11:11 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I really don't think this sets the Jazz back at all. We lose a guy who averaged 8 points, a handful of rebounds if that, and we get either all of his money to sign someone else or we can trade him for someone else. We do lose a tremendous shot blocker, but we also lose his whiny attitude and teary eyes. The Jazz front office consists of highly intelligent people who will make the best of this situation. What do you expect? Your highest paid player decides he wants to leave. Just wait and see. The Jazz will come out of this just fine, if not better. The team is Deron, Boozer, and Memo really anyway. Hopefully they can pull of a trade for an all star.

js | 11:14 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Think of John Stockton, I really don't think he necessarily liked being in Utah either, but he kept quiet and played with dignity and put everything into his play, with and for the team. AK should call him and get some sound advise from Stock. As for giving AK some slack for wanting to play for fans in Russia that love him, Utah fans loved him as much as any fans could, until he started with his antics. AK gave up on us, not the other way around.

woody | 11:20 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Jazz--Why don't you just let this kid go. He dosen't want to be here and to pay him for not wanting to play just seems crazy. Bite the bullet.

curlyw | 11:21 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Anybody remember the great player Bobby Jones for the old Philadelphia 76ers back in the 70s - 80s? Thats who Andrei has always reminded me of.
Except Jones never, ever complained.
Jones was a great 6th man - all defense and little offense. wasn't worried about scoring.
And the 76ers won the NBA championship , 1983 I think.
Coach Sloan and crew should should show as much old video of Jones to Andrei as they can find because Utah could do the same as the 76ers did in 83, if they can repair the current emergency (maybe show old Karl Malone stuff there).

I was very happy Andrei palyed so well n Russia and won the championship and was hoping it would carry over to the upcoming NBA season.

Come on Andrei -- say it ain't so !!!

Don't walk out.

Joe | 11:26 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

As a basketball fan I am sorry that it has come to this impasse with AK, but as a human being who thinks that money controls way too many things that it should not control, I can't help but feel some joy in AK's willingness to reject millions of dollars in favor of the sheer joy of playing a game he loves. True, in a strict business sense, in the world of contracts, in the sense of honoring commitments, there are problems with AK's position about not wanting to continue playing in Utah, but viewed just for the pure human element, it is refreshing to see an athlete willing to forgo the money in exchange for the joy of playing the game, even if it is admittedly his own selfish definition of how that game should be played. It may not be a lot of consolation to take out of what is increasingly a negative situation for the team, but at least it is something, if we can accept the fact that sports is not everything.

JF | 11:28 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Sloan is the Man: If you want those kind of players, go look for them at church ball. Well except #3.

Jason | 11:43 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Okay, really. Sometimes I wonder why people are so dang ignorant. I am not a father yet, but its pretty easy to understand why Derek Fisher would leave to ensure the best health of his daughter. FYI, medical help for his daughter wasn't very good in SLC compared to somewhere like Los Angeles. He was a hard worker, always has, ask his teammates. He is a Sloan kind of player. Plus the NBA had to approve releasing his contract. Second, AK-47 is simply a baby. He is no longer a scorer and has more allegiance to World of Warcraft. Ask his wife about his gaming habits. So now we have a baby, with a horrible jump shot, that expects to be the scoring leader when he is lousy offensively. Anyone who thinks this is Sloan's fault is a fool. Sloan and company took a complete rebuild of a team in 3-4 years. The Trailblazers dropped the same time. Where are they in the rebuilding process. Wait they can't even make the playoffs, and won't for at least a couple years. Look at Sloan's numbers before you make stupid and highly ignorant comments.

It will be funny | 11:44 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

It will be funny to read comments from all you Sloan haters a year or two after he is gone and we have someone else here. Time will tell what kind of a coach he is. It makes me wonder about the intelligence of some of our "Jazz" fans. Thanks "lamonte" and "sloan is the man" for some realistic comments. The NBA has some real problems stemming, I believe, from some highly overpaid athletes. I'm grateful that Utah has tried to keep some sanity while putting a great product on the floor. I appreciate the type of players the Jazz have on the team, and I think we should let the AK thing play out before we decide to burn him at the stake.

bjthekid | 11:45 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

AK needs to go. I have never seen more selfishness in all my life. Just like everyone else, I loved Andre when he was playing to his strengths. It will be sad to lose him to another team, but the Jazz will be better off now without him!

As much as I love Sloan as a coach, I think it may be time for a change. If only for a guy who more players have a desire to play for. Utah as a place is not the reason guys don't want to come here...it is because guys don't want to be led by someone who has control of his team. Larry Miller needs to consider a change at coach as hard as that may be.

I heard a radio interview with Deron Williams yesterday and he commented that he is like "32 years old" in "Jerry Sloan years". (Like Dog Years) Meaning he feels like playing for Sloan makes him older than he really is. That is not a good sign. We cannot afford to lose DWill.

I say, make a coaching change, keep Andre and see what happens this year!

GNM | 11:49 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

If Kirilenko wants out of his contract, let him go. Can't a person go work / play where he is content, even if that means giving up something like leaving money behind. Isn't Utah keeping the 60+ mill enough of a return. If he is overpaid shouldn't we be ok with that? If he isn't doing his best here shouldn't we be OK letting him go. It seems likely present coaching isn't going to increase his performance. I don't understand the dynamics I guess! Why make him stay, why call him names, why say he just has to accept his role. His game doesn't fit with the role others seem to expect. Even some of his mates have ragged, suggesting he couldn't wait for vacation. I couldn't continuously make myself productive in an environment where I didn't feel wanted and couldn't produce at my fullest potential.

Sloan's style in the locker room has been here to long. Loosing him would mean recovery time - but then I think we are far better off without Brother Majerus on the hill.

Jazz fan! | 11:53 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

It is too bad that AK-47 wants to leave. It is too bad that the Jazz don't want to trade him, because they are afraid that they will not get anything in return. If you keep AK-47 you will not be getting anything in return anyways, except cap space. See ya AK, go find another shoulder to cry on.

JAZZ FAN | 11:55 a.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Get rid of Sloan, save AK47. Sloan has been with the JAZZ too long. We never did like him because he has no sensitivity to his players. How can he get his players to do the best for him and the team when he runs them down & yells at them all the time. He breaks their spirit. He thinks he is the greatest but has never received the player of the year award. The only reason that we watch all the games is because we like AK47 and the other players, not Sloan. Have you ever read Jerry Sloan's lips at a JAZZ game, very disgusting language!

Sloan | 12:03 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I'm surprised by all the Jerry bashing I've read over the past 2 days. Why is it Jerry's fault AK wants to leave? Because he "criticized" him when he wasn't playing well? Give me a break. AK is being paid millions upon millions to play a game. In my mind, if you aren't meeting your expectations in any job, then the supervisor or coach in this case absolutely has the right to call that person out. Sloan is a hard nosed type of coach, but he never crossed the line with AK. Being paid 60+ million you would think AK would be able to take some of it. This is a perfect example of whats wrong with professional sports. Players get paid millions to play a game and as soon as they do, they turn into self serving jerks. Good riddance AK.

Go Russia | 12:13 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

If I could play in College I would, If I could play in High School I would..but if AK needs to be the go to guy he needs to step down a level and go to Russia or Europe. Does he not understand that the American Game is so much quicker and he never will be a Stockton, or Malone, a D-will or Booz...he is a player with great talent and in the NBA he is exposed because people jump quicker and higher and all five guys jump not just the big guys...sorry AK..suck it up and lace it up and prove yourself

abby12 | 12:25 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Let him go if he doesn't want to be with the Jazz. He is a big cry baby and I'm really disappointed in him. It isn't Sloan's fault that he fell apart last year. Obviously he was never meant to be an NBA star.

Don't Bash SLOAN! | 12:26 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Get off the bashing Sloan bandwagon. Would the Jazz have been in the Western Conference Finals without Sloan? I doubt it. Sorry to burst your bubble but the Jazz roster isn't that great. He gets the best out of what he has and it has shown. What coach do y'all want?

AK needs the majority of the blame. I am sick of hearing how hard Sloan is on players. Let them come play for my ol' high school coach and they will be begging for Sloan. Guaranteed!

Here is one phrase AK needs to know the translation for "BREECH OF CONTRACT!"

Good luck fighting that one AK.

Just sit on the bench, play your Warcraft game all night and collect your check for the next 4 years because you are not getting out of this contract. Sorry.

Urban Meyer? | 12:27 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Urban was every bit as obnoxious the players and support staff as Jerry is accused of being. He is the Larry Brown of college football and wears out his welcome relatively quickly because of his ego.
We should let AK do whatever -- unless it improves any Western Conference team. He needs to go to a loser team so he can be the star. Since reaching the WC finals didn't please him. We'd never have done that without Jerry.

Joel | 12:38 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Trade AK to the Heat for Jason Williams, Dorell Wright, and 3 1st Rd picks... At least he won't be playing in the West, and Miami is the farthest possible place to ship him from Salt Lake

to much about nothing | 12:40 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

ak is being human. he is like every other person out there. When kobe wanted to be the man he sent shaq packing and shaq got another title. but kobe was on a so so team and wanted out. the grass is always greener no mater what we make, where we live or who we are. some people take breaths and keep going, others quit their job and take goverment support. ak is acting on his feelings and emotions and he may be right for him. we are fans who care more about his stat sheet then his happiness. the jazz and ak will work it out or not. but someone will fill the void and we will have someone else to grip about. Stockton was right to keep his life and basketball apart. I'm sure he had his moments. he just didnt dump them on us. as long as players are told they're worth millions, and fans take this money personally, we'll have to much about nothing to talk about.

Jimmy is down | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Jimmy's Sneakers sure is a genius in thinking that we SHOULD HAVE traded for J-Rich last year.
Gosh, if only we could have traveled through time and known that AK was going to throw a tantrum.

All of these hindsight comments are completely pointless.

hawaiijazzfan | 12:43 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

this is ridiculous, how many of your guys remember when deron was complaining of minutes and not playing...just cause hes playing good now you forget that? i think you need to support the players and the team and advocate working it out then bashing the coach, the system, the players.

TRUE JAZZ FAN | 12:48 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

@JAZZ FAN: Are u kidding me?? Sloan is an NBA coach, not a Junior Jazz coach. If the players can't meet his expectations then THEY need to do some work or they can go home crying like AK. If he were to let the players or fans run the team (like some coaches do) then he would not be doing his job. SLOAN IS DA MAN!

Re: JF | 12:51 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

You clearly don't understand a coach's role.

"If Sloan was so great why couldn't find a way to another NBA final." What do you want him to do, coach himself to 14 NBA finals in order to get the JF stamp of approval? I think you are a swayed Sloan hater that doesn't even know what he/she is talking about.

"By the way lets have you run up and down the court and later call you slacker and let see how you would react." Unfortunately for me, I'm not paid millions upon millions to "run up and down the court". And who called him a slacker? I'm calling him a baby. Besides, what a lack of mental toughness! Someone calls you a slacker? So you start to cry? You're in the wrong sport!

Send them Back to the ASAP | 12:52 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Hey there's alot of hidden talent around the America'scity street everywhere who can play way better than this people. I don't know why are paying this large sum of cash when all they do is whine and expect to baby sit them. If they don't want to play get rid of them it's not good for the organization! Even Michael Jordan who is the best player ever played it the history had never acted the way this ungrateful people let alone who cannot deliver. If they want to play somewhere let them leave our country and don't give them any opportunity to comeback.We don't want Eastern Promises here in America. Let 'em enjoy their
country b-ball. By the way, what's so special about european b-ball?
just a kid who knows how to play b-ball but don't know how to type

Joshua | 12:53 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Enough Sloan bashing people! This is an AK problem, not a coaching problem. Let AK go. Either get a decent player, or figure out a way to get rid of the contract for the cap room. The Shawn Marion deal would work really well if the Suns would just pick up the phone. We are one piece of the puzzle from a championship. That piece is axing AK. Flex some muscle as an organization. There's ways to do it. He wants to play hardball. Play hardball back.

Jazz Fan | 12:56 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

I don't care what Andrei says, this IS about the win, about the fact that he just realized how amazing he can be among the russians and wants to be the star of the league. It's too bad, we really liked him.

T-Roy | 1:10 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

IF Ak wants to leave trade hm of Jefferson or 3-4 players from THe t-wolves to inslude gereld green or ratliff and his expiring contract and maybe get foy

Who needs him | 1:21 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

You know what who cares that Fisher left and that Kirelenko wants out also. We don't want them anyway. Fisher was decent and a good leader, but he didn't do all that much anyway. And has AK done...NOTHING. He won't do anything this year either because Williams, Boozer, and Okur will get the points we just need AK for his defense which he's not willing to just play defense he wants the ball. I don't know about you guys by I get scared everytime AK touches the ball!!! Go ahead and go back to Russia so we can pay Williams the money he deserves because he deserves it more than you AK!!!

who cares | 1:31 p.m. Sept. 21, 2007

Jerry is the coach.Overpaid players are not the coach.If you can not follow your leader,you are the loser.If you can not play as a team you are a loser.Its been fun ,Its been real.It just has not been real fun.I say good bye and so long to those that can not be a team player or can not be coached

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