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Hornacek called in to assist Kirilenko

This sounds like great news!

Hopefully Hornecek can straiten that crazy russian back into shape.

I suspect Jeff will be working with AK more to keep his piehole shut as much as his shooting. I think the only guy on the Jazz to say less in an interview that Stockton had to be Hornacek. Maybe that will rub off a little bit.

Thank you Hornacek - another winner / producer who believes in Kirilenko; 47.1% last season isn't bad given AK averaged only 6 shots each game.

C'mon, there's got to be a door in the front office with Horny's name on it.

Jimmy wonders if you guys missed the fact that this is the 3rd straight season that Hornacek has been working with AK47? Jimmy doesn't see why this season will be better for AK47 then the last two.

Besides when we trade AK for RJeff over the All-star break, will we still have to keep paying Hornacek to be our special assistant coach?

I like Jimmy's comment...why does AK47 need to have a babysitter. I wonder if the Jazz will sign me if Horny works out with me...I may be fat, but if I had 3 years of babysitting at the PRO level...I could be starting for the Jazz. AK47 should go back to Mother Russia.

Thanks Jimmy Sneakers, point well taken.

all players have on or off season help. Jabbar helps all the centers in the league etc etc. Hornacek is amazing. he's a good role model and mentor. it can only help the Jazz. still, the Jazz won't become champs since the league does not allow small state/market teams to win it all. not enough money brought in if the team is not from Texas, LA, NY, Detroit, Miami, etc. the Jazz don't have a tradition like the Packers of Green Bay to command the attention of the commish.

Only problem with Gretzky's comment is... everything. San Antonio is a similar, if not smaller market as Salt Lake. Houston is a similar market as Salt Lake. San Antonio was the first expansion club to ever win a title.

Enough with all the "poor me, I live in Salt Lake" attitudes. The only excuse that we didn't win a championship is Karl Malone likes to miss free throws in the clutch, and that he doesn't look to his baseline when he is posting up (leading to the Michael Jordan steal in the waning minutes of Game 6.)

I'm totally excited to hear that the Jazz are trying to open coaching doors for him. I'd LOVE to see Jeff in a management or coaching position soon. He was the second strongest player mentally that the Jazz have ever had (next to Stockton) and I believe he would be a great coach. Now that he'll be more of a fixture on the sidelines helping Kirilenko. I see this team being a much stronger team this year.

HA! don't give me that small market excuse I have heard for so many years...San Antonio is a small market team, granted from Texas, but small market comparatively speaking...don't mean to rip on you, but that's just lame. Jazz blew it twice against the Bulls, shaddy non-call on Jordan vs. Russell, but nonetheless, the Jazz had ample opportunities to win and didn't (not because a one-play no call foul). Anyway, back to my point...Yes, I agree, Pros in all sports need assistance in offseason, but AK47 was an all-star and this looks more like babysitting and making him feel all warm and fuzzy so he doesn't leave. You think after being in the league this long, he could figure his shot out on his own (watching tape, etc...), instead the Jazz waste a lot of time & money "developing" cry babies (aka - AK47) instead of directing that amazing Horny training at the new rookie talent. Bla bla, I could go on forever about these cry babies making more than you or I will ever see...I should know, my cousin happens to be one of them! Except he doesn't cry, he just tells stories.

If it helps AK I'm all for it. The Jazz need his D and if helping his O is what it takes then I'm all for it.

However, the best part about this article is that Horny is employed by the Jazz, for whatever reason, that is a good thing. I hope this leads to a bigger role for the Jazz from Horny in the future he is an asset anyway you look at it.

Glad to have Horny with the Jazz.

Hornacek can't teach AK to be a team player. Better shooter....maybe. Why do the Jazz waste the time on AK, when they could be helping Milsap instead. Nothing like a whiny multi-millionaire getting all the attention. AK should have had some class and talked about his issues with Jazz management behind closed doors.

Joey2Tall,

I agree with your point, and San Antonio is a small market. But then you just sound stupid when you compare Houston to SLC. Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S.!

The difference between this and previous instances of Hornacek mentoring AK is that this time he appears to be on board for the long-haul, as opposed to just the pre-season. In my humble opinion, it can do nothing but help. AK's form is good, but it's obvious that the mental side of the game has gotten the better of him. Hornacek could play a more important role in mediating between AK and Sloan.

My only qualm - If Jeff's going to be with us, he needs to be with us. Move your family back to SLC, don't keep one foot back in Arizona. It makes no sense in light of his stance that he wants to be closer to his family. With this long-distance commuting arrangement, he'll be away from them for LONGER. You are loved here, Jeff. C'mon back.

"What have Larry Johnson did that Karl Malone have not did?"

Jimmy you're obviously missing the point. AK is happy now that he's here helping him. Maybe it will boost is confidence and his mood and give him the desire to play and work harder. You're too dang pesimistic.

I should know about the cry babies cause my cousin plays for the junior jazz. Oh yeah my great grandpas bother who married a lady and had a kid who then married a lady and her best friends brothers cousin in LHM and he said all pro athletes are spoiled brats not just AK and your junior jazz cousin

San Antonio is the 8th largest city in the US. It is also surrounded by other very populous cities in its metropolitan district. Denver is actually a comparatively small US market, and it's twice the size of SL. SL is a tiny market, actually (my work involves demograpphic research)--if size actually matters.

I've known Jimmy for a long time and he has been calling for that Richard Jefferson trade for years. I agree with him too.

Once the season starts, Hornicek's help won't matter. Because even if A.K. shoots well, thats not the reason A.K seems to be unhappy. I like the idea that hornicek is helping, but do you really think its going to make everything better? Jimmy makes the best point.

Ted,
You have a point...in part. Houston is the 4th largest city, but San Antonio is 7th. Market extends beyond the boundaries of the city. Just as Houston has a huge market outside of Harris County, San Antonio has a huge following outside Bexar County in the Central Texas Region. San Anton is now small market team. Let's get our facts completely straight before saying anyone sounds stupid!

Kirilenko has to flash his own initiative in wanting to get better...that is something that is baffling.
Why he doesn't watch film or get tired of hearing loud "klinks or Klinkalenkos" or shooting blanks.
In the words of one Czech sage...'A loaded AK-47 operated by you know who, is just as bad as an empty one.