Deseret News | Kirilenko praises Utahns, LDS to media in Russia

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Kirilenko praises Utahns, LDS to media in Russia

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Barton | 1:24 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Wow!! Linx hired a savy PR guru. What a way to get back in to LDS fans hearts by appealing to their religon. I hope he converts, but after he's traded for expiring contracts. Good Luck Linx

VegasJazzFan | 2:00 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Do NOT give up on Kirilenko as a Jazzman. Many solid players have had a streak in which their numbers dipped... and/or misunderstandings with coaches, and maybe less minutes. Those of you who want the Jazz to trade him... be careful what you wish for. Afterwards, I bet his minutes and numbers would increase and it wouldn't surprise me if he became an all-star again 2 or 3 years later. AND, as far as replacing him, just who do you plan to bring in... choosing from free-agents (many of whom are overpriced) or players who don't want to play in SLC for whatever reason? Consider AK's WHOLE career so far with the Jazz, and that his best years are likely ahead. And BTW, he made plenty of key plays in the Jazz's playoff run this past season... were his critics really watching?

baggins | 4:14 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Barton I can't say that I didn't think the same thing. but I think it would take more than appealing to the mormon population to get back into the good graces of the fans. he seems like a pretty decent guy. I just wish he could relight the fire with which he jused to play.

Comments continue below

ron | 5:15 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

atta-boy barton, make a negative out of a positive. you will go far in life

Leo | 6:08 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

You can't tell a Mormon from a normal person eh? Not even from the "peaches and cream" complextion? Hey, Kir, try Diet Pepsi instead of tea--practically the same thing. Barton, PR guru or not, did he say anything wrong? If it was staged, it was money well spent. "I like this guy."

Bubba | 6:28 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

[sarcasm]Of course... who could possibly have anything good to say about LDS people... unless it was a PR stunt![/sarcasm]

Alec | 6:44 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Man! I love Kirilenko! It totally changes my perspective on his ideas and such. Its been a long time since anyone praised Utah. In Fact it has been critisized more than praised. Thank You Kirilenko!

DCnTN | 6:49 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Linx hired a saavy PR or guy or maybe.... Kirileko is kind and gracious. Sounds to me like he gave a great interview.

BIG TIME B-BALL | 7:23 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Kirilenko is the worst center the jazz have ever had... bring back Ostertag!

gallup,nm | 7:26 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

What does 'his diminished role' role mean? Is what he does less significant? It seems his role has changed and continues to be defined since players like Boozer, Williams, and Okur were signed, but has his significance to the team really diminished? By the way, I agree, Utah is an outstanding place.

Center? | 7:53 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Hey big time b-ball...you're right kirelenko is a bad center, that's why he plays small forward.

Dave | 7:55 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

What, Ostertag? You want to see Sloan go NUTS? AK can play AK keep up the good work and play hard with JAZZ!

Mike, TX | 7:55 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Hey Big Time B-Ball, You know Kirilenko doesnt play center right? Oh yeah, youre big time.....
Kirilenko will be back this year.

Alienated Wannabwe | 8:17 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I have long loved Andre Kirilenko. These published comments of his are just the most recent reminder as to why. He is a decent man with a good heart. I am so glad that he is still with the Jazz. I hope the coaching staff can formulate an approach to make use of his considerable skills, and to clearly define that role and expectations to him. Likewise, I hope that Andre will embrace that role and joyfully play within it.

Ken Baguley | 8:19 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Thanks to and praises for Kirilenko!!! He's a family man and devoted to them and Utah's way of life.

shane | 8:26 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

A.K. plays the way he did in that golden state series and utah could be in business in the western conference. utah fan's let's chalk it up as one bad year and look for great things from a.k. this year.

Frederick | 8:27 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I like Kirilenko. I am glad I do not live in Utah. There are better places for an LDS member to live. It is sad to see at some games when the fans hurl some of the most unsportsman-like comments I have ever heard at Kirilenko. I wish him and the Jazz to have a great year.

seedrock | 8:29 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

When your in the playoffs and a player puts his personal ego and feelings above winning and the team it gets us fans a little riled up.But lets face it, Linx is an emotional guy.Maybe coach could put winning and the team ahead of personal ego as well, and find away to utilize Linx's unusual basketball and physical skills.Come on you two guys lets get primed and focus on a championship!!!!Yeah!!!!!

Mike in Idaho Falls | 8:29 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I've always been impressed by Kirlenko since I saw him at the Rocky Mountain Revue. As a mormon, I'm appreciative of his positive comments regarding the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and applaud him for his devotion to family and service to his community. There so much bashing of other people's faith, not just of mormons. Andre is a special playe- a special person. As Jazz fan, I can only hope that Andre can regain the confidence and tenacity he once demonstrated just a few years ago. Go Jazz!

Seedrock | 8:36 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

By the way Ron, your right,Doctor Barton will go far in life.In fact he already has. Hi Kev!

Greg | 8:58 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Was it just a translation issue, or did Kirilenko really get asked how to distinguish a Mormon from a "normal" person - implying that Mormons are abnormal

Anonymous | 9:04 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

The story mentions that his wife has a clothing store at the Gateway. Does anyone know what one it is?

Anonymous | 9:06 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Greg, it was probably partly a translation issue. A lot of the interview language is stilted. On the other hand, Europeans have very strange views about the LDS Church. They hear the myths and legends and clamp onto them.

bodhi K | 9:13 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Her store is called "Fluer de Lis". Sorry if the spelling on that is wrong.

Anonymous | 9:15 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Kirilenko has always been a class act in the community. He's always been more available to the media than, really any of the 'legendary' Jazz players (you know who I'm talking about).
I hope he gets his game back to his level, because that's what will make the Jazz championship contenders.

David V. | 9:19 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Well, I hope he doesn't get too attached to the land of Zion....he may yet be shipped out. I hope not. Obviously, the emergence of D-Will, Booz, and Memo (and their superior offensive skills) has relegated him to more of a role player. I'm sure it's been a tough adjustment for him. I just hope that he realizes that he can still dominate games without scoring. There STILL isn't a more dynamic and versatile defender in the league. The times last season where he was playing like the AK of old, the Spazz were nearly unbeatable. He just needs to get his head screwed on straight, realize and accept his offensive limitations, and go out there and wreak havoc like we know he can. If he can do that, and I do think it's a significant IF at this point, the Spazz will go far in the next few seasons.

Stoney | 9:24 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Hey guys, don't get your shorts in a knot. We are abnormal...and darn proud of it. Look at the rest of the worlds behavior and how we preach about behaving "not of the world". Let me get off my little soap box now and just say, go Jazz, good job A.K.

Dean | 9:32 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

This just confirmaed to me, what i already knew, AK is a class act, and a great person! His performance took a hit last season, but not as bad as everyone has made it out to be. With Booz, Deron and Memmo, getting more of the shots AK used to get, of course he's going to look worse. His shooting percentage went way down, but his defense was still solid. Also if you watched the series against Houston, (post breakdown) it was AK's improved defense and shooting that sparked the Jazz to win the series. HE IS GREAT, AND IF YOU DON"T THINK SO, THEN YOU DON"T KNOW BASKETBALL. (it's not always about offense)

Dmitry from Moscow | 9:37 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

To greg. there were not "normal"/"ubnormal" in original interview. In russian it was more like 'regular' or 'common', not "normal".

In Russia and in Europe there is nothing against LDS Church. There are some stereotypes like polygamy, alcohol and tabaco prohibition. And AK did try to help to inform about life in utah.

PR consultants))) give me a break. does he want to run for an office in utah? AK is just an open and honest person and ready to share his feelings with us.

Chet | 9:47 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

If he has a good PR guy or not he didn't have to say anything nice,but he did. He has a lot of class noy only for what he has said lately but the work his foundation does for children is amazing. All he has to do is put the ball in the hoop and he is golden.
All that said,I still think he gets traded at the trade deadline.

Spoiler | 9:47 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Big Time, You're right about Kirilenko at center but he's not a bad point guard.

Ash | 9:49 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

"There is also a cult of health and sport..."

Hahahahha. Nice typo. Here, we're trying to get away from the "Mormons are a cult" idea, and then the Deseret News goes and prints that we are a cult. Pretty funny.

Scengi | 10:05 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

AK is a class act and he will bounce back into his high flying game and be spectacular once again. I love this Jazz man, I hope he continues to fly in Utah. Block that ball Adrei!!!! GO JAZZ!!!!

johnboy | 10:17 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

The comments above are all kind of funny to me. I am not totally enamored with AK's play last year but a couple of thoughts come to mind: 1) Why does everyone think we can get someone better in a trade? He hasn't got a great deal of value relative to his high salary so if we did trade him we would probably get 2 or 3 marginal players in return. Remember that whoever we get will be cast-offs from another team. 2) We know what he is capable of and he is a better gamble than all of the supposed "projects" the Jazz have had over the last several years. 3) He is a good guy who can compete. He is NOT a trouble maker and we don't need to worry about his mug shot appearing on ESPN.com anytime soon. But the funny thing is this story was about AK's remarks concerning Utah and the predominant religion. Kudos to him for not trashing either to the Russian media.

Russian guy | 10:18 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Please note that in Russia, any religion that is not Russian orthodox is called a cult. (Including the Baptists, the Catholics, the Pentecostals and the Mormons) No offense was intended, and this is a very strong endorsement for Mormons in Russia.

Andre K | 10:27 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Kirilenko looks exactly like a childhood friend I had in Layton. But this kid couldn't run or play sports cause he had a weak bone disease so it couldn't be the same person. And this friends name was Danny, so there's no way it could be the same guy...right?

Thomas | 10:27 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

"No trace of plural marriage among the inhabitants of Utah"? OK, maybe not among the actual members of the predominant religion, but....

International Mormon | 10:33 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Ash: The 2 references to "cult" no doubt relate to the translation from Russian and are certainly not "typos". In many languages, the words "cult" and "religion" are interchangeable and "cult" does not have negative connotations, unlike the word's usage in the U.S., which unfortunately has come to imply only fanaticism.

Further, the phrase "cult of health and sport" is perfectly acceptable and simply implies an emphasis on--or deeply embedded practice of--sport and nothing more sinister.

I grew up in Utah and would love to return some day, but meanwhile you might try holding back on the Arctic Circle fry sauce and read a few books, learn a foreign language or two, and travel outside the country now and then.

Go Jazz and go A.K.!

SomeGuy | 10:38 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

"Cult" has many definitions. Usually it comes with a negative connotation, but all religions can be defined as "cult". AK was using the positive definition

BVanner | 10:50 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

I guess the fact his wife lets him stray once a year isn't that big a deal. This is purely rhetoric to finesse the Mormons in town, he doesn't mean any of this. The only part of this article that is true is "cult".

JimBob | 10:56 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Andre K, I don't think that Andre Kirilenko and your friend Danny, from Layton, are the same person. From what I know, Andre Kirilenko doesn't have that bone disease that makes his bones weak so I would doubt they are the same person.

Mill | 10:59 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Much appreciation and respect to AK for dispelling some rumors and showing Utah and Latter-day Saints some love. As LDS and a former Utahn I have love for both and get so tired of all the lame misnomers and prejudice regarding Utah and the church. I try and represent to people outside of Utah all the time just how great a place Utah is and how misunderstood it is. Kudos to AK.

As far as AK's role with the Jazz, I am very glad he is still on the Jazz because he is one of the most unique talents in the league, not to mention a great guy. I met him at Gateway once and he was very very nice. Last year was a tough year for him, but I believe he will be back with force this year - if he accepts his role as a defender/rebounder first and just lets scoring come to him, he will be the best role player in the NBA, cut in the mold of a Ben Wallace (dominant without having to score).

Shelley3cats | 11:08 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Nice. I have to admitt, I just moved back to Utah after 33 years in California and Arizona. My husband has stayed a Utah Jazz fan for years. I guess I missed all of the inside negative information but I enjoyed this article. If someone asked you about your job and you knew it was going to be published, wouldn't you put a positive light on what you do? Give the guy a break.

UtahRez | 11:15 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

"There is no trace of plural marriage among the inhabitants of Utah, and it has been that way already more than 100 years."

Wow, I'm glad that's settled. So I guess that guy at Wal Mart that I saw with all those Nicki Henrickson look-alikes was really just a guy out shopping with his sisters.

Dallas | 11:19 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

BVanner: Apparently, you only hear what you want to hear. AK's wife has told him he can stray once a year. But if you've ever heard him and his wife talk about it, they are clear he has never taken that liberty granted by her. Get your facts straight. He has been clear he has never wanted to, and never plans too. And if you've seen his wife, you'd probably understand.

Dave | 11:36 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

BVanner - Thank you for your insightful and optimistic thoughts on AK. Oh wait, I almost didn't realize how hateful and irrational you are. Regardless of our faith we should appreciate the kind words given by AK about our state. AK has been nothing short of brilliant in his time with the Jazz. Just because he's not scoring 50 points doesn't mean he isn't contributing. One bad game or season doesn't determine a career. Or we could look at things like BVanner, the glass is actually half-empty, or maybe its even poisoned.

JB | 11:47 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

It's always good to hear nice positive words about UT and Mormons come from an "outsider". But my pessimistic side asks how much of that would he have said if the guy that signs his paychecks wasn't a Utah native and Mormon?

john | 11:51 a.m. Aug. 29, 2007

kirilenko is a classy guy for sure but he knows he hasn't been popular in Utah this year and the best way to get back in graces with Larry H and the fans is make the lds church seem more mainstream and good, not wierd and cultish like it is considered elsewhere. It was a good PR move for him considering the Jazz can't trade him. He may as well make the best of it. Good move Ak you should get into politics it appears there will be an opening for senator from Idaho soon.

OF Course! | 12:05 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

BVanner, there is always someone like you, who has to try and turn something into a negative. Get a life, why not try and do something positive for once? Try building someone up for a change.

Ha ha | 12:10 p.m. Aug. 29, 2007

Larry H. Miller isn't a Mormon, well at least he doesn't act like one. HE is one of the least ethical people i've ever seen, ALL he wants is fame for himself, thats why he puts his name on nearly everything he possibly can. Far from the Family oriented mormon people.

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