Reader comments
Utah Jazz: Helping and happy — Kirilenko having big impact on court
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lamonte | 5:26 a.m. May 14, 2008
AK is proof that big numbers in the points, rebounds and assists columns
don't always indicate the true value of someone's contribution. He is
deceptively quick and he can leap as high as any 7-footer - actually higher.
I've seen him make dunks when his whole head is above the rim. I'm
glad he's happy playing in Utah and I hope he stays for the duration of his
career.
Mark | 6:22 a.m. May 14, 2008
So I guess it's true, what that classic kids' song says: When
we're helping, we're happy, and we sing as we go...
Anonymous | 8:59 a.m. May 14, 2008
If AK can just keep this same mentality throughout his career, he might be able
to return as an all star. Or at the very least all nba defensive team or
something like that. His value will go up again, if he can stay in the game
mentally. His talent has always been there. He has just sometimes lacked the
mentality. Go for it AK!
Comments continue below
Rose | 9:02 a.m. May 14, 2008
AK, keep up the good work on Kobe!
Jazzian | 9:18 a.m. May 14, 2008
I love Kirilenko. The Jazz is just not the same without him. I really hope they
can keep him happy and involved so he doesn't have to leave.
Go AK! Go Jazz!
Go AK! Go Jazz!
magnus | 10:10 a.m. May 14, 2008
I hope the Jazz can keep him too, but I just don't know if they will be
able to give Williams his Max deal and keep AK. If they do then they will have
a hard time re-signing Price and Milsap and an even harder time upgrading the
backup center position. Fes might be the answer to that problem, or he might
not.
I love AK and I love what he brings to the team, but the Jazz have alot of young talent, and in order to be able to keep them and maintain any kind of depth the Jazz are either going to have to go way into luxury tax territory or they are going to have to unload one of thier 4 big contracts (Boozer, AK, Memo, Williams). AK has the biggest contract and I think the Jazz can get a comparable talent at his position for alot less money so, unless Miller turns into Mr. Moneybags, it seems like moving him makes the most sense.
I love AK and I love what he brings to the team, but the Jazz have alot of young talent, and in order to be able to keep them and maintain any kind of depth the Jazz are either going to have to go way into luxury tax territory or they are going to have to unload one of thier 4 big contracts (Boozer, AK, Memo, Williams). AK has the biggest contract and I think the Jazz can get a comparable talent at his position for alot less money so, unless Miller turns into Mr. Moneybags, it seems like moving him makes the most sense.
Rich | 10:31 a.m. May 14, 2008
When AK displayed a poor attitude last summer, I was all for dumping him. But I
was wrong, and Jerry Sloan and Larry Miller were right. When Hornacek was hired
to improve AK's shooting, the first thing he said was that he wasn't
going to change AK's shot, just try to build his confidence. I didn't
think it would work. Again the Jazz brass were right. So now I see clearly why
I'm merely a fan, and why the true experts are the coaches. I've
always respected and admired Utah's coaches, even from the days of Frank
Layden. No other team has had the quality of assistant coaches that Utah has.
And no other team has had the benefit of somebody as good as Sloan leading it
for 20 years. Hats off to the Jazz coaches. May you be here for many more
years. And I hope you can get LA out of the way so that we can next face New
Orleans or the team I fear the most, the Spurs.
Anonymous | 10:34 a.m. May 14, 2008
When salaries demand a trade (when Williams needs to get paid), we should keep
AK over Boozer. Millsap, Fess, and Okur can do pretty much what Carlos does,
and they play D.
GO AK!
GO AK!
js | 11:10 a.m. May 14, 2008
To magnus, no way. Keep AK, he is a great asset to the team. Keep everything
positive and he will only become more and more valuable. Keep AK. Keep AK.
Besides, he is great to watch. He is a pure basketball player. Keep AK.
Keep Millsap | 12:11 p.m. May 14, 2008
If the Jazz need to trade somebody, I would trade Boozer first because of what
the Jazz would probably be able to get. I would bet every team in the NBA has
their eye on Millsap, he is going to be a very good player and the Jazz should
try to keep him. Jazz should try to keep AK, but I just get the feeling he
would like to go to a team that moves the ball up and down the court, and that
would be the type of team that could use him because that type of offense helps
his defense. Maybe the Knicks with their new coach, and an owner who doesn,t
care about the salary cap. But then what do they have to offer in exchange?
magnus | 12:15 p.m. May 14, 2008
@ js
don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for the Larry H. Miller Moneybags option. I love AK and hope that we can keep him however...
@ Anonymous
I think that trading Boozer instead of AK would be a huge mistake. You're crazy if you think that Millsap and/or Fess can do what Boozer does. I love Millsap and under no circumstances should the Jazz let him get away, but he does not have anywere near the offensive skills that Boozer has. If Millsap would develop his jumper I think he could be the next David West but he's just not that player yet. Also, 20/10 power forwards aren't exactly a dime a dozen in the NBA right now.
On the other hand there are a load of good swing men out there, I mean Utah has pretty good one (Miles) who never even sees the court. I would say that the small forward position is probably the deepest and most talented position in the NBA and the Jazz are paying Max money for an injury prone, average to excellent (depending on the night) player at that position.
Like I said, I hope we keep him, I really do.
don't get me wrong, I'm rooting for the Larry H. Miller Moneybags option. I love AK and hope that we can keep him however...
@ Anonymous
I think that trading Boozer instead of AK would be a huge mistake. You're crazy if you think that Millsap and/or Fess can do what Boozer does. I love Millsap and under no circumstances should the Jazz let him get away, but he does not have anywere near the offensive skills that Boozer has. If Millsap would develop his jumper I think he could be the next David West but he's just not that player yet. Also, 20/10 power forwards aren't exactly a dime a dozen in the NBA right now.
On the other hand there are a load of good swing men out there, I mean Utah has pretty good one (Miles) who never even sees the court. I would say that the small forward position is probably the deepest and most talented position in the NBA and the Jazz are paying Max money for an injury prone, average to excellent (depending on the night) player at that position.
Like I said, I hope we keep him, I really do.
CougarKeith | 2:43 p.m. May 14, 2008
Andre is AWESOME!!! He is a KEY PLAYER who does what he does WELL! I think he is
a guy who comes to work and performs! That is what he does day in and day out.
It is easy to complain when you KNOW you can do more for the team, which was why
he complained to begin with. He wants to be a contributor! Well he is getting
his wish and then some!!! Way to Go Andre!
Anoymous | 2:58 p.m. May 14, 2008
The job Jeff Hornacek is doing with AK is amazing and as far as coaches go, it
almost takes a degree in psychology to deal with players these days. Same with
the front office. The Jazz ought to get rid of Boozer instead of AK. I'm
not sure AK would accept a reduced salary although John Stockton did it once to
pass on the savings to the fans who buy tickets.It doesn't hurt to ask.
I'm not saying he has to do that but the Jazz have players who never get to
play: Miles, Morris Almond, Fes. As the highest paid player on the Jazz team, AK
could stand to live with less. I'm suprised they EVER agreed to his
outrageous demands for more money.
JazzFan4ever | 4:20 p.m. May 14, 2008
AK is amazing and a difference maker for the Jazz. He's a human Dynamo.
Mark | 4:45 p.m. May 14, 2008
If one of the Jazz's current assistant coaches gets picked up for an HC
position on another team, how about bringing Hornacek in as an assistant. Maybe
the heir to Jerry?
Bigjazzfan | 4:58 p.m. May 14, 2008
To magnus:
YOu definitely wrong on this buddy.
Boozer must go.
The power foward is a position that you must get defense from maybe more than any other postion, tha is if you want to win a championship.
Every championship, without exception had an adequite to outstanding defender in the power forward positon.
And not many had one you counted on for offense.
What does that tell you???
If malone who is one the greatest powerforwards of all time, if you belive that stuff, couldn't win one,
How can you honestly think boozer will.
He let the team down last year in the playoffs,
And but for one game has not perfomed this year.
He's taking a lot money that used on "real" star or "real" bigman.
If this team is to win a chamionship he must go.
It's not about helping the team win few extra games in regular season so they have winning record and make the playoffs.
The jazz need star that can take them to a higher level of winning a championship.
Two years in row boozer has shown he is not that player.
YOu definitely wrong on this buddy.
Boozer must go.
The power foward is a position that you must get defense from maybe more than any other postion, tha is if you want to win a championship.
Every championship, without exception had an adequite to outstanding defender in the power forward positon.
And not many had one you counted on for offense.
What does that tell you???
If malone who is one the greatest powerforwards of all time, if you belive that stuff, couldn't win one,
How can you honestly think boozer will.
He let the team down last year in the playoffs,
And but for one game has not perfomed this year.
He's taking a lot money that used on "real" star or "real" bigman.
If this team is to win a chamionship he must go.
It's not about helping the team win few extra games in regular season so they have winning record and make the playoffs.
The jazz need star that can take them to a higher level of winning a championship.
Two years in row boozer has shown he is not that player.
magnus | 5:56 p.m. May 14, 2008
@ Bigjazzfan
You're absolutely right, Boozer is not that player... Deron Williams is.
Boozer is to this Jazz team, like James Worthy was to the Lakers in the 80's, he's not "the man", but he is an important piece of who they are.
Boozers defense is more than adequate when he is trying and he is a GREAT rebounder.
The Jazz don't need another "real star" they have a great TEAM and a budding SUPERSTAR in Williams.
I agree that they need another tough big to backup Okur and Boozer, and I think that's what they should use some of AKs cap money for.
Having a Power Forward who can run the pick and roll, finish strong, shoot a 15 ft jumper is fundamental to Jerry Sloans offense. What Ak brings, while it is awesome as x factor material, is not.
You insist that Boozer is soft and a poor defender but the stats and the Jazz opponents tell a different story.
This team has all of the pieces of a championship team. I think the only thing they may be missing is experience, and that will come soon enough.
You're absolutely right, Boozer is not that player... Deron Williams is.
Boozer is to this Jazz team, like James Worthy was to the Lakers in the 80's, he's not "the man", but he is an important piece of who they are.
Boozers defense is more than adequate when he is trying and he is a GREAT rebounder.
The Jazz don't need another "real star" they have a great TEAM and a budding SUPERSTAR in Williams.
I agree that they need another tough big to backup Okur and Boozer, and I think that's what they should use some of AKs cap money for.
Having a Power Forward who can run the pick and roll, finish strong, shoot a 15 ft jumper is fundamental to Jerry Sloans offense. What Ak brings, while it is awesome as x factor material, is not.
You insist that Boozer is soft and a poor defender but the stats and the Jazz opponents tell a different story.
This team has all of the pieces of a championship team. I think the only thing they may be missing is experience, and that will come soon enough.
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Andrei Kirilenko (47) has seen many of his regular season statistics fall during the playoffs. But his defensive play has earned praise from coaches and teammates.
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