AK on Eurobasket All-Tournament Team

[Stifle Tower]

LOL ... AK averaged just under 3 steals / game in less than 30 mpg and 15 ppg that included a game he had only 2 points -- he played even better in the big games. No way, if he's used right, that we should let him go ... and yes, he needs to start. Hayward isn't ready and CJ just is not as good.

Well, since he played better as a "4" several years ago, I guess using AK right means we sit Favors on the bench and trade Millsap.
AK does this all the time. He has fantastic games against Europeans because the style is more up-tempo and he isn't playing against 4's who can simply push him aside or top 3's who can just take a step-back jumper to negate his blocking skills, or make a couple of fakes, drive around him, and expose the fact that he's not really a good 1-on-1 defender. AK is a very good help defender, he can jump passing lanes and get a few steals. But he's no longer the shot-blocking force he once was (back and ankle problems - and age - have taken care of that) and he's just a turrible shooter. I agree, AK MIGHT be better than Hayward RIGHT NOW. But isn't that the same reason we used to berate SLoan? We'd get mad at him for starting a veteran over a rookie Deron. Or for playing Raja, or a host of others over the last several seasons, all in favor of winning a few more games now in exchange for not developing players who could contribute later. And I'm not even sure AK IS a better player than Hayward. Gordon came on late. Certainly from an offensive standpoint, I'd give the nod to Hayward. And from a team perspective, if we have Jefferson, Favors and Kanter working down low - even Harris on his drives to the hoop - the Jazz would want would a consistent outside shooter. And Hayward was the BEST in the league after the all-star break, IINM.

 

[NUMBERICA]

When has AK NOT looked great in international play? This is the oldest news there is.

Someone let us know when he sucks in international play. That's news.

 

[write4u]

The fact that he plays better with his Russian shows that he's not being used properly by the Jazz. Yes, the NBA is more athletic, but taller ... maybe a little. CT, you didn't watch all the games, did you. There were a lot of 7-footers. You watched Turkey, didn't you ... Kanter, who's listed at 6-11, I believe -- didn't look it to me -- was shorter than many of the big men. No way is Hayward better than AK, except as an outside shooter -- ok, yes, he dribbles better, but AK is not that bad of a dribbler. He got stripped a lot not because of his handle but because he didn't protect his dribble well.

The best argument against AK coming back is that we need to rebuild and should give the younger guys the minutes.

 

[Park Bites]

I wouldn't mind signing ak as long as it is followed by the word trade. Bringing back draft picks and or young talent ie granger.

 

[billyshelby]

I like AK as much as the next AK apologist, but I don't see any point in a non-contending/rebuilding team to sign a 30 year old veteran.

We've got 4 wings. Burks is a raw rookie who we only hope can play regular minutes when history says guys his age can't. The other wing is Raja. Raja needs to be quietly put out to pasture and Burks will likely have to be brought along slow. So we need somebody who can play. AK fits that model so long as the contract is 2 or 3 years. Who knows with the new CBA, but I'm all for bringing AK back. AK, CJ, Hayward getting big minutes is not exactly a Championship recipe, but it works for next year.

 

[Jazz4ever]

The fact that he plays better with his Russian shows that he's not being used properly by the Jazz. Yes, the NBA is more athletic, but taller ... maybe a little. CT, you didn't watch all the games, did you. There were a lot of 7-footers. You watched Turkey, didn't you ... Kanter, who's listed at 6-11, I believe -- didn't look it to me -- was shorter than many of the big men. No way is Hayward better than AK, except as an outside shooter -- ok, yes, he dribbles better, but AK is not that bad of a dribbler. He got stripped a lot not because of his handle but because he didn't protect his dribble well.

The best argument against AK coming back is that we need to rebuild and should give the younger guys the minutes.

And it's the only argument one needs. The team is not contending for several years, why rob the young guys of critical development time? We will likely draft a SF in next years draft, and if it's an elite prospect like Barnes or Gilchrist it would be ideal to start him right off the bat, not play the next 3 years off the bench behind a rapidly aging AK.