AK and Russian team

[write4u]

I don't think AK is mentally weak at all. Wasn't it after the crying incident that we played Golden State who was hot that year and he shut down Stephen Jackson who was playing the best ball of his career at that time? That takes a lot of mental fortitude to come back like that. AK's "weakness" is more physical. He's not a burly, muscular guy and you'll notice that the NBA players are stronger, physical specimens than the Euro players, and which may be why he excels more in the Euro game.

 

[Lakers_Slapper]

How do you properly utilize a small-ball 4 playing as a wing when his production and disposition changes with the weather, generally can't hit a shot, and has an okay but extremely loose dribble? In the second half of the '09-'10 season when he put together his best string of games since 2005, was that because he was finally being used properly? Just, all of a sudden, Jerry got it... and then he just forgot?

Really, what are his strengths, and how do they fit in to any kind of successful model of a team construct? Being the best jack-of-all-trades-master-of-none still means he's master of none. Especially when he can't stay healthy, and it's anyone's guess who he shows up as on a nightly basis.

Anyway, I'll start with his strengths: really smart, great vision, great passer. And then there's just a blank. Or rather, a TON of things he can do some nights and not others.

And again, last year he was actually worse (or equal-to at best) than in '06-'07. There just weren't any tears and trade demands.

I dont want to come off like I'm ripping you as I usually do. But as far as what his strengths are? He brings fire and intensity to the team. And I think unhealthy isnt the word, but rather over-passionate. Nobody can tell me that this guy isnt in love with basketball. Who cries like a baby on a national televised interview because he couldnt play upto his own expectations and therefore felt that he let down the team? The only reaso he gets injured all the time is because hes hard on his body playing defense that he would have to do if even half of the team gave 2 shts about winning or loosing. Everyone says his shot always comes and goes. Consistency is what maybe 5 percent of the players in the NBA possess. He doest fall into that 5% catagory. But another 95% of the NBA doesnt fall into AK's passion to win catagory. I would take someone that plays defense like thier life is on the line as opposed to a player that plays for the highlight reel any night of the week. So AK cant produce like he did 8 years ago, but really??? Who can??? Pull your head out.

 

[Lakers_Slapper]

We've been using the coaching excuse for 6 freakin' years to excuse AK's 70% effort. How about the lack of an outside game? How about the pouting if he doesn't receive enough "touches?" Sure he gets a few steals and 1 1/2 blocks per game. The blocks are either from the weak side or when he gets beaten but then manages to get his hand on the ball. But for every block, he gives up 10 easy shots, either by getting taken off the dribble or allowing to much space and giving up an uncontested jumper. AK is a below average one-on-one defender. Offensively he has one move: drive wildly into the lane and throw the ball up in the air hoping the ref will bail him out. Sometimes works at home. Free of Sloan, AK would go back to chucking up wild 3's. I'd rather have CJ throwing up those shots (and I despise Chucker Smiles).

Besides, this team is >2 years away from contending. AK is well into his decline. You want to waste development time of Hayward and Burks, not to mention long-term salary space for a guy who will be well lpast his useful years when the team is ready to make the next leap into possibly contending? Better to let CJ have some minutes - or even Millsap - at the 3. You'd at least be building up some trade value with those players and perhaps get a mid-1st at the deadline.

This post of yours got me curious as to AK's contribution over the years. Hmmm, what are you talking about? How about the lack of an outside game? No one has ever said AK was an outstanding 3 point shooter. But he's not that bad over his 10 year career. Ak's been shooting 31% from Three. (For a starting small forward who is not a know as a 3 point shooter? Pretty good). And you dont just average 2 blks per game and 1.4 stls per game from playing poor defense, sorry.
Sure he gets a few steals and 1 1/2 blocks per game. The blocks are either from the weak side or when he gets beaten but then manages to get his hand on the ball. But for every block, he gives up 10 easy shots
Wow, where do I start? I guess this is a 1+1=2 equation for you. If you get beaten off of the dribble and then "manage" (I put it in quotations because you said it. = See previous sentence stated by yourself.) to get your hand on the ball..... Well, this is what is called........... GOOD DEFENSE!!!! "Managing" to get your hand on the ball of the player that beats you off the dribble or that is right in front of you is called DEFENSE. Can you say, DE.....FENCE???? A fence is the wooden or plastic thing that surrounds the sandbox that you play in all day. Than just put a D in front of it! Then add an E after the D and change the spelling of fence to fense.
Offensively he has one move: drive wildly into the lane and throw the ball up in the air hoping the re will bail him out. Sometimes works at home. Free of Sloan, AK would go back to chucking up wild 3's. I'd rather have CJ throwing up those shots
Ok, driving to the basket to draw a foul is what every player should do when given the chance. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesnt. Thats the game! However it has worked to the point that AK has attempted 3,302 times in his career, at which he has made 76% of his free throws. And as far as 3 pt shots go, AK is averaging an attempt of 1.6 3's per game. "Chucking" up 3's like he used to?? Really?
this team is >2 years away from contending. AK is well into his decline. You want to waste development time of Hayward and Burks, not to mention long-term salary space for a guy who will be well lpast his useful years when the team is ready to make the next leap into possibly contending? Better to let CJ have some minutes - or even Millsap - at the 3. You'd at least be building up some trade value with those players and perhaps get a mid-1st at the deadline
2 years away from contending? Last time we contended we had Boozer and Williams several years ago. We got smashed by LA. Before that we had Stockton and Malone. Who do we have thats going to make us a contender? Kanter? Miles? Hayward? You havent jumped off thier birdies since you started this topic. 2 years, Based on what? I hope your right on your time frame, but you seriously would take CJ Miles over AK? Wait, wait, wait........ Build trade value with CJ Miles? You dont remember we let CJ shop himself during his free agency. The Hornets wanted him at just shy of a contract that the Jazz had been offering him. You think his value is going to build if we allow him to suck further into his contract? Or do you think there is still a lil Kobe deeply rooted inside of him?
AK's first 6 years he averaged just shy of 13 ppg. The last 4 years, 11.5. ppg. averaging 47% shooting. I really dont know how to comment on you saying he gives up un-contested jumpers all the time. Its pretty hard to achieve well above average defensive stats for a starting small forward in the NBA and have a title of a lazy defender. Maybe you should actually watch a game instead of waiting for ESPN to tell you what you should think.

 

[TheSilencer1313]

We've been using the coaching excuse for 6 freakin' years to excuse AK's 70% effort. How about the lack of an outside game? How about the pouting if he doesn't receive enough "touches?" Sure he gets a few steals and 1 1/2 blocks per game. The blocks are either from the weak side or when he gets beaten but then manages to get his hand on the ball. But for every block, he gives up 10 easy shots, either by getting taken off the dribble or allowing to much space and giving up an uncontested jumper. AK is a below average one-on-one defender. Offensively he has one move: drive wildly into the lane and throw the ball up in the air hoping the ref will bail him out. Sometimes works at home. Free of Sloan, AK would go back to chucking up wild 3's. I'd rather have CJ throwing up those shots (and I despise Chucker Smiles).

Besides, this team is >2 years away from contending. AK is well into his decline. You want to waste development time of Hayward and Burks, not to mention long-term salary space for a guy who will be well lpast his useful years when the team is ready to make the next leap into possibly contending? Better to let CJ have some minutes - or even Millsap - at the 3. You'd at least be building up some trade value with those players and perhaps get a mid-1st at the deadline.

I actually believe this team can start contending this year. Especially with a probable shortened season, and especially with AK.
Every young team needs veteran leadership, and that leadership needs to come from AK, Okur, and Watson.
I actually believe AK could be in his prime mentally, and maybe even physically (considering his 20 or 30 pound weight gain over the last few seasons).
He's more active during the off-season than 70 percent of the league, and he does more for his teammates at passing the ball than maybe anyone at that position in the league.
You can talk all day about how he might be declining, and might be slowing down a young team.
At the end of the day.... if the Jazz don't resign him, I guarantee a contending team like Miami, Dallas, Chicago, Orlando, or L.A. will pick him up in a heartbeat.
He still has a lot of value, and he'll be one the higher sought after free agents after the lockout.
I mean seriously.... who is really that much, if even any better than Kirilenko for 3 or 4 million a year?