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Andrei Kirilenko reportedly negotiating return to Russia

Lakers_Slapper said:
Wow, Its amazing how many AK haters there are in the off season, and the second AK starts firing on all cylinders, everybody loves him. He has weaknesses like everbody else, but he also has a lot of strengths- He is an excellent defender and often get injured because he has the balls to attack. A lot of players in the NBA lack this nowa days. Its almost like the fans just want to see a team with nothing but offense, but we all know that its defense that wins games. I dont see why the Jazz or any team for that matter would want to let this guy go to Russia. He can bring experience and defense to our team that our younger players need to see. Besides the second that AK goes and we have a guy to fill his spot, yall are gonna start hatin' on him just as much. So you might as well be hatin' on a player that knows the Jazz system; was there in 2003 to help our team have a good season (when we were predicted to be a 20 win team); isnt afraid to back down defensively; and plays with his heart all the time (in a slump or not). Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$ and he brings great defensive talent.
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Where to start...

1. ...the second AK starts firing on all cylinders, everybody loves him.
And that's about what, 1 in 10 games? Rarely is he a contributor on both ends of the court. The guy has ONE offensive move...drive the middle of the lane, throw the ball wildly in the air, flail his arms like a wounded octopus, and hope a foul is called.

2. He is an excellent defender and often get injured because he has the balls to attack.
Um, no. AK plays (used to play) pretty good help defense. He is a terrible one-on-one defender. You can beat him off the dribble or get him to bite on a fake and then hit the step back J. He used to have the quickness to recover and get a few blocks when beaten - or get them by helping out. He doesn't have that same quickness any more.

AS for the injuries, face it...he's frail. We called out Boozer because he took forever to recover. AK is - dare I say - even worse. Any sprain, strain, or muscle pull has him out 2 weeks.

3. ...was there in 2003 to help our team have a good season.
Eight years ago. You really want to hang your hat on a guy whose best season was EIGHT years ago? In that case, let's go after Shaq at the 5, bring in Michael Redd as our SG and Stephon Marbury at PG. Title guaranteed!

4. Hate on AK, but we can get him for cheap $$$.
Are you AK's agent? Would you like to tell us how much he wants and for how many years? And please keep in mind that will be for about 60 games...if the JAzz are lucky...and about 10 games (if we're lucky) where he plays hard or has an impact on both ends of the court.

AK HAD - and that's the operative word - HAD, as in PAST TENSE - the potential to be a TOP 10, maybe even a TOP 5 player in the league. His skills were as unique at his position as Dirk's are at PF or Lebron's at his. But after signing his deal, AK stopped improving. He choose to play internet games and read Russian novels instead of working on his shooting and overall game and conditioning and strength.

Personally, I wouldn't care if he came back for $1M. Giving him minutes just delays the progress of Hayward and Burks, or decreases the trade value of CJ. Those three should split the 96 mins. at the wing positions. Miles and Hayward can both play the 2 or 3. At the deadline, the Jazz can probably get a mid-first for Miles, just like they did with Brewer - or use his expiring contract in a trade.

 
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I agree with Glass Eater, we need to develop the younger guys. I have loved to watch AK play over the years. His game was a joy to watch. Key word, "was".
 
And we need to remember (like it or not) that we still have Bell under contract. He will get minutes at the 2 and 3. Unfortunately no room for AK.
 
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