Good News -- Another Year of AK47!

[write4u]

I was questioning myself whether I should post this, considering the hate I expect to come my way. But I think the mods should take notice of this and clean up whatever is inappropriate and not in conformity to the board's rules of decorum.

In any case, I am relieved and happy that we have AK for another year -- at least to the trade deadline -- and that it will be one of his most productive years.

Let's hope he can return to the form he displayed last Jan-March, though I am concerned about his injuries at the end of the year and wonder how much that will affect his play.

 

[YB85]

Having Andrei on the team is not a bad thing at all. He can provide the depth and length the team needs, but he's past the point of being reliable. Maybe being in a contract year will get him to play through some of the nagging injuries he has suffered through in the past. He brings a lot of things that will help the Jazz win, but he brings them only about 75% of the season. Will this season be any different? I hope so, but I wouldn't bet on it. In a normal NBA season, his expiring deal would be worth more than he is as a player, but this is not a normal season. We'll see.

 

[NotDeadYet]

Just looking at our roster, AK appears to be resuming his old position at PF now tht Boozer is gone. Being a team player, he would do what coach thought best for team chemistry, so he was moved to SF. Boozer was a more consistant scorer, but the Jazz paid a price on the defensive side.
Our roster as I see it for now:
PG Williams, Watson, Price, Thompson (D-league)
SG Bell, Price, Evans, Jeffers (D-league)
SF Miles, Hayward, Evans
PF Kirilenko, Millsap
C Jefferson, Elson, Fesenko (Okur injured)

For those of you who think Evans is too skinny, have you seen Corey Brewer? Even skinnier; at 6'9" 185, he was a 2007 lottery pick; plays SG/SF for the T'Wolves, and is very good defensively. I see Evans in that same mold...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Brewer

 

[Qman]

Just looking at our roster, AK appears to be resuming his old position at PF now tht Boozer is gone. Being a team player, he would do what coach thought best for team chemistry, so he was moved to SF. Boozer was a more consistant scorer, but the Jazz paid a price on the defensive side.
Our roster as I see it for now:
PG Williams, Watson, Price, Thompson (D-league)
SG Bell, Price, Evans, Jeffers (D-league)
SF Miles, Hayward, Evans
PF Kirilenko, Millsap
C Jefferson, Elson, Fesenko (Okur injured)

For those of you who think Evans is too skinny, have you seen Corey Brewer? Even skinnier; at 6'9" 185, he was a 2007 lottery pick; plays SG/SF for the T'Wolves, and is very good defensively. I see Evans in that same mold...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Brewer

Maybe Evans will get Brewer's level in skill in 3 or 4 years because Evans is a skilled like a power forward only. He doesn't have perimeter skills.

I think we will see AK playing some PF occassionally depending on the matchups. But he will certainly not be starting for Millsap. Also I would be very, very surprised if we kept Thompson, Evans and Jeffers. Most likely we will keep Evans and Jeffers, Thompson or Nichols will get the last spot.

Also the problem with AK at the PF is that our best players are in order Deron, Jefferson, Millsap and AK. You want your best players on the floor so that means that AK will play 3 most of the time.

 

[write4u]

From what Jerry said, AK is slotted for SF and CJ for SG. But AK should get the PF back-up minutes. Am really interested to see what Evans can do. Might be another sleeper in the mold of Sap and Matthews. Doesn't have their skills, but his athleticism apparently is off the charts.

 

[Stifle Tower]

Just looking at our roster, AK appears to be resuming his old position at PF now tht Boozer is gone. Being a team player, he would do what coach thought best for team chemistry, so he was moved to SF. Boozer was a more consistant scorer, but the Jazz paid a price on the defensive side.
Our roster as I see it for now:
PG Williams, Watson, Price, Thompson (D-league)
SG Bell, Price, Evans, Jeffers (D-league)
SF Miles, Hayward, Evans
PF Kirilenko, Millsap
C Jefferson, Elson, Fesenko (Okur injured)

For those of you who think Evans is too skinny, have you seen Corey Brewer? Even skinnier; at 6'9" 185, he was a 2007 lottery pick; plays SG/SF for the T'Wolves, and is very good defensively. I see Evans in that same mold...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Brewer

If you read what Sloan said, the 1,4 and 5 are set, with the 2/3 up for competition. Kirilenko will NOT be starting at PF.

PG - Williams, Watson, Price
SG - Bell, Miles (starter TBD)
SF - Kirilenko, Hayward (starter TBD), Evans
PF - Millsap, (AK)
C - Jefferson, Fesenko, Elson (Okur injured)

D-League possibilities: Thompson, Nichols, Jeffers, Gaines

I think there's a good chance Hayward starts at SF. It's easier to have a rookie playing with 4 veterans than coming off the bench. If that's the case, he'd play 7-8 mins of the 1st/3rd, then AK would come in to finish the quarter and slide over to PF when Millsap sits down. You give AK a breather when Millsap returns and then put him back at SF to finish the half/game.

One thing is certain...Millsap is the STARTING PF. There is absolutely ZERO debate about that with Sloan, KOC, etc. Everything they've said since matching the Portland offer has pointed to him starting. If Andrei starts, it will be at SF.

As Stern pointed out in another thread, there's been a significant change in the way the D-League works this season. Now, up to 3 players who have been CUT can be assigned to the team's D-League affiliate. So look for perhaps Nichols, Gaines and Jeffers to be released, but still land on the Flash. If Thompson shows promise, I think the Jazz would keep him as a 14th player so they would have his rights. Then he could be allocated to the Flash to get P/T. I think Evans will earn some P/T with the Jazz due to his energy and rebounding so I don't see him in Orem much, if at all.

 

[write4u]

I'd rather see AK start and Bell play with Hayward. I think that's a better mix, at least at the beginning of the year. But we shall see. We all know AK plays better as a starter. So that would make CJ the starter. Guess it all depends on who you start, AK or Bell. I think Bell handles coming off the bench better. Then, again, CJ and Hayward might develop a good chemistry.

 

[Stifle Tower]

I'd rather see AK start and Bell play with Hayward. I think that's a better mix, at least at the beginning of the year. But we shall see. We all know AK plays better as a starter. So that would make CJ the starter. Guess it all depends on who you start, AK or Bell. I think Bell handles coming off the bench better. Then, again, CJ and Hayward might develop a good chemistry.

I'm just the opposite. Most teams have good scorers at SG. Even if Raja only plays 20 mins/per, I'd like to see him start and set the defensive tone. Prevent the opposing scorer from getting into a zone. I'm mixed on AK. He likes "touches" and can get more of those - and be more of an option - if he's coming off the bench.

And CJ can get more shots if he comes off the bench. Early on, Deron will be looking down low to Al and Paul. I like the idea of having Raja and Hayward as outlets if Jefferson gets doubled. When Jefferson is out of the game, you can have AK taking it inside or CJ shooting away.

 

[billyshelby]

Bell and CJ splitting minutes at the 2 with AK and Hayward splitting at the 3 makes the most sense to me. We might see a little more of AK at the 4 until Okur gets back, but I'm guessing Jerry will try getting Fes and Elson more involved in backup roles early.

AK should start and the rotation will be the standard one--Hayward plays the last few minutes of the 1st until about 5 minutes left of the 2nd, repeat in the second half.

Not sure about Bell/Miles. I'd probably start Bell. Give CJ a couple early minutes with the second unit to have more of a focal role on O with the idea he's still getting 30 minutes to Bell's 18. It also leaves Sloan with the better option of subbing Bell back in to close halves/games well rested. But I would suspect CJ and AK close 80% of halves and games anyway.

 

[billyshelby]

I'm just the opposite. Most teams have good scorers at SG. Even if Raja only plays 20 mins/per, I'd like to see him start and set the defensive tone. Prevent the opposing scorer from getting into a zone. I'm mixed on AK. He likes "touches" and can get more of those - and be more of an option - if he's coming off the bench.

And CJ can get more shots if he comes off the bench. Early on, Deron will be looking down low to Al and Paul. I like the idea of having Raja and Hayward as outlets if Jefferson gets doubled. When Jefferson is out of the game, you can have AK taking it inside or CJ shooting away.

Just my opinion, but no way should Hayward start. AK is much too important to the defense to throw Hayward out there starting games, to say nothing of how useful he'll be in getting Al and Sap shots. Besides, we should ease him into the pro game on the second unit.

 

[Twin Towers]

I'm just the opposite. Most teams have good scorers at SG. Even if Raja only plays 20 mins/per, I'd like to see him start and set the defensive tone. Prevent the opposing scorer from getting into a zone. I'm mixed on AK. He likes "touches" and can get more of those - and be more of an option - if he's coming off the bench.

And CJ can get more shots if he comes off the bench. Early on, Deron will be looking down low to Al and Paul. I like the idea of having Raja and Hayward as outlets if Jefferson gets doubled. When Jefferson is out of the game, you can have AK taking it inside or CJ shooting away.

Deron, Millsap and Jefferson are starting. AK is not starting at the 4. That is insane to Start AK over Millsap.

Raja Bell will start. I would bet money on this. The SF spot is the only spot that we are unsure of. I am kind of torn between this though. AK is way better starting and Miles is way better coming off the bench (Split stats: look it up if you don't know).

But after thinking about how AK could be traded and how AK could get hurt and how AK might not be here next year. I think CJ should start because we can depend on him being healthy in comparison to AK. And CJ is here for the long haul. AK is questionable on that.
If AK get hurts it changes team chemistry and we have an adjusting period once Miles is put into the lineup. Then when AK comes back there is more adjusting.
If CJ starts at SF our chemistry will get better and better throughout the year with our core group of guys. If AK gets injured it only effects our bench rather than our starting lineup.

D-Will - Watson - Price
Bell - Miles - Thompson
Miles - AK - Hayward - Evans
Millsap - AK - Elson
Jefferson - Fesenko - Elson - Okur

I think a 3 man rotation is what we want. AK, Bell and Miles. Hayward shouldn't play big minutes this year. Evans and Thompson should be in the D-League.

Hayward should play about 10 minutes per game. Hopefully its consistent so he can develop more

 

[Slappfisk]

Disinterested max contract players are great. I am truly looking forward to another season of Andrei Kirilenko. I am excited to see the new wrinkles he has added to his game over the off-season. A true competitor, always working to improve!

 

[Saint Cy of JFC]

Whats the over/under on how many days before the majority of Jazzfanz will demand we trade AK?

 

[write4u]

What's the point of your question, so far as basketball considerations, and who cares, unless you're a hater?

 

[cowhide]

Just looking at our roster, AK appears to be resuming his old position at PF now tht Boozer is gone. Being a team player, he would do what coach thought best for team chemistry, so he was moved to SF. Boozer was a more consistant scorer, but the Jazz paid a price on the defensive side.
Our roster as I see it for now:
PG Williams, Watson, Price, Thompson (D-league)
SG Bell, Price, Evans, Jeffers (D-league)
SF Miles, Hayward, Evans
PF Kirilenko, Millsap
C Jefferson, Elson, Fesenko (Okur injured)

For those of you who think Evans is too skinny, have you seen Corey Brewer? Even skinnier; at 6'9" 185, he was a 2007 lottery pick; plays SG/SF for the T'Wolves, and is very good defensively. I see Evans in that same mold...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corey_Brewer

AK is not going to start at PF, Sloan said CJ/Bell to compete for SG and AK and Hayward for SF. AK may see a few minutes there but he is not gong to start. Evans is not a SG either.

 

[cowhide]

Good News another year of homer AK fans defending AK for his lack of success. You guys can put your box of Kleenex away until Feb. when AK will most likely get dump unless he gets hurt again. Las Vegas odds 5-2 he gets hurt and 3-1 he gets traded before the deadline.

 

[infection]

From what Jerry said, AK is slotted for SF and CJ for SG. But AK should get the PF back-up minutes. Am really interested to see what Evans can do. Might be another sleeper in the mold of Sap and Matthews. Doesn't have their skills, but his athleticism apparently is off the charts.

I really think we may be getting ahead of ourselves on Evans (I'm not referring to you specifically as this same statement has been made a few times on the board). Millsap was drafted after his junior year, where he put up 20/13 for both his junior and sophomore year. Matthews put up 18/6 in his senior year. In contrast, Jeremy evans put up 10/7 his senior year. Though there are multiple variables in any statistical comparison, this is a rather large gap. I understand that he's an "energy guy" but getting praise and positive quotes about his ability may not go as far as me may want to think. I don't doubt that he could come in and have a positive, limited role, but certainly not to the extent of a Millsap or Matthews.

 

[NUMBERICA]

I really think we may be getting ahead of ourselves on Evans (I'm not referring to you specifically as this same statement has been made a few times on the board). Millsap was drafted after his junior year, where he put up 20/13 for both his junior and sophomore year. Matthews put up 18/6 in his senior year. In contrast, Jeremy evans put up 10/7 his senior year. Though there are multiple variables in any statistical comparison, this is a rather large gap. I understand that he's an "energy guy" but getting praise and positive quotes about his ability may not go as far as me may want to think. I don't doubt that he could come in and have a positive, limited role, but certainly not to the extent of a Millsap or Matthews.

In addition, the level of competition at Western Kentucky is poor.

 

[NUMBERICA]

Williams/Watson/Price
Bell/CJ/Thompson
AK/Hayward/Evans
Millsap/AK/Jefferson
Jefferson/Fesenko or Elson

This starting lineup sets a very nice defensive tone and this may also help Jefferson in that respect with him being the C and him understanding that the C is supposed to be the captain of the defense (even though I don't think he'll ever be great, he certainly can improve a lot). This also leaves AK as the clear 3rd option and secondary ball-handler/playmaker which is important for him to have priority in the offense. Bell and Millsap as 4th/5th options are their ideal roles and you could do a hell of a lot worse with them as your 4th and 5th options. CJ off the bench will give him a good opportunity to have higher priority in the offense and against weaker defense, and this should also help hide his defensive inadequacies if he still has them. The same could be said of Hayward. AK slides to the 4 and his role would change somewhat, but he should already be engaged in the game. There's an interesting dynamic between emphasis on interior and perimeter scoring when AK's at the 4 and Jefferson's on the bench and when Jefferson's on the floor, so that should create some difficulties for the opposing team's defensive gameplan provided that the team gels well and are fluid in that offensive shift.

Getting a little more back to the original point, I have more hope for AK this year than in years past because I haven't seen him have a stretch like he had last year since 2005. The Jazz were damn unstoppable, and so long as AK is given some priority (as kind of childish and coddling as it is), the dividends could be massive. On paper, Jefferson should make AK worse, but there was an off-court dynamic between Boozer and AK that didn't seem good (and maybe that was just the AK homers making a stink), so hopefully there's growth from the absence of Boozer (even though to be more clear, Jefferson has been a way worse black hole than Boozer).

 

[NAOS]

Williams/Watson/Price
Bell/CJ/Thompson
AK/Hayward/Evans
Millsap/AK/Jefferson
Jefferson/Fesenko or Elson

This starting lineup sets a very nice defensive tone and this may also help Jefferson in that respect with him being the C and him understanding that the C is supposed to be the captain of the defense (even though I don't think he'll ever be great, he certainly can improve a lot). This also leaves AK as the clear 3rd option and secondary ball-handler/playmaker which is important for him to have priority in the offense. Bell and Millsap as 4th/5th options are their ideal roles and you could do a hell of a lot worse with them as your 4th and 5th options. CJ off the bench will give him a good opportunity to have higher priority in the offense and against weaker defense, and this should also help hide his defensive inadequacies if he still has them. The same could be said of Hayward. AK slides to the 4 and his role would change somewhat, but he should already be engaged in the game. There's an interesting dynamic between emphasis on interior and perimeter scoring when AK's at the 4 and Jefferson's on the bench and when Jefferson's on the floor, so that should create some difficulties for the opposing team's defensive gameplan provided that the team gels well and are fluid in that offensive shift.

Getting a little more back to the original point, I have more hope for AK this year than in years past because I haven't seen him have a stretch like he had last year since 2005. The Jazz were damn unstoppable, and so long as AK is given some priority (as kind of childish and coddling as it is), the dividends could be massive. On paper, Jefferson should make AK worse, but there was an off-court dynamic between Boozer and AK that didn't seem good (and maybe that was just the AK homers making a stink), so hopefully there's growth from the absence of Boozer (even though to be more clear, Jefferson has been a way worse black hole than Boozer).

Spot on, ladies and gents.
I agree completely.