Ode to the Underrated: Andrei Kirilenko Edition

[gandalfe]

I'll just leave this here...

 

[NAOS]

I'll raise a glass to Kirilenko tonight. He was special in his best days.

 

[Cappy_Smurf]

Still love Ak. Smurf the haters.

 

[Coach Ellis]

Still love Ak. Smurf the haters.

Yep. And cluster**** the Smurfs.

AK47 - one of the best nicknames in the league, and I loved the drama that his wife's "hall pass" caused in a conservative community like Utah. Good times.

 

[kabenac]

AK's 'free pass' was actually a pass for Jazz Fanz to always love him without judgement.

 

[Stifle Tower]

AK had a free pass to read novels and do nothing in the off-season to improve his game. He could have been a HOF'er. He was a special player who just coasted on his athleticism. Imagine if Gobert did the same beginning right now.

 

[dy47]

Hope they sign him to a one day contract so he can retire as a Jazz

 

[fishonjazz]

AK
The jazz player I fell absolutely I love with when he was only 19 and then he broke my heart soon after The Contract.

I remember my brother taking about him when he was only 16 years old. He was so talented so early. iirc he won some international dunk contest at 17 years old and was logging big minutes for a good Russian team.

My oh my what could have been