I must have missed that part then Hopper because I don't remember it coming across that way. And where this came from was an interview he did over in europe that was translated to english. When AK came back he said that there were quite a few things that were miss quoted in there. But even then I cant remember him saying he would leave for nothing.
Suns are looking at AK to replace Amar'e
- Thread starter hayward4mvp
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Hopper
Banned
Well, Ben, of course he could have been misquoted, that I dunno. And, like I suggested the first time, I'm sure that his tune changed after his agent got involved. Mebbe I'll look around and see what I can find on the topic.
Well here is the D-News version of it. Again don't see anything that said he would just leave the money.
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695211875,00.html
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695211875,00.html
Hopper
Banned
Well, I came across this, which indicates he wasn't asking for money:
"Andrei Kirilenko is so prepared to leave the Utah Jazz, he's willing to forsake the remaining $63 million of his contract to play overseas....He says he would like to play in Russia, although as long as he is under contract with Utah, that cannot happen as NBA and FIBA teams must honor each other's contracts."
https://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3029816
That is the writers interpretation of what Andrei said in his interview. That was one of the things that Andrei said he was misquoted on later when he was interviewed. He came back and said that he couldn't leave because he was under contract with the Jazz and was going to honor that contract. In other words he was staying for the money. If the Jazz would have come out and said OK well Void your contract for nothing then I be AK would have said never mind I'll stay.
Now that being said I wish they would have done that AK for Marion trade or any other trade that might have come to them for him. Then we wouldn't be in the cap space hell we are in now.
Now that being said I wish they would have done that AK for Marion trade or any other trade that might have come to them for him. Then we wouldn't be in the cap space hell we are in now.
Hopper
Banned
Well, I agree with this part, as I suggested at the outset. I didn't say he meant it, or would do it after due reflection, only that he said he would do it (just walk away).
Now, I can't say whether he was misinterpreted, or not. I was just giving the story the way it was reported at the time.
Hopper
Banned
I actually think AK would be willing to re-negotiate his contract and take less pay right now, but the CBA prohibits it. AK has matured a lot, it seems:
"When I signed the contact for the Jazz, I was feeling at the time I was a key player,'' Kirilenko said. "Things change. ... After we got Deron and Booz, they're really the guys who are the forces on our team. I'm not playing with the ball as much as I was four or five years ago. I kind of had a tough time a few years ago converting myself. ... I didn't understand how to deal with it.''
"I have learned to adjust to the system,'' Kirilenko said. "I have my role and I'm concentrating on playing (opposing top scorers) such as LeBron (James of Cleveland last Thursday) and Carmelo (Anthony of Denver on Sunday). It's pretty interesting. ... I'm playing with the Jazz so I want to help them and make it work.''
He now says he actually wants to remain with the Jazz when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2011.
"Definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority,'' Kirilenko said. "From the city standpoint to the team standpoint, because you get used to being here. It's very hard to change when you're getting older. So definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority..."I don't think the money is going to be an issue,'' Kirilenko said. "I understand that I look at the world realistically...I'm not worried about that. Money has never been an issue. It's good to have a good contract and money. But my priority is basketball.''
"When I signed the contact for the Jazz, I was feeling at the time I was a key player,'' Kirilenko said. "Things change. ... After we got Deron and Booz, they're really the guys who are the forces on our team. I'm not playing with the ball as much as I was four or five years ago. I kind of had a tough time a few years ago converting myself. ... I didn't understand how to deal with it.''
"I have learned to adjust to the system,'' Kirilenko said. "I have my role and I'm concentrating on playing (opposing top scorers) such as LeBron (James of Cleveland last Thursday) and Carmelo (Anthony of Denver on Sunday). It's pretty interesting. ... I'm playing with the Jazz so I want to help them and make it work.''
He now says he actually wants to remain with the Jazz when he becomes a free agent in the summer of 2011.
"Definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority,'' Kirilenko said. "From the city standpoint to the team standpoint, because you get used to being here. It's very hard to change when you're getting older. So definitely the Jazz is going to be my priority..."I don't think the money is going to be an issue,'' Kirilenko said. "I understand that I look at the world realistically...I'm not worried about that. Money has never been an issue. It's good to have a good contract and money. But my priority is basketball.''
Gyp Rosetti
Banned
Worst. News. Ever.