The Thriller
Well-Known Member
Really? So which NBA team did AK play for this last year? How many GMs offered him contracts?
Would the Jazz want Kirilenko?
- Thread starter Champzz
- Start date
Really? So which NBA team did AK play for this last year? How many GMs offered him contracts?
it's simple. AK wanted too much money.
I think it's funny that we keep talking about how none of the arguments against AK apply because we won't be using him as a first option, won't be using him as a shooter, won't be using him as a PG, etc., etc., etc., but insist, for whatever reason, that it's assumed we'll play his strengths. Awesome. We were trying to get him to realize that while we were here. HE stopped slashing and insisted he was a jump shooter. HE was the one that every summer was going to "work on his jumpshot". He was the one who dropped his effort because he wasn't a main cog on offense.
I bought into the AK hype as much as everyone did. Back in his first couple years it was widely agreed upon by Jazz fans everywhere that we wouldn't trade him for almost anything. He was the promised messiah to carry the torch from Stockton and Malone. We invested big and we invested heavy. I'm not talking financially -- I'm talking about us as fans -- but we invested monstrously with emotion. We loved his energy. We loved his hustle. We loved that he had fun and didn't step down against big competition. We loved the second half of the Laker game where he completely shut Kobe down. We loved his blocks. We loved the 5x5s. We loved the interviews. As fans, with all the expectations we had, it's tough to swallow how it panned out. It's tough that with the talent we had around him he disappeared. It's tough thinking that after we invested so much that he wasn't what we hoped. It's hard believing we were so wrong. But the truth still remains. We think that if we acknowledge his positives and continue to believe he can contribute that somehow the past is salvageable and all is not a complete loss. It's the defense mechanism of Jazz fandom, somewhat akin to those who follow predicting the end of the world -- when the awaited day comes and passes, they'll get scared, wonder how they could be so blind, and then search for meaning and justification in thinking that maybe, just maybe, the general idea was correct but they had just somehow miscalculated.
There's a time to let go. That time was long ago. The dream is dead but the future is bright. Accept the past and move forward.
I bought into the AK hype as much as everyone did. Back in his first couple years it was widely agreed upon by Jazz fans everywhere that we wouldn't trade him for almost anything. He was the promised messiah to carry the torch from Stockton and Malone. We invested big and we invested heavy. I'm not talking financially -- I'm talking about us as fans -- but we invested monstrously with emotion. We loved his energy. We loved his hustle. We loved that he had fun and didn't step down against big competition. We loved the second half of the Laker game where he completely shut Kobe down. We loved his blocks. We loved the 5x5s. We loved the interviews. As fans, with all the expectations we had, it's tough to swallow how it panned out. It's tough that with the talent we had around him he disappeared. It's tough thinking that after we invested so much that he wasn't what we hoped. It's hard believing we were so wrong. But the truth still remains. We think that if we acknowledge his positives and continue to believe he can contribute that somehow the past is salvageable and all is not a complete loss. It's the defense mechanism of Jazz fandom, somewhat akin to those who follow predicting the end of the world -- when the awaited day comes and passes, they'll get scared, wonder how they could be so blind, and then search for meaning and justification in thinking that maybe, just maybe, the general idea was correct but they had just somehow miscalculated.
There's a time to let go. That time was long ago. The dream is dead but the future is bright. Accept the past and move forward.
billyshelby
Well-Known Member
I love AK more than most people here. I also genuinely believe he can be an important piece for a contender (absolutely perfect on the Clips for example). But we can't resign him for 2 reasons: A) we can't sign wings that can't shoot from outside; B) there's just too much of a sideshow factor.
Because I love AK, I hope he takes his time looking for the right situation. He could have a glorious finish to his career if he chooses right.
Because I love AK, I hope he takes his time looking for the right situation. He could have a glorious finish to his career if he chooses right.
freakazoid
Well-Known Member
Ak would be a great addition as a bench player at the right price. Since that's not going to happen, it's time to move on.
And for those saying we wouldn't want him under any condition, I have no doubts Utah can and will find worse options off the bench.
And for those saying we wouldn't want him under any condition, I have no doubts Utah can and will find worse options off the bench.
BluesRocker
Banned
I like this
Its crazy how fans around here hate on AK so much. I would take him on our team for sure. Obviously he isn't getting max, so there might be the right price out there.
As I've said, it's not that I hate AK. We just better have some shooters FIRST and have a true team leader FIRST. If we have solid leadership and shooters, then he's a decent addition to that team .. but not before.
I think it's funny that even though after all the negatives you've said, he still contributed to the team. Coaching staff consistently stated we were a better team with him, than without him.
I am not talking about playing to his strengths. I am talking about letting him do whatever he wants for <20 minutes a game to give our starters a rest.
Yes, you have to remember he's our ex for a reason. But I'm not talking about marriage, or making a mistress out of him. Not even a one night stand. More along the lines of the cute but aging waitress at the bar you had a fling with once, but now just flirt with when the wife is busy.
NotDeadYet
Well-Known Member
Not at the $$$ he'll be looking for. Basically, our only chance would be if NO ONE wants him and he desperately wants to get back into the NBA. Which I don't think he really does...
I seriously don't understand why people think AK sucks. He's by no means an allstar, and his main knock is shooting (he's an average three-point shooter) and durability. He's a skilled player and great on D. With the right team, which could be ours if we make various moves, then he could be just fine. This is dependent on what he's asking. Otherwise, no.
Has he come out and say he wants a ton of money? Any broadcast offers? So what you're saying is we really don't have any valid idea of how much he wants, nor how much he would garner elsewhere in the league? Oh... that makes sense now.
I agree it should be on a small contract. Vet minimum is fine. Drop Miles and give AK 3.7M. I'd do that deal. Absolutely tops, if he came in to workouts and was head and shoulders the best player out there 5m/year. Anything more is silly.
//r00t 4 Jazz
Well-Known Member
Just as a reminder for those saying he didn't get any offers or enough money that is why he didn't play in the NBA last season. I'm sure no team came in with an offer that knocked his socks off but he went back to play for his home team where he grew up and he also donated his entire salary to Russian charities (I think orphanage, helping kids etc..).
So for him to leave his team mid season since the lock out went on so long and to move his family back and what not he just decided it was better to finish out the year and comeback next year if he decided to is not that hard to believe.
So for him to leave his team mid season since the lock out went on so long and to move his family back and what not he just decided it was better to finish out the year and comeback next year if he decided to is not that hard to believe.
Hartsock
Banned
I thought the problem this year was he wanted another outrageous contract, something in the 10 mill a year range. But I think for a MLE a lot of GMs would be into that.