Will the Jazz ever retire the #47 jersey of Kirilenko?

[Stifle Tower]

Kirilienko played at a high/elite level for 3 years. For several other years, he was simply slightly above-average. He has a career average of 12/5/3/2.

If that is what it takes to retire a jersey, then D-Will, Boozer and possibly even Okur deserve it as well, and I don't see anybody clamoring for their jersey to get retired.

This isn't about disliking AK for his contract, it's just that I simply don't think he was good enough to warrant his jersey being retired.

Agree completely. When AK was handed his MAX deal, he was on his way to becoming a top-5 player in the league. I don't think anyone will argue that he WASN'T an incredibly gifted and unique player. But it was short-lived. He had an amazing few years, a handful of good ones and then several sub-standard seasons. To me, AK is one of the biggest disappointments of all-time. He could have...SHOULD HAVE...been a HOF'er. And had he been, we might be reminiscing over a couple of championship trophies (and looking forward to his jersey retirement ceremony). Instead, he was content with just being a good player and cashing those big checks.

 

[candrew]

If AK had his number retired I wouldn't have a problem with it - but he won't.

Right or wrong, management felt he dogged it after he signed his max deal. Phil Johnson is on record as saying this during a Jazz pre-game show.

 

[carolinajazz]

When AK was handed his MAX deal, he was on his way to becoming a top-5 player in the league.

....the stuff you've been smoking....is WAY TOO powerful for you brain cells to handle! Klinko never was....never could be....and never will be a top 5 player in this league! Possibly he has a top 5 "tattoo" on his scrawny body, but that's about it! His outside shot was pathetic when he came into the league....and went down hill from there! He would have been an excellent role player had he been with the Jazz during the Stockton/Malone prime years....might have even put us over the top possibly during that last finals series against the Bull's. But he was NEVER close to being a top 5 player in this league....unless your referring to the "D League!"

 

[carolinajazz]

Also, does every white guy look like a Mormon to you? Cause if I saw AK walking down the street, I probably wouldn't think he's a Mormon.

.....that monster tattoo on his back would be a dead give away that he's not a Mormon.....ya think?

 

[carolinajazz]

Stoled? I'm no grammar-nazi, but that one hurts......Considering some of the other jerseys up there, I don't know why he wouldn't be included as well.

....that word was beatin me like a bullwhip! I even did a "spell check" on it....but it came up blank! Never was very good at spelling....got kicked out of the 3rd grade for not shaving! Don't know who's jerseys have been retired in Utah other than Stockton and Malone....but in view of all the records they set while playing together with the Jazz, there probably shouldn't be any others up there....with maybe the exception of Sloans!

 

[Stifle Tower]

....the stuff you've been smoking....is WAY TOO powerful for you brain cells to handle! Klinko never was....never could be....and never will be a top 5 player in this league! Possibly he has a top 5 "tattoo" on his scrawny body, but that's about it! His outside shot was pathetic when he came into the league....and went down hill from there! He would have been an excellent role player had he been with the Jazz during the Stockton/Malone prime years....might have even put us over the top possibly during that last finals series against the Bull's. But he was NEVER close to being a top 5 player in this league....unless your referring to the "D League!"

As I said, he wasn't top-5, but he was well on his way: All-rookie team, all-star in 2004, 3x all-defensive team. In 2003-04 he was top-5 in both steals and blocks and led the league in blocks in 2006. He could guard three positions and was often matched up against the top scorer on each team. He was able to jump the passing lanes as well as anyone with those long arms. And he was the ONLY one putting up 5x5's. Yes, he was a weak on his shooting. For the sake of argument, let's just say he could have been a perennial all-star and top-10 player (although I still say top-5 had he developed a better offensive game). For three years, AK was phenomenal. But then he simply stopped working at his game. As you noted, his shooting declined. His intensity dropped. And that's why, IMO, he ranks as one of the biggest disappointments.

 

[Magic Spray]

Right between the retirement ceremonis for boozer's #5 and Ostertag's #39.

 

[magitek]

I doubt AK-47 will get his number retired in Utah. As I remember it, he was hated for earning an undeserved 18 mil a year, and Kirilenko hated it in Utah for a number of reasons.