The SLTrib broke away from their black and white print and came roaring into 21st century with a moving picture camera-captured event today at media day.  Featuring Steve Luhm as “Luhmy,” Ross Siler as the “Newlywed,” and Gordon “Did I mention I was sitting next to AK when he started crying” Monson. 

AK was pretty mum about everything.  I’m sure he’s tired of talking about the whole situation, but at the same time he can’t expect everyone to drop it.  I’m starting to think now that if he is traded, it won’t be until well into the season.  If he’s playing well and happy, why trade him?  There’s not really anything to be gained on either side if that’s the case. 

Monson seems to think that Sloan was told in no uncertain terms to lighten up on him and to make some changes in his coaching style.  Yeah, I don’t see that happening.  Maybe Sloan is a little softer in his old age, but I think he’d still rather give you the bird than to do things other than his way.

Let’s please put this to rest until something happens and stop the speculation.  I realize that those that are professional journalists have to “monitor it,” but I think the Jazz collective will be better off by not dwelling on it.

Other notes and observations from the article:

• CJ Miles is back with the Jazz - Some things I’ve read state it was a four-year deal while others are saying that he just signed the QO.
• Looks like the Fess is #44.  And doesn’t AK look as tall as Kyrylo in the video?
• Deron wasn’t dressed due to having his wisdom teeth pulled.  I don’t know how he carried on a conversation.  When I had mine out, I was out of it for most of the day.  Doesn’t he know he’s not suppose to have anything done like that before picture day?
• Get ready for the Almond/Fess blogs.
• Giricek was pleased when a reporter noted Gordan’s weight loss, physique, and new haircut.  Man, what a girl.

In Friday’s edition of the Sports-Express, Andrei Kirilenko states:

I would like to continue my career in Russia as I want to be where people need me and I can feel that my country needs me now.

He doesn’t want to go back to Utah because Sloan told him at the end of the year that ‘”we will be still playing the way we did [last year].”  I take that to mean that AK would still be the third or fourth option on offense.  Yet Andrei goes on to say:

Yet I don’t want to be traded: I don’t want to be part of this system.

Is he talking about getting out of the NBA all together?  There have been rumors that he could still make an eight-digit salary playing for a Russian or European team professional team.  It seems like he doesn’t want to be part of the NBA at all.  In fact, he states:

I would like to continue my career in Russia as I want to be where people need me and I can feel that my country needs me now.

If by some chance he does go back to playing in Russia or Europe, it would certainly be one of the first times that an NBA-caliber player has voluntarily left the NBA.  It is possible with the NBA/FIBA/Europe agreement, but how could one of those teams possibly be able to buy out AK’s contract from the Jazz?  It wouldn’t have to be for the full amount I’m sure, but it would still have to be a significant amount I would think.  It would have to at least protect the Jazz in some way so that if AK changes his mind in a year or two, he can’t just sign somewhere as a free agent.

It sure seems like he’s been homesick or something for a while.  He stated that he talked with KOC before the tournament about getting traded and that it didn’t have an effect on his decision.  But you have to believe that winning the tournament and the rock star status that has been bestowed upon him sure reinforced his decision.

I still think that Masha is the biggest factor behind this whole thing.  Like another recent departure, I believe the wives are calling the shots for the most part.  I know that if my wife didn’t like where we were at, I would hear about it every day and eventually I would probably cave in.  Wives have been the subject of rumors for other Jazz men departures and also for failed bids to bring players in.

I don’t see AK reporting for training camp come October 1st.  He’ll hold out until he gets what he wants.  But until then he won’t be able to sign anywhere that has an agreement with the NBA.

Is it too late to return my Kirilenko jersey?

So ESPN ran this story a couple days ago about players that are hated by their own teams.  Number 82?  Greg Ostertag.  Soon to be Utah’s #1?  Andrei Kirilenko.

According to this russian sports website, AK wants out.  In this story by the Trib (with translation), AK outlines some of his reasons as follows:

• “The past season was bad for me and I was really disappointed.”
• “I told him that I don’t see myself in the team and want to leave.”
• “I don’t want myself and my contract to be a burden for the club. I want the club to continue in its own direction.”
• “Right now, I feel that I’m not growing as a player,”
• “I’m trying but it doesn’t work. I am not allowed. I do not get support from the coach and from the club. I’m convinced that Sloan’s methods have a negative impact on me.”

Sorry Andrei, but as talented as you are and as much as you’ve been one of my favorite players, I’ve got to side with Sloan on this one.  He’s not here to make sure you don’t get your feelings hurt.  His job is to make sure the Jazz win.  And based on his record, he’s got to be doing something right.  This isn’t the Jr. Jazz.

No one is going to confuse Jerry with Stuart Smalley, but you’re not twelve.  You grew up in Russia.  You’re not weak.  I used to work summers on my uncle’s farm growing up.  He and Sloan could swap places and no one would notice.  Well, maybe that my uncle doesn’t know jack about basketball and he would have a Miller Lite in his hand at all times while roaming the sideline.  But my point is, I had the same kind of “coaching” from my uncle and I was probably better for it.  Have you ever thought that Sloan’s methods have made you what you are today?

Hmm, that wasn’t suppose to turn into a monologue.

Anyway, I think Jazz fans will be divided into two groups on his departure.  One will say good riddance and will boo lustily when he returns to the ESA.  The other will be as described by Pichi Campana Aguanta from an email I received from him:

The weird thing about it is that it seems like a lot of Jazz fans would be fine trading AK, if only to be able to watch him shine in a different environment. It would almost be a waste to have him languish under Jerry Sloan for the rest of his prime.

I have to say I’m firmly on the fence despite my rant above.  I don’t think AK will be like Shanden Anderson, Howard Eisley, and others that have left the Jazz system to find that the grass isn’t greener.  We found out that they became the players that they did because of Sloan’s system.  Kirilenko is much too talented for that.  Would he thrive in a system like PHX?  Absolutely.  And I’d be glad to see him succeed (as long as it wasn’t against the Jazz).  But on the other hand, I see a Kirilenko seems to have been emasculated when the Jazz brought on Boozer, Okur, and Williams.  He went from an AK-47 to a Red Rider.  His skills didn’t diminish, but mentally, he seemed to shrink into a corner.  He still could have been one of the go-to guys instead of playing fourth-string.  He could have used it as an opportunity to better himself.  Instead, he used it as an excuse.

So now with AK’s poor play last year and now his known desire to leave Utah, we might get a couple of expiring contracts for him.  He’s still a very valuable player as evidenced by his showing this summer in the FIBAs.  Which makes me even madder because we could have had that all last year.

I hope everything gets smoothed over and that he’s back with the Jazz playing well.  And not just because I need a couple more years out of him to justify my boy’s $40 AK jersey.  I shudder to think what our defense would be like without him.

And a parting thought, I wonder just how much Masha has to do with all of this.

To Keep or not to Keep
Kirilenko demands trade from Jazz
Andrei Kirilenko Asks the Jazz to Trade Him
Kirilenko- ‘Trade Me’
Speak Russian- Neither Does Jerry Sloan
AK-47 - I Want Out Of SLC (Punk)
Rockin’ the Boat
Kirilenko Demands Trade

It should be an interesting couple weeks leading up to training camp.

 Well, after fires kept me from last Friday’s Revue game, the release of Harry Potter, and now flooding, I’m finally able to play ketchup and get things going again.  I’m not going to recap the Revue in this post as I want to do one on that separately.

We’ll start with the Ronny Price signing.  To which all I have to say is what?  This baffles me on so many levels.  So now we have potentially 6 guards?  So what happens if CJ and Dee accept their offers?  Maybe the Jazz have received word that they’re not going to accept.  That’s the only possible explanation I can think of.  No good fan reactions from this.  My other question is, who are we getting that can play some defense at the two?

Deron Williams is kicking can at the Blue/White Team USA scrimmage.  He didn’t shoot particularly well, but when you have the black holes that are Carmelo and Kobe, he doesn’t have to worry about points.  But I’m sure they’ll take his thirteen assists.  And if the PGs for Team USA are anyone other than Kidd and Deron, we’ll finish 3rd again.

Millsap was named MVP of the Rocky Mountain Revue.  No shock here.  He edged out Louis Williams, who was everywhere.  The Jazz could be regretting letting him go especially as they need another big man.  Have I mentioned that they just signed another guard?

I’ve uploaded a new video that I couldn’t edit about the ref scandal and Williams at the FIBA tryouts.  I couldn’t edit it, so you’ll have to forward to about 2:22.

Poca-what?  Dee Brown visited a school in Pocatello, ID where he admitted he didn’t even know Pocatello existed.  As a native Idahoan, we don’t like to admit that Pocatello exists either.  He wants to be back and should be back.  Although with the Price signing, it looks bleak.

AK loves the ice cream.  Kirilenko was spotted in St. Tropez with his family.  He seemed to blend in pretty well despite being 6′9″.  At least he’s not biting anyone’s throats.

deronwilliams.net has some info on his upcoming charity golf tourney.  Looks like the .com is a domain cybersquat.

I’ll get up a proper review of the Revue and each player.  Until then, please no more mother nature.

Derek Fisher is spent
Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen using a little reverse-reverse psychology?
The Jazz get some Flash
John Kerry coaching the Utah Jazz?
A lesson in Jazz appreciation
AK sits down for an interview.  Can you tell me what the hell he is talking about in the last paragraph?  I can’t even tell in the context of the interview:

You don’t need to pretend if you are good or bad. If you are bad, stay bad. You don’t have to do something. You should be yourself.

Thanks AK.  I can feel the need to start a Andrei quote tag.  In fact, done.   This coming after his “I would bite a throat” comment a little bit ago.

Well here come the Spurs.  The Jazz will likely have to play zone most of the time as it looks like they’re going to be playing five on eight (or more) most of the time if the Suns/Spurs series is any indication.  They also better hire some seasonal work in the form of team trainers and physicians.  They’re going to need it.  And if you thought Yao was bad when he got called for a foul, the Spurs have 3 All-stars that can play that game.

Of course the experts again are picking the Spurs.  No shock there.  Why is it that the Jazz aren’t being labeled as a dangerous team?  Had it been Houston or GS that made it this far, you would be hearing all kinds of, “This is a team that the Spurs don’t want to play.”  And there are no bandwagon fans for the Jazz.  They have to be the underdogs of who’s left in the playoffs, right?  Yet you don’t hear anything about nationwide Jazz fever.  Well, good.  Screw you all.  And of course Stern still can’t believe the Jazz are still in it.  “Damn it!  I gave you your chance ten years ago.  No one wants a champion from Utah!  Do you realize the lack of revenue we’ll get from that series?”

As for the series, it will definitely be going 6 or 7.  But if the Jazz want to give me an early birthday present and sweep, that’s fine too.  If Memo shoots like he can shoot, then the Jazz have the advantage.  Duncan and Boozer cancel each other out.  I see Fisher playing very well against Manu.  He’s really stepped it up since he’s returned from NY and his daughter’s surgery.  I’d like to see Williams beat the hell out of Parker and take Eva Longoria as his prize.  That leaves AK and Bowen.  I give the advantage to AK after he destroyed Stephen Jackson and after he bites Bowen’s throat.  Sloan and Popovich are two old school coaches who won’t vary from their tried and true ways.  You also have to look at the benches.  I’ll take Millsap/Harpring/Giricek over Finley/Barry/Vaughn.  The Spurs are basically playing 6 players and the Jazz should wear them out.

And finally, the Jazz haven’t won at San Antonio in their last 16 meetings.  So their first win there in a long time will be perfect.  The Spurs have pretty much owned Jerry Sloan since he’s taken over the Jazz.  But these aren’t your father’s (has it been long enough for that to be true) or your older brother’s Jazz.  ESPN YouTube preview up soon.  Look for it on the right.

I couldn’t find anywhere to confirm this, but Slam Online is reporting this quote from Andrei Kirilenko:

I will bite a throat for my teammates.

Did a Google search on it and couldn’t find any where else reporting this. Slam doesn’t provide any links. I’d like to see what context this was in. But if AK is talking about this in the context of his arrangement with Masha, then well, it’s not that tuff.

Technorati tags: andrei kirilenko, utah jazz