Kirilenko talks to KSL
Andrei Kirilenko finally did an interview in English, sitting down with KSL 5 on Sunday after returning from Russia. He sent mixed messages with his words and his attire, wearing a Jazz sweat suit while reiterating that it might be best for both sides if he moves on.
"I'm stuck," Kirilenko said. "I don't know. I'm stuck in this situation." He added that he would trust whatever decision Larry Miller made about a possible trade. "I just want him to help me again and help the team," he said.
How Kirilenko and coach Jerry Sloan will reconcile their differences and head off to training camp will be the biggest question at media day. Kirilenko also must answer how he can bring anything positive to the Jazz right now when he's so intent on leaving.
Kirilenko said he was ready to walk away from his contract, ready to be traded and ready to stay with the Jazz provided his role with the team was clarified. Mostly, Kirilenko said he didn't want to pretend he was happy any longer.
"I don't want to be an anchor for the team," Kirilenko said. "Right now, I feel like an anchor, game-wise and money-wise. I want Jazz to be as happy as possible."
Kirilenko paid Sloan a compliment, calling him "one of the best coaches in the world," who just led the Jazz to the Western Conference finals. But Kirilenko added, "It seems like I'm on a different page with the coach."
The two have tried to repair their relationship, but Kirilenko said, "Sometimes we don't know how to help each other." For the third time in as many weeks, Kirilenko also described Sloan as being too negative for his taste.
With Sloan an institution as Jazz coach, set to return for his 20th season, Kirilenko said he didn't want to waste another year as a player, when his career might last only 10 to 15 seasons in all.
"I don't have a spark," said Kirilenko, who described himself as feeling constantly under pressure. "I want to get the spark. I want to burn on the floor. That's the honest truth."
Asked whether a meeting with Sloan and Miller could turn things around, Kirilenko gave one of his most emotional responses.
"Maybe after like five, six meetings last year," Kirilenko said, "you come to this year and suddenly something's going to change. Maybe. There is opportunity always. But it's just hard to believe in it because you know Jerry, I know Jerry, everybody knows Jerry.
"He is who he is. I don't want to change him. He's made himself as a coach like this. I want to wish him the best and success as a coach."
Kirilenko wouldn't get into any differences with Deron Williams, who blasted Kirilenko's work ethic in a radio interview. What Kirilenko is searching for is a role that acknowledges what he can do besides just playing defense and running the fast break.
"I never said I want to be first option on the team," Kirilenko said, adding, "I think Deron, I think Carlos [Boozer], I think Memo [Okur], even Matt [Harpring], I think they, even more than me, are valuable offensively. I'm ready for that. But I'm not ready to be ignored at all."
--Ross Siler
"I'm stuck," Kirilenko said. "I don't know. I'm stuck in this situation." He added that he would trust whatever decision Larry Miller made about a possible trade. "I just want him to help me again and help the team," he said.
How Kirilenko and coach Jerry Sloan will reconcile their differences and head off to training camp will be the biggest question at media day. Kirilenko also must answer how he can bring anything positive to the Jazz right now when he's so intent on leaving.
Kirilenko said he was ready to walk away from his contract, ready to be traded and ready to stay with the Jazz provided his role with the team was clarified. Mostly, Kirilenko said he didn't want to pretend he was happy any longer.
"I don't want to be an anchor for the team," Kirilenko said. "Right now, I feel like an anchor, game-wise and money-wise. I want Jazz to be as happy as possible."
Kirilenko paid Sloan a compliment, calling him "one of the best coaches in the world," who just led the Jazz to the Western Conference finals. But Kirilenko added, "It seems like I'm on a different page with the coach."
The two have tried to repair their relationship, but Kirilenko said, "Sometimes we don't know how to help each other." For the third time in as many weeks, Kirilenko also described Sloan as being too negative for his taste.
With Sloan an institution as Jazz coach, set to return for his 20th season, Kirilenko said he didn't want to waste another year as a player, when his career might last only 10 to 15 seasons in all.
"I don't have a spark," said Kirilenko, who described himself as feeling constantly under pressure. "I want to get the spark. I want to burn on the floor. That's the honest truth."
Asked whether a meeting with Sloan and Miller could turn things around, Kirilenko gave one of his most emotional responses.
"Maybe after like five, six meetings last year," Kirilenko said, "you come to this year and suddenly something's going to change. Maybe. There is opportunity always. But it's just hard to believe in it because you know Jerry, I know Jerry, everybody knows Jerry.
"He is who he is. I don't want to change him. He's made himself as a coach like this. I want to wish him the best and success as a coach."
Kirilenko wouldn't get into any differences with Deron Williams, who blasted Kirilenko's work ethic in a radio interview. What Kirilenko is searching for is a role that acknowledges what he can do besides just playing defense and running the fast break.
"I never said I want to be first option on the team," Kirilenko said, adding, "I think Deron, I think Carlos [Boozer], I think Memo [Okur], even Matt [Harpring], I think they, even more than me, are valuable offensively. I'm ready for that. But I'm not ready to be ignored at all."
--Ross Siler
11:43 PM
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2 Comments:
D.Williams questions Kirilenko's work ethic??? Hey pal , just guard someone. Last time we saw you, Davis & Parker were taking you to school. I didn't see you picking up McGrady in the Houston series either. Andre had your back over and over again in each of those series and you a "Rook" call him out?? Yeh you been in the league 2 years now but when you start slamming , your just as bad. Why would anyone trust you either. Quit your crying and support those who helped get you there!!!
hey boat. i think you need to listen to the actual interview with D-Will. He didn't 'Blast' his work ethic, as it was said in this article. He may have criticized it, but he didn't 'blast' it. All he said was that there are other guys on the team who stay after practice and shoot around or work out, and Andrei's the first out. Thats all he said. He didn't say anything about AK's defense. And he is not a 'Rook'. He's a valuable leader on the team, and he was a major factor in the team's success last season. He wasn't 'crying' either. So boat...get real.
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