Andrei Kirilenko News: Pro Sports Daily

Kirilenko returns to bench, finisher role

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November 19

The Deseret News

"Rookie Wesley Matthews played a starting role for Utah on Wednesday night when the Jazz hosted the Toronto Raptors in EnergySolutions Arena. But veteran Andrei Kirilenko was a finisher in the Jazz's 104-91 victory. Kirilenko played the entire fourth quarter as Utah pulled away. Kirilenko, who started the first eight games of the season, is now back in the familiar role he played last year as the team's spark off the bench. He scored 20 points — three below his season high — with seven rebounds, three steals and two blocked shots in his reserve role. Even still, Kirilenko was given just faint praise by the Jazz coach afterward. Jerry Sloan wants Kirilenko to play more fundamentally sound on ..."

Short-handed Jazz fly past Sixers

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November 14

The Deseret News

"From behind closed doors, screams and shouts were heard. And when they opened shortly after the Jazz's 112-90 win Friday night over the Philadelphia 76ers, it sounded like a frat party inside the visiting locker room at Wachovia Center here. Understandably so, too, as 4-5 Utah — without starting point guard Deron Williams, who returned to Salt Lake City earlier Friday to be with an ailing daughter — won despite starting two rookies and going most of the way with just seven players. "We just had a lot of fun tonight," forward Carlos Boozer said. Did they ever. All five starters scored in double figures — topped by Boozer and his 24-point, 12-rebound double-double — and so did Andrei ..."

Jazz survive Knicks' zone

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November 10

Salt Lake Tribune

"They knew it was coming after Saturday's loss to Sacramento and even went over zone defense principles at Monday's pregame shootaround in anticipation of being tested by the Knicks. Yet the Jazz likely never expected to see a zone defense out of the Knicks almost exclusively from the middle of the first quarter on and admitted afterward that they probably will see more of the same in coming games. "We were a little better than what we were the other night, but not a lot," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "We'll see a lot of that, I'm sure. People know that we don't shoot the ball that well out on the perimeter, try to take away your inside game, and that's how they'll play us." The Jazz ..."

AK full of vigor in his return

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October 19

Salt Lake Tribune

"It could take another couple of weeks before Andrei Kirilenko can enjoy having his entire family at home under one roof in Utah, including his new 2-month-old adopted daughter Alexandra -- Sasha for short. In the meantime, the Jazz only can hope the joy and relief on full display for Kirilenko in Sunday's 110-103 preseason victory over the Charlotte Bobcats will help carry him through on the court. Having flown to Russia and back in the span of four days to complete the adoption, Kirilenko poured himself into the action at Staples Center, finishing with 18 points, six rebounds and four assists in 26 minutes. "I was surprised at Andrei's activity," Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. "He had a ..."

AK shakes jet lag, shines like a star

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October 19

The Deseret News

"He did admit to feeling a little funny after making his fifth transoceanic flight in less than a month. Seriously, though, if his nifty behind-the-back pass to Carlos Boozer for a layup in Sunday's 110-103 preseason win over Charlotte at the Staples Center here was any indication — not to mention a stat line chock full like those from glory days gone by, including 18 points and 5-for-7 field shooting — jet lag isn't going to trouble Andrei Kirilenko. No longer problematic, either, will be the worry over tedious and sometimes overwhelming chores that go with adopting a baby girl, which is what Kirilenko and wife Masha formally finalized late last week in their native Russia. From plenty of ..."

Kirilenkos adopt daughter

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October 18

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andrei Kirilenko went public Saturday that he left the Jazz this week and returned to Russia to complete the adoption of a 2-month-old girl that Kirilenko and his wife, Masha , have named Alexandra . Kirilenko told Russia's Sport Express newspaper that the adoption process began in February and was the reason he did not play for his country at last month's European championships. The Kirilenkos already have two sons. Kirilenko missed two preseason games to make the trip to Russia but was due to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday night and is expected to play in today's game. "I think it's a special thing that he's doing," Deron Williams said. "I know they're happy about the situation. We ..."

Kirilenko, wife adopt a baby girl in Russia

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October 18

The Deseret News

"Now it's known why Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko left in such a hurry last Wednesday and returned to his native Russia. And it's good news. The quick trip was so Kirilenko and his wife, Masha, could attend a court hearing to formalize the adoption of a 2-month-old baby girl named Alexandra. The couple has two other children, both boys. "I think it's a special thing that he's doing. I know they're happy about the situation," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said Saturday. "We talked about it a lot all summer and it was a hard process for them." The adoption process reportedly has been under way since last February, and in a report on the Russian sports Web site sport-express.ru it was cited ..."

Kirilenko returns to Russia for personal reasons

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October 15

The Deseret News

"Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko has left the team to return to his native Russia and tend to a personal, undisclosed family matter there. The absence is "excused," a team spokesman said. Kirilenko will miss the Jazz's exhibition games Thursday night at home vs. Portland and on Saturday against the Clippers in Los Angeles. He is expected to rejoin the team in time to play Sunday, when the Jazz will play — depending on the outcome of Saturday's games — either Charlotte or the Lakers in Los Angeles."

Kirilenko: Russia vs. Spain a big win

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October 8

Salt Lake Tribune

"From the moment he saw the locker room where he celebrated with the Russian national team in 2007, Andrei Kirilenko was surrounded Wednesday by the memories of his greatest basketball accomplishment. Back at the Palacio de Deportes, Kirilenko reflected on Russia's 60-59 upset of Spain to win the European championships. Kirilenko was named tournament MVP as Russia captured its first title in 22 years. "It's a huge memory," Kirilenko said, adding: "Those feelings kind of flashed back a little bit. I think we did a pretty good job in the final. We kind of forced Spain to play our game and kind of slowed them down." Kirilenko did not dispute one reporter's suggestion that Spain would have ..."

Utah Jazz put their pride on the line in Spain

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October 8

The Deseret News

"It's a preseason game for both teams. Starters may not be the same as they will be in the regular season, the rotation certainly will not, and even if the game's on the line late, there may be an NBA All-Star and/or Olympian — or two or three or four — watching from the bench. But don't for a moment believe tonight's NBA EuropeLive tour exhibition between the Jazz and Spanish League/Euroleague power Real Madrid at Palacio de Deportes here doesn't mean just a little something to both clubs. "You don't want to get embarrassed. You want to come out and play good," Jazz point guard Deron Williams said. "But … you know they're gonna be ready to play. "It's definitely a pride thing," added ..."

Kirilenko already weary of Shaq-LeBron partnership

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October 1

The Deseret News

"Although Andrei Kirilenko is hoping for a Russian revolution in the wake of Mikhail Prokhorov's recent purchase of the New Jersey Nets, it's LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal that are on his mind ahead of the start of the NBA season. Kirilenko, who plays for the Utah Jazz and will be headed to Europe for a pair of preseason games, told The Associated Press in a telephone interview Tuesday that O'Neal's move to join James with the Cleveland Cavaliers is going to cause havoc around the league. "That's the poison union," Kirilenko said. "I mean poison in a good way. They're going to poison the rest of us." The Jazz will play the Chicago Bulls on Oct. 6 in London, and then face Real Madrid in ..."

Early injuries for 3 Jazzmen

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September 29

Salt Lake Tribune

"As much as injuries ruined their 2008-09 season, the Jazz at least were able to make it through training camp unscathed. The same can't be said this week with Andrei Kirilenko , Kyle Korver and C.J. Miles sidelined for a second consecutive day. All three sat out practice again Monday morning -- Kirilenko with a strained left quadriceps, Korver with an inflamed left knee and Miles with a strained left hip flexor. Kirilenko said he had experienced tightness and swelling in his quadriceps since the start of camp and decided to play it safe. Both he and Korver expressed hope that their injuries were nothing significant. "It's sore right now, but it's nothing that's super serious," Korver ..."

Trio injured during practice

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September 28

The Deseret News

"Three Jazz players — all small forward/swingmen types who are rotation regulars for the club — were injured at training camp this morning. Andrei Kirilenko (strained left quadriceps muscle), C.J. Miles (strained left hip flexor) and Kyle Korver (inflamed left knee) all did not take part in tonight's second session of two-a-days. Usual backup shooting guard Korver underwent an MRI exam, results of which were not immediately made known. It's uncertain if any or all will take part in camp sessions scheduled for Monday morning and Monday night."

Kirilenko can vouch for billionaire

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September 26

Salt Lake Tribune

"Having first met Mikhail Prokhorov when he was 17 and having played for his CSKA Moscow team before coming to the Jazz, Andrei Kirilenko is uniquely qualified to speak about the Russian billionaire and prospective owner of the New Jersey Nets. First of all, is Prokhorov really worth the $9.5 billion that has been reported? This should send a shudder around the league. "He's worth more," Kirilenko said. "That's probably the cash that he has." Kirilenko learned the news about a week before reports surfaced that Prokhorov was set to buy the struggling Nets. As Russia's biggest basketball star, Kirilenko was asked about playing for the country's richest man. "He's a very successful manager ..."

Utah Jazz talked Kirilenko for McGrady trade

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July 4

The Deseret News

"The Jazz, it's been learned and confirmed, engaged in recent trade talk with the Houston Rockets about a possible deal that would have brought seven-time NBA All-Star swingman Tracy McGrady to Utah for small forward Andrei Kirilenko. The Jazz, however, have no current desire to make the trade — for reasons including, but not necessarily limited to, McGrady's health situation and contract status. McGrady, 30, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in May of 2008 and microfracture surgery on the same problematic knee late last February. He also has a history of back problems, played just 35 games last season, may or may not be able to play more than that next season and is the ..."

Utah Jazz ask Kirilenko to bulk up frame

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May 8

The Deseret News

"If you happen to see Andrei Kirilenko going back and forth between the Moscow Chuck-A-Rama all-you-can-eat buffet and the Red Square Gold's Gym this summer, there's a good explanation. In his year-end performance evaluation, the lean and lanky Russian athlete was told he needed to pack on some pounds. Jazz bosses are hoping the small forward doesn't return next season as such a, well, small forward. They want more beef on his bones. Those might be welcome words for many people, who could probably also handle the $16 million paycheck awaiting him after his offseason of pumping iron and plumping up. But for Kirilenko, this news wasn't exactly easy to swallow. He started the 2008-09 season ..."

The mysterious Andrei Kirilenko: Jazz forward likes time alone with his books

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April 17

Salt Lake Tribune

"There was no plane to catch, nowhere to go but back to the hotel, with the Jazz spending the night in Dallas after last week's loss. Almost as soon as the locker room was opened to reporters, however, Andrei Kirilenko was on his way to the team bus. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan had just finished answering postgame questions, but Kirilenko already was dressed with a plate of food in hand. It has been that way for weeks, with Kirilenko regularly the first player out of the locker room. "If you take a look, I've been the first guy for seven years," Kirilenko said. "My thing is I don't like to sit after the game in the locker room and wait -- wait for what? I like to dress up and just get to the ..."

Miles, Kirilenko present different skill sets

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April 17

Salt Lake Tribune

"Which is more important, starting or finishing? Andrei Kirilenko has finished plenty of games, but is it a coincidence that while starter C.J. Miles has missed five of six games with an injured hand, Utah has struggled down the stretch? "The bottom line is what you do when you step on the floor," Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said. Miles has been the starter for Utah at small forward. However, Andrei Kirilenko has logged the most minutes. Either way, the Jazz are looking for more intensity and consistency from their small forwards, including Matt Harpring, who is fighting his own battle with a nasal infection. "We can't do anything about that," Utah coach Jerry Sloan said about Harpring. ..."

Kirilenko hopeful tonight

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March 31

The Deseret News

"Dressed in street clothes, Jazz reserve forward Andrei Kirilenko watched the second half of Monday night's victory over New York from a seat behind the bench. But he plans to play tonight in Portland, despite spraining the ring finger on his right hand in Monday's second quarter. Kirilenko caught his finger on the rim on a missed shot. Teammate Carlos Boozer got the rebound and passed back to him for a dunk, but the forward from Russia exited shortly after that. "Nothing big," he said. "I'm pretty sure (tonight) I'll be able to play ... I think I'll be fine.""

Kirilenko playing reduced minutes

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March 12

Salt Lake Tribune

"Atlanta » Even if he came off the bench, the expectation always was that Andrei Kirilenko would play starter's minutes as the Jazz's sixth man. Since returning from ankle surgery, however, Kirilenko has been more a role player than super sub. There is no pain in Kirilenko's ankle and no restrictions on his minutes, but he has averaged only 21.3 in the last 12 games. Kirilenko played 20 minutes Wednesda vs. the Hawks, finishing with four points and three rebounds. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan acknowledged the difficulty at finding Kirilenko playing time with Carlos Boozer back in the lineup, Paul Millsap demanding minutes off the bench and Ronnie Brewer making the case to play in the fourth ..."

Utah Jazz: AK, Boozer questionable

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February 17

The Deseret News

"Well-rested, a bit tanner in several cases and feeling re-energized, the Utah Jazz returned from the All-Star break to some encouraging news. At practice Monday night, the Jazz learned they'll get one — and possibly two — of their injured players back in the lineup tonight. Brevin Knight, the backup point guard who missed two games with a left quadriceps contusion, is healthy enough to go again. But fans hoping to attend the Jazz's "Welcome Back Party" for both Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko might not want to buy tickets for the 7 p.m. home game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The news wasn't quite that encouraging. Though the season debut of the entire Jazz squad could happen soon, ..."

AK on injuries, Sloan and freebie

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February 8

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andrei Kirilenko engaged in a long conversation the other day, revealing that he is looking forward to getting healthy and finishing strong with the Jazz, happy playing in Utah, and baffled by so many injuries suffered by his team this season. He also answered questions about his emotional meltdown in Houston two years ago, and said Jerry Sloan understands and communicates with his players better now than he once did. He talked about Larry Miller's health struggles and the inspiration the owner is for the players, about his effort to conquer English as a second language, and about his penchant for swearing at referees in Russian. And, finally, he addressed the "one free pass" notion put ..."

Kirilenko could face longer recovery time

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January 31

The Deseret News

"Not one but two bone fragments were removed Friday from the right-ankle area of Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko, who underwent what general manager Kevin O'Connor called "quick" surgery to clean out the joint. One fragment, seen previously via MRI exams, was much larger than the other, which hadn't been detected until the time of the surgery. Kirilenko previously had said he was told such a procedure would require a 3- to 4-week recovery/rehab period, but the Jazz didn't release any timetable for his expected return. Instead, they said the forward from Russia would meet "with the Jazz medical staff Monday for further evaluation" and suggested more would be known then. Kirilenko was ordered ..."

Kirilenko to have ankle surgery

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January 30

Salt Lake Tribune

"There was no black cloud hanging over the Jazz's practice facility Thursday, but there might as well have been with the news that Andrei Kirilenko will require surgery on his right ankle and likely miss three to four weeks recovering. Kirilenko will undergo surgery this morning to remove a bone fragment in the ankle. He had tried unsuccessfully to put off the surgery until after the season and play through the discomfort with a series of cortisone shots. The Jazz have gone 0-4 since Kirilenko suffered a recurrence of pain in the ankle last week, dropping 1½ games out of playoff position, and will have to survive at least until the All-Star break without both Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer. ..."

Kirilenko to have ankle surgery Friday

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January 29

Salt Lake Tribune

"There was no black cloud hanging over the Jazz's practice facility Thursday, but there might as well have been with the news that Andrei Kirilenko will require surgery on his right ankle and likely miss three to four weeks recovering. Kirilenko will have surgery to remove a bone fragment in the ankle Friday after trying unsuccessfully to put off the surgery until after the season and play through the discomfort with a series of cortisone shots. "It's been brutal for us," Deron Williams said. "It's been tough. It seems like every game there's somebody new, somebody different. We haven't had the same lineup for more than a week it seems. "It's been tough on us, but that's how it goes. We ..."

Kirilenko to have surgery Friday

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January 29

The Deseret News

"Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko will undergo surgery Friday morning to remove a bone fragment from his ailing right foot. Kirilenko has missed four straight games and six since early December due to the injury. The forward from Russia, an NBA All-Star in 2004, had hopes of putting off surgery until the off-season. But when two cortisone shots in the last week and a half failed to help alleviate the pain, his decision for surgery was made. The Jazz do not have any timetable for how long Kirilenko will be out, but he previously suggested such surgery would require a recovery period of three to four weeks."

Kirilenko receives third cortisone shot

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January 28

Salt Lake Tribune

"The Jazz only can hope a third cortisone shot is the charm for Andrei Kirilenko , who will undergo surgery unless he sees improvement in his injured right ankle over the next two or three days. After receiving another injection Monday, Kirilenko sat out his fourth game since experiencing a return of discomfort in his ankle last week. He has been bothered by a bone fragment and will need surgery at some point to remove it. The Jazz were hoping to put off the surgery until after the season. Kirilenko previously received a cortisone shot in December and was able to play for more than a month before the pain and soreness returned. A second cortisone shot last week did not produce the same ..."

Kirilenko receives third cortisone shot, still may require surgery

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January 27

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andrei Kirilenko received a third cortisone shot Monday but said he will require surgery if he doesn't feel improvement in his injured right ankle in the next two or three days. Kirilenko will miss his fourth consecutive game for the Jazz when they host San Antonio tonight. He has been bothered by a bone fragment caught between the bones in his ankle and will need surgery at some point to remove it. The Jazz were hoping to put off the surgery until after the season. Kirilenko received a cortisone shot in December and was able to play for more than a month before the discomfort returned. A second cortisone shot last week did not produce the same result. Kirilenko did not want to talk about ..."

Kirilenko still unsure on surgery

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January 27

The Deseret News

"The Jazz still weren't sure Monday if sixth-man forward Andrei Kirilenko would soon need foot surgery, or if the operation can wait until after the season. "I don't know where we go from here," Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said early Monday night. "In the next 24-to-48 hours," he added, "we'll make some decisions on what we're going to do." O'Connor said the most-recent MRI performed on Kirilenko's right foot showed the same results as the last, and it's been forwarded by the Jazz's medical staff for a second opinion regarding treatment options. Kirilenko has missed three straight games, and five since early December, due to irritation on a floating bone chip in the foot. A ..."

Kirilenko may need surgery

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January 26

The Deseret News

"Jazz sixth man Andrei Kirilenko missed a third straight game Sunday due to persistent inflammation and irritation on a bone spot in his right foot. Kirilenko, who missed two games in early December with the same injury, had been hoping to postpone surgery until the offseason. But now he's not so sure he can wait. "There is a possibility," Kirilenko said when asked after Sunday night's loss to Denver if he might instead undergo surgery now. Kirilenko's status for Tuesday's game against San Antonio is uncertain, but he certainly didn't sound like someone planning on playing when he spoke Sunday. "We'll see ... but it doesn't feel any better," he said. "It just feels same way, you know. It ..."

Ankle keeps Kirilenko on the bench

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January 25

Salt Lake Tribune

"As evidenced by the 30.9 points he has averaged in 12 games against them -- second-most after only the Phoenix Suns -- the Jazz have had a difficult enough time at full strength trying to slow LeBron James. Now consider they had to contend Saturday with James minus their best defender in Andrei Kirilenko , who reported little improvement in his injured right ankle and sat out his second consecutive game. Kirilenko, who received a cortisone shot after leaving Tuesday's game against Minnesota, did a little jogging at Saturday's pregame shootaround but couldn't even run full speed. He also couldn't hide his disappointment at missing the matchup with James. "I want to play him. I like to ..."

Boozer a no-go again tonight; Kirilenko to play

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December 17

The Deseret News

"Carlos Boozer will miss a 15th straight game tonight when the Jazz visit the New Jersey Nets here, but Andrei Kirilenko will play.Boozer, a two-time NBA All-Star power forward, has been out since sustaining a strained left quadriceps tendon and bruised kneecap in a Nov. 19 game vs. Milwaukee.The Jazz - who never did give an estimated timetable for how long he'd be out beyond "day-to-day" - had been calling him "doubtful" on Tuesday, but after today's morning shootaround they ruled out his playing tonight.Kirilenko, who played in the Jazz's loss at Boston on Monday night, on Tuesday was being called a "game-time decision" due to a strained upper-back muscle.But after today's shootaround, ..."

Kirilenko to return tonight

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December 5

Salt Lake Tribune

"Andrei Kirilenko is expected to return for Friday night's game against Toronto at EnergySolutions Arena after sitting out two games with an irritated right ankle. "It feels pretty good," Kirilenko said. "Yesterday, I've been shooting, running a little bit. Today in the shootaround it feels pretty good, so I'm going to play." Kirilenko received a cortisone shot, which helped ease the irritation in his ankle. "I hope we're going to get back everybody as soon as possible and we start playing as a full roster," Kirilenko said. The Jazz have lost three of their last five home games, including Wednesday to Miami. Toronto, meanwhile, will play its first game after firing head coach Sam Mitchell ..."

Boozer, Kirilenko doubtful

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December 2

Salt Lake Tribune

"More than a month into their season, the Jazz's days continue to be dominated by talk of cortisone shots and epidural injections, throbbing ankles and bulging disks, strained quadriceps tendons and sprained index fingers. Now as they prepare to open a stretch of four games in five nights, the Jazz are likely to do so without Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko. Both made the trip to Sacramento, but neither is expected to play tonight against the Kings. "You can't feel sorry for yourself. We've got to go out and play," Deron Williams said. "We've had some winnable ballgames, but we just haven't played well. We've just got to get everybody's confidence up and go out and put together ..."

Kirilenko leaves with ankle injury

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November 30

The Deseret News

"On Friday - even with point guard Deron Williams having returned to the lineup from his sprained left ankle two nights earlier, and backup shooting guard Kyle Korver ready to return from a re-sprained right wrist that evening - Jerry Sloan warned that the Jazz shouldn't feel too good about inching back toward a mostly healthy roster."There's no guarantee," Sloan said, "(that) somebody else doesn't get banged up."On Saturday, the Jazz coach proved oh-so-right.Sixth man Andrei Kirilenko exited before halftime of a 105-88 loss to New Jersey because of pain and inflammation in his right ankle, and he never did return.The forward from Russia had X-rays taken at the EnergySolutions Arena on ..."

Kirilenko brings energy in return

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November 18

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko missed back-to-back games at the end of the Utah Jazz's recent road trip with what he termed "a silly injury."Kirilenko, despite his sprained right index finger, was back on the court on Monday night, and his teammates and coaches couldn't have been happier. Kirilenko was a key contributor to Utah's 109-97 victory over the Phoenix Suns at EnergySolutions Arena."Andrei has had a great season from the start," said Jazz forward C.J. Miles. "He's a great all-around player and he did his job. He came in and brought energy and did all the little things."Kirilenko did some big things, too. He got a clean block on the NBA's biggest, baddest player - Shaquille O'Neal - and then did ..."

Kirilenko has energy in reserve tank

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November 18

Salt Lake Tribune

"It didn't take long for Andrei Kirilenko to jump-start his Sixth Man Award campaign. After missing two games because of a dislocated index finger on his right hand, Kirilenko returned Monday night and helped lead the still-short-handed Jazz to a 109-97 win over Phoenix. "We're a very deep team," said Kyle Korver. "But a lot of the guys we were missing, they are playmakers. So it was good to have Andrei back because he's a playmaker. . . . We were feeding off him. The blocks at the end. His passing. Just his presence. It was great." In almost 33 minutes, Kirilenko finished with 19 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two blocks in deciding after the Jazz's morning ..."

AK says he's fine with his new role

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October 31

Salt Lake Tribune

"During the preseason, Andrei Kirilenko was deluged with questions about his pending move from the starting lineup to the bench. So what happened before practice Thursday morning? The first question put to Kirilenko by reporters involved his move from the starting lineup to the bench. With a gleam in his eye, Kirilenko said, "That is funny. It has already been a month and every time you keep asking me, 'How it feels?' But I will tell you the same thing. It still feels the same. . . . I don't think anything bad." For the first time since the 2005-06 season, Kirilenko came off the bench Wednesday during the Jazz's 98-94 win over Denver. He ended up playing starter's ..."

Utah Jazz: Kirilenko shows value off bench

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October 30

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko didn't get the chance to hear his named called out like five of his Utah Jazz teammates during the team's new-and-improved, blackout with fireworks player introductions on Wednesday night at EnergySolutions Arena. He wasn't a starter.But that didn't mean the versatile forward didn't see plenty of court time. Kirilenko, the Jazz's new sixth man, played a starter-like 35 minutes in helping Utah to a 98-94 victory over the Denver Nuggets in the season opener. He finished with 16 points, six rebounds, three assists and two blocked shots."I wouldn't say I like (coming off the bench)," said Kirilenko, who started every game he played in last year. "But I wouldn't say I dislike ..."

For now, A.K. stays in sixth-man role

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October 21

Salt Lake Tribune

"As many changes as will have to take place as long as Deron Williams is out with a sprained left ankle, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said Monday he isn't reconsidering his decision to start C.J. Miles and use Andrei Kirilenko as a sixth man. The Jazz have only one preseason game remaining and Sloan has brought Kirilenko off the bench in five of six preseason games so far. Kirilenko is averaging 9.3 points, 3.2 assists and 3.0 rebounds in 22.7 minutes. Asked about moving Kirilenko back to the starting lineup, Sloan said: "Probably not. Not at this stage. I hope that works out. Andrei's played awfully well coming off the bench." If Ronnie Price starts in Williams' place, Sloan ..."

Kirilenko could be sidelined by sprained finger

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October 15

The Deseret News

"Forward Andrei Kirilenko has a sprained index finger on his right hand and will be a game-time decision for the Jazz's preseason visit to Denver on Wednesday night.Kirilenko only did cardio work today and did not practice. X-rays performed on the finger were negative.The Jazz are considering bringing the usual starting small forward off the bench this season.Other game-time decisions for Wednesday are backup center Jarron Collins, who did not play in Sunday's exhibition win at Portland due to inflammation in his right elbow; reserve guard Ronnie Price, who didn't play in Portland because of a bruise in his lower right leg; and free agent guard Gerry McNamara, who missed today's practice ..."

Kirilenko experiment paying off

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October 13

The Deseret News

"Carlos Boozer was back, a pretty big deal in itself.But the real million-dollar case for the Jazz on Sunday was the one adorned with No. 47, and it's all because of how turning a one-time All-Star into the team's chief sixth man could prove to be win-win for both Andrei Kirilenko and coach Jerry Sloan's club.Hitting 7-of-10 from the field, Kirilenko again came off the bench and had a team-high 15 points the Jazz's 93-80 preseason win at Portland.It's a look first displayed in Utah's exhibition victory over the Los Angeles Lakers last Tuesday in Anaheim, Calif., and one seemingly growing increasingly popular not only for Sloan and Kirilenko but also key Jazz teammates.That includes two-time ..."

Kirilenko warms up quickly to new role

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October 13

Salt Lake Tribune

"There's still 17 days to go until opening night for the Jazz, but the Andrei Kirilenko experiment at sixth man moved a step closer to reality in Sunday's 93-80 preseason victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. Jazz coach Jerry Sloan opted to start C.J. Miles and bring Kirilenko off the bench again, even with Carlos Boozer returning from a sore hamstring, and Kirilenko followed through on his pledge to help bring the new role to life. Kirilenko hit a shot 14 seconds after checking in and factored into all five scoring possessions to end the first quarter. He went on to lead the Jazz with 15 points, five assists, three rebounds and two blocks in 25 minutes. Could he be the ..."

AK is OK starting on bench

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October 9

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko will cash in about $15.1 million this season, making him by far the highest-paid player on the Utah Jazz's roster. He's basically a rock star in Russia and had the high honor of carrying the country's flag at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.Until Tuesday night, the versatile former NBA All-Star had also been a regular fixture in the starting lineup.So, how do you say "sixth man" in Russian?Coach Jerry Sloan is toying with the idea of spelling it: K-i-r-i-l-e-n-k-o. With Matt Harpring still rehabbing his right ankle and Carlos Boozer out with a strained hamstring, Sloan decided to use Kirilenko off the bench in Utah's 99-90 preseason victory over the Los Angeles ..."

Kirilenko not complaining about coming in off the bench

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October 8

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko came off the bench in Tuesday night's NBA preseason opener for the Utah Jazz, and it's a lineup change coach Jerry Sloan says he is considering using more often.But if the Russian small forward is upset that C.J. Miles took his spot as a starter - for that game and perhaps more - he didn't show it at practice this morning.Quite the opposite, in fact.Kirilenko said he has no complaints about the rare reserve role. He played 22 minutes and scored six points during the Jazz's 99-90 win over the Los Angeles Lakers in Anaheim, Calif."It's all right," he said. "Coach went to me in the morning (Tuesday) and told me that. I said I don't have a problem with it."Sloan is ..."

Kirilenko to Russia? Agent denies rumor

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September 19

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko's agent doesn't doubt that Russian pro team CSKA - the reigning European champion from Moscow - would snatch up the country's premier and highest-profile player in a heartbeat.But, despite rumors about the Jazz forward's future that are being bandied about on the Internet and on local sports-talk radio, don't count on AK-47 shooting off to Russia anytime soon."There's no question that they would love to have him," agent Marc Fleisher said of CSKA. "But to my knowledge, they haven't made any efforts this summer - at least through me - to get him, so I don't take it (the rumor) very seriously."A report surfaced this week on Russian Web site krepsinis.net, claiming CSKA wants ..."

Jazz players have summer reunion on Chinese court

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August 4

The Deseret News

"They caught each other's eye as they emerged from locker rooms on opposite sides of the hall, stepping through throngs of Chinese reporters and a smattering of international journalists to acknowledge, embrace and whisper - first privately a hotel room number in order to meet up later that night, and then share words of encouragement.

Just like you'd expect from teammates, rather than opponents.

For 40 minutes Sunday afternoon at the Qizhong Forest Sports City Arena, the Utah Jazz frontline tandem of Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko were just that - teammates-turned-foes.

Actually, the Jazz combo was really a trio in the Shanghai spotlight Sunday afternoon, with Boozer and Utah ..."

Kirilenko is honored to carry Russian flag into Olympics

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August 4

The Deseret News

"Last year, Andrei Kirilenko led his Russian men's national basketball team in the 2007 European Championships.This Friday, he'll lead - in a different way - Russia's entire Olympic sports delegation in the Beijing Summer Games' opening ceremonies.Kirilenko has been selected to carry the Russian flag as he and his Olympic peers enter into and parade around Beijing's National Stadium."Representing in front of the world, you know, is a big honor," said the longtime Utah Jazz forward, "and I will try to do my best."The selection to carry Russia's flag came as a surprise, and he's a little uncertain about the procedures and protocols."I'm not sure how it's going to go, and if they have a ..."

Kirilenko, Russian team to face Team USA

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June 3

The Deseret News

"Andrei Kirilenko will get a crack at the Americans ? and possibly two of his Jazz teammates ? even before this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Kirilenko's Russian national team will face Team USA in a pre-Olympic exhibition game Aug. 3 in Shanghai, China, USA Basketball announced Monday"

Kirilenko expects big things from Russia

May 30

Salt Lake Tribune

"Much like his Jazz teammate, Carlos Boozer, Andrei Kirilenko is hoping for big things at the Olympics, too. Having played in the 2000 Sydney Games as a teenager before joining the Jazz, Kirilenko did not play at the Athens Games because his native Russia failed to qualify. Since then, however, the Russians have improved, beating defending world champion Spain for the European Championship last fall with Kirilenko earning Most Valuable Player honors. "Right now, everybody expects us to play better," he said."