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Kirilenko once struggled at being an effective roleplayer after being our first option. You couldn't ask him to score in between sets, or to come in cold and ready to contribute.

At this point, I think he's mastered the task of a roleplayer. He comes in ready to do exactly what coach asks him to, and he does it with extreme efficiency. I'm very happy to see him get his game in the right ratio.

What are the chances we get him back for something like 5 years 25M? We need him to continue in that role over the next few years with the core.

AK has been a revelation. You're exactly right that he's mastered his role. To have a guy the versatile finally understand, accept, and excel in his role is a tremendous luxury. AK on an MLE contract would be amazing.

I've been saying for years he is one of the most important players on the team, probably just behind Deron and perhaps Millsap now. He has always been the key to taking this team to the next level. Just look at this recent road trip...there is absolutely no way we win any of those games without him. The intangibles and versatility he brings to this team is irreplaceable.

I've always been a supporter of him, even through the garbage years....I'm really proud of him for sticking through it all and reworking himself as a player to be able to better fit the teams' needs. He really needs a lot more credit than he receives for what he has done...

He needs to come back. He's the glue to the team, both the starting unit and 2nd unit.

I hope he can avoid an injury this year. I think he has started the season well the last 2 years but never come back the same after he got hurt.

Hikari wrote:I hope he can avoid an injury this year. I think he has started the season well the last 2 years but never come back the same after he got hurt.

Ya and I would have loved to see us against the Lakers in the playoffs last year with a healthy AK. I believe we could have given them a run for their money had he been healthy (having Okur would have helped a lot too).

The incredible thing about AK, is that although he has lost some of his jumping and blocking ability, he has morphed his game to keep himself highly effective. He is a great ball-handler for his size, an incredible passer, and is now turning into a pretty good rebounder (at least since the first few games of the season). He also does a ton of stuff that doesn't show up in the stat line, like playing tough defense on star players and bothering the passing lanes with his long arms.

That said, I really miss seeing his awesome blocks and lightning quick dunks.

Just imagine if we were stuck with Diaw instead....ugh

ele.ven wrote:Just imagine if we were stuck with Diaw instead....ugh

Glad Mr. Miller seems to be thinking with his heart and not his short-term wallet. Hopefully we can still say that in February.

Its just feels right having Ak here if or when we finally get there!He was there with Stockton and Malone and has lived through the ages of the Jazz. I have certainly had my problems with Ak but when hes on his game like he is now the Jazz are at their best!

25 mil for 5 years? Probably no chance at getting that good of a deal unless the CBA turns out REALLY unfavorable for the players.

I think we'd have to pay at least 7 to have a realistic shot of keeping him. And he's worth that much as a starter/6th man vet (a 5 year contract after this one will put him at 34 when the contract expires).

I think he will go for longer years then short years with high dollars. A 5 year contract is probably what he will want and I think Portland will throw 15mil a year at him just to get him off our team.

I think 6MM a year isn't out of the question. He is very comfortable in Utah as is Masha. He should give Utah the hometown discount since they have overpaid him the last couple of years.

We cannot lost Ak. Cause Deron, Millsap and Akknows our system very well. They run our off and def.

If we lost him? Hm it will be very very sad.

But Andrei showed his loyality to the Jazz. He loves being here. It's Home....

Since AK has failed to live up to his max contract, I think he should come back after this year, but he should have to pay the Jazz 5 million a year for 5 years.