Kirilenko off the bench, good for Kirilenko?

[The Big Dog]

This is a fantasy question, so sorry about that, but do you think Kirilenko coming off the bench will be good for him?

I think it might be, he gets to play more PF and is a good mismatch for bigger slower guys and can play decent enough low post defense to not be too detrimental to the team.

What do Jazz fans think?

Good for his stats? Good for the team in general?

[kwill]

As I read the various jazz message boards it seems to be the conclusion of everyone that AK off the bench is good for the Jazz. The consensus seems to be that AK will have more freedom and more opportunities with the 2nd unit. He will handle the ball more and maybe even play a little point forward. I call BS. I have a different view. Play AK all the time. Don't rest him except for foul trouble. CJ has done nothing to warrant more playing time. Most teams play their starters more minutes than the Jazz. I just don't understand Sloan's rigid and scheduled substitution pattern. By the way, if CJ ever has a great game (please let it happen), leave him in and keep AK on the bench.

[Soul Patch]

AK off the bench is great, he gets to analyze the game and knows exactly what he needs to do to contribute. Being with the second unit should raise his stats because he'll have the ball in his hands more, I expect his apg and bpg to go up and his rpg and ppg to go up slightly. Also expect his turnovers to go up, he'll have more of those "trying to do too much, but man that would have been awesome" passes.

[Pai Gow]

And the best part about it is that he will still get his 30 mins a game so really I don't see how this situation can hurt the team and Kirilenko. Now the only problem that may arise is CJ struggling with the starters role and in that case you can just start Korver and go from there. Hopefully CJ picks it up, if he becomes a solid starter for us, wow can you imagine bringing in this lineup in the 2nd and late 3rd/early 4th quarters:

Price/Knight
Korver
AK
Millsap

And always having a starter on the floor with those guys and move Millsap to play the C position and go small would be insane. Our depth this year will be off the charts if AK can come off the bench. Not to mention if Harpring can come back and play like he did last year. We can easily be 10 deep and that's not including if Koufos or Fes can break out (which I don't think will happen).

[Dozer!]

Looks good so far. Two games in, he is at 13.5pt 7.5rb 3.5ast 1.5st and 2.5bks. Plus he has been playing great man and team defense. 6th man of the year? Now all we need is for Miles to start playing.