Andrei Kirilenko is the Missing Piece for Championship

Post #1 » by **milesfides** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 9:59 pm

Considering the competition, the direction of the league, and personnel, Andrei Kirilenko would be the biggest difference-maker on this team, as a flex four who moves without the ball and defends at an elite level.

Defensively, his ability to defend the weak-side as a forward would be critical with Nash's liabilities on defense. Certainly opponents will try to expose Nash and/or Bynum on the pick and roll, and it would be up to our forward to protect the basket, and few are as good as Kirilenko at defending the weak side.

In addition, he'd be an excellent positional defender against teams like Miami and OKC who use Lebron and Durant at power forward. We've seen how effective teams are when they use their elite perimeter players to force small ball.

Whether we keep Bynum and/or Pau, it doesn't change the fact that we need a mobile defender at power forward. Kirilenko is it.

The fact that he's made a career out of playing without the ball, spotting for open shots, cutting to the basket, would be perfect on this Lakers team.

He may command more on the open market. It's likely. He's easily worth the MLE, which we don't have. But according to reports, he's considering whether or not to return to the NBA, or to his CSKA Moscow team for 3m. Interestingly enough, 3m is all we have, but we're the Lakers, he can play for a championship next to Kobe and Nash, be appreciated, and compete at the highest level.

miggs · Post #2 » by **miggs** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 10:34 pm

Kirilenko would be awesome on this team. Interestingly, when I put his name into twitter. Here's what popped

44 mins ago from a Jazz beat writer and NBA Reporter for the Salt Lake Tribune

Brian T Smith wrote:Ex-#UtahJazz forward Andrei Kirilenko is "50-50" about returning to the #NBA for the 2012-13 season, a source ...

Jetset · Post #3 » by **Jetset** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 10:37 pm

Lmao he thought he was a lock for the Nets too, now he's seeing there's no room for him. Poor guy, he'll probably go back overseas.

Post #4 » by **snaquille oatmeal** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 10:40 pm

interesting to say the least

Jajwanda · Post #5 » by **Jajwanda** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 10:46 pm

You and I have suggested him before but I forgot about him. He was a plus 4 something player for the Jazz as a starter at PF. He would be an excellent addition to this Laker team. Absolutely phenomenal and you're right he could be the guy that finds a way to cover up for Nash without having to deal with this Ho fellow.

desertlakerfan · Post #6 » by **desertlakerfan** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 10:50 pm

I don't see him taking MMLE money when he can get the same amount staying with CSKA Moscow. I'd love to have him on the team but I think he's just too talented to not get MLE or greater offers from other teams.

Jajwanda · Post #7 » by **Jajwanda** » Thu Jul 5, 2012 11:01 pm

He wanted to be in L.A.

stillflossin · Post #8 » by **stillflossin** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 12:11 am

Love it.

Jetset · Post #9 » by **Jetset** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 12:16 am

Jajwanda wrote:He wanted to be in L.A.

No, he wanted to be in Brooklyn. Kirilenko had planned on returning to the states and playing for the Russian owner of the Nets.

Jajwanda · Post #10 » by **Jajwanda** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 12:17 am

Last year.

Post #11 » by **semi-sentient** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 12:21 am

I've always been high on AK47. He's extremely skilled and when healthy is downright nasty defensively.

PurpleGold · Post #12 » by **PurpleGold** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 12:32 am

semi-sentient wrote:I've always been high on AK47.

Same here. It's one of my favorite strains.

ALL HAIL · Post #13 » by **ALL HAIL** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 3:29 am

Perfect fit if he takes 3 mill, big 'ol if though.

With him, the Lakers could very easily dump Gasol and Bynum for Howard and Iguodala.

Scary defensive team with W.Peace, Kirilenko, Howard, Iguodala, and a motivated Kobe ... scary indeed.

Great idea. I hope the Lakers are thinking creatively as well as opposed to being super, super rigid.

eckoner · Post #14 » by **eckoner** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 5:08 am

Well it seems to me Miles has been a fan of AK for years and i can understand why. My only thing is would he actually come here for what we could afford to pay? And i have read he was likely to sign with the Nets (Russian Connection) i guess. Anyhow he would be great but i dont think we can afford him!

swag2011 · Post #15 » by **swag2011** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 5:37 am

Lol yall remember this? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_se-Y66LzQQ

tugs · Post #16 » by **tugs** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 6:09 am

Metta and Kirilenko and Bynum/Howard at the frontcourt

Sofa King · Post #17 » by **Sofa King** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 6:37 am

As long as Jerry Sloan comes with him, I'm game.

tugs · Post #18 » by **tugs** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 6:39 am

yeah! Sloan and Mike D let their PGs run their offense! but...

Jajwanda · Post #19 » by **Jajwanda** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 8:22 am

Another place where L.A. can improve drastically is backup PG. It's hard to improve from very good to excellent but improving from terrible to average is just as big of a deal (Blake).

Mamba Venom · Post #20 » by **Mamba Venom** » Fri Jul 6, 2012 8:47 am

Resign Sessions and trade Blake