Andrei Kirilenko

[Change]

Whatever happened to AK47? Before Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, and Mehmet Okur star shined, AK47 was the man in Utah.  I would think Andrei would be every coaches dream. He does it all on the basketball court. Now he is second fiddle to Deron, Carlos, and mehmet. His minutes & production are in free fall ever since. He is a bit overpaid, but isn't he also underutilized.

[Who]

Kirilenko is a power forward playing out of position.

He's at his best defensively when he's allowed to roam around the paint and reek havoc with his shot blocking ability. He can't do that when he's playing man-to-man defense out on the three point line.

Offensively, Kirilenko is an above average ball handler, passer, penetrator and shooter as a power forward ... but below average at each when matched up against a small forward.

Athletically he has a quickness + mobility advantage which he benefits from at the power forward position. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a post game (and is quite thin himself although I heard he gained a lot weight this offseason) so he can't take advantage of small forwards inside.

Shawn Marion is a somewhat similar case. Play him as a small forward and his matchup advantages go out the window, and he's then only a 12-14ppg 8rpg on inefficient scoring and solid defense. Play him as a power forward and he can get 16-18ppg and 10rpg with efficient scoring, and solid-to-good defense.

It's all about the position that Kirilenko is being used at. Since Boozer and Millsap are there, Kirilenko will continue to played out of position, and will continue to underwhelm relative to his past success.

[moiso]

I read that he put on 20lbs of muscle this offseason, I'm anxious to see how that effects him.  I used to love this guy, but he stopped improving like 4 years ago, and actually played worse as his role shrank.

[wdleehi]

Bad fit a SF.


Mentally weak. 

[CountChockula]

I read that he put on 20lbs of muscle this offseason, I'm anxious to see how that effects him.  I used to love this guy, but he stopped improving like 4 years ago, and actually played worse as his role shrank.

I saw a Jazz pre-season game the other day, Kirilenko definitely put on some muscle! Now he looks more like Ivan Drago than ever before 

[NextCeltic34]

Kirilenko is a player that I'd love to have on the Celtics for the right amount of money.

[BBS]

Kirilenko is a player that I'd love to have on the Celtics for the right amount of money.

Me 2. tp4u

[Fafnir]

Kirilenko is a power forward playing out of position.

He's at his best defensively when he's allowed to roam around the paint and reek havoc with his shot blocking ability. He can't do that when he's playing man-to-man defense out on the three point line.

Offensively, Kirilenko is an above average ball handler, passer, penetrator and shooter as a power forward ... but below average at each when matched up against a small forward.

Athletically he has a quickness + mobility advantage which he benefits from at the power forward position. Unfortunately, he doesn't have a post game (and is quite thin himself although I heard he gained a lot weight this offseason) so he can't take advantage of small forwards inside.

Shawn Marion is a somewhat similar case. Play him as a small forward and his matchup advantages go out the window, and he's then only a 12-14ppg 8rpg on inefficient scoring and solid defense. Play him as a power forward and he can get 16-18ppg and 10rpg with efficient scoring, and solid-to-good defense.

It's all about the position that Kirilenko is being used at. Since Boozer and Millsap are there, Kirilenko will continue to played out of position, and will continue to underwhelm relative to his past success.

Well said, both Marion and AK-47 have to play the 4 to be elite players. Or both did, who knows if they still have that in them.

[Bankshot]

Kirilenko is a player that I'd love to have on the Celtics for the right amount of money.

Me 2. tp4u

Me three.  I always loved AK47.  Would love to have him.  Too bad his contract is terrible.

[Roy Hobbs]

I'm not a huge AK47 fan.  For a deal at the MLE or less, he can help a team.  However, I don't see him as a star. 

My three biggest problems with him are: 1) he's mentally weak (breaking down in tears in the playoffs, threatening to return to Russia); 2) he's the first guy out of the gym (according to Deron Williams); and 3) he's concerned about his own stats, and is a bad teammate (according to Deron, and showcased by the fact that Deron, ownership, and the coaching staff have all called him out).

Plus, his stats have basically been in decline for several years now; he doesn't bring the same energy he used to, and perpetually seems to be sulking.  Also, if he's not in exactly the right system, he struggles.

[PosImpos]

I'm not a huge AK47 fan.  For a deal at the MLE or less, he can help a team.  However, I don't see him as a star. 

My three biggest problems with him are: 1) he's mentally weak (breaking down in tears in the playoffs, threatening to return to Russia); 2) he's the first guy out of the gym (according to Deron Williams); and 3) he's concerned about his own stats, and is a bad teammate (according to Deron, and showcased by the fact that Deron, ownership, and the coaching staff have all called him out).

Plus, his stats have basically been in decline for several years now; he doesn't bring the same energy he used to, and perpetually seems to be sulking.  Also, if he's not in exactly the right system, he struggles.

It's always frustrating and disappointing to hear things like this.  You want to like a guy, but regardless of numbers it's tough to want to root for 'em with a reputation like that.

[GKC]

He's used wrong though. His best statistical (and defensive) seasons were when he was playing as a PF. His simply a mismatch and can frustrate people as a PF. I was watching the olympic exhibition games in Macau last year, and back at the PF, he had 2 great games (one against the US).

At this point in his career though, he's too much flash in his game. He's admitted to "rather playing to have fun than to win", which is good for him. Nothing wrong with wanting to have fun playing basketball as your career, but not someone I'd want on my team.

[Bahku]

Andre' is just not an Ubuntu guy ... I don't see that he could ever fit into that "selfless" team first kind of program. Yes, KG and Pierce have an incredible amount of influence when it comes to players adapting here, but I've never seen a hint of that kind of energy from AK, unfortunately. Too bad ... cuz he's a talented guy.