Andrei Kirilenko signs with Brooklyn Nets at the mini mid-level

[Galeto]

Their lineup looks line an All Star NBA Team circa 2004

I know what you're saying but Deron and Brook Lopez weren't even in the league in 2004. 

All these guys can still really play.  Kirilenko was a very good player last year as the do-everything, intelligent role player.  T-Wolves fans loved him.  Pierce didn't end the year so hot but otherwise had a fine season.  KG was still basically the KG of the past four seasons or so.  Deron started the season rough but played like his old self after Avery Johnson was let go.  He ended up setting or matching career highs in WS/48 and offensive rating, had his second most efficient scoring season ever and cut down on his turnovers.  He was just as good as his Utah-version.

[Galeto]

The only big question mark with this Brooklyn team besides the ages of KG and Pierce is how Kidd will fare as coach in his first season.  It's a question that's mitigated by the experience and quality of the team, I mean, I don't doubt that the players can run the offense and defense without any coaching and keep themselves accountable but it's still an unknown. 

I known Phil Jackson has said he wasn't interested in coaching again and wasn't interested in coaching Brooklyn specifically but he would have to be intrigued with Brooklyn's roster.  Not that they're going to can Kidd or anything but he would've been fantastic for Brooklyn.

[eugen]

Brooklyn is making the best signins till now ...

[nickagneta]

Somehow or another I am not going to be surprised if after his playing days Kirilenko ends up as part owner of CSKA Moscow without having to pay Prokorov a rubble to be that part owner.

Also, just an awesome signing for Brooklyn. If Miami isn't worried then their egos are running unchecked or they are all morons.....or both.

[eugen]

Somehow or another I am not going to be surprised if after his playing days Kirilenko ends up as part owner of CSKA Moscow without having to pay Prokorov a rubble to be that part owner.

Also, just an awesome signing for Brooklyn. If Miami isn't worried then their egos are running unchecked or they are all morons.....or both.

I hope Prokorov will change the name of the team from Nets to CSKA Brooklyn

CSKA is the team of Army @ East Europe( CSKA or Partizan, Steaua, Legia, Honved)

[GreenEnvy]

The only big question mark with this Brooklyn team besides the ages of KG and Pierce is how Kidd will fare as coach in his first season.  It's a question that's mitigated by the experience and quality of the team, I mean, I don't doubt that the players can run the offense and defense without any coaching and keep themselves accountable but it's still an unknown. 

I known Phil Jackson has said he wasn't interested in coaching again and wasn't interested in coaching Brooklyn specifically but he would have to be intrigued with Brooklyn's roster.  Not that they're going to can Kidd or anything but he would've been fantastic for Brooklyn.

It makes you think, if they don't get off to a great start what they will do. With this roster, they don't have time to wait and see how Kidd progresses.

They have a 2-year window, max. If they are standing around 6th place in the East a third of the way through the season, can they afford to wait it out?


I personally don't think it will be a problem because the starting unit is loaded and the bench looks very strong. I'd rather Kidd coach them than play for them. KG and Pierce both have offensive games that can fit in with just about any other 3 players, and KG can anchor the defense on his own. KG is probably as close to a player-coach as it gets.

Highly doubt chemistry will be an issue, it really is all about health with this team. If they have to sacrifice some W's in the regular season to be set for the playoffs, they should. This team is stacked.

[pearljammer10]

Wow seriously? Didn't see that one coming. That's an amazing pick up for the nets.

[action781]

Would be a great move for Brooklyn.  He should get around 16-18 mpg backing up Pierce and can also play some 4 if needed.

At this stage of his career, that is what Kirilenko should be doing.

Kirilenko was very good last season. He was the T'Wolves best player and the main reason why Minnesota stayed as competitive as they did despite injuries to Kevin Love most of the year and missing Ricky Rubio for the opening part of the season.

Kirilenko is still a good starting forward at either forward slot and should be playing 32-34 minutes a night. He is still far too effective a player to be confined to a 16-18 minute a night backup.

The Nets should have him backup KG (28mpg) and give AK-47 20 minutes a night at PF and give him another 8-12 minutes a game at SF. Kirilenko is a great running mate alongside B.Lopez or A.Blatche with his disruptive defensive play and skilled offensive game.

By "as competitive as they did" you are talking about a 31-51 team.

He's a "good starting forward" on a very bad team.  On a contending team, he is nowhere near the sort.  That's what I meant by what he should be doing at age 32 -- playing this kind of role (16-18 mpg at SF plus some at PF) for a contending team.  Unless he just wants to make more money and retire a never-champ, but I truly believe most players don't want that after they finish a very big (and overpaid) contract.

[action781]

G - Jason Terry, Tyshawn Taylor
G - Shaun Livingston
F - Andrei Kirilenko, Mirza Teletovic, Tornike Shengaila
F - Andrei Kirilenko, Reggie Evans
C - Andray Blatche, Mason Plumlee

I think the Nets have one of the top benches in the league.

Not in the top 2-3 benches league wide but maybe in the top 4th-8th benches.

Kirileno gives them one of the finest sixth men in the league (PF/SF) and their big men depth is really strong (Blatche very good backup C, R.Evans and M.Plumlee very strong third stringers).

Their perimeter corps are much weaker (unless J.Terry has a sudden revival) but they should be adequate. Especially with the high minutes D.Williams and J.Johnson are likely to play.

Right when this trade went down I started saying that I think Jason Terry will have a big revival in Brooklyn.  His coach is a guy who knows EXACTLY how to utilize him through experience playing with him not long ago at all.  I was very disappointed all season that Doc didn't utilize him properly here.

[Yogi]

Deron Williams / Shaun Livingston / Tyshaun Taylor
Joe Johnson / Jason Terry
Paul Pierce / Andrei Kirilenko / Tornike Shengelia
Kevin Garnett / Andray Blatche / Mirza Teletovic
Brook Lopez / Reggie Evans / Mason Plumblee

Wow.  If healthy, by far the best team in the NBA.  Never thought a team can get this much talent.  185 Million sure buys a lot in the NBA. 

[paidthecost2betheboss]

Somehow or another I am not going to be surprised if after his playing days Kirilenko ends up as part owner of CSKA Moscow without having to pay Prokorov a rubble to be that part owner.

My first thought. Not the specific one you had but...kinda like that.

[BASS_THUMPER]

man...my heart is BOSTON CELTICS

But Brooklyn i will be paying attention too..
they gonna be dangerous

[beklog]

everything is now on Coach Kidd's handling of the team and the player's health... just last season Clippers got one of the deepest bench we've seen but all of that in a 1st round exit in the playoffs

[ACF]

If Miami isn't worried then their egos are running unchecked or they are all morons.....or both.

The correct answer is now in bold

[sofutomygaha]

Echoing what others have said half-jokingly, there is no question in my mind that Kirilenko has a sweet deal waiting for him when he retires back in Russia. This deal stinks to high heaven. I've never seen a player sign for this far below market value.

This is a huge addition for the Nets.