spurscenter
06-20-2007, 01:22 AM
Jazz coach stays he'll stick with Kirilenko
June 19, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Despite complaints about his playing time and even tears during the playoffs, Andrei Kirilenko likely will remain with the Utah Jazz.
"We're going to keep him, as far as I'm concerned," coach Jerry Sloan said Monday.
"We're not looking. I don't like to trade people," he said. "But we've got to do what's best for the franchise, always."
Kirilenko, Utah's top draft pick in 1999 and its highest-paid player, averaged fewer than 10 points in 17 playoff games as the Jazz advanced to the Western Conference finals. He made 21.3 percent of his 3-point shots during the season, a career low.
"He's got to come and play," Sloan said. "I mean, when he doesn't come and play hard, he can blame it on whatever he wants, but all I can say is what I see on the floor.
"We loved the way when he plays great," the coach said. "And he can be good all the time if he works at it."
June 19, 2007
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Despite complaints about his playing time and even tears during the playoffs, Andrei Kirilenko likely will remain with the Utah Jazz.
"We're going to keep him, as far as I'm concerned," coach Jerry Sloan said Monday.
"We're not looking. I don't like to trade people," he said. "But we've got to do what's best for the franchise, always."
Kirilenko, Utah's top draft pick in 1999 and its highest-paid player, averaged fewer than 10 points in 17 playoff games as the Jazz advanced to the Western Conference finals. He made 21.3 percent of his 3-point shots during the season, a career low.
"He's got to come and play," Sloan said. "I mean, when he doesn't come and play hard, he can blame it on whatever he wants, but all I can say is what I see on the floor.
"We loved the way when he plays great," the coach said. "And he can be good all the time if he works at it."