Reader comments: Utah Jazz notes: With Sloan's blessing, Kirilenko misses practice
24 comments | Read story
Anonymous | 7:30 a.m. May 16, 2008
I htink that he is oding what is best for his family, getting it done early, then he can come back and foucs on Basketball, with the team, at least he talked it over with Coach Sloan & Kein O' Connor, and he got premission to do so, "GO JAZZ" good luck go beat the Lakers,
MADRYBEG | 7:47 a.m. May 16, 2008
I have said it since round one and I will continiue to say it. Start Millsap in AK's place. AK is a detriment while Millsap has proven he wants to be out there and plays hard. I was dissapointed in the thoughts of not having AK around at the beginning of the year. Now? Don't let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!
Comments continue below
Calgary Jazz | 8:12 a.m. May 16, 2008
You americans are so used to not needing visas that you can't even imagine what kind of burocracy it is sometimes - especially looking for US visa you need to make apppointment like 3-4 monnth in advance. So if AK wants to go to France lets say in July or August and he has appointment only now tiomake it in time how you can blame him about making vacation plans now?
AK, Millsap and Dwill are the only ones playing well in this series and giving it all on both ends of the floor so give him a break.
AK, Millsap and Dwill are the only ones playing well in this series and giving it all on both ends of the floor so give him a break.
Good for DWill | 8:26 a.m. May 16, 2008
calling out Okur for his flop. Yes, Gasol had ONE arm on him, all, what, 200lbs of him. Okur needs to stand tough and fight for the rebound, not bail out looking for a call. NOT TONIGHT. Back to LA for Game 7 people!
don't be a hater! | 8:41 a.m. May 16, 2008
Don't blame A.K. ! The man just packed the "best player in the world", in overtime, twice. Besides, don't even try to tell me that if you had the kind of money AK has that you wouldn't travel around the world. Just because you'll be stuck in SLC this summer does not mean AK should be.
Give it a rest... | 8:46 a.m. May 16, 2008
If Sloan's ok with it why shouldn't the rest of us be. Besides what's he going to miss in practice, "sorry Andre you have to guard Kobe since your the only guy on the team who can" Also how 'bout a little more AK in the low post on offense.
Boise Jazz fan | 9:45 a.m. May 16, 2008
They said plans to visit france this summer... I believe that July and August are considered summer...
They all know what is happening tonight and the rest of tha play-offs. Heads are on right and on tight!!! It is great to see this team play so hard together...
Game 5 was a bummer, a missed opportunity to win in LA. Turnovers in the first half and then some nasty blown calls down the stretch didn't help our cause. I must say though that we were there...and will get game 7 in LA. Wish I could be there tonight!!!
They all know what is happening tonight and the rest of tha play-offs. Heads are on right and on tight!!! It is great to see this team play so hard together...
Game 5 was a bummer, a missed opportunity to win in LA. Turnovers in the first half and then some nasty blown calls down the stretch didn't help our cause. I must say though that we were there...and will get game 7 in LA. Wish I could be there tonight!!!
Doucheku | 10:04 a.m. May 16, 2008
So, this story is sort of weird because it first states that he went to get vacation Visas and then O'Connor said he was having Visa "issues". "Issues" and applying for a vacation Visa are two separate things. I read on NBA.com yesterday that Kirilenko was having Visa problems, not that he was applying for a Visa for a vacation. The first thought on my mind was "WOW! The Lakers bought the refs AND they have Immigration services on their sides now?" So...O'connor has said he had Visa "issues" and so did NBA.com. Can we get this straightened out please? If AK truly is worried about vacation right now, then he needs to get a one way ticket to hell......with his Visa!
Re: MADRYBEG | 10:10 a.m. May 16, 2008
You are crazy? AK has never been a detriment in these entire playoffs. Yes, Milsap should play more, but in Boozer's spot, he is the real detriment and has been the entire playoffs.
The Jazz would be in a whole world of hurt next year if they ever think about getting rid of Andrei. Without Andrei, there is absolutly NO defense on the Jazz team. Andrei creates all of it. If he needs to take care of his issues with his visa for the sake of his family, then he should be allowed to. AK has earned the respect of this team and should earn the respect of the fans as well, especially with his selfless play ALL year, and his great play this playoffs. I can't believe anyone would ever call him a detriment. He is the X factor and people need to realize it and acknowledge it!!!
The Jazz would be in a whole world of hurt next year if they ever think about getting rid of Andrei. Without Andrei, there is absolutly NO defense on the Jazz team. Andrei creates all of it. If he needs to take care of his issues with his visa for the sake of his family, then he should be allowed to. AK has earned the respect of this team and should earn the respect of the fans as well, especially with his selfless play ALL year, and his great play this playoffs. I can't believe anyone would ever call him a detriment. He is the X factor and people need to realize it and acknowledge it!!!
Moto X | 11:42 a.m. May 16, 2008
If AK knew he was going on vacation later this summer and he would need to get a Visa it seems it would have been the smart thing to do this earlier in the season/year.
(AND CALGARY JAZZ, BEFORE YOU START BABBLING ON ABOUT FOREIGNERS AND VISA'S--I AM FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY LIVING HERE AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT) this could have been done earlier or possibly by Masha if it was just for their kids.
Perception-wise, if AK has a bad game tonight and does not appear in synch with his teammates then he will be BBQ'ed in the press tomorrow AND RIGHTFULLY SO. It is bad timing bottom line.
If he plays well, then nobody will care about this.
Bring it AK!!!!
(AND CALGARY JAZZ, BEFORE YOU START BABBLING ON ABOUT FOREIGNERS AND VISA'S--I AM FROM A FOREIGN COUNTRY LIVING HERE AS A PERMANENT RESIDENT) this could have been done earlier or possibly by Masha if it was just for their kids.
Perception-wise, if AK has a bad game tonight and does not appear in synch with his teammates then he will be BBQ'ed in the press tomorrow AND RIGHTFULLY SO. It is bad timing bottom line.
If he plays well, then nobody will care about this.
Bring it AK!!!!
Good HR, good vibes | 12:00 p.m. May 16, 2008
Andrei has done a great job in the playoffs. Missing one practice for an unusual event will not hurt him much. In fact, I'd rather he be able to take care of his personal life without criticism. Andrei and the Jazz handled this exactly as they should have.
Most lousy jobs are lousy not because of the actual work but because of asinine policies and procedures and the asinine people who enforce them. Lousy jobs do not let you take time off for personal concerns. Who here wants to turn the Jazz into a lousy job for one of our stars just so he can attend an extra practice?
You think he would play better tonight knowing his family vacation was ruined but having that one extra practice under his belt? Think again.
Most lousy jobs are lousy not because of the actual work but because of asinine policies and procedures and the asinine people who enforce them. Lousy jobs do not let you take time off for personal concerns. Who here wants to turn the Jazz into a lousy job for one of our stars just so he can attend an extra practice?
You think he would play better tonight knowing his family vacation was ruined but having that one extra practice under his belt? Think again.
ID Jazz | 12:07 p.m. May 16, 2008
Another paper wrote he had to do it yesterday, if not then he would not be able to do it for another month.
Its like they said on a radio show this morning. It was not real smart of AK after Dwill called a few out last year of having there vacations booked early. He also puts himself in a spot that if he does not perform well tonight that fans and media will scrutinize his loyalty to this team and his team mates, but if he performs well then it will be water under the bridge, but why put yourself in that position.
Its like they said on a radio show this morning. It was not real smart of AK after Dwill called a few out last year of having there vacations booked early. He also puts himself in a spot that if he does not perform well tonight that fans and media will scrutinize his loyalty to this team and his team mates, but if he performs well then it will be water under the bridge, but why put yourself in that position.
BJ Jazzy "Hopeful" Rasta | 12:23 p.m. May 16, 2008
Sasha Vooyabitch? Its obvious that he is a whiny little punk. He refers to himself as "The Machine"? What a weenie!
believer | 12:27 p.m. May 16, 2008
love the a.k. great on kobe. visa red tape sucks; i'm sure he'd rather be in the gym. and he will rock tonight.
it's boozer who needs the practice. practice brainwashing himself to play with killer instinct. go for it man from juneau! get stoked for some killer d tonight!
it's boozer who needs the practice. practice brainwashing himself to play with killer instinct. go for it man from juneau! get stoked for some killer d tonight!
Sokol | 12:38 p.m. May 16, 2008
Kirilenko has other thing more important than basketball. Yeah, I hope hope he enjoys the vacation, might as well move it up. Where's
the heart from our Russian 'Cambylenko'? Beebees
again.
the heart from our Russian 'Cambylenko'? Beebees
again.
Give me a break | 12:39 p.m. May 16, 2008
The guy had visa issues. Visas are generally tedious things and sometimes there isn't a lot of time alloted to get them. I don't think missing a practice will be that detrimental, and it's not like Coach Sloan had a problem with it.
Milsap can't play | 1:04 p.m. May 16, 2008
Anyone who wants Milsap to play more just doesn't understand the game. I can't put it in more simple terms other than he fouls on nearly every single possession. I like the guy, but he can't even play 20 minutes a game without fouling out. He can never be a starter unless he changes in a big way.
For example, he played 7 minutes and had 4 fouls in the last game.
For example, he played 7 minutes and had 4 fouls in the last game.
Anonymous | 1:16 p.m. May 16, 2008
WOW MR. ROCK. MAYBE YOU CAN WRITE MORE ARTICLES ABOUT THE QUALITY UPSTANDING NBA PLAYERS. PLEASE CONTINUE TO WRITE ARTICLES ON THE GENTLEMEN OF THE NBA....JUST TO NAME A FEW I WOULD LIKE TO READ ABOUT ARE: STEPHEN JACKSON, RON ARTEST, CARMELO ANTHONY, STEPHON MARBURY AND RASHEED WALLACE.
Keep it up AK | 1:19 p.m. May 16, 2008
I wasn't around last year, but AK has been playing just fine this year in the playoffs. I have no problem with him missing a practice to get his visa. I have to say Boozer has been the one that isn't getting it done this year. If Millsap deserves more minutes its got to be from Boozer not from AK. At least Millsap plays hard on defense. When was the last time anyone said that about Boozer.
Milsap can play | 1:39 p.m. May 16, 2008
it is hard not to foul when you run side by side with a person and they call a foul on you from the other end of the court. Ever think his fouling might have to be with some officiating troubles?
Anoymous | 2:22 p.m. May 16, 2008
Sasha is a child/man and shows it by jawing with Kyle, Boozer has to touch the ball, AND AK has vacation plans, AGAIN? What is this with D-Will and Boozer complaining this year about what happened last year with AK? Why now? These two guys should look to their own business and forget about putting all of their business on AK. Just leave him alone and tend to your own game!!!
STOP BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE FOR YOUR OWN WOES!!!!
STOP BLAMING EVERYONE ELSE FOR YOUR OWN WOES!!!!
Who Cares | 5:24 p.m. May 16, 2008
Maybe AK needs to get away for a day. Remember
;ast year when KOBE (Great almighty) would go to
court in Colorado, fly back just in time for a game
and play SUperb. Well , just maybe Andrea can do
the same
;ast year when KOBE (Great almighty) would go to
court in Colorado, fly back just in time for a game
and play SUperb. Well , just maybe Andrea can do
the same
Anonymous | 5:53 p.m. May 16, 2008
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.
Boozer been on vacation for weeks.
And why it that deron only complains about the european players? Very suspicious!
Boozer been on vacation for weeks.
And why it that deron only complains about the european players? Very suspicious!
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Ouch! This is the NBA finals (winner will take it all) and we are worrying about vacation??