On this day, we all cry with Kirilenko, Part III

After breaking down in tears yesterday, Andrei Kirilenko’s career may take a drastic turn for the worse. Andrei has been degraded a lot this year by his own organization. I would cry too.

The Jazz’s best defender and most unique talent has seen his minutes drastically reduced this season. Why? Because his play has been that bad? No. Not really. The answer is simple: Sloan is trying to recreate the era of Stockton and Malone wholesale. Through Williams and Boozer, the Frankenstein’s monster has taken on a remarkably disturbing life.

During Boozergate, Sloan decided his team would again pound the ball inside to a slower, shorter, even more boring, but equally self-centered version of the Mailman. Meanwhile AK is told to stand on the perimeter and take jump shots, something that’s never been his strength.

Although they have been teammates for three years, this season is the first time Boozer and AK have both been healthy in the same season.[1] In 2004, Sloan already had a brilliant, modern power forward in Kirilenko. However, once given the opportunity, Sloan chose a low post, Boozer-centered team over an AK-led free flowing Princeton offense squad.

Last season, when Williams was benched for long stretches in favor of two journeymen now on the NBA’s unemployment rolls, Sloan was crafting a new toy—Stockton version II. Deron wasn’t quite sure he wanted to be “Stock 2.0.” Occasionally, he wanted to look for his own shot. Tisk. Tisk. Sloan said from the sidelines.

Sloan has been given a lot of praise for making Williams into a disciplined player. Some of this may be true, but an equal part of Deron’s rookie campaign was Sloan demanding that he cram himself into a pair of Stockton’s proverbial short shorts.

Due to Boozer’s many injuries and Williams’ initial reluctance, the actualization of the Stockton-to-Malone sequel was postponed until this year. But last November it all came together for Sloan. Andrei Kirilenko found himself the odd man out.

When Andrei played with Stockton and Malone, he was a bit player. This role is precisely where he has returned (If you look at Andrei’s statistics this season, they are almost identical to the years where he was playing with the twosome enshrined on the corner of 300 West and 100 South).

Kirilenko’s shooting woes have received a lot of press this season, but his current field goal percentage is better than it was last year and two of his previous years—including his best season overall, the 2003-04 campaign.[2] AK-47 is a once in a lifetime defensive talent. Not since Russell, or Olajawon’s 1994 campaign, has any defensive player had such a dynamic impact on a game. Pippen was close, but I’ll still take the 2003-2004 version of Andrei over anyone other than Russell. Provided with the right situation on the court, there is no reason why he is not capable of that same level of play.

Andrei saved the Jazz franchise from complete embarrassment once the two cornerstones moved on. However, today Sloan has decreased Kirilenko's minutes, touches, and really made no effort to move toward arranging the team around AK’s unique talents. All things considered, AK hasn’t really caused much of a fuss about dropping completely off Sloan’s radar. In this super-star celebrity centered world, he has been a very good sport. Kirilenko hasn’t fought back, or attacked Sloan. He hasn't even asked for more shots. In January, he simply requested that Sloan involve him more in the game.

Coach, um, the season is half way over and you obviously aren’t running any plays for me, or even letting me touch the ball. I’m the second best passer on the team and you never let me handle the rock. ..my role has changed, could you please explain what it is that I am supposed to do in this system?

Really, this is all Andrei asked.

Andrei should watch his words, the owner stated. The local media concurred. But, how could Kirilenko have handled it any more professionally? Further, why doesn’t Andrei understand his role? — because Sloan does not understand Andrei’s role. He has given it no attention whatsoever. Instead, he has shifted back to the old ways doing of things during the Jazz heydays of the late-1990s.

When Stock and the Mailman retired, Sloan was a divorcee on the rebound. He was willing to entertain AK’s hijinks when they were his only option. He dated AK, but he’s marrying Williams and Boozer. Now that Sloan’s got the babe he wants, the Coach does not return AK’s phone calls. Sloan would like to move on, and forget the AK-47 affair ever occurred.

When Stock and Malone were around, there was no Andrei-the-undeniable-havoc reeker to incorporate into his rigid system. In Sloan's preferred system, big men are given the ball in the post, and tough-minded guards set screens for cutters who take jumps shots when lay-ups aren't available. In this old-school offense, there was no role for a gangly slashing, passing, shot-blocking forward.

The conventional system is the situation Sloan knows best and will always choose when given an option. The mohawk, the letting your man go past you on purpose so you can block his shot from behind, the wild drives into the lane for an even wilder dish off…all that stuff made Sloan a bit nervous. Now it’s back to the tried-and-true pick and roll.

Andrei Kirilenko is as earnest a figure as you will find in pro sports. He feels confused, betrayed, and more than anything, hurt. From his perspective, the Jazz signed him to a max deal. It is fair to assume a team would only sign someone to big money, if they are committed to developing and utilizing their talents. The fact that Kirilenko was dealing with a small market team more hesitant than most to open their wallet, probably reinforced the commitment Andrei felt he had.

This season should have been AK’s coming out party. As with the Oscars or the Emmies, talent usually must wait a few years before getting proper recognition. The Defensive Player of the Year award that he should have won in 03-04? That award was supposed to be his this year. It was Andrei’s turn. The first NBA player to put up a 5-5 stat line in the post-season? That should have been his as well. He has every right to be upset.

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[1] In 2004-05, Andrei was injured for the first half of the season, Boozer was injured for the second half. Last season, Boozer was injured for two-thirds of the season and once he did come back his minutes were severely limited due to the recovery process.

[2] Meanwhile Fisher, an actual perimeter player, is shooting 39 percent, yet he receives no public scoldings from Sloan as Andrei has endured the entire year. Fisher hasn’t been getting the job done all season, but you get the feeling if Sloan could make cylon clones out of he and Harpring they would never be taken out of the game.