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Nine years filled with brilliant passing, praise-worthy defense and loaded statistical lines.
Nine years' worth of mood swings, confidence catastrophes and mental shakeups.
Nine years. One team.
Andrei Kirilenko and the Utah Jazz have been inseparable since 2001. Question marks and injuries have nearly divided them. Superlatives and the unforgettable knowledge that there is no one quite like AK in the NBA — haircuts included — have united them.
But after nine long, unpredictable years, Kirilenko and the Jazz are still together. And despite being near the center of a chaotic 48 hours less than three weeks ago — when Kirilenko was rumored to be on his way to Denver as part of a blockbuster trade involving the Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony — the 6-foot-9, 227-pound forward from St. Petersburg, Russia said that Salt Lake City still feels like home. Moreover, Kirilenko acknowledged that the Jazz will receive top billing once his contract expires at the end of the 2010-11 season.
"I grew up here as a man," said Kirilenko, who is set to make $17.8 million this year. "My kids grew up here. I know everything — there is no sense to change."
The 29-year-old Kirilenko tipped his hat to the hard business side of the league. More money and increased minutes could lure him elsewhere next season. He also still dreams of possibly finishing his career in Russia. But everything from the school system his two boys will be taught in to the friends he and his wife, Marina Lopatova, have made during their nine years in Utah has Kirilenko already leaning toward the Jazz.
"I'm not regretting anything," Kirilenko said. "I've been with the Jazz for [nine] years. And I feel like it's a family for me. … I'm going to miss it if I'm going to move. But if not, I'll still be here."
Strengthening the resolve of the longest-tenured member of the team's roster is an improved relationship with coach Jerry Sloan. As time has passed, Kirilenko and Sloan have come to understand each other. Sloan has learned when to push hard and when to go soft. Kirilekno has accepted Sloan for what he is: an old-school coach in a new-school league, whose record is only eclipsed by his consistency.
"Always ups and downs. But the longer you go into your career and as many years as you know him, you adjust to him," Kirilenko said. "And I think he adjust to me as well. It's a working process. It takes time. It doesn't go quick. So, I think right now, we know what we expect from each other. It helps a lot."
Sloan returned the appreciation.
When Kirilenko joined the Jazz in 2001 as wide-eyed 20-year-old, John Stockton and Karl Malone were still moving mountains. Many things and names have changed for Utah since then. But Sloan is still around, and so is Kirilenko. Utah's coach has grown to accept and understand the forward's unique personality. Meanwhile, the impressive all-around game that has long made Kirilenko the envy of NBA general managers and fantasy-league followers still holds a special place in Sloan's system.
"Andrei's always been one of those guys that can step on the floor and play right away," Sloan said. "He's got an unusual ability to be able to do that. If he's coming back from injury, he doesn't seem to get winded and that sort of thing. He has great endurance."
Injuries and endurance have in many ways come to define Kirilenko's unpredictable career. The former is held up by critics as his weak point. The latter has allowed the three-time all-NBA defensive team selection — who ranks second in team history in blocks and fifth in steals — to slowly build up a body of work that has placed his name on many of the same top-10 career lists reserved for franchise untouchables such as Stockton and Malone.
But while ailments and missed games partially defined Kirilenko's legacy from 2004-10 — when he missed an average of 24.8 games per season while often receiving a maximum contract — the long-armed forward has entered the preseason for the 2010-11 campaign with renewed focus.
Kirilenko decided not to play for his home country in the 2010 World Championships, allowing calf and back injuries that forced him to miss 26 contests last season to fully heal.
The rest has translated into a strong exhibition run. Kirilenko is averaging 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.0 blocks through three games, while shooting 57.9 percent from the floor and 83.3 percent from the free-throw line.
In addition, the well-liked, often-smiling Russian-novel enthusiast has been a steady bridge for the Jazz, reconnecting with veteran Raja Bell and helping guide the first steps of rookie Gordon Hayward.
Jazz guard Deron Williams said Kirilenko is irreplaceable: a highly intelligent, pass-first teammate who values rebounding as much as scoring. Another plus: Kirilenko can run forever.
"He worked hard during the offseason," Williams said. "This is a big year for him: a contract year."
After nine years, Kirilenko still feels young. His focus is sharper, his heart is stronger. And Utah is still home.
"I'm ready to go," Kirilenko said.
bsmith@sltrib.com Twitter: @tribjazz —
Kirilenko file
From • St. Petersburg, Russia
Position • Forward
Age • 29 Year • 10
Vitals • 6-foot-9, 235 pounds
Money time • Kirilenko is in the last season of a six-year contract that will pay him $17.8 million in 2010-11.
Future days • Kirilenko said the Jazz will receive top billing when he searches for a new contract next season.
Career stats • 12.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 2.1 blocks, 1.4 steals, 23.5 minutes (617 games)
2010 preseason stats • 9.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.0 blocks, 1.3 steals, 18.3 minutes (three games) —
Suns at Jazz
P At EnergySolutions Arena
Tipoff • 7 p.m.
TV • FSN Utah
Radio • 1320 AM, 1600 AM, 98.7 FM
Records • Suns 1-3, Jazz 3-0
Last meeting • Jazz, 105-100 (Tuesday)
About the Suns • Phoenix is shooting just 24.1 percent behind the 3-point line in the preseason. … Reserve point guard Goran Dragic scored a team-high 15 points and sank three 3s Tuesday. … Forward Hedo Turkoglu left Tuesday's game with a back contusion.
About the Jazz • Deron Williams is one of four Utah players averaging at least 10 points during the preseason, and leads the team with a 13.0 per game average. … Utah is shooting 39.5 percent on its 3-point attempts during its exhibition slate. … Francisco Elson (hamstring) is day to day.