Krepsinis.net lets us know about the possible offer from big-time club CSKA Moscow to get Krilenko back to Russia.
These are the facts: Kirilenko has not yet signed with the Utah Jazz, at least as far as the public knows.
Since there are no other facts, besides the great strength Kirilenko brings with him to any team, let’s start the speculation.
CSKA certainly has the money to offer Kirilenko the kind of defal they would offer a NBA star of his caliber – Ben Gordon, for example. Before you start thinking “WHAT?! Ben Gordon=Andrei Kirilenko?!,” no, but it was also a rumor that CSKA is interested in Ben.
There goes the big advantage: Andrei will not take up a foreign or US spot so he can be on the floor at all times, no matter if there are any other Americans or Europeans.
Does CSKA really want somebody like Andrei Kirilenko? I am sure the question is not one of want, but need. With players such as Smodis, Siskauskas, Holden, Lorbek, Langdon and Morris, every Euroleague coach would probably say, “Thanks, but I would be happy to have one of those.” Well, CSKA has them and could think: Well, we do not need somebody like Kirilenko to win it all again, but hey, why not? Some popularity for bringing a Russian player back home – some national pride – nothing else such as media attention is not wanted or needed for the rich people of CSKA anyway.
In case you have never been to the CSKA web site, make sure you do now. This is actually pretty funny, cool, and weird at the same time – unless you understand Russian, of course.
Has not signed yet?
What about that contract he holds for 2 years and 31.5 million dollars?
These guys need to find something to write about. Or if you’re going to make stuff up, at least make sure you know all the facts.
I guess we have a few “numbers” – Dime reports: AK-47 makes a boatload – $49.35 million over the next three seasons, which roughly breaks down to $16 mil per year.
Does anybody have something that we can trust?
Seriously…fact check a little more. Russian media is nortious for making crap up like this. They have been doing this in hockey with NHL players for years. The Ben Gorden rumors where a load of crap as well.
The Gordon rumours weren’t created in Russia though. Neither is Krepsinis.net.
He’s under contract so I don’t see it happening.
A simple click to http://hoopshype.com/salaries/utah.htm tells you that this won’t happen and that Lithuanian press, especially Krepsinis.net is becoming more and more unreliable.
He isn’t that good – he is very overpaid and overrated.
Baron Davis showed us how bad Kirilenko’s D really is…