JazzFan 4 Life

JazzFan4Life provides its monthly look at a Jazz player who's been struggling (and what I would do to fix it).

The player: Andrei Kirilenko

The numbers: 9.0 ppg, 45.1 FG pct, 5.2 rpg, 3.3 apg, 2.1 bpg.

Biggest problem(s): Offensive inconsistency, defensive trouble on pick-and-rolls and lack of confidence.

Getting back in tune: A typical Kirilenko season (based on career numbers) looks something like this: 13.2 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.5 bpg and 46.2 FG pct. As you can tell from the numbers above, Kirilenko has struggled all season and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.

First, the issue of offensive inconsistency. In seasons past (namely the last two), the Jazz often used Kirilenko as their starting power forward (a spot currently owned by Carlos Boozer). In that role, Kirilenko flourished as he was able to use his wingspan to get blocks on the defensive end and was quick enough to take most opposing power forwards out on the wing and beat them off the dribble. This season, AK-47 is the starting small forward and given Boozer's relative health, he has not had the same advantages against the small forwards of the Western Conference. Often, Kirilenko's role in the offense is relegated to passing the ball around the wings or making post-entry passes to Boozer and Mehmet Okur.

Part of how the Jazz can fix his offensive problems is two-fold. First, post him up more. Kirilenko has a height advantage over just about any small forward in the league and although he's not super strong, AK-47's wiry frame and wingspan allows him to contort and get off a shot when he might be out of position. Second, Kirilenko needs to hustle more. His offensive rebounding is at an all-time low (1.4 off rpg) and he doesn't crash the boards as he has the last 3-4 seasons. If he hasn't figured it out yet, Kirilenko is not the focus of a Jerry Sloan offense and he has to get the ball himself (off the boards) if he wants a shot.

Defensively, Kirilenko is not fundamentally sound one-on-one away from the basket. He's an excellent post defender, but with players such as Shawn Marion, Tracy McGrady and Carmelo Anthony in the West, he's often taken out of the post and forced to play his man off the dribble. Kirilenko has been reaching for steals all season and has been burned more often than he's gotten steals. Additionally, on point guard/small forward pick-and-rolls, AK-47 is often crushed by the pick (leaving him unable to help on the guard) or he doesn't recover quick enough if he gets through the pick to cover his man.

Finally, Kirilenko has not looked confident this year. From the first game of the year, Kirilenko has looked like he wasn't sure what his role was. As Boozer, Okur and Deron Williams have improved or maintained their level of play this season, AK-47 has fallen off dramatically and seems to be the forgotten man for the Jazz. When he's got his game together, AK-47 is easily one of the most enjoyable players to watch in the NBA. But between complaining about his role in the offense and playing poorly, it has been no fun to watch AK-47 this year.