Are there any other players in this league besides Shaq, Duncan, and KG that would hurt their team more than AK-47 when they are out with an injury? I read an article about Sloan being upset about his big men's defense awhile ago. AK-47 blocks over 4 shots a game and changes countless others with his quick leaping and recovery abilities. He is really a tremendous difference maker in their defense. With him, they are top 8 easily, and without him they are bottom 2. What a tremendous impact player.
Lebron yes. Kobe, not this year. AI-yes. and probably Nash would have to be on the list this year. I just can't believe how different the Jazz are with and without AK. It's like night and day. At the beginning of the season when he was healthy, they looked like they were right up there with Seattle and Phoenix easily. Now without him they have gone totally in the dumper and I can't find any other reason to account for the total change in their play besides his absence. I will say this. I don't know of another single defender whom I dread seeing us face any worse than Kirilenko. He disrupts the whole game for the Rockets. Kobe is a very good player but with him the Lakers are barely a #7 to #10. Without Kobe they would be in the dumper. Compare that to AK. With AK, the Jazz are easily #3-#5 and without him they are fighting with the Hornets for lottery balls.
To think that we drafted Kenny Thomas ahead of Kirilenko makes me want to bump my head against a wall.
When will he be back, actually? I think in 7-10 days, right? I hope he doesn't sit out a lot more and the Jazz just tank...like San Antonio did some years ago with Robinson...he's on my fantasy basketball team, had the no. 2 pick overall and picked him ahead of Kobe, Duncan, etc.
How has his injury hurt them? They were 2-5 in their last seven with him after opening up with a bunch of cupcakes. AK47=overrated.
