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.
