Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos. 
The Utah Jazz are among the best teams in the NBA, but for some reason people tend to leave them out when it comes to talking about the best of the west. In this video we ask the players about their low-key profile. We also find out from All-Star Andrei Kirilenko why he has a welcoming dog and not a watch dog, and we audition Kyrylo Fesenko as a reporter.
Check out the full video after the jump.
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Jazz: The NBA's Best-Kept Secret
Posted Nov 21st 2008 8:00AM by Elie Seckbach (author feed)
Filed under: Jazz, NBA Videos, Interviews
Fesenko Is Jazz Funny Man
Posted Nov 7th 2008 10:00AM by Elie Seckbach (author feed)
Filed under: Jazz, NBA Videos, Interviews
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos. 
Check out the full video after the jump.
The Andrei Kirilenko Sixth Man Expirement Becomes Permanent
Posted Oct 21st 2008 10:07PM by Nate Jones (author feed)
Filed under: Jazz, NBA Awards
Earlier this pre-season there was a big fuss about Lakers star forward Lamar Odom moving to the bench this season. Odom initially wasn't happy with the move, but after some success with the Lakers young run 'n gun subs, he has become happier with his new role. Similarly, the Utah Jazz have been experimenting with having star forward Andrei Kirilenko, come off the bench this pre-season. With the injury to Deron Williams, some suspected that the Kirienko 6th man experiment would end. But Monday, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan confirmed that AK would continue his reserve role:
Asked about moving Kirilenko back to the starting lineup, Sloan said: "Probably not. Not at this stage. I hope that works out. Andrei's played awfully well coming off the bench."And for his part, Andrei also seems pretty happy with his new role:
"Coming off the bench is not an issue for me, Kirilenko said. As long as I have time on the floor, I feel pretty good."That's good for Jazz fans. For a second there, I thought he was going to respond with an "I must break you!!!!"
Anyhow, with both Odom and Kirilenko becoming reserves this season, this might be the most competitive sixth man of the year award race we've seen in years. It might even be more of a nail biter than Kobe Watch 2007. Who do you think will win this year's sixth man award?
Chris Bosh at Beijing's Opening Ceremonies, Guest Starring Andrei Kirilenko
Posted Sep 23rd 2008 12:42PM by Brett Pollakoff (author feed)
Filed under: NBA Videos, USA Basketball, Chris Bosh
Today we have three more offerings to share from Chris Bosh's Beijing collection. First, a look at what it was like to be on the ground in the middle of the opening ceremonies, with a cameo appearance from a Russian-speaking Andrei Kirilenko.Also, check out a Bosh-eye view from Chris's seat at one of the U.S. women's games, as well as a quick look at a U.S. "shoot-around" that has Kobe, 'Bron, 'Melo and CP3 in it (at least according to CB4).
The Jazz Shouldn't Change a Thing
Posted May 19th 2008 7:59PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Western, Jazz
The Utah Jazz didn't advance as far in the playoffs as they did a year ago, but they're still optimistic about their future. Said Deron Williams to Ross Siler of the Salt Lake Tribune as he cleaned out his locker, "If we can keep this team intact, I think we're only going to get better as we play together. I look forward to it."Even Andrei Kirilenko, a man reduced to tears when talking about his role during the playoffs last year, has seemingly rescinded his desire to be traded: "This is the only team I know in NBA," Kirilenko said. "I know everybody. I love everybody here in the organization."
Maintaining the status quo isn't the recipe for success for most teams ousted in the second round, but the Jazz are so close to a title that I don't want them to change a thing. They could stand to get a few more points out of the two-guard spot, but Ronnie Brewer was extremely efficient this year, shooting a team-high 55.8%. Plus, rookie Morris Almond should be ready to contribute after lighting up the D-League to the tune of 25.6 points per game, including two 50-point performances.
NBA Essentials: Carmelo Anthony to the Nets?
Posted May 15th 2008 4:49PM by Brett Pollakoff (author feed)
Filed under: Nets, Pistons, Nuggets, Hornets, Jazz
NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.1. NorthJersey.com: The Nets are talking trade for Carmelo Anthony, the Nuggets are listening. [via SLAM]
2. Dime: "Hornets Shutting Up the Haters"
3. The Sporting Blog: Deron Williams has a Twitter feed. Sure he does.
4. Third Quarter Collapse: Chauncey Billups sat out Game 5, but somehow got an assist anyway.
5. Deseret News: Could Andrei Kirilenko get deported before Game 6?
6. Channing Frye's Blog: Advice on keeping the ladies happy.
NBA's Sound of Music, The Jazz
Posted May 12th 2008 6:25PM by Elie Seckbach (author feed)
Filed under: NBA Playoffs, Jazz, The Word, FanHouse TV
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded NBA Correspondent, brings his exclusive NBA reporting to FanHouse. Check back here regularly for more videos.
In this video, we find out how NBA Star Andrei Kirilenko feels about being so underrated. Around 2:00 into the video big man Paul Millsap tells us what he does when he does not play basketball.
AOL Video link. Youtube link.
Dirk Rips League Officials Over Suspension
Posted Mar 7th 2008 12:14PM by Brett Pollakoff (author feed)
Filed under: Mavericks, NBA Gossip, NBA Injuries, Jazz
The flagrant foul that Dirk Nowitzki committed on Andrei Kirilenko seemed to be pretty straightforward. It was a play where just about everyone who saw it seemed to be in agreement that it was excessive, and especially with Kirilenko being injured and out two games (and counting), a one-game suspension for Dirk seemed reasonable.
Dirk wasn't pleased with the suspension though -- especially since it came over division rivals Houston -- and ripped the league officials that levied the punishment:
"To me, the guys at the NBA who make the decisions, they never played the sport in their lives," Nowitzki said. "They don't know what it feels like to be out there and get caught in the air."
I think they might be able to guess. Look, the reason players are suspended for flagrant fouls (and should be) is so that they don't intentionally make plays like the one that injured Kirilenko. If a guy's in the air and you want to hit him, there's a chance he'll fall awkwardly and get hurt. So if there's a possibility of a suspension in these cases, that should make players think twice about fouling in those circumstances to begin with. I'm okay with that.
Andrei Kirilenko Is Not Out for 'Revenge'
Posted Mar 6th 2008 1:00PM by Will Brinson (author feed)
Filed under: Mavericks, Western, NBA Injuries, NBA Playoffs, Jazz
Apparently, Andrei Kirilenko understands that Dirk Nowitzki's flagrant foul on the Jazz forward was not meant with any real ill-will. Of course, it probably doesn't hurt knowing that Dirk got suspended for a game and lost a check. Of course, it probably does hurt that AK-47 is rolling around on a sprained hip these days and doesn't know how long he'll be injured, but he's cool apparently.Um, boo? Why not? We want revenge. We need revenge. There are simply not enough subplots going on in the Western Conference to satisfy our collective appetite for playoff bloodthirst, er, basketball. Shaq v Kobe? Please. That's nothing -- and maybe this is just me having grown up watching lots of Rocky movies -- compared to the idea of a Russian basketball player, whose nickname came about because of a freaking assault rifle mind you, hunting down his German "assailant" every time they got on the court together. Over the top? Perhaps. Stereotypical? Possibly (although unintentional, if so, and I apologize in advance). Cheesy 80's-ish drama? Absolutely. But nobody knows drama like'I don't really think he did it for, like, mean purpose,' said Kirilenko, who was injured in the first quarter of the Jazz's win Monday over the Mavericks. 'Probably because of the situation - he already lost the position, he was trying to stop somehow.
'It happens in the game," added Kirilenko, who thought Nowitzki was off-balance on the play. 'I'm not looking (for) revenge.'
Via TrueHoop.
Nowitzki Suspended for Kirilenko Take Down
Posted Mar 5th 2008 6:15PM by Matt Watson (author feed)
Filed under: Mavericks, Western, NBA Injuries, Jazz, Dallas, The Word
So apparently clotheslining players isn't considered kosher: the NBA suspended Dirk Nowitzki one game for Monday's take down of Andrei Kirilenko after reviewing the tape and upgrading the call from a flagrant one to a flagrant two. He'll sit out tomorrow's game against the Rockets and be fined one game check, which means his hit will end up costing him nearly $200,000 of his $16.36 million salary.
I'm sure Mavs fans won't be happy, but let's put this in perspective: the Jazz will almost certainly be without Kirilenko for even longer. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, AK-47 won't play tonight against the Timberwolves and is considered doubtful for Friday's game against the Suns because of his sprained right hip. And considering the Mavs and Jazz are currently tied with identical 39-22 records, Jazz fans are the only ones with a right to complain.
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