Heading into the season, Boozer's status is the biggest issue surrounding the team. He said during radio interviews during the summer that he wouldn't mind ending up in Chicago or Miami, and that Jazz officials told him they were looking to trade him.
The forward, though, didn't get moved. And now he's saying that, if the Jazz keep him throughout the season, impressive things can happen in Utah.
"If they keep us together, we can be very good,'' he said.
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
22-year-old tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko has been ranked as high as No. 18 in the world, but she's getting a lot of attention for her looks instead of her tennis ability. In fact Kirilenko has been on the cover of many magazines and was selected in 2006 to be the face of Adidas. In this video we talk to Maria about her game and her name -- her connection to Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko.
Tip-Off Timer counts down the days until the first game of the 2009-10 season. On Thursday, there are 47 days remaining.
Five years ago, Andrei Kirilenko was considered a new kind of NBA player. Tall, skilled and athletic, Kirilenko had a way of impacting games in a way few other players could.
Not only did he score and rebound, but Kirilenko was also one of the best weak-side shot-blockers in the league. And his length and quickness on the perimeter bothered smaller players.
Just about nothing has gone right for the Jazz this year. From Deron Williams missing most of November to Carlos Boozer being on the shelf the last two months and counting, this team has never been healthy all at once.
The team announced that Andrei Kirilenko, who's already missed the last four games, would join the list of long-term wounded. He's set to undergo surgery on Friday to remove bone fragments from his right ankle. It's an ailment he's played through for awhile thanks to grit and cortisone, but finally the pain became too much to handle.
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.
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.
In this exclusive video we talk to 7-foot center Kyrylo Fesenko of the Utah Jazz. 'Fes' as he is known, is a one-of-a-kind individual whose teammates absolutely love. The reason? He keeps them smiling. We talk to 'Fes' about his creepy-funny Halloween costume, why every big man in the NBA wants to be a point guard and the best big men in the league. We also hear from All-Stars Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko and Jarron Collins.
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?
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 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.
FanHouse previews all 30 NBA teams in advance of the 2009-10 season.
Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to 
Just about nothing has gone right for the Jazz this year. From 
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.
Earlier this pre-season there was a big fuss about Lakers star forward 
Today we have three more offerings to share from 
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 
