COLUMN: Andrei has gone from ‘upside player’ to All-star
The term “upside'” in sports is commonly used to refer to an athlete who has all the ability in the world, but has not quite put it together yet. Upside players are the prospects who make or break franchises.
When scouts first see them, they drool at their athletic ability and size. The scouts must then determine if their jobs are worth risking on them. It is a crapshoot.
“Is this kid gonna be the next KG or the next Jerome Moiso?”
“Is his game more like Gasol or Frederic Weis?”
“Could this guy develop into a 20-10 guy in a couple years?”
The lack of clarity on questions of a player’s upside decides the fate of many NBA franchises.
Approaching the 1999 June draft, the Utah Jazz’s fate was not in limbo with what they did with the 25th pick in the first round. With the pick, Utah drafted Andrei Kirilenko, an unknown Russian prospect. Most scouts would tell you Kirilenko was about as thick as a coat hanger, yet he had the height and athletic ability for scouts to deem him an “upside player.” He was 18 years old, had a raw game, and most of all an underdeveloped body. The Jazz were aware of this and decided to postpone Kirilenko’s arrival for a couple years.
Two years later, Kirilenko’s game had developed extensively, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. His wiry body was still a red flag, but his great athletic ability and prestigious status as a youngster in a professional European league would have made him a top five pick in that year, 2001. (Despite all the publicity scouts gave Kirilenko, he was still overshadowed by the landmark free agent signing of Orlando forward John Ameichi.)
I was fortunate enough to attend a Rocky Mountain Revue league game that summer. Kirilenko showed incredible ability and as my dad and I drove out of the SLCC campus, it was clear to both of us that the Jazz had struck gold with this unknown skin-and-bones Russian.
Kirilenko’s rookie season was a very successful one. He ended up as the team’s starting small forward, playing well in crunch-time playoff minutes, and being selected to the NBA All-rookie team. Kirilenko’s sophomore campaign was an improvement, even though Coach Jerry Sloan tried him out as the sixth man instead of as a starter. Cited for his terrific play off the bench, Kirilenko finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting.
Kirilenko came into the current Jazz season with lofty expectations. Following the departure of future Hall-of-Famer Karl Malone, the Jazz roster was in need of a playmaker and a centerpiece to pick up and carry the team. Attempts to sign marquee players through free agency were unsuccessful. Little did team management know, the star they were looking for was already signed through 2005.
Utah’s 6-foot-9, 215-pound second year vet is really stepping up his game, helping the Jazz prove countless NBA analysts wrong by winning game after game.
In his third year as a pro, Kirilenko has developed into possibly the most versatile defensive player in the league. Only Indiana’s Ron Artest can compare with the lanky Russian’s versatility on the defensive side of the ball.
His knack for blocking shots and stealing the ball possession after possession, along with his superb rebounding ability, has been extremely valuable. Kirilenko could eventually prove to be the most dominant defensive player in basketball.
While Kirilenko is turning heads with his defensive play, his offensive game has developed very nicely as well. A new focus on maximizing his explosive athleticism by constantly slashing and getting in the lane compliments an improved jump shot.
Again, the term “upside” refers to an athlete who has all the ability in the world, yet has not put it all together yet.
Does Kirilenko still fit this category? He has gone from an unknown, shy, raw, wiry, offensively weak, defensively solid Russian prospect to a wildly popular, mohawked, seasoned, wiry, offensively solid, remarkable defensive All-star.
So does he still fit the category of “upside” player?
Yes.
Can you imagine the potential upside of this guy when he develops his outside shot? When he puts on 15 more pounds of muscle? I can see the box score now – 24 points, 17 rebounds, 8 blocks, 7 assists, 6 steals.
It’s all about the upside.
Brad Barth is a freshman majoring in English. Comments can be sent to bcb@cc.usu.edu.