Utah Jazz notes: With Sloan's blessing, Kirilenko misses practice
Kirilenko was thought to be back in Salt Lake City by Thursday afternoon, said his agent, Marc Fleisher, and he is expected to play Friday night in Game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at 8:30 against the Los Angeles Lakers in what is an elimination game for the Jazz.
"I don't see any reason why he wouldn't" play in the game at EnergySolutions Arena, said Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor, who saw no problems with Kirilenko's actions because he received permission from coach Jerry Sloan. "I don't know enough about it, but I know he did speak with Coach Sloan last night. I knew last night that he and his family had some visa issues."
O'Connor added, "I don't think it is" when asked if Kirilenko's absence for a personal reason was any kind of issue with the team.
"He had to do it last year, too," Fleisher said of Kirilenko having to apply for travel visas.
VACATION REDUX: Though Kirilenko was attending to vacation plans and missing practice Thursday, the situation did not seem to mirror what happened within the Jazz last year.
"There were some guys that were already on vacation, point blank," a frustrated Williams had said immediately after the game that ended the season. "On vacation a long time ago."
"It is sad to say that," Boozer said in the postgame press conference, "because (of) where we are. We are in the Western Conference finals, and we have guys that have vacation plans."
Now, the Jazz are at the brink of elimination from the conference semifinals.
Lose, and the Jazz are on vacation.
So are Boozer and Williams feeling their teammates are already on vacation this year?
"No, not one person," Boozer said emphatically at Thursday's practice, despite Kirilenko's absence. His vacation plans are for later in the summer.
"I hope not. You never know, but I hope not," said Williams.
For other Jazz players, that thought about time off for the summer was so far from their minds they had to be reminded of what was said last year.
"What do you mean?" said center Mehmet Okur. "I don't think so. It's not over yet."
Forward Matt Harpring was also surprised at being asked if anyone had vacation plans. "No. For us? No, why? Is that what you heard?" he said.
Recent comments
Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black.
Boozer been...
Anonymous | May 16, 2008 at 5:53 p.m.
Maybe AK needs to get away for a day. Remember
;ast year when...
Who Cares | May 16, 2008 at 5:24 p.m.
Sasha is a child/man and shows it by jawing with Kyle, Boozer has...
Anoymous | May 16, 2008 at 2:22 p.m.
