Alright Laker fans, shout “All hail Andrei Kirilenko!”

With the biggest game of the Jazz this year looming, AK decided to skip practice because he had to arrange his travel papers for a vacation to France. His unsorted priorities must have hastened the fall of the Utah Jazz.

Honestly, I didn’t think Utah would win game 6. My prediction for this series was 4-2 in favor of the Lakers, after all. However, AK-47’s dumb decision just made their defeat more probable. It demoralized the young Jazz. While coach Jerry Sloan admitted the mistake - apparently, there was a miscommunication regarding practice schedule, the Jazz players were peeved that Kirilenko brushed off practice right before an elimination game. I don’t care if it was a miscommunication. You get paid to win the championship, not to play basketball.

Boy, Kirilenko really wanted to be traded. I just didn’t know he wants to get traded this badly.

I guess in Russia, having a vacation is more important than winning an NBA championship.

Alright Jazz fans, shout “All hail Andrei Kirilenko!” Hail him with beer cans/cups, that is.

Now, back to the winners of the series, the Los Angeles Lakers.

After Kobe’s back injury, the triangle offense has been in full display. A two-man game by Gasol and Odom. A two-man game by Gasol and Kobe. Fisher for a three at the elbow, straight from Gasol at the post, after a series of cuts. Sasha for three at the corner after the ball is passed around (and more cuts).

Kobe can play like this after all! In Phil Jackson’s words, “Kobe’s play was measured.” It simply means Kobe didn’t force most of his shots. (The ones he forced went in anyway.)

The Lakers led by 2 digits early the first three quarters and most of the 4th quarter until Utah made a frantic rally in the last few minutes of the game. The story of Utah’s life in this series - playing catch up, draining threes, in the last few minutes, one after the other only to fall short.

You have to love Korver. He passed up a three as time was expiring in the 4th. He dropped it to Okur like a hot potato. Okur was a bit far and naturally his shot fell short barely grazing the ring.

The final score didn’t show how lopsided this game was, for the most part, 108 - 105. Utah’s desperation almost lifted them from the doom that Kirilenko helped create.

Next up for the Lakers? Healing time. They’ve been badly bruised this series. Then, they get to receive (not pick) a poison, either New Orleans or San Antonio. I get tired just thinking about the next round.

(Photos courtesy of L.A. Times.)

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