The Olympics are among the most demanding sporting events, particularly for athletes on the older end of the spectrum. This was one concern awaiting Andrei Kirilenko at the 2012 London Games.
Doubt arose about the then 31-year-old's readiness, not only because of his advanced age but also because Andrei had spent the entire previous year playing at home rather than in the NBA. However, the Russians started the opening game with a bang, swiftly dispelling all concerns afterward.
"I feel great. Look at me. I'm running like a young deer," Kirilenko explained, per TwinCities.
A vintage Kirilenko performance
The tournament began for Team Russia against the host nation, Great Britain. The opening match would prove to be a standout day for 'AK-47' — or rather 'AK-15', as this was his jersey number for his national team. However, the 6'8" forward, instead of being bothered by such trivialities, delivered an impressive vintage performance on the court.
Kirilenko went off for a 35-point explosion, going a highly efficient 14 for 17 from the field and 6 for 8 from the free-throw line. That impressive scoring number, a career-high for Andrei, also marked an individual opening-day total. In typical fashion, the now-retired player stacked up the stat sheet as well with 1 assist, 4 rebounds, 2 steals, and 3 blocks.
Naturally, the convincing 95-75 win proved to be a great start for Team Russia, who claimed a respectable bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics .
Comeback to the NBA
The youthful feeling Kirilenko referenced after his impressive performance made perfect sense when considering his then-career stage.
About a year earlier, following nine often injury-riddled seasons with the Utah Jazz , he had returned to his childhood club, CSKA Moscow. This move came during the 2011 NBA lockout, but 'AK-47' chose to stay even after it was resolved. In Russia, the comparatively lighter schedule was just the right fit for Andrei, who excelled in the Russian league and at the EuroLeague level, getting crowned, among other honors, as the tournament's MVP and Best Defender.
Naturally, those impressive performances back home, where he felt "comfortable" and "great," sparked interest. Consequently, Kirilenko, in the second spring of his career, received what he called a "very, very interesting offer" to return to the NBA, which he was certainly open to considering.
"I feel I should play at the highest level possible. If I don't go back to the NBA, I'd probably regret it for the next four or five years," explained the 2005 blocks leader.
Eventually, Kirilenko went on to sign a two-year, $20 million deal with the T-Wolves. Rejoining the league must have made the vet feel even more rejuvenated, and his performance at the following Olympics showed that. Therefore, 'AK-47' dominating in London was not only a great delight for his country but also for his new NBA team, a sentiment shared by then-Russian head coach David Blatt.
"If I'm the Minnesota Timberwolves, I have a big, fat smile on my face," he remarked after the game against Great Britain.
Related: "In the NBA, basketball is still wrong" - Andrei Kirilenko talks about differences between EuroLeague and NBA
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