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Andrei Kirilenko will always consider himself a Jazzman, hopes fans will too

Former Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko is recognized as he returns to the Vivint Smart Home Arena for the first time since retiring from professional basketball in Salt Lake City on Monday, March 28, 2016.

SALT LAKE CITY — There’s no doubt that Utah Jazz fans have different memories of Andrei Kirilenko’s interesting 10-year tenure with the organization.

Some loved the unique skillset AK-47 brought to the court.

Some thought his $86-million contract torpedoed the team over the last decade.

Some fall somewhere in between.

Five years after his Jazz days concluded, Kirilenko returned to his old stomping grounds to be honored by his team and fans during Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.