Andrei's blocks aiding Jazz

But Sloan cautions that blocks have a time and place

It's a story, quite frankly, that's been told before. Probably right around this time last season. But it's happening again, so let's re-tell the tale.

Andrei Kirilenko blocks shots, by the boatload . . . followed shortly by . . . Jerry Sloan blocks the thought process of anyone and everyone who thinks Kirilenko's method of swat is all good all the time.

Kirilenko had a career-high eight blocks in the Jazz's season-opening win over the Los Angeles Lakers last Wednesday night, including rejections against the likes of Kobe Bryant. He had five more in Friday night's victory at Golden State, with Jason Richardson and Troy Murphy counted among the victims. Then he had another eight in Saturday night's blowout win at Denver, turning away everyone from Carmelo Anthony to Kenyon Martin to Marcus Camby to even Andre Miller.

At this rate, Kirilenko will post more blocks this season than the national Do Not Call registry.

Move over, reigning league-leader Theo Ratliff. Step aside No. 2 Ben Wallace.

With this pace — granted, one surely he cannot possibly keep up — Kirilenko is in line to more than double his average of 2.74 blocks per game from an All-Star season a year ago.

So who can blame him for letting a little high praise sneak its way through?

"To me, it's not a secret," said Kirilenko, who was giddy over turning away another eight Saturday. "Previous year, I blocked some people.

"Sometimes you just jump, and even if you're not blocking it they miss the shot," he added. "I call it 'Fear factor.'"

Sloan, who has probably never seen a reality show he really enjoyed, calls it helpful — but only when done right.

The Jazz coach has no problem when Kirilenko skies and the time, and timing, is appropriate. What drives him batty is when Kirilenko seemingly sets up his man so he intentionally can try to block the opposing shooter from behind.

Sloan has said it before — remember, early last season seems about the time — and now, perhaps purely as a means of friendly reminder, he is saying it yet again.

"Blocked shots are great," the Jazz coach said after 3-0 Utah's win over the Nuggets, who visit the Delta Center for a rematch tonight. "But layups are worse, when they get scored against you. That doesn't look very good — when you're trying to block shots, and a guy's laying the ball in the basket.

"I've always had the simple philosophy, ever since I've been playing and coaching," Sloan added, "of 'stay between your man and the basket.'

"You don't play them from behind, and try to block shots all the time."

The helpful hint is another hurdle to remember and overcome in the maturation process for 23-year-old Kirilenko, whose havoc-based game is built more around blocks, steals and rebounds than it is around pure shooting.

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