Utah Jazz notes: Kirilenko will keep new role

Even with Deron Williams out because of a sprained ankle, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan said Monday he does not plan to alter his thinking about bringing Andrei Kirilenko off the bench for at least the start of the season.

That's the most definitive yet Sloan has been about sticking with the preseason experiment, which includes usual swingman sub C.J. Miles starting in Kirilenko's old spot at small forward and the 2004 NBA All-Star using his energy in a reserve role.

"I hope that works out," said Sloan, whose Jazz close the preseason Thursday vs. Portland and open the regular season Oct. 29 against Denver. "Andrei's played awfully well coming off the bench.

"I think he's made those guys (other Jazz subs) better," Sloan added. "I think he's made those guys a little more comfortable playing the game, and the way he played in the game (Saturday night at Chicago) was really refreshing, because he was playing against a bigger guy, and that puts a lot of pressure on the bigger guy to have to play him."

Again, though, Sloan did not commit to the plan being a long-term proposition.

"There will be some disadvantages, probably, at times," he said, "but ... you just have to wait and see how it works out."

Miles, meanwhile, already is growing quite accustomed to his newfound status as a starter.

"I'm adapting," he said. "I'm finding my spots, just trying to blend in and be a complement to Deron (Williams) and Memo (Okur) and Booz (Carlos Boozer). Just try to make the other guys respect us. That's the same thing (starting shooting guard) Ronnie Brewer's got to do.

"Being able to just go out there and show I can play (in the preseason)," Miles added, "is helping a lot (with) my confidence."

CARRYING THE FRANCHISE: Just what was Miles thinking as he and Brewer carried Williams off the court Saturday at the United Center, where the Jazz's max-money point guard sprained his left ankle in the opening quarter of an exhibition victory over the Bulls?

If I drop him, it might make it worse," Miles said. "That's what I was thinking."

ALL-BREAKOUT: ESPN.com's John Hollinger named both Williams and Brewer to his All-Breakout Team for the coming season.