Kirilenko's hiatus brief, fires back with 14 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists

After missing Saturday's loss to Boston because of a biceps/right shoulder strain sustained one evening earlier against the Los Angeles Lakers, starting small forward Andrei Kirilenko returned Monday night for the Jazz's 111-101 win over Portland.

Kirilenko finished with 14 points on 5-of-8 field shooting, pulled down eight rebounds, dished seven assists, knocked down both of his 3-point attempts and blocked one shot in 31 minutes — and afterward suggested the shoulder wasn't hurting too much.

"In the beginning it was a little stiff, but then it got a little bit warm, felt good," he said. "When you're in the game you kind of forget about (it), but in the timeout it's like, 'Gosh, a little stiff.'"

DIVISION IMPACT: Denver Nuggets head coach George Karl apparently was less than thrilled to learn Northwest Division-rival Utah had acquired Philadelphia sharpshooter Kyle Korver in a weekend deal that sent unhappy swingman Gordan Giricek and a protected first-round draft choice to the 76ers.

Said Karl to the Denver Post: "I was a lot of angry (Saturday). A lot of cussing. They (the Jazz) made a bad situation (possibly) be very good ... Management stepped in, and I think it's a very positive move for Utah."

The defending Northwest-champion Jazz trail both Denver and Portland in current division standings.

DISRESPECTED: Giricek had his share of run-ins with Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, and often was on the receiving end of sharp barbs from Sloan.

After being dealt, the veteran from Croatia revealed how he truly felt by the end of his five-season stay in Utah. He acknowledged requesting a trade, but also seemingly took the high road out of Salt Lake City, blasting no one in particular.

Giricek, from the Philadelphia Inquirer: "I think it's not worth any more to discuss those things."

And from the Philadelphia Daily News: "The only thing I always asked was to be respected as a man, not even as a basketball player, just as a man. I didn't feel that, so basically it was time to move on. ... It doesn't mean I asked for a trade just because it was the last year on my contract, because I think the future is going to be bright wherever I'm going to play. There are 30 teams in the NBA, teams in Europe even, so my options are going to be open ... In this moment, I just want to be (with Philadelphia), to be treated as a man. I really don't worry about next year. I really don't."

Giricek, incidentally, played 14 bench minutes in his 76ers debut, He scored six points, hit 2-of-3 from the field and had one assist as Philadelphia won Monday at Seattle.