Kirilenko's already at full speed

Although a day still remained until training camp, the Happy Russian was on fast forward already. His trademark hair was freshly moussed and spiked, his eyes widening as he spoke.

Not even a broken nose could dampen his mood.

"I want to play. I want to play," said Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko. "Right now I have one month preparation, kind of get the strategy, tactic, and in a month, we're ready to go."

Translated into the king's English, he was saying this: Gentlemen, start your engines.

What's everyone waiting for, an invitation?

The Jazz rolled out their 2005-06 training-camp roster Monday, and if attitude is any indication, expect Kirilenko to start the season as he always does — with abandon. You want enthusiasm? Kirilenko has that by the truckload. Think 11-year-old kids on the first day of summer. Think new bicycles, snow cones and swimming pools.

Think of a 6-foot-9 rail of a guy who for some reason still hasn't become jaded about playing pro basketball.

You want optimism? He has so much optimism, he insists the return of Greg Osterflake will be a major boost.

"He's a great player and, you'll see, he's very valuable," said Kirilenko.

He also thinks there is already good team chemistry, even though there are enough newcomers on the camp roster to warrant name tags.

"I think already there's a lot of chemistry, a lot of young guys, but guys from the year before, too," he said.

In the summer after his most frustrating season, Kirilkenko did some different things. For instance, he worked out harder than ever, adding 10 pounds by lifting weights, at the behest of coach Jerry Sloan. He even tested his new bulk playing for the Russian national team over the summer.

If you ask him, he'll tell you all went well — despite breaking his nose.

No problem when you're the Happy Russian.

"It's good. Feels good. It's teepical man's injury. You know, I think every guy here break his nose once, twice, so I think one more week, a couple more weeks, and I can take off the (protective) mask."

If Kirilenko sounds over-enthused about returning to a team that won 26 games last year, consider this: He missed half last season with injuries. How do you say stir crazy in Russian?