Gasol an All-Star in Kirilenko's eyes

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Grizzlies are mounting quite a campaign to get big man Pau Gasol to his first NBA All-Star Game, replete with buttons that say "Vote Pau."

It didn't take a hand-out, though, to convince at least one member of the Jazz that Gasol should be going to the league's annual in-season showcase game next month at Houston.

"No doubt, Pau is a great player, and I think he has improved a lot," Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko, an All-Star two seasons ago, said after Gasol scored a game-high 27 points and pulled down a career-high-tying 18 rebounds in Memphis' 87-65 win over Utah on Friday night.

"This year, I would say he should be in the All-Star Game — because of the way he's playing, it's really at All-Star level," Kirilenko added. "And he's not playing only for himself. He's creating a lot of situations for his partners."

Asked if Gasol, who is from Spain, deserves to go over the Jazz's top candidate, fellow big man Mehmet Okur of Turkey, Kirilenko took the diplomatic approach.

"Both," the Russian said.

SIR CHARLES ON ANDREI: Kirilenko has a fan of his own in former NBA great and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley.

"Kirilenko is a flat out stud," Barkley said on the air Thursday night. "When (Utah) gets healthy, they should win that (Northwest) division."

Barkley, by the way, also thinks Denver will make the playoffs this season — for a different reason altogether.

"It's like the ugly girl," he said. "Somebody's got to take her out."

WILLIAMS, COLLINS OK: Jazz rookie point guard Deron Williams and veteran center Jarron Collins both left the floor briefly Friday to have ankle re-taped.

Williams said he "tweaked" his right ankle, but both suggested they should be good to go tonight in Detroit.

Jazz forward Matt Harpring, meanwhile, logged 20 minutes Friday.

He hasn't always played in the back half of back-to-back sets because of his surgically repaired right knee, because of doctor's orders. But Jazz trainer Gary Briggs said Harpring now has been cleared to play on such occasions, and that he should be available tonight.

OOPS: Memphis' public-address announcer accidentally called Carlos Boozer of the Jazz for a foul Friday.