Kirilenko calming down

After renowned University of Utah sports psychologist Keith Henschen was seen leaving the Jazz's practice facility Wednesday, Andrei Kirilenko was asked if he had spoken with the good doctor.

"Dr. Who?" Kirilenko asked.

Henschen, Keith.

Once the light bulb went on, Kirilenko smiled wide.

"No," he said. "I haven't talked to him. Do I need?"

Despite his Sunday meltdown that included a good cry over his reduced role lately, the highest-paid Jazz player sure doesn't think so.

By Wednesday, in fact, Kirilenko had a whole different outlook on life — and expressed a desire to do whatever it takes to help the Jazz emerge from a 0-2 hole in their ongoing NBA playoff series with the Houston Rockets.

"I'm taking my job too seriously," he said after spending Tuesday with wife Masha and their two boys. "Probably I need a little bit to calm down and think about just basketball."

In practically the same breath, though, Kirilenko suggested he knows just high the playoff stakes are.

"It's not about fun right now. It's about winning right now," he said. "You know, I'm ready to sacrifice everything right now. I'm ready to sit on the bench for 48 minutes if we're gonna win the game."

Perhaps that's because Kirilenko realizes just how much he's struggling.

"I will try to contribute as much as I can," the Jazz's starting small forward from Russia said, "even though I am not in the best shape, the best condition right now."

And he's not talking about physical conditioning.

"It's more emotional stuff," Kirilenko said.