This flustered the Russian small forward throughout the season, and detracted from what he does best, which is block shots, nab steals, make hustle plays and perform as an all-around defensive nuisance.

Kirilenko made an issue of the matter publicly, then was essentially told by franchise officials to zip his lips.

He did mostly that until after the season, when he finally let his true feelings be known to reporters from his native country — including an assertion that Williams won't pass him the ball.

Perhaps that's part of why the 2004 All-Star cried in front of reporters during a personal meltdown following the Jazz's first game of the playoffs, a loss to Houston.

Kirilenko later made it clear he expects changes to be made for next season, though it remains to be seen in what form or fashion — if any — those will come.

5. FISHER'S STORY

A sub-plot throughout the Jazz's playoff run was the plight of starting shooting guard and backup point Fisher, who missed parts of two postseason games and multiple shootarounds/practices because his young daughter, Tatum, is battling a rare form of childhood eye cancer.

Fisher — playing his first season in Utah — made two trips to New York for visits with a specialist treating the girl during the playoffs, and returned from one to help the Jazz beat second-round playoff opponent Golden State.

When he was unavailable to start, backup Gordan Giricek did.

The emotional plight prompted teammates to rally around Fisher, an ex-Warrior who also won three NBA title rings during his days with the Los Angeles Lakers and used all that experience to mentor much-younger teammates.

6. ROOKIE SURPRISE

Swingman Ronnie Brewer was the Jazz's lottery pick in the 2006 NBA Draft, and the rookie most expected to make a meaningful contribution when the season was about to begin.

Instead, the University of Arkansas product ended up playing in just 56 regular-season games and — despite 14 starts — was unable to establish himself as a rotation regular.

The one who did was backup power forward Paul Millsap, a super surprise considering he was drafted just 47th overall — after both Brewer and fellow second-round rookie Dee Brown — out of Malone's alma mater, Louisiana Tech.

Millsap wound up appearing in all 82 regular-season games, something only Fisher and backup center Jarron Collins managed — and something only six other rookies in Jazz history have done.

The relentless rebounder ranked second among NBA rookie leaders in boards per game with 5.2, averaged 6.8 points and established himself as someone who should have a future in the league for many years to come.