Added veteran forward Matt Harpring, who played previously in Philadelphia: "I think there might be a little miscommunication going on with (Kirilenko) and Jerry right now. And those things happen all the time. I mean, not only this team. It happens on other teams. You know, I dealt with (former 76ers star) Allen Iverson and (ex-Sixers coach) Larry Brown. I mean, they had many, many differences — and it seemed to work itself out."

Harpring has seen trouble brewing since Kirilenko wept with tears of frustration during the Jazz's first-round postseason series with Houston last spring.

Perhaps even longer.

"The Houston situation was a unique situation in itself," he said. "I mean, you're talking about the playoffs, you're talking about a high-stress situation, you're talking about maybe the whole year coming together in one instance — and a breakdown."

It is little wonder, Harpring suggested, that last month Kirilenko blogged in his native Russia to make known his trade request.

"Everyone kind of knew at the end of the playoffs last year that there was an issue," he said, "so I don't think this was a surprise to anyone.

"Honestly," Harpring added, "if he comes out, and he's got all the right reasons, and he's doing it the right way, then everyone is entitled to their opinion on what they feel and what makes them happy and not happy."

The Jazz, however, have made it known they have no current plans to trade Kirilenko.

That in mind, teammates hope — and trust — he and others can make the most of what clearly is an awkward situation.

"I think Andrei, you know, he might voice, 'Want out.' But I can't see him not playing hard, or, if he's here, not doing his job," Harpring said. "You know, I mean, (it's) one thing if you say, 'Hey, this might not be the best situation for me' — and (another) to come out on the court and act like a sore loser, or a baby, or whatever. I don't see that in Andrei."

"Hopefully everybody blocks (the distraction) out," Williams added. "Hopefully we can just focus on basketball. That's what we need to do — just try to focus on basketball, get everybody together and start having fun again."

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com