Utah Jazz: AK is OK starting on bench

Andrei Kirilenko will cash in about $15.1 million this season, making him by far the highest-paid player on the Utah Jazz's roster. He's basically a rock star in Russia and had the high honor of carrying the country's flag at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.

Until Tuesday night, the versatile former NBA All-Star had also been a regular fixture in the starting lineup.

So, how do you say "sixth man" in Russian?

Coach Jerry Sloan is toying with the idea of spelling it: K-i-r-i-l-e-n-k-o. With Matt Harpring still rehabbing his right ankle and Carlos Boozer out with a strained hamstring, Sloan decided to use Kirilenko off the bench in Utah's 99-90 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Anaheim, Calif. But if the small forward is upset that C.J. Miles took his spot as a starter — for that game and perhaps more — Kirilenko isn't showing it.

Quite the opposite, in fact.

"He was great about it," Sloan said.

Kirilenko says he won't be upset if that's the case again tonight for the Jazz's NBA preseason home-opener against the Phoenix Suns or in three weeks when the NBA regular season starts, either. Though he's been in the starting five for the past two seasons and all but 10 times since 2002-03, Kirilenko isn't voicing any complaints about the rare reserve role.

"It's all right. Coach went to me in the morning (Tuesday) and told me that. I said I don't have a problem with it," said Kirilenko, who had six points in 22 minutes Tuesday. "I don't really care as long as I'm playing. I always try to do my best anyway — just try to hustle, try to get defensive stops and play active.

"I think coach knows how to use me. It's my eighth year, so I'm gonna try to adjust for any role he's gonna give me."

Sloan is experimenting with using Kirilenko as a substitute because he likes having an experienced player who can "ignite themselves right away" when they enter — a role the still-sidelined Matt Harpring has filled in recent years.

Sloan hadn't decided Wednesday whether or not he'd start Kirilenko tonight, but he doesn't see being a sub as a demotion. Sloan even said he preferred being a reserve during his NBA career with the Chicago Bulls. He liked being an instant-energy, difference-maker off the bench.

"It's something Andrei's been able to do. He's always an energetic guy when you put him on the floor," Sloan said. "That's something we might look at as we go forward."

Kirilenko insisted that he's all about doing whatever the Jazz need him to do in order to win. If he comes off the bench, he'll just try to "bring that little spark" into the game. He pointed out that he is 27 years old and has been a pro since he was 15, inferring that he can handle role changes maturely if they're what's best.