Andrei Kirilenko, whose season has been a big disappointment, was inactive for the first time this season Monday night against the Heat.
“It’s tough, but there’s nothing I can do,” Kirilenko said. “I’m not the one making decisions, and it is what it is.”
Kirilenko, who added that he likes coach Lionel Hollins and his system, came into this season hoping to get a bigger role after dealing with back spasms for large stretches of last season, missing more than 30 games and at times being towards the bottom of Jason Kidd’s rotation, including being benched in playoff games.
But Kirilenko has struggled mightily in the minutes he has received early this season, and has scored just three points in the 35 minutes he’s played across seven games. And now he doesn’t appear to be anywhere near the major contributor he was expected to be after agreeing to opt in to the second year of his two-year deal this summer.
Kirilenko said Hollins has been open with him about his decision to leave him out of the rotation.
“I really appreciate it,” Kirilenko said, “but it doesn’t make things easier.”
When asked if he was healthy, Kirilenko said: “I feel fine.”
When asked what he thought he had to do in order to get back into Hollins’ rotation, he admitted: “I have no idea.”
With Kirilenko inactive Monday night, rookie guard Markel Brown dressed for the first time this season, but didn’t play. Fellow Russion Sergey Karasev was also inactive.

NardDogNation wrote:

smackeddog wrote:He must really be regretting opting out of his Twolves contract- he ended up signing for less money with the Nets under the idea he'd win a championship. Not only did that spectacularly fail, he can't even get any playing time!

I think he definitely had some side deal set up with Prohokrov that the NBA either can't verify or pursue charges on. They both are Russian and live in Russia, so I wouldn't be surprised if Kirilenko got some sweet oil deal or a mansion that is off-the-books.

It's the only thing that makes sense, really- I'm curious to know what the deal was though!

NardDogNation wrote:

Andrei Kirilenko has left the Brooklyn Nets for their roadtrip as he has received several healthy scratches in recent games.

"Source says situation between Kirilenko and Nets probably won't be resolved until he's on another team," writes Stefan Bondy.

Lionel Hollins told the media on Friday that he's unsure if or when Kirilenko will rejoin the club on their road trip.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/235639/Andrei-Kirilenko-Situation-With-Nets-Appears-Beyond-Repair

JR Smith for Kirilenko and filler. Get on it Phil!

The article said he's likely going to be traded to the Sixers then Waived- we can get him for free, but I suspect he is done as the Nets barely played him last season, and not at all this season.

Nalod wrote:Hollins barely plays Plumlee.

AK is not getting Teletovic's minutes. JR on that team makes no sense. Hollins didn't love Rudy Gay, he was a max guy and you work with him. They traded him, the team got better. Memphis lets hollins go and team is still very good. Best record now?

Hollins, was rumored to have poisoned the well for himself by publicly voicing his displeasure with the Rudy Gay trade. There is, after all, a reason why a team is willing to fire a proven, successful coach to hire an unknown. Here is an article of Hollins' thoughts on the trade in the immediate aftermath, which sound a lot like the guy was a Rudy Gay fan:

http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/ball-dont-lie/grizzlies-lionel-hollins-rudy-gay-trade-champagne-taste-192236854--nba.html

Rudy Gay, in my opinion, use to be one of the worst chucks I've ever seen in the league but he has recently matured. I like to think that Hollins had some role in that since he was the one who made Gay into a NBA name. Maybe he could do the same with JR, who is a similarly talented but dumb basketball player. Aside from Bogan Bagdanovic, the team seems to be light at the 3 spot, so maybe JR can fill the void. Lord knows they have the money to be willing to find out.

now he is the drop bucket? that's crazy talk