There’s nothing like a circle of reporters in the media capital of the country to elicit some interesting answers from Andrei Kirilenko about his happiness in Utah.


Kirilenko talked before the Jazz’s loss to the Knicks about putting his family ahead of basketball at age 26 and the validation he received as a player from Russia’s victory at the European championships last summer.


Most importantly, Kirilenko said things are “way different” compared with last season. The Jazz have opened 10-5 and Kirilenko has been a key contributor, although he did not want to revisit his summer of discontent.


“It was tough year last year and it’s been a lot of disappointments for me,” Kirilenko said. “And you know in your mind you start just talk to yourself a little bit. It’s like, ‘Man, it’s not everything.’ You need to think about basketball, but you know in a positive way.”


“Right now, I’m changed completely,” Kirilenko added. “I feel way different.”


For all the frustration Kirilenko expressed this summer, there has been no radical change as far as his role in the Jazz offense. He is averaging 10.5 points and career-best 5.5 assists and is taking roughly two shots more a game.


“I’m not worried about shots. Never,” Kirilenko said. “I realize it’s not my best side and it’s never been an issue.”