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Kirilenko has 'no idea' how to get back in Nets' rotation

Brad Penner / USA Today Sports

Andrei Kirilenko doesn't know how to get back into the Brooklyn Nets' rotation after being a healthy inactive again Monday night.

Despite claiming to be fit for action, the 33-year-old Kirilenko has found himself with scraps of playing time, having topped five minutes in only the season's first two games. He's sat three games out entirely and is averaging just 5.1 minutes, well below last year's career-low mark of 19.

"It tough," Kirilenko said Monday. "But there's nothing I can do. I'm not the one making decisions, and it is what it is."

Once a valuable and versatile defender who could also fill the stat sheet in myriad ways, Kirilenko hasn't looked himself in two seasons in Brooklyn. While it's hard to evaluate any player in such small amounts of playing time, head coach Lionel Hollins is clearly more comfortable with other options.

"I have no idea," Kirilenko said when asked how he could work his way back into Hollins' rotation.

It may take more than just an injury for Kirilenko to find run, even though he's capable of spot duty at three positions, primarily the two forward spots. With the team back to playing a bigger lineup than a season ago, when Brook Lopez missed 65 games, there are fewer minutes available at power forward, and the team is deep on the wing.

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