Far be it from Andrei Kirilenko to disagree with a legendary coach.
     
"Kirilenko did a great job on Kobe (Bryant) in the second half," Lakers coach Phil Jackson said after the Jazz's 92-84 victory over the defending champs Wednesday night at the Delta Center. "He seemed to bother all his shots."

"I'm agreeing with him today," Kirilenko said, smiling. "But next game, in L.A., much harder."
     
Kirilenko fully expects some form of payback the next time these teams meet ? April 9 at Staples Center ? but for now, he's basking in the glow of a job well-done.
     
"Today I catch my game in defense, and I stopped Kobe," the Russian rookie said after Bryant failed to score a field goal in the second half. "It's my job. I'm trying to be useful in defense, especially. . . . Of course it was tough. He's one of the greatest players in the NBA. Coach says 'Guard Kobe,' I think, 'OK, that's a big responsibility.' He's a sniper. I won't stop him."
     
Which is exactly what Bryant said ? that Kirilenko didn't stop him, he basically stopped himself.
     
"The tempo of the game changed," Bryant said, explaining why he scored 23 points in the first half, three in the second, all on free throws. "I obviously had some good looks, they just weren't falling. Our offensive execution wasn't too good."