Officially, Andrei Kirilenko --and Tornike Shengelia-- are the two odd men out for the Nets' opening night game vs. the Cavaliers, but that could be come unofficial in the case of AK-47 if things go well.
The Nets had to designate the team's two inactive players Monday and wrote down the names of Shengelia, who's just starting to get back into the mix after off-season knee surgery, and Kirilenko who's missed five straight preseason games with back spasms. But under league rules, that can be changed up to an hour before tip-off.
Still, with no practice time in more than a week, it would seem doubtful the Russian forward will be in uniform. He will practice Tuesday before the team heads to Ohio.
"It's too early," Kidd said, holding out some hope.
"I need to get some action in 5-on-5," Kirilenko said. "Tomorrow's going to be my first day, so we'll see how it goes. Right now, from this point, it's going to be day-to-day."
Deron Williams, who missed six preseason games, had the day off. His primary back-up, Shaun Livingston, had a sore neck and Paul Pierce sat for a second day with a sore toe. Everyone else is healthy.
Meanwhile, LeBron James dissed Nets fans, at least compared to those Pierce and Kevin Garnett left behind in Boston. He told NBA.com that Nets fans just don't have the "hatred" of Celtic fans.
Can the season start soon enough?
- Nets list Andrei Kirilenko out opening night, kind of - Devin Kharpertian - The Brooklyn Game
- Andrei Kirilenko skips practice, uncertain for Nets’ opener against Cavaliers - Roger Rubin & Justin Tasch - New York Daily News
- LeBron James disses Nets fans, say they do not have 'hatred' of Celtics fans - Roger Rubin - New York Daily News
- Kirilenko could miss Nets opener with bad back - Tim Bontemps - New York Post
- FanSpeak: Knicks Or Nets (Video) - Robin Lundberg - ESPN New York
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Starting five: Lopez sets lofty goals - Mike Mazzeo - ESPN New York