Miller said Thursday on KFNZ 1320 AM that Kirilenko said he would accept Sloan's criticism as long as he received equal quantities of praise when warranted. According to Miller, Sloan told Kirilenko he would be failing as his coach if he didn't bring out his talents as a player.

"It is incumbent on Jerry to make a reasonable adjustment. That's not to say kiss his butt," said Miller, who paid Kirilenko a compliment of his own, calling him "one of the 10 best players in the league."

Asked before Thursday's evening practice about Miller's comments, Sloan said: "I'm going to do anything to get Andrei to play. That's my job. I hold myself accountable for those situations that come up. Do what we can to try to help him. I hope that I can get that done."

After Kirilenko charged in recent interviews that he was too negative as coach, Sloan had said Monday that he considered himself too old to change. He was asked Thursday about Miller's implication that he had agreed to change his approach with Kirilenko.

"It all depends on who's judging,'' Sloan said. "Anytime that things don't go well, you're always considered a negative coach. When a player's not happy, that's usually the first thing that comes out. That's something we don't want to be. We want to be positive.

"I was positive with my teammates when I played. Maybe I've overlooked some of that in my coaching, but I've always felt like that I've been positive. There comes a time that you have to correct people and if that's being negative, then I'll have to accept that."

Sloan noted the success his players have had in Utah and the potential reality that could greet Kirilenko if he moved on to another team.

"I haven't had too many players leave here and go to other places and play and become stars,'' Sloan said. "I've had guys go and be good players. I've always been pleased with that."

Future plans

Back for his 20th season as coach, Sloan had started talks about extending his contract just about the time last month that Kirilenko started unloading his frustration in Russian interviews.

But Sloan said he was not shaken by those comments and never considered not returning. "That didn't faze me,'' he said. "I've been around a long time. I've seen some [things]. It's important for him, but I've dealt with different things all my life in coaching."

Wouldn't Sloan be entitled to walk away and say he'd had it with outbursts like Kirilenko's?

"I could always do that," he said. "I could've done that 20 years ago. There was a couple times I wanted to do it 20 years ago."

Even after he signs an extension, Sloan said he would stay in the job on a day-to-day basis. "I might wake up tomorrow and say it's time for me to leave,'' he said. "I can't guarantee that with anybody."

Boozer's return

After talking to Carlos Boozer two days ago, Miller said the All-Star forward was about a week to 10 days away from rejoining the Jazz. Boozer is still in Miami, where his oldest son is waiting to be released from the hospital after undergoing a bone-marrow transplant.

Miller described Boozer as "chomping at the bit" and said Boozer was conflicted between his family responsibilities and wanting to be in training camp as one of the Jazz's leaders. "I think he'll make up for lost time real quick,'' Miller said.

Williams back

It took a 3 a.m. trip to the emergency room, but guard Deron Williams was back on the court for the evening practice, six days after he had his wisdom teeth removed.

Williams feared his jaw had become infected when he woke up in the middle of the night, but was found to be suffering instead from dry sockets. He said he felt better almost immediately after he was given packing treatment.

After leaving the hospital at 6:30 a.m., Williams was excused from morning practice. His energy sapped, Williams nevertheless showed up for the evening session ready to go. "It still hurts, but I'm just sick of sitting around,'' he said. "I don't do too good sitting around."

rsiler@sltrib.com