This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Philadelphia — Jazz rookie forward Gordon Hayward will start tonight in place of Andrei Kirilenko against the 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center.
Hayward was informed about the decision this morning during a team breakfast.
Utah coach Jerry Sloan told his squad during the meeting that he wants the Jazz to play harder and show more dedication. Sloan said Hayward has displayed both characteristics during recent games, while the struggling Jazz have lost three consecutive contests for the first time in more than a year.
Utah went 43 games this season without a change to the team's first rotation unless one was caused due to injury. Sloan is not sure whether Hayward's promotion will be permanent or temporary, and plans to evaluate the move on a game-by-game basis.
Kirilenko said he had a good rhythm with Utah starters Deron Williams, Raja Bell, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. Kirilenko understands Sloan's reasoning, though, and is not upset about the move.
Kirilenko is averaging 11.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.9 assists in 41 games (all starts), while shooting 44.1 percent from the field and 36.6 percent behind the 3-point line.
Hayward, 20, is averaging 3.4 points, 1.6 rebounds and 0.6 assists during 36 games (six starts), while shooting 43.9 percent from the field and 39.1 percent beyond the arc.
Hayward was selected by the Jazz out of Butler with the ninth overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft.
Kirilenko is in the last season of a six-year maximum-contract deal that is set to pay him $17.8 million in 2010-11. He is Utah's most valuable trade asset as a Feb. 24 trading deadline approaches.
— Brian T. Smith
Twitter: tribjazz