Andrei Kirilenko has been glue for Nets

It's not a coincidence the Nets have shown a resurgence since the return of the free-agent whose inexpensive signing had some of the league's owners calling for an investigation.

Andrei Kirilenko's numbers may be modest in the eight games he's played in since missing the first two months fighting through back spasms. Yes, he's averaging just six points and three rebounds in 17.8 minutes in those contests, but the numbers certainly don't tell the full story of his effectiveness.

If you look deeper, you can see exactly what he means to the Nets. Kirilenko is like a glue guy and loves doing the little things, infusing his teammates in a way that has them all thankful he's on their side. They're 6-2 since he's be reinserted into the mix.

"He plays the right way and his energy out there is contagious because he's kind of all over the court," Shaun Livingston said. "He makes plays offensively, defensively. So it kind of makes you feel good and that's contagious. Some of the stuff shows up in the box score -- blocks, steals, assists. So, his floor game is pretty incredible, honestly. That's what he does. That's why he is a household name."

Kirilenko signed a two-year deal for the mini-level exception of $3.18 million with the second year being a player option, a bargain basement contract for a player of his ilk. He wanted to be a part of the Nets' potential championship puzzle and play for a fellow Russian in Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov. But nagging back spasms, some of the worst of his career, derailed him until late last month.

He was on a minutes restriction early as he worked himself back into the mix, a way to make sure there weren't any more back flare ups.

"I am feeling pretty good," Kirilenko said. "Again, nothing bothered me and I had a great game [Thursday]. Gradually, I am getting better. I played without a brace [against the Hawks], which is a huge improvement. And I'm feeling, movement-wise, great."

That has to be sweet music to the Nets' ears because that means he can continue to frustrate people on defense with his lengthy 6-9 span. Just ask LeBron James, who called Kirilenko a flopper after he helped keep the league's reigning MVP in check in the Nets' Jan. 10 victory over the Heat.

Kirilenko's unique ability to guard every position on the floor helps free up some of his teammates on that side of the ball, which in turn may keep them fresher on offense.

"He's been huge for us," Paul Pierce said. "He's an intangibles guy. He does a little bit of everything, offensively and defensively. But he can pass, guard anybody on the court. You can pretty much stick him in at any position and tell him to go out and guard the 'one,' 'two,' 'three,' 'four,' 'five.' He can handle the ball, knock down shots, he's a great passer, and not a lot of teams have players like that, where you can go in there and say, 'Here, put him on their best player or initiate the offense and we are going to play through you.' "

Andray Blatche is also a member of the Andrei Kirilenko Fan Club. "He does everything," Blatche said. "He does all the little things each game, just brings energy and defense, offensive rebounds. There's nothing that he doesn't do. He's just all over the place. He's a huge part of this team."

Nets make a pair of deals
In a pair of minor moves yesterday that have yet to be officially finalized, the Nets reportedly agreed to trade Tornike Shengelia to the Bulls for Marquis Teague and will send Tyshawn Taylor and cash to the Hornets for an undisclosed draft pick.

Pierce finds his PF groove
Don't look now, but Paul Pierce is more than handling his own in his 'new' position.

After playing small forward for the better part of his pro career, Pierce has settled into the power forward spot nicely and seems to be enjoying it, averaging 15.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists in the seven games since the move.

"I know all the plays from that position and I feel like the way the game is going, there's a lot of the 'fours' play on the perimeter anyway," Pierce said. "There's probably, like, just a few of them left that are back-to-the basket guys. It's not that big of a height difference and it's something I did a lot more in college than in the [NBA]. But I think I'm adjusting to it pretty good."