Seldom used Andrei Kirilenko takes a seat

Andrei Kirilenko isn't thrilled, but he's maintaining a positive attitude.

Kirilenko's minutes have been few and he wasn't in uniform Monday night, serving as one of two Nets inactives. Kirilenko is averaging 0.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 5.1 minutes in seven games. He had hoped to flourish in a more defined role this season.

That hasn't happened.

"It is what it is," said Kirilenko, who indicated the back problems he experienced in the preseason and last season were not issues. "I like our system, I like our coach and I spoke with the coach. Obviously, he sees it a little bit differently and he's been honest about it. I really appreciate it, but it doesn't make things better."

What does he have to do to get back in the rotation?

"I don't know," Kirilenko said. "I don't know. I'm not the coach."

Hollins: No identity yet

In trying to establish a new culture this season, one of the main things Nets coach Lionel Hollins wanted to do was mold the Nets into a hard-nosed team that's also tough mentally. Sounds as if he thinks they aren't close to being the finished product he's anticipating.

"A long way from the identity I'd like to see," he said. ". . . they have an identity, and it's not very good. We've got to get better."

No Kidd-ing

Heat coach Erik Spoelstra isn't shocked that former Nets coach Jason Kidd bolted for the Bucks.

"That's the part about this business I don't like," he said. ". . . I'm the second-longest tenured coach [for one team] in the league and that's the sad state of where coaching is in this league right now. However it happens, there's just too much turnover."