Making his All-Star Game debut, Jazz forward and Russia native Andrei Kirilenko has set the tone for Utah at both ends of the floor, averaging 16.3 points and 7.9 boards while ranking among the NBA's top five in both blocks (2.82 bpg) and steals (1.98 spg). Kirilenko took time during All-Star Weekend to answer your e-mail questions.


Hey, I'm from Moscow, too -- Moscow, Idaho. It's a small college town in North Idaho. I just wanted to tell you that you are amazing! Where did the mohawk go? I loved it!
-- Ryan, Moscow, Idaho

Kirilenko: I'm 22 years old and I'm trying to change -- I try one style, then another style, trying to be soulful, trying to be funky and just find my own style. Right now I prefer the spiky with the gel. Maybe tomorrow I'll do a mohawk -- maybe. No, I don't like the mohawk right now.

Hi, Andrei. First, congratulations on your first All-Star Game and on being the first player from Russia to play in it. How has your team in Utah been so successful this season?
-- Thomas, Blenheim, New Zealand

Kirilenko: I think because Coach Sloan is mentally tough -- he won't accept losing. That's why he's mad even when we lose to good teams like San Antonio and Sacramento if we lose our concentration or get frustrated during the game.

Andrei, you are my hero! So what did you learn from playing with all-time greats, Stockton and Malone? It seems that your game is a combination of a little of both.
-- Sam, Phoenix, Ariz.

Kirilenko: These two guys, I think they're great. Of course, when you play with these guys, you need to learn. So for two years I played wisdom basketball and just learned things like how to prepare yourself before a game, little things during the game, even lifestyle advice. Like, when my baby was born, John told me, you need to sleep good, so hire somebody, like a nanny, and go sleep at the other end of the house so you can sleep good. I mean, it was a little moment, but when you have 82 games during the season, it's a pretty important point.

Hi Andrei, do you feel extra pressure having to represent your country as well as the Utah Jazz?
-- Josh, Detroit, Ala.

Kirilenko: No, of course it's a bigger thrill playing for my country. I was born in Russia, it's my country. I like the NBA, that's my dream, but Russia is my country. It's all about business, profession in America -- like money, job -- but my heart is in Russia.

I'm just trying to learn. I'm 22 years old, so I have a lot of chances. It's very important for young guys to learn how to play in the NBA and how to live in America, because it's pretty hard for us to live here. It's different mentality, it's a different lifestyle -- especially L.A. and Utah -- Russia and U.S., same thing.

Hi, Andrei, you're one of my favorite NBA players. I love your game, especially on defense. A lot of players who are the team leaders in scoring tend to be lazy or less excited on defense. But your defensive intensity is always high -- will you keep that up in the All-Star Game?
-- Chris, New York City

Kirilenko: My game impressed the coaches, so I will just play my game. Everybody says I don’t need to play defense in the All-Star Game, but that’s my game.