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Andrei Kirilenko Chat Transcript: Nov. 30, 2005

Andrei chatted live on Nov. 30.
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Andrei Kirilenko is in his fifth NBA season, all with Utah, after the Jazz selected him in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft (the 19th pick overall). Kirilenko played in just 41 games in 2004-05, missing 26 games due to a sprained right knee and 14 games after suffering a broken left wrist. Despite the injuries, he finished as the team's second leading scorer, averaging 15.6 points, while shooting a career-high .495 from the field and .793 from the line. He scored in double figures in 35 of 41 games, hitting for 20+ points 11 times. He scored a season-high 29 vs. Boston on February 25, 2005, and had 28 @Washington on March 19, 2005. He also pulled down a season-high 14 rebounds twice (11/20/04 at Atlanta and 3/13/05 @Detroit) and for the season averaged 6.2 per game (tied for third on the team with Harpring). Kirilenko also led the league in blocked shots, averaging 3.32 blocks per games with a career-high 8 twice (11/3/04 vs. LAL and 11/6 @Denver), posting 11 games of 5+ blocks.

In his first four seasons, Kirilenko played in 281 career games, averaging 13.4 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.43 blocks and 1.61 steals in 30.6 minutes per game. Kirilenko finished the 2003-04 season as the team's leader in scoring (16.2), rebounding (8.1), steals (1.92) and blocked shots in 37.1 minutes per game. He was named to the NBA's All-Defensive Second Team following the season. Kirilenko scored a career-high 31 points at Miami on February 17, 2004 and pulled down a career-high 16 rebounds at Chicago on December 22, 2003. He also has two 5X5 (recording five in each positive categories) games to his credit, scoring 10 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists, 6 steals and 5 blocks vs. New York on December 10, 2003, and had 19 points, 5 rebounds, 7 assists, 8 steals and 5 blocks at Houston on December 3, 2003. He was Named by the NBA coaches to participate in the 2004 All-Star Game. Kirlenko began his professional basketball career at age 15 in the Russian League in1996-97 (youngest player ever in the Russian League) and is a member of the Russian national team.

Kirilenko chatted live with fans at on Wednesday, November 30. Check out the complete chat transcript below:

Tiantian(China): Do you feel compeletely healthy now?How about your injure?

Andrei Kirilenko: I feel good...I don't have any health problems right now. My ankle was sore, I hurt it about three weeks ago...but I'm healthy now.

Joel (Umatilla, Fla): What's up Andre, as a player being from Russia do you find that alot of players in the N.B.A. are suprised by your ability after facing you?

Andrei Kirilenko: I think I did surprise alot of people. When I first was trying to get into the NBA, people said I was too skinny and this kind of thing. But I really believed in myself and felt I could play in the NBA. And once I got here, I think my defense especially surprised some people.

Mikhail (Rio Linda, CA): Andrei, what kind of fans do you like more - crazy Europeans or much more quiet Americans (except Sacramento fans of course)?

Andrei Kirilenko: Ha-ha. It's a tough question, because I like all fans. Sometimes crazy fans make me nervous, because you never know what will happen, but they do cheer louder than others. But I appreciate the fans who are less crazy and less loud too, because often, they are intently watching the game that they love and supporting me and the Jazz.

Serghei: One of biggest fan of yours, really enjoy to watch a russian player to play the game of basketball in NBA, Who was your favorite player in the NBA when you played basketball in Russia?

Andrei Kirilenko: Definitely Michael Jordan. He was my idol for 10 years before I came to the NBA. Of course, we don't forget guys like John Stockton and Karl Malone....but Jordan was definitely my favorite.

Oscar (Brownsville): Who Gave you your nickname AK-47?By The Way its great one of the best names out there.

Andrei Kirilenko: When I first got to the NBA, I took the No. 13 because I always had it. Then we signed a veteran who had the preference of 13, so I lost it. So then, Quincy Lewis, who played for the Jazz at the time, said "hey, AK-47, the Russian rifle, you should take No. 47." So I did, and now that has become my nickname.

Andy (Fullerton): Alot of players much taller than you aren't able to deflect as many shots. What do you do that is different if anything?

Andrei Kirilenko: That's a tough question. I think it's my positiioning probably. You need to be in the right position, and also need to be quick on your feet, in order to block shots. Also you need to be conditioned to watching the shots and how the shots are made...and then timing your jumps and anticipating the flight of the ball. But positioning is certainly one of the most important factors.

Jordan (Sandy) Utah: If you could block any player in the league who would it be and have you already done it?

Andrei Kirilenko: Hmmm. As much as I remember, I think I've gotten almost everybody I want to block. I've played so many games at this point, I think I've blocked everyone I want to block. When you play Kobe, Shaq, Tracy McGrady etc...they take sometimes 30 shots a game, so although it isn't easy, there is a good statistical chance you can get a block on one of those shots.

Pete (Mt. Pleasant): The game against the Lakers Thursday night will be aired on TNT. Is their added pressure when playing on national TV?

Andrei Kirilenko: Not really. When you're playing you're inside the game and not thinking about what people are watching on TV. Maybe before the game it affects you a little, but once the ball tips off...you have to be concentrating on playing the game, not who is watching.

Eli (Morgantown): How did it feel to become the youngest player ever in the Russian League? Followup question, how did it feel to dominate it?

Andrei Kirilenko: Ha-ha. Of course it's nice. It feels good. But right now, it's hard, because I'm concentrating more now on being a role model for other young players and showing them how hard work and dedication leads to success for your team.

James (gotapetmozzy, Australia): Hi Andrei, I love the way you play the game. Tell us about your wife, isn't she a big pop star in Europe? Go Jazz

Andrei Kirilenko: Ha-ha. Not in Europe, but in Russia. I wouldn't say she is huge, but she is popular. One song she had was in the Top Five in MTV Russia. I'm supporting her and very proud of her.

Marina (St. Petersburg, Florida): Andrei, Do you have any hobbies that you enjoy outside of basketball?

Andrei Kirilenko: I love playing on the computers. It's my biggest hobby. I don't like email, but I like games and the internet.

James (Detroit): Do you think that basketball will ever have the international popularity of soccer?

Andrei Kirilenko: Hmmm. I would say no. Soccer will probably remain the most popular sport worldwide.

Nassau, Bahamas: If healthy, do you think the jazz have a shot in a High powered western conference?

Andrei Kirilenko: Why not? I think we have a great team, very strong potentially and we can do much better than we're doing now.

Andrei Kirilenko: Hello to all my fans and thank you for chatting. Keep watching the NBA, it's the greatest sports league in the world and we will keep entertaining you. Also, thanks very much to the fans of the Jazz for supporting us.