Shved is Houston-Bound As his fellow countryman and teammate Alexey Shved leaves tomorrow for Houston’s All-Star Weekend festivities, Kirilenko looked back on his experiences in his first trip to All-Star Weekend 10 years ago. “I think it’s a great experience,” Kirilenko said. “I was very happy and excited when I was first chosen in the rookie game. Your heart is beating if they will pick you, and you are involved in all the activities. Seeing all the players, how nice and open they are, it’s a welcome to the league.” Kirilenko felt his confidence grow after his own nomination in 2002, and he thinks Shved’s will, too. “I think being there gives you a lot of confidence,” Kirilenko said. “It already gives you an idea how the game is going to be and what schedule you are going to face. In addition to being an All-Star, for him as a rookie, I think it’s a great feeling. A great idea that he’s going to be here for a long time. I think it’s a great achievement for his career.” Quick hits
- Williams on last year’s last-second win over Utah with a Luke Ridnour floater: “We made open shots, shots we know we can make and Luke made a tough shot at the end, a floater over a shot-blocker in the end. And it really helped lead us into the break.”
- Pekovic on his plans over All-Star Break: “I’m going ice fishing tomorrow, coming back Friday, and then I’ll just be here. We will see. I have done it two or three times, I caught a few northern pikes and perch.”
- J.J. Barea and his injury progress, along with his All-Star Break plans: “[I’m feeling] better. Still sore, but better than yesterday and the day before. Just have to get through this one tonight and then go to Puerto Rico and put it in some hot water, hot sand, and then I’ll be back ready to go.”
- Kirilenko on watching games at home with his family: “Especially with my kids around, they say ‘Daddy, you have to be there,’ I say ‘I know.’”