Is Kirilenko honor in the 'All-Stars'?

Today, 22-year-old Russian Andrei Kirilenko could become the first Jazz player since Karl Malone to be named to an NBA All-Star Game.

Monday night, Kirilenko sounded hopeful — perhaps even confident — that he will.

In fact, it sounds as if he already has been working on his acceptance speech.

"I'll be ready. I want to be an All-Star, and I want to play there," Kirilenko, the Jazz's leading scorer this season, said with regard to the Feb. 15 game in Los Angeles.

"I think it's a great award — and will be a big deal for my country, as well," he added. "Of course for me, first, and my country — and it will be, I think, great appreciation for the Utah Jazz organization, and our fans."

Kirilenko would not say, however, if he knew for certain he was going to be selected.

"Secret," he said after scoring a team-high 10 points in Utah's 83-65 loss to San Antonio.

Western Conference coaches select the West's All-Star reserves, a list of seven that will formally be announced by the league today.

Kirilenko's competition is stiff, including, among many, Peja Stojakovic, Dirk Nowitzki, Carmelo Anthony, Brad Miller, Zach Randolph, Elton Brand, Pau Gasol, Corey Maggette and Erick Dampier.

NICE HUSTLE: Jazz shooting guard DeShawn Stevenson had quite the hustle play Monday night, chasing after a loose ball — all the way up press row, and into a row of fans.

Stevenson jumped trying to catch up with the ball, and ended up on the table in front of Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod Hundley.

Stevenson could not stop his momentum, though, and just kept on going — stepping up four rows of media and stat-keeping tables — before a fan finally slowed him down.

Somehow, Stevenson disturbed only one thing along the way.

It wasn't a laptop computer. It wasn't a telephone or TV monitor. It wasn't even the box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts sitting in front of Hundley, meaning Hot Rod doesn't have to worry about actually buying his own breakfast this morning.

Rather, it was Hundley's trusty cup of coffee — which usually is with him wherever he goes, sometimes including, especially on occasions like this, in his lap.

MO'S BACK: After missing four straight games with a sprained left ankle, Jazz reserve guard Mo Williams returned to action Monday night. He had four points in 13 minutes.

RETRO RETURN: The Jazz's game Wednesday night vs. Chicago at Delta Center is another "Retro Night" in which the team will wear uniforms designed after those it wore in its 1974-75 season.

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E-mail: tbuckley@desnews.com