Kirilenko makes his All-Star debut

LOS ANGELES — From his seat in what is normally the Los Angeles Lakers locker room but had been transformed Sunday into a place to hang for NBA Western Conference All-Stars, Andrei Kirilenko surveyed the scene.

"I don't like this locker room," he said. "Too small."

For a collection of stars as bright as that gathered Sunday, however, no room may be big enough.

Eleven-time All-Star Shaquille O'Neal here, seated in front of the stall immediately to Kirilenko's left. Four-time All-Star Ray Allen there, to the Jazz forward's right.

Kobe Bryant, Sam Cassell, Tim Duncan, Steve Francis, Kevin Garnett, Brad Miller, Dirk Nowitzki, Peja Stojakovic, Yao Ming — all gathered in the same room as Kirilenko, himself a first-time All-Star.

"Crazy," said Kirilenko, the first NBA All-Star from Russia and the Jazz's first since Karl Malone. "But I like it."

Kirilenko liked a lot over the weekend.

But what he had to like most was his participation in Sunday night's game, a 136-132 West win over the East.

Coming off the bench with just more than five minutes to go in the second quarter, Kirilenko's first-half play was mostly uneventful — one rebound, one missed shot.

The most notable moment: East All-Star Tracy McGrady of Orlando, guarded by Kirilenko, dunked after passing to himself off the backboard.

"I was ready for the shot," Kirilenko said, "but he (McGrady) was quicker."

Kirilenko's second half, however, was as eventful as some of the many Hollywood entertainment stars watching from throughout the Staples Center.

"I had fun," Kirilenko said.

So while Nick Carter was busy making out with Paris Hilton, Kelly Clarkson was singing happy 70th birthday to NBA legend Bill Russell, and someone (not Dr. Phil, who also was in the crowd) was down on one knee to propose marriage to talk-show hostess Starr Jones (she said "yes"), Kirilenko was getting it done on the court.

He played some defense — most in this game — and frustrated East All-Star Paul Pierce. He blocked a shot, as he is known to do from time to time. And he scored his lone basket just before the buzzer at the end of the third quarter, dunking home Allen's pass to put the West up 103-101.