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Star wars, next generation

The Jazz's newest All-Star, Andrei Kirilenko, played 12 minutes, picking up one dunk and a rebound on Sunday.

Like his predecessors John Stockton and Karl Malone, AK-47 seemed slightly out of place among the plethora of ball-hogging superstars.

And just like his predecessors, Kobe didn't pass to him, either.

Collision course

Speaking of Kobe, word is the Jazz are hot to sign him as a free agent next summer — providing his legal troubles vanish.

If so, it will be interesting to see how hard the Jazz go after the Lakers star. It will also be interesting to see if he even considers playing in Utah.

But the most interesting thing? What Jerry Sloan says the first time Kobe waves off a screen.

Starr power

In the bet-you-didn't-know department comes this: A ticket to the NBA All-Star Game is more expensive and exclusive than one to the Super Bowl.

One ticket service broker told the L.A. Times a good Super Bowl seat will cost $4,000, but a similar seat for the All-Star Game runs $10,000-$12,000. The reason? Fewer seats and a very exclusive guest list.

Which explains everything.

Except this: If it's so exclusive, how come Starr Jones was there?

Memory lapse

Quite the moment when Arnold Schwarzenegger, governor of Cal-ee-fornia, welcomed the world to the All-Star Game.

"Welcome to the 53rd annual . . . All Stars," he said.

What he meant to say was "Welcome to the 53rd annual All-Star Game."

So maybe he doesn't have "Total Recall" after all.

End of the line

Nona Gaye, daughter of the late soul singer Marvin Gaye, sang the national anthem at All-Star Weekend festivities.

Actually, she sang along with a recording of her father, a la Natalie/Nat Cole.

Way cool.

But please, let's end the father/daughter anthems there.