From a country of 142 million people, Kirilenko is the lone Russian in the NBA this season. He has been able to count as many as five of his countrymen playing in the league in the past, but the numbers have dwindled in recent seasons.

Q: Why do you think it's down to just you?

A: I have no idea. I have no answer. It's really bad because I want to get more and more guys here. But I think with the owner of the Nets [Mikhail Prokhorov], I think Russian guys will have like little bit more chance.

Q: Is there a fear among Russian players to leave the Euroleague or leave their Russian teams and come over?

A: You know, Russian people, they're very -- let's say -- homesick. They like to stay home and be around the friends, be around family. They don't like to go for adventures. It's not necessarily the U.S., it's the same with Europe. There's not a lot of Russian-team players in Europe, which is like not too far.

Q: Do you think Prokhorov will change things and make it more attractive?

A: I don't think he will change it, but I think because of the owner, scouts probably will look a little differently, kind of to please owner, to have somebody Russian. The team will look a little bit better at the Russian players.

Q: Are there young players coming up who you think will get to the NBA someday?

A: Definitely. We have one Russian big guy, Timofey Mozgov, he was playing well in the last European championships. He's a big guy and young. He's kind of like [Anderson] Varejao but he is probably taller a little bit and he is more playing inside.

Q: Are the Jazz the most popular team in Russia since you're the only Russian in the NBA?

A: I would say yes and probably Chicago a little bit because of Michael Jordan. I don't even know if the people really like care about basketball. It's definitely not the No. 1 sport.

Ross Siler