This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Yes, it's real. And, yes, he really likes it.
Jazz forward Andrei Kirilenko confirmed today that he recently added some new color to his life. Moreover, he is very happy with how his intense and dramatic full-back tattoo turned out.
A photo of Kirilenko's newly inked body first showed up Saturday on the internet, then made waves this afternoon.
The image — a highly detailed portrait that features what appears to be a knight-like warrior riding a dragon-like beast — took a couple days to flesh out, Kirilenko said.
As for the fiery buzz his black-and-red covered back has quickly created?
"It's very strange, because it's so much pain," Kirilenko said. "It's so funny, because I didn't do it for the people. … I don't really plan to show it around."
Kirilenko added that his kids love his new look, while he feels that he is entitled to do whatever he wants as a 30-year-old man.
"If I feel like I want [a tattoo], I get one," Kirilenko said. "It's really strange that it gets so much attention. … Ninety-nine percent of players have tattoos."
— Brian T. Smith
Twitter: @tribjazz