RealGM

hey i was just wondering about al jefferson's previous injuries. i like the idea of getting him but im a lil concerned about his injuries. also, what do you guys think he can be at full potential? he had a down year this season so im a lil confused on whether he can recover fully or not. what do you guys think?

I can't remember what he had before his ACL tear, but I think it was like bone spurs? But he played 82 games his first year here. Then his 2nd year he tore his ACL, he rehabbed and made it back ahead of schedule for training camp, and missed 0 games due to injuries this season.(He missed some because of family stuff, his grandma etc) I think he also hurt his achilles but it didn't cause him to miss any time.

He had a down year mostly due to being less explosive because of the knee, and then fitting into a new offense where he couldn't just sit on the block all day like last season. Towards the end of the year we saw him improve back to his old form, scoring around 20 and grabbing 11 rebounds. He showed to be more of a willing passer and defender at times, but still needs more commitment.

Ok thanks. that helps.

I think Al at full potential could give you approximately 23 points, 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks a night, depending on what sort of system he's in. Since he was never that athletic, I think the ACL tear will have a minimal effect on his performance going forward.
His defensive potential is still high, but he is somewhat earth-bound, but has long arms. He fit's best as a PF with a defensive C next to him.

If I remember right his previous injuries were of the twisted ankle variety. He's really only had one serious injury - his knee - and he returned about 3-4 months early from that (although he wasn't at 100%). He was a bit up and down last season, which is to be expected after major injuries but he did average roughly 19 and 10 in December, January, and March. I see no reason why he can't be a 20/10 player again next season.

I think he has decent defensive potential and decent passing potential but he needs to make an effort to snap out of his tunnel vision mode that he gets into. Good coaching and teammates that he can trust should help in that regard.

I have used this site in the past for injury info on players...http://www2.sportsnet.ca/basketball/nba ... _Jefferson

I definitely understand the injury concerns with his ACL, but I think a little too often AlJeff gets treated like 'glass' on these boards. Prior to his knee injury he went nearly two years without missing a game. Even then he missed time for a bruised knee(which at the time Celts fans said he could have played, if they would have been in playoff contention), and then an appendectomy(typically that is not re-occurring )

Apr 11, 2010: Missed 2 games (personal reasons).
Apr 7, 2010: Personal reasons, day-to-day.
Mar 8, 2010: Missed 2 games (suspension).
Feb 28, 2010: Suspended by the Minnesota Timberwolves for two games.
Nov 18, 2009: Missed 2 games (personal reasons).
Nov 14, 2009: Personal reasons, day-to-day.
Apr 15, 2009: Missed the last 32 games of the regular season (torn ACL).
Feb 9, 2009: Torn ACL, remainder of the season.
Jul 31, 2007: Acquired from the Boston Celtics.
Apr 15, 2007: Missed 6 games (bruised left knee).
Apr 4, 2007: Bruised left knee, day-to-day.
Nov 22, 2006: Missed 7 games (appendectomy).
Nov 8, 2006: Appendectomy, inactive list.
Jul 6, 2006: Boston Celtics exercised their club option for the 2007-08 season.
Apr 19, 2006: Missed the last 14 games of the regular season (sprained right ankle).
Mar 23, 2006: Sprained right ankle, day-to-day.
Mar 1, 2006: Missed 9 games (ankle injury).
Feb 4, 2006: Ankle injury, sidelined indefinitely.
Feb 16, 2005: Missed 10 games (right ankle injury).
Jan 28, 2005: Right ankle injury, injured list.
Jul 3, 2004: Signed by the Boston Celtics.

I think Big Al will be an All Star next year. I really don't see the Wolves actually trading him. He's been very committed here, which is something the Wolves organization hasn't seen since the KG era.

When Al is playing at his best, there's not one person in the NBA who can guard him. Two months ago I was for trading Al, but not anymore.