Love's Arrival = Jefferson on the Block?

[prefuse73]

Yeah gunny, I was talking about defense. On offense, Jefferson is every bit a Center. His silky post moves are going to be tough to contain when teams have another big in the high post (Love) that can hit jumpers out the 3-pt range and pass like the best of them.

On defense, I was just saying that he has a tough time with super athletic guys. He really should not guard the PF position because many PF are either really quick, can hit jumpers (where Al has a tough time closing out), or both.

[captain_cheapseats]

Jefferson is putting up 21 and 11 at age 23, and is tied up long term in a contract that is an absolute bargain for a talented big. He's not getting traded anytime soon.

[revprodeji]

http://www.canishoopus.com/2008/7/6/565624/centrisity

good article about Jefferson at the 5.

"Do you try to maximize his offensive efficiency or do you try to minimize his defensive inefficiency?"

[Devilzsidewalk]

the big thing for me was that he's physically getting pushed around in loose ball and around the rim situations against physical frontlines with guys like Perkins and Haywood because he's the only one down there. That Okafor/Mohammed game was the one I won't forget - Gomes and Craig Smith are non-factors in the paint against teams like that. An undersized PF isn't a good match, neither is a SF/PF or a non physical player like Doleac. Thats why I was so baffled that they never tried to pair him w/ Richard.

He needs a true center next to him, or else a PF/C type. Somebody who can control the paint close to the basket. Love works just fine for me. Love knows how to control space and I expect big things from the tandem.

[funkatron101]

True centers and point guards seem to be going the way of the dodo it seems.

Everyone is a combo-something today. With a few exceptions of course.

[revprodeji]

He did fine against perkins. Haywood did pish him around. Okafor did also. Dally did as well, but Al did fine against Kaman, Chandler and many of the other centers. Part of it is Al simply needs to develop his strength more. I agree with you that Love is a good fit next to him. I am simply fine with calling both guys a 4/5 and letting it work out on the court. Love has better lower body strength than Al and would be able to muscle a Haywood type better.

[shrink]

This Subject Heading needs to disappear.