Al Jefferson is the problem

[SSUBluesman]

It's become quite clear that the problem with this team is Al Jefferson. Quite simply, he does not help a team win or make his teammates better. He is nothing more than a glorified SAR, a stat-stuffer extraordinaire on crappy teams. Fact is, if he wasn't given the minutes and the "green light" he'd struggle to average double digit points. All he does is dominate and put up great numbers while his team loses. It's time to accept that players like Jefferson are the problem, and not the solution.

It's time to make this Kevin Love's team. He is the type of player that teams build around for championships, as evidenced by him dragging a talent-less UCLA team to the NCAA championship last spring. The only thing stopping him from putting up Jefferson's numbers is Jefferson hogging all the playing time and shots. Just like with Foye and McCants, the only thing stopping him from being an ALL-NBA 1st teammer is being on a leash. You give Love 40 mpg and the "green light" and he puts up 20-10-5 and the best defense this team has had since KG. Free Love!!!

We need to not get down. We have to remember that this is the best assembling of talent since the great Celtics/Lakers teams of the 80's. If only our superstars had selfish, no-passing players like Al Jefferson thrown aside (and that idiot coach Wittmann) could they blossom into the awesome team that they really are. Have no fear, McHale will make the right decision. He always does.

[TheFranchise21]

I'm bad at sensing it, but I sense some sarcasm.

[archerdino]

we should let Al and Love start 20 more games together and see if they gel better. I believe when they learn to play with each other they will be a threat (with a better coach of course)

I dont think Al is the problem, the problem is the team not giving him support when he needs it. when he gets doubled deep down in the 4th we have nobody we can rely on for outside shooting nor scoring. Everybody just runs around like headless chicken making silly turnovers.

we need leadership on the court, but I am not seeing it at the moment.

[Devilzsidewalk]

Wacky wacky!

Actually, Al is apart of the problem too. He's the best player, but that doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement.

Everybody is apart of the problem, there's no quick fix here. But regardless of coaching or personnel, the players can control the basics:

*play defense and crash the glass and always take it upon themselves to outwork the other guy.

*stop trying to be the hero and take impossible shots; namely Foye, McCants and Jefferson. All 3 are shooting poorly and need to get on the same page so that the open guy is getting good shots, and not one guy forcing offense. Those 3 will get their shot attempts, but lets cut down on the bad shots. Very poor chemistry between that trio.

*make quicker decisions: run the offense with a sense of purpose and some confidence. Putting your head down and jogging to your spot is ridiculous. Analyze your isolation matchup quicker too - do you have a good driving lane or an open shot, if you don't know immediately, then pass it. Don't start dribbling without knowing the answer in the hopes that something opens up. And don't shoot a contested shot unless there's less than 5 seconds left, that should be a last resort.

[revprodeji]

Are you being sarcastic with Al? How can someone who makes the other defense game plan against them, controls the paint on offense and rebounding and is a character guy--be a problem?

The issue is coaching, but it is also in how the players are responding. If anything, Al has not been given the ball enough in situations where he can be successful. This comes back to guards and to coaching. The guards need to learn that their job is easier if they are secondary players to Al. Run some high/low with Love and Al. Get Beast the ball and work around that.

Thinking a guy like Al is the problem is ludicrous. What do you want him to do? Sell beer?

Sar was a tweener. He was not good enough on offense to scare the other team. He did not do enough other than score. He would have been very good in a secondary role. Al jefferson has the unique inside physical game that teams need to game plan against. It is true that he would be much better with a Deron Williams pg, but to think that he is not a key piece would be a disservice.

[realfung]

lol

[Worm Guts]

Are you being sarcastic with Al? How can someone who makes the other defense game plan against them, controls the paint on offense and rebounding and is a character guy--be a problem?

The issue is coaching, but it is also in how the players are responding. If anything, Al has not been given the ball enough in situations where he can be successful. This comes back to guards and to coaching. The guards need to learn that their job is easier if they are secondary players to Al. Run some high/low with Love and Al. Get Beast the ball and work around that.

Thinking a guy like Al is the problem is ludicrous. What do you want him to do? Sell beer?

Sar was a tweener. He was not good enough on offense to scare the other team. He did not do enough other than score. He would have been very good in a secondary role. Al jefferson has the unique inside physical game that teams need to game plan against. It is true that he would be much better with a Deron Williams pg, but to think that he is not a key piece would be a disservice.

Come on dude

[Worm Guts]

Al does need some of the blame, though. If you're supposed the teams best player, then the team should be better when you're on the court. The Wolves seem to be a better team when Al Jefferson is off the court.

[deeney0]

Until Al can pass out of the double team (or, even better, sense it coming) with regularity, he can't take the next step offensively and really begin to utalize the shooters. Thus, Minnesota inside-out halfcourt stalls.

Al looks like he regressed on D from the end of last year. He looks like he did at the start of last year. A lot of that, though, is having no help next to him. Gomes at the 4 should never, ever, ever happen.

[jpatrick]

I like Al alot, but he'll never be the best player on a championship level team. He doesn't play good enough defense nor make the other players around him better. I also question whether Love/Al will could ever start on a great team, they just have too many defensive (quickness, shot blocking, etc.) weaknesses.

As much as I like the way Smith is playing right now, I think it would help Al and Love if they had a third big to rotate with them that was an athletic defensive shotblocking type.

[kingly222]

Yea I hate it when Al goaltends Foye/McCants/Gomes shot . If you would stop that Foye would easily be shooting %50 form the field.

If he would have touched the ball late in the GS game, this thread wouldnt exist and the team would be 2-5. Al isnt perfect, but he does enough to give his team a chance to win.

He should have handled Foye not running the plays in a different way. All the yelling led to them freezing him out of the game, and eventually costing them the game. I became very apparent when the guards would make a good dribble drive, Al 's man would help, and they would skip him or throw up a tough shot.

Its on the coach too, b/c he had all the guys that will hustle and play team ball on the bench late in the game.

What shocks me is that their are players on a losing team that would rather prove a point than do what it takes to get a win. Basketball, is simple, when you have someone like Al, dump it inside, make the defense shift/double/triple whatever ad play off that.

[cmc32124]

Yea I hate it when Al goaltends Foye/McCants/Gomes shot . If you would stop that Foye would easily be shooting %50 form the field.

If he would have touched the ball late in the GS game, this thread wouldnt exist and the team would be 2-5. Al isnt perfect, but he does enough to give his team a chance to win.

He should have handled Foye not running the plays in a different way. All the yelling led to them freezing him out of the game, and eventually costing them the game. I became very apparent when the guards would make a good dribble drive, Al 's man would help, and they would skip him or throw up a tough shot.

Its on the coach too, b/c he had all the guys that will hustle and play team ball on the bench late in the game.

What shocks me is that their are players on a losing team that would rather prove a point than do what it takes to get a win. Basketball, is simple, when you have someone like Al, dump it inside, make the defense shift/double/triple whatever ad play off that.

A little of topic but do you know what happened with Al and why he flew back home after the game? Anything serious?(hopefully not) Just wondering, thanks

[jpatrick]

Yea I hate it when Al goaltends Foye/McCants/Gomes shot . If you would stop that Foye would easily be shooting %50 form the field.

If he would have touched the ball late in the GS game, this thread wouldnt exist and the team would be 2-5. Al isnt perfect, but he does enough to give his team a chance to win.

He should have handled Foye not running the plays in a different way. All the yelling led to them freezing him out of the game, and eventually costing them the game. I became very apparent when the guards would make a good dribble drive, Al 's man would help, and they would skip him or throw up a tough shot.

Its on the coach too, b/c he had all the guys that will hustle and play team ball on the bench late in the game.

What shocks me is that their are players on a losing team that would rather prove a point than do what it takes to get a win. Basketball, is simple, when you have someone like Al, dump it inside, make the defense shift/double/triple whatever ad play off that.

This does not make me feel very good about our squad...we could be in for a long season and then a complete blowup of the roster in the offseason. At this point, I really wouldn't care if anyone got traded outside of Al and Love.

[revprodeji]

Are you being sarcastic with Al? How can someone who makes the other defense game plan against them, controls the paint on offense and rebounding and is a character guy--be a problem?

The issue is coaching, but it is also in how the players are responding. If anything, Al has not been given the ball enough in situations where he can be successful. This comes back to guards and to coaching. The guards need to learn that their job is easier if they are secondary players to Al. Run some high/low with Love and Al. Get Beast the ball and work around that.

Thinking a guy like Al is the problem is ludicrous. What do you want him to do? Sell beer?

Sar was a tweener. He was not good enough on offense to scare the other team. He did not do enough other than score. He would have been very good in a secondary role. Al jefferson has the unique inside physical game that teams need to game plan against. It is true that he would be much better with a Deron Williams pg, but to think that he is not a key piece would be a disservice.

Come on dude

what?

[Devilzsidewalk]

MOD BATTLE!!!

[RD&KG2]

Que the Mortal Combat music.

[revprodeji]

I am game for this one. Blaming Al makes no sense unless you expect Al to be a Michael Jordan. He has been a positive piece thus far and needs more responsibility, not less.

[7AllStar]

Al Jefferson reminds me of Zach Randolph - good stats but team keep losing games

[4ho5ive]

I think thats a ridiculous statement. On court and off, Jefferson is very different guy.

[casey]

I am game for this one. Blaming Al makes no sense unless you expect Al to be a Michael Jordan. He has been a positive piece thus far and needs more responsibility, not less.

I expect Al to be a guy who knows how to pass the ball or play defense. He hasn't progressed in these areas. I think it was fairly obvious that he was being sarcastic, but there is some truth to it.