Al Jefferson wants to play for team USA

cpfsf · Post #1 » by **cpfsf** » Fri Oct 9, 2009 11:48 pm

http://realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/62032/20091009/al_jefferson_wants_to_play_for_team_usa/

Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson would love to suit up for Team USA in the future.

"I would love to play for USA Basketball," Jefferson told FanHouse. "I would love to play. Two summers ago (2007), I was in (Las) Vegas helping the team practice and they go off and wind up winning the (Olympic) gold medal the following year (in Beijing).

"So I already have been part of it. Then I got hurt last year, and I couldn't do much. But I would love to play with my country if they invite me."

Jefferson is in the process of a return from a torn ACL, which ended his 2008-09 season prematurely.

"I'm feeling good," he said. "I look at it as (being) 100 percent. I've just got to get in better shape, but that is going to hopefully come the rest of the preseason."

Post #2 » by **revprodeji** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:37 am

I bet it is Love before Jefferson. His game tends to fit the euro style better.

imrickyrubio · Post #3 » by **imrickyrubio** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:49 am

and i'm sure the wolves would prefer to send Love over Jefferson as well.

cpfsf · Post #4 » by **cpfsf** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 1:55 am

imrickyrubio wrote:and i'm sure the wolves would prefer to send Love over Jefferson as well.

I don't think the front office likes seeing million dollar investments playing overseas.

KG_Wolves · Post #5 » by **KG_Wolves** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 4:22 am

I say don't do it, focus on recovery and our team.

JR Rider · Post #6 » by **JR Rider** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 6:18 am

KG_Wolves wrote:I say don't do it, focus on recovery and our team.

disagreed.

if jefferson has the chance to represent our nation, in addition to the state of minnesota (and wolves fans everywhere), all the more power to him.

Tekkenlaw · Post #7 » by **Tekkenlaw** » Sat Oct 10, 2009 9:39 pm

Love would be a much better fit. I don't see Jefferson meshing with all those superstars as well as Love could.

call.me.dude · Post #8 » by **call.me.dude** » Sun Oct 11, 2009 11:34 pm

Tekkenlaw wrote:Love would be a much better fit. I don't see Jefferson meshing with all those superstars as well as Love could.

Agreed.

His role would be limited to rebounding, (outlet) passing and setting picks, basically the things he's really good at.

I don't see him getting a lot of minutes, but I'd rather see him on Team USA than Carlos Boozer.

Narf · Post #9 » by **Narf** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:49 pm

Err,
Howard/Love/Bosh front court, or Howard/Jefferson/Bosh. Not so sure I'd say Love is the better fit. He ought to replace Boozer next Olympics.

Tekkenlaw · Post #10 » by **Tekkenlaw** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:58 pm

You're confusing talent with fit. Al Jefferson needs touches to be effective yet can't pass, I don't see him fitting in with team USA except in a very limited role like Boozer.

cpfsf · Post #11 » by **cpfsf** » Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:16 pm

http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/10/09/bosh-not-ready-to-commit-to-team-usa/

The Toronto star forward said he isn't ready to commit to going to Turkey for the event. He might not want to play next summer if his contract situation is unsettled.

"I don't know, with the possibility of becoming a free agent next year,'' Bosh said in an interview with FanHouse prior to Friday night's preseason game at Minnesota. "It's a whole bunch of things that haven't been addressed yet. ... It was fun playing in the Olympics, but it's going to take some time, though. I'm sure I'll be better able to assess the situation after the season. ... But I'm definitely considering it.''

Bosh didn't foresee any scenario other than his contract situation keeping him from going to Turkey. Bosh can opt out of his contract next summer and become a free agent.

More at the link

call.me.dude · Post #12 » by **call.me.dude** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:46 am

Narf wrote:Err,
Howard/Love/Bosh front court, or Howard/Jefferson/Bosh. Not so sure I'd say Love is the better fit. He ought to replace Boozer next Olympics.

What Tekkenlaw said: Your confusing talent with fit.

Also, Melo will start at PF + LeBron or someone like Tay Prince may also get time at PF. Howard and Bosh will both play center with Bosh maybe playing some minutes at PF. How many minutes do you think are left at PF?

Not much, that's for sure. So why would you nominate a scorer (which you have tons of) that won't get many minutes and won't get any plays run for him (touches) anyways over of a guy that is more used to a situation like this, a better rebounder (probably top3 in the nba), better at setting picks, a great passer and still a pretty good all-around player?

B Calrissian · Post #13 » by **B Calrissian** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:56 am

revprodeji wrote:I bet it is Love before Jefferson. His game tends to fit the euro style better.

In other words, Love is more of a team player. Team USA wouldn't count on Jefferson for his scoring, so all he would bring to the table is rebounding.

jade_hippo · Post #14 » by **jade_hippo** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:29 am

B Calrissian wrote:In other words, Love is more of a team player. Team USA wouldn't count on Jefferson for his scoring, so all he would bring to the table is rebounding.

+1 exactly, thats why Brad Miller was a staple on the team for ages. Could rebound pass and set picks.

cpfsf · Post #15 » by **cpfsf** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 3:56 pm

Another issue is Jefferson could be competing with Horford, Griffin, Oden, Aldridge, Lopez, or some 2010 pick to make a roster spot, yet he still would have little playing time because of Anthony, Howard, Boozer, and Bosh assuming they return. If this was 2004, Jefferson (not to mention Love) could easily have made that squad today (pretty hard not to when the roster includes Iverson and Marbury), but the competition is just a weee bit different today.

john2jer · Post #16 » by **john2jer** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:27 pm

Plus, Love could convince Love and Howard to take less to sign with the Wolves. He's a good salesman.

B Calrissian · Post #17 » by **B Calrissian** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:10 pm

Howard is the one player that might turn me against the Wolves if they somehow signed him. Not that he isn't talented. He is just such a damn fool.

cpfsf · Post #18 » by **cpfsf** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:13 pm

B Calrissian wrote:Howard is the one player that might turn me against the Wolves if they somehow signed him. Not that he isn't talented. He is just such a damn fool.

how can anyone hate Howard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUkAXuZCJhQ&feature=fvw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7slU3wLXns

Post #19 » by **Worm Guts** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:14 pm

john2jer wrote:Plus, Love could convince Love and Howard to take less to sign with the Wolves. He's a good salesman.

I don't know about that. Love tried to convince Rubio to come here by telling him he looks like the leprochaun on the Lucky Charms box. That's probably why Rubio isn't here right now, Love hurt his feelings.

john2jer · Post #20 » by **john2jer** » Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:46 pm

Worm Guts wrote:
john2jer wrote:Plus, Love could convince Love and Howard to take less to sign with the Wolves. He's a good salesman.

I don't know about that. Love tried to convince Rubio to come here by telling him he looks like the leprochaun on the Lucky Charms box. That's probably why Rubio isn't here right now, Love hurt his feelings.

That or he thought Love was a pedophile after his "lucky charms", but you do make a good point. DAMNIT KEVIN!