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Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 1:17 pm
by Purch
Even before his trade to Utah, No. 25 was working hard to get ready for the 2010-2011 season.
"I've been really working hard this past summer to get the knee back right and it's been paying off," Al said. "I know it's paying off."
Most of AJ's training has been taking place around Boston, the first place he played in his career, where he trains with a former Celtics conditioning coach.
"I like to work out in Boston. There's a nice little small town there that I like to go work out in where Walter Norton Jr., the strength and conditioning coach for the Celtics when I was there, is," Al said. "He has his own gym now so I just go work out to get me away from everybody and stay focused. That's where I was when I got the call to let me know that the deal was done."
Al's focus on training forced him to turn down an invite to play for Team USA at the World Championships in Turkey this summer.
"The reason I decided not to go…I just felt really comfortable in what I was doing now as far as rehabbing, working out, rehabbing on my knee," he said. "I just needed to continue to do that."
http://www.aljefferson25.com/news/jazz- ... 2010/07/20
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:40 pm
by red4hf
Good..... Let him keep working out to return to 100% by season's start.......
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 4:44 pm
by gojazzmjsucks
Good Let Al and Ak workout all summer long and get healthy.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 5:30 pm
by HolyToledo
He seems to be very motivated and will work hard to make the Jazz better. I just hope the coaches are patient with him as it takes time to pickup Sloans offense. I can see them running more of the old guard down pick on Jefferson's guy providing him good position on the entry pass early on in the season. The Jazz motion offense where it puts Jefferson at times on the top of the key where Jefferson has to make decisions will be much harder for him to pickup.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:14 pm
by Luigi
So do we have anyone on the roster doing FIBA this summer?
It wouldn't bother me if we didn't.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 8:18 pm
by babyjax13
Luigi wrote:So do we have anyone on the roster doing FIBA this summer?
It wouldn't bother me if we didn't.
Fes is the only one.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:12 pm
by Efernand
Happy to hear that
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 9:49 pm
by DelaneyRudd
Maybe Fes's participation is what is keeping a deal from happening.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:17 pm
by Luigi
I agree holytoledo. Putting Jefferson at the top of the key to face up and make the pass would be a mistake, especailly early on. I don't think passing and decision making in that context is his strong point. I'll be very happy if he improves his passing out of the double team on the low post, but I don't really expect him to ever distriute for the rest of the motion offense.
Re: Al Jefferson turned down Usa invite to continue training
Posted: Thu Jul 22, 2010 10:30 pm
by Purch
Remember he's only 25 he has lots of time to improve. Especilly playing under a coach like Jerry Sloan. I don't see the passing being an issue later down the road in the season once he gets adjusted to the offense. From what I heard he got a bit better passing out of double teams last season.