Al Jefferson so far

[kd35sneighbor]

So far I have been impressed with his game. I believe he can be a top 3 Center in the near future. He absolutely dominated Dwight Howard in the previous outing. He's playing good D, blocking a lot of shots. And I am impressed with his social skills, he sounds like Tim Duncan when given interviews. Also looks a lot like Tim Duncan in that he looks out of shape. I think Jefferson can be a piece you build around provided he doesn't get injured anymore. BTW, can anyone tell me about his last injury and if it is a risk that may take him out again? It's hard for me to believe that for someone who plays the game without using his athleticism much can get injured for so long.

Where do you guys think our front court ranks among the league?

[yonexpro1]

I've been up and down on al, for the most part good.

Cons:
Soft finisher
doesnt run the floor
poor rebounder (i called this on the 1st preseason game) getting ball ripped away by jerryd bayless
slow on help D

Pros:
can create own shot
gives a different dimension
better defender than given credit
willing to learn
I think he can pass (although he can get caught up in blackhole)
wants to win

I think we can build around him and deron, and I do think he can be a top 3 center.

[babyjax13]

I think he is a top three center right now. The only ones better are Brook Lopez and Dwight Howard (and Gasol if you want to call him a center). I like that he is looking to defer, but once his offense gets back to where it usually is Al is an MVP candidate in the making (and yes, I do have a straight face right now).

[yonexpro1]

I think he is a top three center right now. The only ones better are Brook Lopez and Dwight Howard (and Gasol if you want to call him a center). I like that he is looking to defer, but once his offense gets back to where it usually is Al is an MVP candidate in the making (and yes, I do have a straight face right now).

you write like you are an avid listener of david locke...... Al very welll could be in a few yrs.

[Pai Gow]

I think he is a top three center right now. The only ones better are Brook Lopez and Dwight Howard (and Gasol if you want to call him a center). I like that he is looking to defer, but once his offense gets back to where it usually is Al is an MVP candidate in the making (and yes, I do have a straight face right now).

Bogut is better also and Duncan

[HammerDunk]

Bogut is better, but he is pretty darn good. If he can find some consistency in his shot, and I'm only talking shooting just over .500, he will be elite for sure.

[Xsy]

He's made a good bit of progress learning the Jazz system, but he's still a bit inconsistent, which really irks me. He definitely needs to attack the rim more, and stop being such a soft finisher. There are so many easy dunk opportunities for this guy, and he takes less than half of them. Usually opts for a simple layup, which doesn't always find its way in.

But still, the fact that he can create his own space, and move the way he does. Shoot, it almost brings a tear to my eye.

Can't wait to see where he goes when he takes it a step further.

[HammerDunk]

Thinking about it, I think his shot selection, particularly close to the basket, probably has a lot to do with his finger injury, which I think is probably going to last all season long.

[The59Sound]

He's a very poor finisher, but besides that, I've been pretty happy with him of late. He puts in a lot more effort than Boozer defensively, and also seems to possess a more natural talent for defending. His jumper isn't looking half-bad either.

[jazzfan1971]

Kinda short for a center. I always envisioned him as a PF.

[BarneyGumble]

Al has exceeded my expectations. He has totally bought in to what our team is about. He is not concerned about his role, touches, shots, etc. He just goes out there and does what he can to help us win. Sometimes its not much, but usually its just enough. Occassionally, like against Dwight, he is the best player on the floor for stretches....

Pros:
-attitude, work ethic, willingness to defer and learn the system
-great FT shooter
-very good mid-range shooter for a man his size
-good "up and under" move in the post
-above average post moves (back down and spin, back down and jump hook)
-decent post defense on bigs
-getting more blocks than I thought he was capable of
-able to get his own shot at any time...something Boozer could not do

Cons:
-Subpar rebounder for his size
-Often passes up open midrange shots for a pump fake and then dribbles into traffic
-uses the pump fake too much
-below average passer in the post
-not effective in our uptempo game

[HammerDunk]

Kinda short for a center. I always envisioned him as a PF.

Dwight disagrees...

[Luigi]

He's going to get better. His touch around the rim is a bit off. The sad thing is, when he gets the ball on the block, he often looks to pass out instead of go to work. To me it looks like he is afraid to mess up the offense. I mean, he had the eternal green light in Minnesota, so he could go to work and make mistakes. Now, I think he's afraid of making a mistake in a create-your-own-shot situation that all falls on him. I wish he'd go back to throwing two or three counter moves in the post so he can finally normalize his touch. I think with more attempts he will stop missing so many close shots.

[HammerDunk]

Not sure we're watching the same games. I see him taking plenty of shots and still doesn't pass ENOUGH.

[rapsfanfolife]

I'm more thorougly impressed by the Jazz wing play this season; it seemed the last 3-4 years there was a bit of a logjam with that white guy who'd start whose name is escaping me, price, Miles, brewer; i was always under the impression the Jazz were trading the wrong names when it came to the SG/SF spot; boy did I under estimate the development of a few players under Sloan.

[GP]

Offensively, I am was expecting a forceful inside presence, but he actually seems to go up soft. Either he never gets fouled, or he just doesn't get calls, but he averages 3 attempts per game. Considering his proximity to the hoop, I am surprised he doesn't shoot a higher percentage (47%). He isn't the rebounding force I envisioned either. However, his defense is better than I thought, his ability to block a few shots a game is a real bonus. My opinion sounds negative, but considering how we are doing with Al "under performing", I am excited to see what we can do when he feels comfortable in the offense. Overall, not bad considering this is what we got for boozer.

[countrybama24]

If he just made more gimmies, I would be completely satisfied. I think it takes awhile to get used to the system completely, not just a few plays. Just make those damn 3 footers already.

[babyjax13]

I think he is a top three center right now. The only ones better are Brook Lopez and Dwight Howard (and Gasol if you want to call him a center). I like that he is looking to defer, but once his offense gets back to where it usually is Al is an MVP candidate in the making (and yes, I do have a straight face right now).

you write like you are an avid listener of david locke...... Al very welll could be in a few yrs.

I haven't listened to Locke since I moved from Clinton, but usually I agree with the things he says. I don't know if it is becuase I am a homer or becuase he is right .

Also, someone brought up Duncan and Bogut. Duncan was a great player, but he is in the twilight years of his career, so I am going to give the edge to Al in that one. Bogut, like Yao, is simply injured too much for me to place him ahead of Al.

[erudite23]

I think Al is what's holding us back right now. The Jazz are a terrible rebounding team, and Jefferson is the main culprit. Not just that, but his finishing ability has been a massive disappointment. I was expecting his FG% to go through the roof with all the easy looks that Deron gets him, but he is actually below his career standard at the moment. Right now he's a mediocre rebound, a bad passer and a poor finisher who doesn't get to the line. Oh, yeah, and he's adequate at best on defense. He's not getting much blame right now because the team has been winning, but that will flip around quickly if/when we hit a rough patch. I can't really tell you how much I've been disappointed. In order for us to contend, Al needs to be getting 11rpg and scoring at least 18-19ppg on 55% FGs. Right now we've been getting along on close finishes and come back wins. I think we have a rude awakening headed our way soon.

[UTJazzFan_Echo1]

Pros:
-Good man to man defense.
-Shot blocking.
-Passing/Team player.
-Passionate about winning.
-Patience in learning and fitting into the team system.
-Willing to sacrifice for the good of the team.
-Surprisingly solid mid-range game/pick and pop.
-Good chemistry guy/high character.

Cons:
-Rebounding. (Massive disappointment)
-Consistency on offense.
-Often times finishes soft.
-Help defense/weak side help.
-Doesn't run the floor consistently.
-Overall disappointment on the offensive end. (seems to play better when more guys guard him/worse when he is open or has a guy one on one).