Jefferson's defense

[MeestR]

so in an article about millsap, jefferson was trying to compliment him...

Added Al Jefferson: "I'm just glad I don't have to guard him."

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/blogsjazzn ... r.html.csp

this isn't the first time i have heard of big al not wanting to guard someone. i have heard him say similar things about gasol, and other big guys in the league. any one else concerned about this?

i think it may be a symptom of his lack of killer instinct. he makes silly mistakes that students of the game dont make. he is incredibly talented and knows how to use his size, but he doesn't learn about his opponent so much. of if he does, he doesnt retain it very well. this may be why he struggles on defense.

like the highschool student who doesnt like math because they aren't good at it, but in reality it is the other way around. if big al would spend a bit more time learning about defensive strategies, and his opponents, he just might improve and start to like it a little more. his quote instead, would be

"I wish I could have a chance at guarding him."

[Reckless]

it's a number of things that you mention, lack of killer instinct i think means he lacks that competitive edge you see in other players that know what it takes to win in this league. this goes back to his Minnesota days where he was one of the biggest culprits of lack of killer instinct on a team that was already used to not defending people, but was even worse at it when Al was on the floor.... if you watch a jazz game and see the opponent score a easy bucket in half court-court, and than you figured out it was Jefferson who turned his head at the wrong time or just decided to leave the weak side totally unprotected, is it a surprise? no. i think this is was drove jerry crazy and eventually led to his early retirement.

[jazzed77]

Holy crap the Big Al hate by some posters i crazy! He has improved soem on D and the effort is there. As far as killer instince I guess I don't get that point. He has passion for the game at least.

[FJS]

I'm with Jazzed. He has improved a lot. Watch the block he put in the finals minutes. This was huge.
I think we're playing a great team deffense.
Nuggets are ultraoffensive, so they were under 100. Jefferson it's not a problem, actually.

[Neon Black]

So now it's Big Al's fault that Sloan retired.

Off with his head!

[schneiderjazz]

Al has improved a lot defensively. Even though his numbers are basically the same as last year, his impact has been a lot bigger. I wanted Ty's head for not playing Kanter and Favors enough, but Al and Sap are just worlds better on offense and comparable on defense. If only he wouls learn to box out...

[babyjax13]

I think he's just more honest than most players. Just because he doesn't "want" to guard someone doesn't mean he won't put his best foot forward. He certainly is a much improved defender, but I wouldn't put him in the upper tier of the league yet

[StocktonShorts]

Are we really trying to psycho-analyze Al on what was likely just a different way of saying "Paul Millsap is balling right now?"

[MeestR]

woah

ok, he's improved. im not hatin. he is prolly the most consistant player on the team. all im saying is he has potential to be a star--not just all-star but top 5-10 players in league. listening to him talk makes it sound like he doesn't want it. he is definitely getting those blocks, which helps the team a ton-it provides a great example/competition for the young guys to go against. he is also providing a lot of help that he didn't do as much last year.

but still, watching the games, im shaking my head at him as much or a little more than hayward, and bell, (but not as much as cj). hearing him talk about his own defense doesn't reassure me either.

[HolyToledo]

Big Al has gone from no defense (Boozer level) to an average defensive center. He is in better shape and sees other guys bust their butts which in turns makes him want to play better D.

[Soul Patch]

Are we really trying to psycho-analyze Al on what was likely just a different way of saying "Paul Millsap is balling right now?"

I thought it was a joke at first.

[carrottop12]

Could be worse, remember this kind of stuff.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvkbHE_DBLo&list=UUYaOkue3qsmi8A1jgJU-5hw&index=1&feature=plcp[/youtube]

[Jefff]

showed some improvements, but i'm waiting more... nastiness; even on offense, were he seems afraid of contact (so gets few calls)

[eLo]

Could be worse, remember this kind of stuff.

When it comes to Boozer comparisons there is no doubt that Big Al is improvement in def, defensive attitude of those two is really different, plus say whatever you want but few last games and Big Al is quite clutch in def.

[Amish Mafioso]

And what about that story a little while back about Al's girlfriend kicking his ass. Is anyone else concerned about Al taking this without giving it back? I think this says a lot about his approach to playing defense.

[eLo]

Is anyone else concerned about Al taking this without giving it back?

only those who think beating womens is ok would be concerned

[outerspacefella]

Are we really trying to psycho-analyze Al on what was likely just a different way of saying "Paul Millsap is balling right now?"

+1

[Getjazz]

Yeah, now lets hate on him for not drunk punching a chick. Classy!!!!

[MeestR]

ok, i've thought about it, and read a couple more articles. i think him saying he doesn't want to defend guys is more of a statement of him focusing more on his defensive game. like acknowledging its existence or lack of it.

at the same time, i think it also shows he knows he is not "good" yet, as in he knows he still has lots of room to improve. he doesn't want to be the guy who gets poster-ized, cuz he knows he still has the potential to allow that kind of stuff to happen.

i still hope by the end of the year, his attitude changes. because if it does, it means his confidence, and thus his defense, has improved.

[DeadlyTreeStump]

Sometimes a banana is just a banana.

Just saying...