Fried Chicken and Bonghits: The Al Jefferson Thread 2.0

[MasterIchiro]

It's a double win because the staters play better team ball offense without leaning on Al as a crutch and the bench gets a reliable go-to option to complement the depth on the second unit. Both units play better with this arrangement. Kemba and Batum get more touches and Cody does a better job of setting up plays for them and pushing the pace in an up tempo game. At the same time, inconsistent players like Lamb and Lin get fewer touches and have someone to bail them out.

[yosemiteben]

What MI said.

[HornetJail]

Been saying this since the start of last season. That skillset is a terrific third-big skill set. Kanter is doing it in OKC- he may be the only center worse than Al on defense getting real minutes- but he's doing so well on offense and on the glass that it's almost worth it.

[Diop]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article64685742.html

“I’ve been telling people all week I kind of like coming off the bench,” Jefferson said. “You kind of see how the game is going and you get to play against the backup center most of the time. You kind of know what you need to do or what you shouldn’t do, and I kind of like it.

“Cody (Zeller) starts the game off well. He’s a great defensive center, and we have enough scoring in there among the starters.

“If coach wants me back in the starting lineup, I’d be fine with that. But off the bench, I’m fine with that right now, getting myself in better shape.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article64685742.html#storylink=cpy

Kudos to Al for embracing his new role.

Apart from struggling not to smoke cones and pig out on fried chicken, Al seems like a good pro.
Happy to do what the team needs and a great locker influence.

So the next question is, would you like to keep Al at a reduced rate as backup centre?

[BigSlam]

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article64685742.html

“I’ve been telling people all week I kind of like coming off the bench,” Jefferson said. “You kind of see how the game is going and you get to play against the backup center most of the time. You kind of know what you need to do or what you shouldn’t do, and I kind of like it.

“Cody (Zeller) starts the game off well. He’s a great defensive center, and we have enough scoring in there among the starters.

“If coach wants me back in the starting lineup, I’d be fine with that. But off the bench, I’m fine with that right now, getting myself in better shape.”

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article64685742.html#storylink=cpy

Kudos to Al for embracing his new role.

Apart from struggling not to smoke cones and pig out on fried chicken, Al seems like a good pro.
Happy to do what the team needs and a great locker influence.

So the next question is, would you like to keep Al at a reduced rate as backup centre?

I'd love to retain Big Al but like most questions like this one, for me it'd come down to the price tag attached.

What are you thinking?

If it's Big Al Vs Noah (at the same price) that'd be an interesting conundrum for me.


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[Diop]

I'm thinking we swing and miss on all free agent bigs, do we just keep the cap space or do we pay for the scoring backup?

[bws94]

What MI said.

I don't agree at all. The Jeremy's were killing it in the beginning of the season and while they can be inconsistent, so can Al. The bench was one of the best benches in the league without Al. Al makes it different, not always better. And from a defensive standpoint as well.

[bws94]

Al is being used with both units and I think he should continue to be. He knows Kemba well and has good chemistry with him and he can work well off the bench I think used strategically because Lin, Lamb, Kaminsky, those guys have proven capable most nights. Also matchups have to favor big Al. While he rebounds he doesn't add much defensively otherwise. I hope he's OK with coming off the bench because Batum and Zeller have too good a chemistry to change things now. Kemba also is good at finding Cody. If Al gets enough usage and minutes, he should be OK in his role off the bench. He's definitel making a positive contribution in some games and looks like he's finding his rhythm back.

[euphorbus]

The Hornets are now 8-2 since Jefferson returned to the court, coming off the bench. I think he gives the team another dimension, a different look, that makes it more difficult for other teams to prepare. On top of that, he is working hard on those defensive rebounds. He will be an important element for the Hornets come playoff time.

[ChokeFasncists]

And it's good he comes off the bench, no big deal if he gets into foul trouble with all those touch fouls.

[2k15]

props to al who is playing pretty big

[catch20two]

Al has been a consummate pro about coming off the bench. Much respect to him not just of his attitude but of his play as well. He's given our bench a different element of more consistent scoring and he's been a solid big body to use when Cody is getting thrown around like a rag doll by bigger bigs.

[ChokeFasncists]

Most teams nowadays have smaller 5s come off the bench. Al's been feasting on them.

[antique0o0]

Do you think Al will be starter again this season?
Do you think Hornets will re-sign him this summer?
I don't think so.

[JDR720]

i would be very very mad if we waste money on al, even as a backup he is useless if he isn't scoring well.

[antique0o0]

Ineffient is the word I would use to describe Al's scoring.
Defensively, he's a liability.

[tondi123]

Al is fools gold just like he's been for most of his career. Sure he occasionally gets it going on the offensive end and helps us out but its always a layup drill on the defensive end of the court regardless of whether he's having his one occasionally effective offensive games.

[catch20two]

I doubt Cho would re-sign Albus.

[Eoghan]

Big Al's paint has lead in it and should be disposed of like other toxic chemicals.

[fatlever]

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