How much did Al Jefferson really improve on D?

dunkonu21 · Post #1 » by **dunkonu21** » Sat May 10, 2008 9:55 pm

It was quite noticeable that he was getting better on defense throughout the year.

I was wondering if anyone could do a statistical breakdown of the improvement. I am trying to make sure my opinion of him not fitting at center is really true.

The way I have seen it is he is far more effective defensively when he is playing power forward. I realize he is an impact player no matter what he does and he can handle centers, but if I am right about him being better at PF then we should build around he at that spot.

If he is improving at defense playing center than we have hope for him being able to play there permanently. So I think this is an important thing to learn.

Too bad tsherkin will prolly never see this post, he's amazing!

Post #2 » by **Basti** » Sat May 10, 2008 11:34 pm

dunkonu21 wrote:It was quite noticeable that he was getting better on defense throughout the year.

I was wondering if anyone could do a statistical breakdown of the improvement. I am trying to make sure my opinion of him not fitting at center is really true.

The way I have seen it is he is far more effective defensively when he is playing power forward. I realize he is an impact player no matter what he does and he can handle centers, but if I am right about him being better at PF then we should build around he at that spot.

If he is improving at defense playing center than we have hope for him being able to play there permanently. So I think this is an important thing to learn.

Too bad tsherkin will prolly never see this post, he's amazing!

pm him or make a post on the player comparison board

anyway. I have no statistical support for what I write but from what I've watched in the last games it really seemed as he could handle the bigger and stronger guys. I guess he'll always have his problems defending the amares, dwights and bynums but I think he can stand his man against players such as kaman or yao.

mtheis · Post #3 » by **mtheis** » Sun May 11, 2008 12:44 am

Shrink knows his stats also, he would be a very good Mod.

4ho5ive · Post #4 » by **4ho5ive** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:21 am

I think with a competent big man plugging the middle, Big Al would see a Amare-like boost when moving to PF. I think he is much better suited to carry the offense at the 4 and let our 5 guard the opposing team's best big man. Like against Utah, Boozer is the 4 but I would rather let Big Al guard Okur and let our 5 guard Boozer.

Damn I wish we could get Okafor or someone along the lines.

andyhop · Post #5 » by **andyhop** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:03 am

I don't think Al has the speed to guard perimeter orientated PF's but he does ok against post up guys that he can bang with.

IMO the Wolves need a help defender at the 5 someone who is athletic enough to defend the pick and roll whilst being able to protect the rim from people driving the lane rather than a big body to bang down low.

Al actually does ok against Boozer. I'm not sure putting him on Okur and having him defend on the perimeter would be a good idea.

Post #6 » by **NO-KG-AI** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:19 am

PM tsherkin, he studies Al Jeff a lot, and has a lot of statistics on him.

prefuse73 · Post #7 » by **prefuse73** » Sun May 11, 2008 3:27 pm

Al is most effective in the post on both offense and defense which means he really is a Center. We need an athletic big man (prefer 6'11 to 7'0)...whether that guy is labeled a PF or C doesn't really matter. A versatile defender that can guard either the post or on the perimeter (for the Okur types), good passing ability and can hit a 15-20ft jumper on a regular basis. Ironically, KG would be the best fit. This is why many of us have a little man crush on Anthony Randolph. Robin Lopez would be a good option if we can get a later 1st round pick.

JMillott · Post #8 » by **JMillott** » Sun May 11, 2008 4:29 pm

I'm a huge Al Jefferson fan from his Celtics days and i'll tell you guys flatout his defense is actually quite good as long as he isn't left on an island defending the post.

It happened to him in Boston where the Celtics played way to much smallball do to personel caused by injuries. When he was paired with Kendrick Perkins in the post the defense was more then ok it was actually pretty good.

He can't be paired with guys like Antoine Walker, Ryan Gomes or Craig Smith in the post but you can play him at center if you have a legit PF with him who can defend and rebound.

I would warn you though that I really don't think you can pair him with a guy who isn't at least as good defensively as Al Jefferson himself is.

In other words Brook Lopez or Michael Beasley aren't the awnser for this team unless you plan on letting Ryan Gomes walk and playing Beasley as a SF while trying to sign a center this summer like Diop.

invno1 · Post #9 » by **invno1** » Sun May 11, 2008 5:07 pm

Spot-on