Are people already thinking Al Jefferson's career is done?

[Calinks]

Seems like people are starting to believe that Al Jefferson's best days as an NBA player are behind him. Sure, he is having a bad year and yea, its possible his days as a Timberwolf may be numbered but to say that as a player the guy is done?

Anyone who claims to know that Big Al is done after watching him this season is mistaken. Yea he is having a bad year, most high level NBA players who come back from a major ACL surgery do. People didn't even expect him to play until December or January, he was on the court in September. He might get traded because of fit or whatever but in no way can anyone say that the guy is done. For many players it takes over a year to get back from something like that.

You don't just miss game time, you lose strength, timing, conditioning, everything. Players who play at an elite level are SO fine tuned into what they do that the slightest change can completely throw them off. That's a reason why so many top athletes have trouble producing when they get in their 30's. They lose just a little bit of speed, quickness, or explosiveness and it completely throws them off.

Look at this quote from Nuggets strength and condition coach.

http://www.seattlepi.com/basketball/309644_nban30.html

"You have to take into account the size of these guys, I'm telling you it's different," said Hess, who helped Nene work off 20 pounds during the season. "When you are 7-feet, 270 pounds, the force on that joint is a lot different than a guy 5-feet. The specific area is a hot spot for up to two years, and it definitely takes between 12 and 18 months to come back. And you want to take your time because you want to be the best you ever were when you come back."

Amare had a serious injury and he had to sit out the season and come back in 06-07. Oden had one in 07 and didn't start to look like an NBA player until 2009. You wont see the real Al Jefferson until next year. It's a bit pre-mature to say the guy is done and will never be the same. If Al Jefferson is playing like poorly this time next season, then I may buy into the "he will never be good again" hype but until then, I'm not worried about him regaining his form.

[B Calrissian]

Ha

[Krapinsky]

No.

I don't think anyone thinks his best days are behind him. I think he should get the benefit of the doubt until the beginning of next season. If he's still not back to his old self by then, then he'll be Elton Brand 2.0, which is what he has looked like lately.

Amare and Oden are not a ripe comparison b/c I belivee they had microfracture surgery which is much more serious -- some say it takes 2 years to come back. (not sure about Oden, but he never really came back).

We'll just have to wait and see.

[Slum_Dillinger]

I didnt see anybody say he was done. Part of it is excitement over a real center, part of it is seeing Al play poorly, I think most of it is the fact that his play is coinciding with Pek possibly coming over and Love's emergence, that not only is he playing poorly he also isnt doing us a favor as far as potentially upping his trade value goes.

Is that his fault? Maybe not, but its just a bad time for him to not be doing so well, plus with all the losing, people tend to overreact

[Vega06]

He's still very young (24?), I'm sure he'll return to the form he was in last season. He just looks slow and injured right now.

[IAmTheTruth]

Only idiots think he's "done" or a "bum" now. The vast majority understand why he isn't putting up numbers like last year. His best days could possibly still be ahead, but I have a hard time believing that he has a lot more growth left. Although, since he doesn't depend on athleticism he could have a very consistent, productive career.

That said, he has his weaknesses, and the fit just isn't there anymore. He should be moved this summer. If not, I welcome him back with open arms, but it may not be wise to keep him around much longer.

[horaceworthy]

Keep him around until he gets healthy, try to add players to the nucleus. He's only 25, see if he can get better (although that doesn't mean you don't take a good deal if it comes along).

[NewWolvesOrder]

Maybe Al knows he has no future with the team and just took his foot of the gas pedal, he plays less minutes lately and doesn't complain at all. When Love gets his minutes cut he's visibly upset about it.

[Dewey]

I think this topic is more about the values each of place on Al ... I've never been a huge fan of Al and therefore, do not feel as disappoointed about his performance this year. IMO, many felt he would naturally improve his overall game, but that has not happened as he has taken a step back. Others had expectations that may have not been attainable for Al, but again, all opinion.

I agree he will be better next year, but that's not going to change my opinions on Al. He is a low-post scorer with good character, but does not get to the line, pass, or defend well. He's a #2 to #3 man on a playoff team. In Al's defense, Kahn and Rambis have not placed enough value on getting the proper pieces around Al (shooter, defensive big), and he continually been exposed.

[dunkonu21]

I certainly think people are overreacting to last nights game. He had a bad game let's just call it that.

However if he really is being bothered by his knee then why the hell is he playing? Why doesn't he just take the rest of the season off? Is the knee something that is stable now?

[Worm Guts]

It's stable, but he needs to get his strength and explosiveness back. I'm not sure time off is what he needs, he just needs time.

[funkatron101]

Meh...Don't be fair-weather fans. If he scores 30 and grabs 15 boards, everyone would be praising him. He had a bad game, and Darko played well. But it was only one game. We'll see if these keeps up.

He is a great low-post player...My only concern is that he no longer fits the team. We are trying to be up-tempo, and that is difficult when Al needs 8 seconds to find his shot.

[C.lupus]

I'm not being a fair weather fan but it's more than just one bad game.
January = 18.8/11.6
February = 15.1/7.2
Last 5 games = 14.2/6.6
Last 2 games = 10.0/5.5/.434 fg%

I'm definitely not writing him off but, if he ain't healthy, he's not doing himself or the team much good by playing crappy.

[Danimals]

Al is not done as a player. He may eventually be traded, but I don't see that happening until next year's trade deadline, if it happens. He is still not 100% back from the ACL injury and his other knee is a bit banged up. Just relax people.

[Devilzsidewalk]

doubting is good for Big Al. It motivates the heart. So on that note, you're done Big Al. You should be proud, most guys never make it to the NBA. But it's time to pack it up now and start looking into what you want to do with your free time. Maybe take up knitting or bingo.

[horaceworthy]

Maybe Al knows he has no future with the team and just took his foot of the gas pedal, he plays less minutes lately and doesn't complain at all. When Love gets his minutes cut he's visibly upset about it.

Or maybe Al's mature enough to handle situations like that and Love's a crybaby.

[Dewey]

Maybe Al knows he has no future with the team and just took his foot of the gas pedal, he plays less minutes lately and doesn't complain at all. When Love gets his minutes cut he's visibly upset about it.

Or maybe Al's mature enough to handle situations like that and Love's a crybaby.

All b.s. ...

More b.s. ...
1.) Love is playing for an eventual contract and Al is guarenteed. Two different worlds.
2.) Al is not happy about the rebuilding process ... the trade rumors may have stung, too.
3.) He does seem to be playing without purpose ... maybe playing not to get hurt?

If I had to choose, I'd be in the camp that Al isn't that good. Merely a #3 player on a good team ... just has too many limitations. I don't want to trade him, but we have to understand, "He may not be who we thought he was!"

[moss_is_1]

a #3? so you're saying he can't be as good as Pau Gasol? I think he could be. He was well on his way to being that last season before the injury. Another problem has been his ft%. They are down around 67% instead of closer to 75% that takes out a good chunk of his ppg as well.

[Slum_Dillinger]

I would LOVE if Jefferson could be Pau-like. But the fact is, at least to me, that Pau impacts the game in several ways that Al will never be able to.

[dunkonu21]

Al Jefferson will never be as good as Pau Gasol, but I think he'd prolly be willing to admit that!