Post#30 » by erudite23 » Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:19 pm
The big difference in the Gasol comparison versus Al Jefferson is the vast disparity in offensive efficiency. Gasol, even in Memphis, was among the most efficient players in the game. Big Al has never been, and likely never will be. He might be the worst offensive minded big in the league in terms of getting to the line. He shoots right around 50%, but has never, and likely WILL never, push that upwards into the mid 50s, and he doesn't provide ancillary value as a passer or defender to mitigate it. Pau Gasol was always extremely efficient, and has now become even moreso with the Lakers by virtue of fitting into a team concept.
Al sort of just does what he does. He can score 20+ for you a night, but he doesn't work well into what a team does. He has to isolate his man and bring the offense to a screeching halt in order to do his work effectively. When the double does come, he is barely able to get the ball out of his hands when he's not forcing a bad shot. He's just the type of player who will always put up good stats on a bad team, but if the team improves it squeezes his game. Its no coincidence that his personal game worked inversely proportional to the quality of this Jazz team. When we were playing well, he was fairy terrible. When we were playing terribly, he was "terrific." Right? Those are the players you need to trick other GMs into taking off your hands.
I love the guy, but he will have to go before we can become a serious threat as a team, and we'll need to get something good back in return.