Al Jefferson - He Is Who We Thought He Was

Post #1 » by **StocktonShorts** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 12:53 am

All off-season the anti-Jefferson crowd (me included) pointed to Al Jefferson's poor TS%, his offense-halting post-play and his terrible defense as reasons why the Jazz shouldn't try to built around him.

The Jefferson apologists spoke up, pointed to his post-All Star-break numbers, his blocks and his improving passing game as reasons why the Jazz should give him more time.

Well, here we are 24 games into the season and what do things look like? Jefferson has played in 21 games, averaging 18.5 ppg, 8.9 rpg on 47% shooting in 33 mpg. His TS% is barely above .500, at .503. His block rate is down slightly, as is his rebounding rate, while his assist rate has marginally improved.

Meanwhile the "eyeball test" shows that he still clogs offensive execution, avoids contact to take his inefficient push-shot, routinely fails to make any effort to box out on defense and is a woeful help defender.

I just can't figure out why Ty Corbin insists on Jefferson being the focal point of the Jazz offense. Furthermore I can't understand why he's still on the team, when it's becoming increasingly clear the future belongs to Kanter and Favors.

Counter argument, anyone?

Reckless · Post #2 » by **Reckless** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:27 am

Because the basic fact is no matter what you do to a turd - polish it, paint it, give it bling - it's still a turd, and there is nothing you can do about that underlying fact.

Jazz need to trade this turd asap

Jazzfan12 · Post #3 » by **Jazzfan12** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 1:42 am

Well, he's gone from having easily the worst defensive plus or minus on the team to having easily the worst defensive plus or minus on the team!

stickiestwicket · Post #4 » by **stickiestwicket** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:16 am

I've never been the biggest fan of Al. I think he could be very useful as the second or third piece on some teams, but he just doesn't have what it takes to be the primary guy. I was hoping from the start of the season the Jazz would trade him just to free up minutes for Favors and Kanter.

I do think he is a good locker room presence and he has been a nice stop-gap while we rebuild this season, but I just don't see him being the long-term solution to getting us back to a top-tier team.

babyjax13 · Post #5 » by **babyjax13** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 5:28 am

He needs to shoot less jumpers, otherwise I've been happy.

Charlie_S · Post #6 » by **Charlie_S** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:04 am

He's a good guy, he's a pretty good player, he still needs to be traded. That's really all there is to say about him.

BJSmiles · Post #7 » by **BJSmiles** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:34 am

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_N1OjGhIFc[/youtube]

kamazilla · Post #8 » by **kamazilla** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:08 pm

Al is very skilled, but he's one of those guys who relies on his skill-set too much. He really needs to be assertive in going towards the basket and drawing contact with his body. And for a guy with such great feet of offense, why is he such a handsy fence post on D?

I think he is pretty set in his approach at this point. I would like to see him moved for a player who fills a need and better fits into a team's offensive flow.

Hoops Addict · Post #9 » by **Hoops Addict** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:32 pm

Big Al is not a turd...he is a good guy.

That being said...he is an above average offesive player, below average defender and passer.

We need to trade him quickly while his value is the highest ( now).

Yes....he is a great 2nd or 3rd piece.

If we trade him we will lose 4-6 more games this year, but who cares? We can trade Jefferson and get a draft pick and expirings.

Everybody know this.......it sucks to be .500 every year with no hope to improve, it is better to trade Big Al.....lose a few more games....and let the young guys play.

Jazzfan12 · Post #10 » by **Jazzfan12** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 4:36 pm

Al was a third or fourth piece last year and he was still pretty bad.

Brown Notes · Post #11 » by **Brown Notes** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:05 pm

If Utah drafted Knight this thread would be about Harris.

Brown Notes · Post #12 » by **Brown Notes** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:11 pm

Also no one wants to talk about how hard Sap has sucked over the last week or so.

Also the Utah bench failed miserably in the 4th quarter last night.

But nevermind, it's all Jefferson's fault. If only he wasn't here Utah would never lose.

BJSmiles · Post #13 » by **BJSmiles** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:40 pm

The guy doesn't rebound as well as he should. He may be an above average offensive player, but when the offense goes through him, it makes the rest of the team worse. He and Sap don't work well together, and I would rather keep Sap.

Also, he is damn near as bad as Boozer on defense.

Jazzfan12 · Post #14 » by **Jazzfan12** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:49 pm

Brown Notes wrote:Also no one wants to talk about how hard Sap has sucked over the last week or so.

Also the Utah bench failed miserably in the 4th quarter last night.

But nevermind, it's all Jefferson's fault. If only he wasn't here Utah would never lose.

Millsap played really good for the first 15 or 20 games and then dropped off.

Al has been bad for almost the entire season. The Jazz's defense is terrible when he's in the game because he barely tries to protect the rim and can't guard pick-and-roll and rarely helps off-ball. And his touch is not close to as good as it should be considering the horrible shots he takes.

retiredcoach · Post #15 » by **retiredcoach** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 6:54 pm

Right now Al is a hard trade. He has a big salary and doesn't play well with others. So only a losing team would take him.

Corbin keeps going to Al because Al is a high percentage shooter and everyone else on the Jazz has been inconsistent.

If Hayward were shooting as well as he did last year, you might see more offense directed toward him. He's starting to get more consistent, but he's only a 2nd year guy. 2nd year guys typically have very inconsistent 2nd years.

Right now Al and Millsap win games for the Jazz or they lose games for the Jazz. When Al or Millsap fail to show up, the Jazz lose. Right now there is no one else who can step up and make the difference between winning and losing. The other guys are still in the contributor stage.

What I think will happen is dependent on the draft. If the Jazz wind up with an unexpected high draft pick, they'll draft another PF that's big, and one who can take Al's place. If the Jazz get a mid first round pick, they'll likely go for a PG. If the Jazz get a PF in the draft then trading Al might be an option especially with his expiring contract.

Next year if Favors and Kanter are ready to step up and become the deciding factor in games, then Al may also be a trade asset. Just remember, they aren't going to get much for Al except from a team with a losing record. Those teams don't have much to trade except draft choices. Draft choices are good, but don't usually have an immediate impact on the W/L.

Al's likely to be here for the duration of this year because he's the only consistent scoring option right now. I'm not an Al fan, but I recognize what the Jazz are doing with him. They are staying competitive when they really don't have a competitive team due to lack of experience.

ColdBlue · Post #16 » by **ColdBlue** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 7:39 pm

Al isn't a superstar. We all know this. He is a solid player and pretty much the go to guy in an offense that doesn't have a better option like retiredcoach is saying above. I would rather have Al than Booze to be honest.

No need to make him the scapegoat here. Ty needs to mix things up. Favors starting and Sap coming off the bench might be a interesting move. I would like to see how it plays out.

carrottop12 · Post #17 » by **carrottop12** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:09 pm

I know one thing for certain, Favors and Kanter should never see fewer than 20 minutes a game.

13 last night is unacceptable.

Luigi · Post #18 » by **Luigi** » Sat Feb 11, 2012 9:05 pm

The hate is just unreal.

The59Sound · Post #19 » by **The59Sound** » Sun Feb 12, 2012 9:32 pm

Al is not capable of being the go-to guy on a high-caliber playoff team, and because he's so inefficient, it's difficult for him to fulfill another role. He's a good guy with a lot of skills, but I don't see a scenario in which he can help this team be successful over the long-haul.

erudite23 · Post #20 » by **erudite23** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 1:02 am

Al's biggest asset is that he can create middling quality shots in high volumes without turning the ball over. His TS%, while terrible, does not reflect his overall efficiency. He is one of the 5 best players in the league at creating while minimizing TOs. That's a big-time skill to have. If Al had more knock-down shooters around him, I think that he might be able to get his TS% above the league average which, combined with his ability to limit TOs, would make him a net-positive offensively.....even after factoring in the intangible effects he as on the offense by wrecking our ball movement and not being a great player off the ball and in the screen and roll.

I think Boston should be looking real hard at him. He'd be a great fit. Maybe GS or Indiana, too. But the real fit that I like is the 76ers. A swap for Iggy would be great for both teams, as it would open up minutes for Evan Turner--who they can't play alongside Iggy anyways--and would give them a guy to go to in the low post who might give them the offensive boost they're looking for.

Iggy on the Jazz would be a godsend. Defensive minded swing who runs the floor and can play a little point. He's not terribly efficient offensively, either, but I think he might improve a little on our team. And it would allow us to never, ever, ever play Raja again. So that's good.