Big Al's Paint: The Al Jefferson Thread

[MasterIchiro]

Nothing against Biyombo, but I think we still need an upgrade at the starting center position in the offseason. Someone who can play sound defense and offense at the same time. Who that guy might be who knows.

Al is opting in, so we won't see that guy next year. It would have to be the year after, with Biz being the backup.

I'm fine with Al opting in, with the cap going up and loads of teams gearing up for the 2016 off-season an expiring Jefferson would be one of the best trade assets in the league. We'd easily be able to pull off a trade that is advantageous to us.

Good point. I'm feeling much better about the team not extending Al if he opts out anyways. That would be the worst path to take.

[mrknowitall215]

[tweet]http://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/555403161692028928[/tweet]

[mrknowitall215]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/555484308526219264[/tweet]

Big Al trying to get back on that court before the Hornets win too many games without him that it'll no longer be described as a small sample size

[yosemiteben]

[tweet]http://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/555403161692028928[/tweet]

Previously we heard four weeks.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/550129970547556352[/tweet]

We have a nice stretch from 2/10 to 2/21 with no games. Will be interesting if that benefits us or hurts us. Sounds like we'll have a couple weeks of working guys into the rotation before that break.

[mrknowitall215]

Do we have a identity crisis? Yes, but we shouldn't. Defense is our strength, and trying to build around Jefferson & 'Alfense' has been the reason for our regression instead of progression going into the season. Clifford need to own the fact that we are a defensive-minded team and stop trying to use #spacing as a strategic game plan during crucial moments when it's our weakness regardless of what players are on the floor

Also, I have to give credit where it's due to 'BrotherDave', 'jdm3', and 'Braggins' for calling it all along that Jefferson shouldn't be a centerpiece of this team's growth. I've always stood against the thesis of feeding Jefferson in the post routinely aka 'Alfense' since the offense wasn't much better than it was with Dunlap all the while hindering Kemba & MKG's offensive growth, but I still believe we can win with Jefferson if we stick to our defensive identity rather than trying to place #spacing around Jefferson via a stretch 4 and etc.

[TheKingofSting]

They simply could only scheme to hide him on defense for so long.

[BeesWax]

[tweet]http://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/555403161692028928[/tweet]

Trying to get back before Biz steals all his minutes. Don't let Cliff see enough game film without to realize how much of a detriment he is.

[HornetJail]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/556141793863933952[/tweet]

Damn it. I was hoping to see a healthy Lance play without Al and with Biz for at least a few games. Doesn't look like that's happening.

[fatlever]

Wow, so NOW Jefferson heals quickly. Figures. It will very telling how Clifford uses Al in the upcoming weeks. If Cliff goes back to the same lineups, rotations, offensive plays and allowing Jefferson to skate by on defense, it will be one of the most disappointing things of the season.

[MasterIchiro]

Al is hungry to opt out for more money and Biz has been eating his lunch.

[MasterIchiro]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/rick_bonnell/status/556141793863933952[/tweet]

Damn it. I was hoping to see a healthy Lance play without Al and with Biz for at least a few games. Doesn't look like that's happening.

You will still see Lance with Biz, on the 2nd unit.

[JDR720]

today has been so weird and its only 1PM

-Al coming back soon
-Kemba has a bad knee
-No Lance trade

[yosemiteben]

Does anyone think there is a single team that was interested in Lopez that would not also be interested in Al?

[JDR720]

Does anyone think there is a single team that was interested in Lopez that would not also be interested in Al?

Al is on a better contract and he is healthy most of the time, put Al on the block and im sure the Lopez teams and then some will come

[fatlever]

Does anyone think there is a single team that was interested in Lopez that would not also be interested in Al?

We mentioned OKC as one of the teams that would have been interested in Al. However, the deal offered back to us for Al would have probably been the same - Perkins/Lamb for Al. I would definitely not trade Al for that deal.

We need to keep the frontcourt pairings of Al/Zeller and Biz/Marvin together as much as possible, regardless of who starts or comes off the bench. Play all 4 about 24 minutes a game (give or take a few based on fouls and matchups).

Would also prefer that Lance plays as many of his minutes with the Biz/Marvin pairing.

[Hornet Mania]

When Al returns I want to see how he does on a minute count, something like the 24mpg Fats suggested would be fine. But from what we've seen thus far this season it's pretty clear that when Biz is on the floor we've played much better and Al has hurt more than he helps. Maybe that disparity won't be as big in fewer minutes, it's definitely worth a shot at least. It's not that Biz is a "better" player than Al, but he helps on the defensive end and other guys (Kemba and Hendo mostly) can pick up enough of the offensive slack to make things work. When Al is out there the offense has essentially no improvement in comparison to when Kemba/Hendo carry the load (it's mediocre regardless) and our defense tanks. The improvement we've seen on defense since his injury, and our offense staying basically steady, are signs of pure addition by subtraction.

If Al comes back and stinks it up for 3-4 games and kills our defense it's time to seriously consider a trade before the deadline. If he plays limited minutes and things are working I hope Cliff doesn't let him see 30mpg again this year.

[mrknowitall215]

Am I the only one that feel like Jefferson is a important figurehead to this team despite lacking defensive ability/effort? We don't make the playoffs last year and realize our true potential without Jefferson signing with Charlotte

I dislike his defense more than anyone of us, but at the end of the day, we can win with him if he's used properly

[KembaWalker]

The hits keep coming ugh

[yosemiteben]

Am I the only one that feel like Jefferson is a important figurehead to this team despite lacking defensive ability/effort? We don't make the playoffs last year and realize our true potential without Jefferson signing with Charlotte

I dislike his defense more than anyone of us, but at the end of the day, we can win with him if he's used properly

You and I seem to be 100% on the same page when it comes to Al.

[stinger14]

Am I the only one that feel like Jefferson is a important figurehead to this team despite lacking defensive ability/effort? We don't make the playoffs last year and realize our true potential without Jefferson signing with Charlotte

I dislike his defense more than anyone of us, but at the end of the day, we can win with him if he's used properly

I think he can be a very good contributor to the team, but he is not the key piece anymore, and should not be relied on to carry the team. I am all for trading him, but also would not mind if he was used with the second unit. Biz is just a better all around player, and a better fit for the Hornets. Let Al come off the bench about 15-18 minutes a game, run Alfense during that time, then get that starting unit back out there. Playing on the second unit against other teams backup would be a nightmare for them as Al would dominate them. He could play those lesser minutes but still get about 15 and 7 per game. This also keeps him fresher and healthier throughout the season.