Is Al Jefferson a Franchise Player?

Post #1 » by **Klomp** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:09 am

I've seen people debate if Al is really a franchise cornerstone for this team, and someone we can build around.

My opinion is yes. As a 23 year old this past season, he averaged 21 points and 11 rebounds per game. This was also without Randy Foye much of the season, so Jefferson would face numerous double teams because defenders would come off their perimeter assignment.

Jefferson is only going to get better with age.

What do you guys think?

AQuintus · Post #2 » by **AQuintus** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:17 am

Personally, I see him as a franchise player in the same way I see Amare, Boozer, or David West as franchise players. He's the kind of guy that you have to put next to a stud PG in order to maximize both of their talents. So, in other words, I don't really see him as a franchise player by himself, and likewise, I don't see the PG as a franchise player by himself, but together they make 2 franchise players.

Gunny · Post #3 » by **Gunny** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:28 am

I think he's a franchise player, but to truly be a superstar in this league, he has a lot to work on; his defense, passing out of double plays, ability to draw contact (as a player who operates primarily in the post, he doesn't get to the line as often as he should).

deeney0 · Post #4 » by **deeney0** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:54 am

Not yet. Next season will be telling.

Post #5 » by **revprodeji** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:33 am

Define a franchise player. If you mean someone to build a team around then yes. He is. My understanding is that a franchise player is a cornerstone that you build around. In that sense Al is that player.

Also, I think a team wins when you have a core group of guys who accept their role, respect each other and try hard. We need to figure out that group of guys first. But I am sure Al is one of them.

SonicYouth34 · Post #6 » by **SonicYouth34** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:03 am

I think he's not one now, but eventually when he improves his d-fence and other intangibles he'll be top 5 in the NBA

Post #7 » by **Basti** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 4:14 am

Gunny wrote:I think he's a franchise player, but to truly be a superstar in this league, he has a lot to work on; his defense, passing out of double plays, ability to draw contact (as a player who operates primarily in the post, he doesn't get to the line as often as he should).

I tend to disagree on that. he had tons of and1s throughout the season. plus playing as a non-veteran in minnesota certainly doesn't help you getting to the line.

otherwise I agree with you though. he needs to improve his D and his passing ability. in the last games IIRC he had a few games w/ 3+ assists so there seems to be improvement as well. actually I'm really confident that big al will be a franchise player. not as much as KG was w/ all his intangibles, passing and defense but w/ the ability to do some damage in the post and taking the team on his shoulders offensively. no offense to KG but seeing him taking 15 fters and/or passing with less than 2 mins to play isn't really what I expect from a franchise player.

DG4L · Post #8 » by **DG4L** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:42 am

I'm not sure if he's a franchise player yet. He has to be a much more complete player. 50% of the game is defense and he's not where I'd like him to be on that side of the ball.

4ho5ive · Post #9 » by **4ho5ive** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:42 am

He is mos definitely the person we are building around, so yea in that sense he is OUR franchise player. He's very young so hopefully we are able to build a very solid team around him so he can take us to the top.

mayorhoiberg · Post #10 » by **mayorhoiberg** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:55 pm

To me, a franchise player has to do be able to be built around, and able to me marketed as the cornerstone of a franchise.

The Wolves are building around Al Jefferson, and he's clearly been billed as the replacement for Kevin Garnett.

So, yes. Al is a "franchise player."

But the thing that strikes me is that a lot of teams don't use this model to build around... We're so used to KG being the cornerstone that we don't realize quite a few teams don't have a "franchise player" type guy that they market as such or play as such.

I can't identify a "franchise player" for these teams. I listed the closest thing to a "franchise player" but man... some of those I wouldn't market as such if I had the choice...

Kings -- Kevin Martin?

Jazz -- Deron Williams?

76ers -- Andre Iguodala?

Bulls -- ??

Pistons -- Chauncey Billups?

Pacers -- ??

Bucks -- Michael Redd?

Hawks -- Al Horford?

Bobcats -- ??

Are we in a better position than most of those teams?? With a couple exceptions, I think that we definitely are, just because we have Al Jefferson.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #11 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:16 pm

Al can be a true superfly superstar if he continues to improve each year.

It has a lot to do with attitude, and Al has a good personality for improvement. His #1 priority should be continuously improving his conditioning. That will give him the endurance to play both ends of the floor for 40 min and be a little bouncier.

He's got the equipment to make it happen, its up to him to see it through.

TMo519 · Post #12 » by **TMo519** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 2:46 pm

I consider Al to be a franchise player in that we build around him, yes. BUT, we need to put another star with him I think in order to truly succeed. A great guard would be nice to compliment him so they can work off each other.

mandurugo · Post #13 » by **mandurugo** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:28 pm

I think to be considered a franchise player you must be a perennial all-star and undisputed leader of a play-off team. So Al doesn't qualify at this time.

MN Die Hard · Post #14 » by **MN Die Hard** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 3:36 pm

mayorhoiberg wrote:But the thing that strikes me is that a lot of teams don't use this model to build around... We're so used to KG being the cornerstone that we don't realize quite a few teams don't have a "franchise player" type guy that they market as such or play as such.

It's not that teams elect not to build around cornerstone guys, its just that not all teams are fortunate enough to have those guys. The successful teams have them....the final 8 in the playoffs this year is proof:

Orlando (Howard)
Cleveland (LBJ)
Boston (Pierce the long-term guy and now even KG)
Detroit (has always been the exception to this)
LAL (Kobe)
SA (Duncan)
NO (Paul)
Utah (Williams)

Also, look back at all recent NBA champions - all with the exception of Detroit are built around cornerstone players.

Devilzsidewalk · Post #15 » by **Devilzsidewalk** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:22 pm

I expect Al to be a top 3, and probably 2 PF someday soon, the only PF or PF/C I can't seem him overtaking is D12. KG, Dirk, Duncan, and Gasol are all on the back 9 and should get overtaken within the next 5 years. Boozer, Aldridge, and West are all skilled but not as physical. Amare is a wildcard, I have no idea what his future is going to be.

At his ceiling I see him as a dominant offensive player that you absolutely must double at all times in the post, and a solid defensive player.

4ho5ive · Post #16 » by **4ho5ive** » Fri Jun 13, 2008 5:35 pm

I think hope that he will become a superstar, but lets just he doesnt get a snub on the all star team next year.

Post #17 » by **Klomp** » Mon Jun 16, 2008 3:46 pm

I was thinking about the "Black Hole" label Al has gotten sometimes. One thing interesting is that someone who got the same label was Kevin McHale. He even got it from his own teammates: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtDNTt5p3F8

I actually see a lot of McHale in Al by looking at the moves in that clip and what not.

But Kevin is an all-time great, so not all black holes are bad.