I Will Always Be An Al Jefferson Fan

by Jeff Clark on Sep 5, 2007 5:44 AM EDT in Boston Celtics News & Links

Big Al I think I can safely say that Al Jefferson was a big fan favorite to begin with. And now that he was the one that was most responsible for bringing us Kevin Garnett, he's likely to be even more appreciated. TWolves fans are still trying to cope with losing Garnett, and perhaps see Big Al as some kid that better live up to the promise. Still, they seem to be pretty optimistic as well.

Here are some quotes from a TWolves blog:

Meet Al Jefferson:

Al Jefferson was the key to the Kevin Garnett deal, and is what ultimately got the deal done. He has a lot of talent and potential, and is also on the verge of breaking out.
Last year, he ended the season with averages of 16 points per game and 11 rebounds per game. These numbers really aren’t that far off from what KG put up, but KG did it in a more dominant way. One upside to Jefferson, is that he is putting these numbers up at a young age — nine years younger than KG to be exact.

More Than Talent:

When we made the trade with the Boston Celtics, we all knew what kind of talent we were getting in return. But, with that trade, Minnesota got so much more than that. We got Al Jefferson and Ryan Gomes, two very good kids both on and off the court.
Ryan Gomes is much more known than Jefferson for being a good person off the court, and has been very active in the Boston community in the past, and also with charities.
But, Al Jefferson is good too, and he showed that this past week by bringing in all of the children that were on the bus when I-35W collapsed. Along with Wolves coach Randy Wittman, they brought the kids in for food and school supplies.

I also remember Al Jefferson giving a lot of time and probably money to the Mississippi communities devastated by Katrina. And you could just tell from interviews and the way people talked about him that he was a good hearted, likable guy.

I'll miss his double doubles. I'll miss his endless supply of low post moves. I'll miss watching him grow up before our very eyes. I wish him the best. Usually in trades you want the prospect to prove that he was never going to be much of anything anyway so it will justify the trade made. Not so here. I'm hoping he becomes everything he could possibly be. I'll always be a fan.

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Because we saw all the growing pains and the burgeoning we’ll all have a special interest in Al doing well no matter where he is.

by Who on Sep 5, 2007 6:02 AM EDT reply actions

Because we all saw the growing pains and the *Burgeoning success, we all will have a special interest in Big Al no matter where he is

by Who on Sep 5, 2007 6:03 AM EDT reply actions

Al is going to be a very very good player and I see him as being an All Star if not this year the year after this. His numbers should be pretty much on par with KG’s from this year on, with Al having a better field goal percentage.
Al will be missed by most of us true Celtic fans, Al’s a special player and soon enough the league is going to recognize that as well

by micah kenneth on Sep 5, 2007 6:27 AM EDT reply actions

… poor guy, it almost looks like a forced smile for the phographer when in reality he would want to cry.

by Markeras on Sep 5, 2007 6:29 AM EDT reply actions

They have talked for years about McHale working with this big man or that, but he finally does get one with those same intuitive low post moves, that made Kevin so impossible to defend.

In three years (let’s pray it’s a full three), unless we at least get to the finals a couple of times, we will so regret this move it isn’t even funny.

There was no way that the C’s could wait, Danny saved his and Doc’s jobs, as we’ve already been fed the “rebuilding” meal for too long, but we all said it; an inside scorer is so important in the playoffs…….

by JB_Celticsstuff on Sep 5, 2007 6:42 AM EDT reply actions

See, I stop short of saying we’ll “regret” this move. Even if it turns out to be a big loss, I’ll still look back and say “we had to take that shot.”

This was a once in a lifetime opportunity and we are going for it. I can’t complain about that one bit.

by Jeff Clark on Sep 5, 2007 7:03 AM EDT reply actions

Al is a promising player. I believe his offensive game is all-star caliber. The defensive game is where KG separates himself from Big Al. KG is a force inside. Big Al, however, is a little on the short side to be a defensive force.

It will be fun to watch Jefferson’s game progress. He seems to be a good guy. And, everybody knows that he works hard. The trade was a win-win for everybody.

by The Bones on Sep 5, 2007 7:04 AM EDT reply actions

Am I the only person who thinks this on going mourning for Al Jefferson is a bit over the top?

Sure he has potential and sure I wanted him to stay – but he’s gone and the Celts have what looks like to be the most exciting team in over 15 years.

I understood the mourning of Fisk when he left, he had brought the team something. I understood the cheering for Bourque when he was in Colorado. But Al was only with the Celts for three injury plagued seasons.

I will be happy when training camp starts so we all can move on.

by SShoreFan on Sep 5, 2007 7:09 AM EDT reply actions

No, you’re not.

Al was a fine player, and I’m sure he’ll play well for Minnesota.

But I will not miss the youth movement and the copious losing. Not one bit.

by CoachA on Sep 5, 2007 7:25 AM EDT reply actions

maybe it is over the top for you, but as I explained, I’m a big fan of his and I see no problem in expressing that

by Jeff Clark on Sep 5, 2007 7:25 AM EDT reply actions

This was the most exciting Celtics team in 15 years before Al was traded. And no it’s not over the top, he is a 22 year old player with a real post game and is a great rebounder. I’m not upset at the trade but it’s not like we got a steal or that it was the only option available.

by Who on Sep 5, 2007 7:42 AM EDT reply actions

big al is a big talent and will stay that way, god willing, if he’s injury free. kg is a dynamo and will stay that way too. i will root for the c’s as usual and watch the minny score sheet, and root for al and gomes.

by nazzbo on Sep 5, 2007 8:14 AM EDT reply actions

Hmm. No mention of Gerald Green. Has a star prospect ever slipped into oblivion any faster?

by no kidding on Sep 5, 2007 8:18 AM EDT reply actions

GG doesn’t deserve mention. If he makes it there will be all the what if questions but there is no attatchment to the lad. There is only memories of mistakes, mistakes and more mistakes and unrealized promise.

by Who on Sep 5, 2007 8:31 AM EDT reply actions

Jeff, I’ll always miss my ex-girlfriend too, but my new one is SOOOO much hotter. Like, 20-10-5 every night hot.

by APeretore on Sep 5, 2007 8:34 AM EDT reply actions

I too am a fan, and I was not in favor of the trade — but it’s happened and such is life.

Not trying to be a wet towel, I am just really amazed on how many posts have been put up about the loss of Al. I for one, am looking at the total work the Celtics front office has done this summer and see the glass 1/2 full. Trading Al was a must in order to get the team to where it is today. The only player I feel that was not a must and will be missed is Gomes, but perhaps Davis and Powe will step up.

by SShoreFan on Sep 5, 2007 8:37 AM EDT reply actions

I will enjoy Garnett, et al, but

by gustusias on Sep 5, 2007 9:04 AM EDT reply actions

SShoreFan said:

Am I the only person who thinks this on going mourning for Al Jefferson is a bit over the top?

This was a deal that had to be made once we had the opportunity, but I will miss Big Al. There was just something special about him that made you root for him and hope for him to succeed. I don’t know what that factor was, but it was there. It’s more than just his unbelievable low post moves. I wish I could put it in a bottle. But that’s the past and it’s time to get excited about now.

by TrueGreen on Sep 5, 2007 9:12 AM EDT reply actions

I wish the ‘’remember Al’’ posts would stop NOT because I think they are unfounded or over the top, but because I find them to be painful. I really built this kid up in my mind’s eye. I truly believe he is going to be one of the 3 best big men in the league and rise to a level of genuine dominance. Every time I see him, I dwell on that.

by Cousin It on Sep 5, 2007 10:29 AM EDT reply actions

Guys GET OVER IT…..He has some nice offensive talent, but he scored 16 points in the last half of the season WITH NOBODY ELSE ON THE TEAM while we were the second worst team in the league…..did i mention he has been injured EVERY SEASON he has played, and has zero sense of D???

by truthhurts34 on Sep 5, 2007 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

truthhurts34, it’s not the stats or the injuries. It’s the way he’s worked to learn and overcome negative influences. There is just something special about him.

by TrueGreen on Sep 5, 2007 4:53 PM EDT reply actions

OH VER RAY TED

Putting up numbers during an 18 game losing streak is meaningless. He is a black hole and would never be this highly thought of in Boston if he were drafted elsewhere. His numbers on non-lottery teams will always be ordinary if he ever can lead a team out of the lottery.

by HRB on Sep 5, 2007 10:08 PM EDT reply actions