01/07/2010 - 17:03
No. 25 Turns 25
by
Matt Martino
Big Al Jefferson celebrated his 25th birthday on Monday and after practice that day, Kevin Love shared his present with Jonah Ballow of NBA.com.
"No, no big gifts, just try to get him the ball more on Wednesday."
The Minnesota Timberwolves definitely made an effort to involve Al in their most recent contest, and he led the team with 26 points to go along with 14 rebounds and two blocks. However, Minnesota waited too long to expose the interior and was unable to overcome a slow start against the Golden State Warriors, losing 107-101 at the Target Center.
Al shoots over the Golden State Warriors' Ronny Turiaf (Getty Images). |
The Wolves trailed by 19 points early in the third period before mounting a comeback, pulling within 98-95 with 2:09 remaining in the contest.
The comeback was spurred by AJ who scored eight points during a 13-0 run that cut Golden State's lead to 67-61 with four minutes left in the third.
This was the second straight game in which Minnesota had to furiously gain ground after stumbling out the gate.
"I don't know why we started the game like that," Al told the Pioneer Press. "We shouldn't let ourselves get into those situations. We showed too late how we can play."
Al and Kevin Love, who tallied 23 points and 16 rebounds, dominated the paint.
"That was one of the premises of what we wanted to do offensively was attack them inside," coach Kurt Rambis said. "And clearly at the beginning of the ball game we weren't doing that. . . They weren't functioning offensively the way they're capable of doing."
NO. 25 TURNS 25
Despite already being in the league for five years and accumulating 5,501 points and 3,120 rebounds, Big Al is still a mere 25-years-old.
The big man reflected on his birthday and his quick six years in the league during Tuesday’s practice with Jonah Ballow of NBA.com:
"Yeah, it went by fast though. It doesn't seem like it's been six years but I just have to take advantage of it because before you know it, I will be 30 or 33, on my way out of here. You don't want to look back and accomplish nothing or not take advantage because this is the best time in the world to play this game and you can't play forever. Five out my six years have been losing but it's still a blessing to be in this game and in this league and play. This is the best job in the world."
For Al, a seasoned veteran by now, youth and inexperience don't go hand in hand. There's also one part of Al that's feeling a little less youthful at 25.
"Sometimes my body feels older but that is just part of the game."
NEXT UP
The TimberWolves host the Indiana Pacers (11-23) on Friday and then travel to Chicago to face the Bulls (14-19) Saturday night.
The Wolves lost to Indiana as recently as Jan. 2, a game in which Minnesota scored 40 points in the third quarter. Al tallied 23 points and six rebounds. Hopefully, he and his teammates get off to a better start.
As for Chicago, this will be the first meeting between the two this season. Last year, Al averaged 28.5 points and 11.5 rebounds in two games against the Bulls.
Saturday's game can be seen regionally on KTSC-45 and nationally on WGN America.
RELATED STORIES
Timberwolves play woeful Warriors closer but lose again (Pioneer Press, January 7, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14137604?source=rss
Ellis scores 20 as Warriors take down reeling Wolves (AP, January 6, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300106016
Tuesday Practice Report (NBA.com, January 5, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/tuesday_practice_report_2010_01_05....
Monday Practice Report (NBA.com, January 4, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/monday_practice_report_2010_01_04.html
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
