10/19/2009 - 19:34
Al Working Back Into It
by
Matt Martino
After having to sit out the halves of Minnesota's two preseason games, Al Jefferson is playing more, improving his conditioning, and acclimating his knee to game speed.
In the last three preseason games, Big Al is averaging 27 minutes, 10.7 points, and 8.7 rebounds.
Big Al: Getting stronger (Getty Images). |
During Friday’s game in Chicago, which the Wolves lost 94-90, Al had 16 rebounds, and four blocked shots in a preseason-high 34 minutes. He also admitted some of his struggles, which included a 3-of-10 shooting night.
"Tonight makes me realize why I love preseason so much," he said.
"You've got to get all those bad things out. If I got to go through a slump, better now than later. Good thing coach let me get my minutes and get it out of me."
"By the 28th, I'll be ready."
Head coach Kurt Rambis knows his star player has a ways to go.
"Al's knee seems to be fine," Rambis said, after playing Al 26 minutes in Wednesday’s loss to the Bulls.
"Al seems to be still struggling with his conditioning. That's something he's going to have to push himself through and drive himself."
"I'm feeling better and better as we go," said No. 25. "I felt like I could have gone a little longer, but better safe than sorry. We've got a long way to go."
Unfortunately, the big man didn’t feel so great during Saturday's game in which the Milwaukee Bucks handed the Wolves there fourth straight preseason lost. Rambis said Al's Achilles tendon was too sore by the third quarter's end for him to continue.
"I don't know," Rambis said in response to the severity of the injury.
"We're off tomorrow; he'll get some treatment on it. It's an irritation. Hopefully, it will calm down."
RELATED STORIES
Wanted: replacement rebounders (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 18, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/64677367.html
Jefferson has plan: Out with the bad (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 17, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/64652537.html?elr=KArks:DCiU1Oi...
Flynn, Sessions are not a match (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, October 15, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/64327457.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUo...
Richard, Salmons lead Bulls to victory over Wolves (AP, October 14, 2009)
http://www.nba.com/games/20091014/CHIMIN/recap.html
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