03/11/2010 - 22:29
Double-Double Machine
by
Matt Martino
Al Jefferson is showing the NBA that he is back and ready to close out the 2009-2010 season on a high note.
Big Al recorded his 30th double-double Wednesday night, tying him for ninth in the league with teammate Kevin Love. Al tallied 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists as the Minnesota Timberwolves lost at home, 110-102, to the Denver Nuggets. It was the second consecutive double-double by No. 25.
But as No. 25 returns to double-double form the Wolves return to squandering third quarters. Minnesota led by eight points with eight minutes remaining in the third before the Nuggets responded with a 9-0 run with both Al and Kevin Love on the bench. Minnesota never recovered as that 9-0 run quickly ballooned to a 22-4 spurt.
"For whatever reason, we just ran out of emotional energy. There was no fight or determination to try and close the ballgame out," coach Kurt Rambis told the Star-Tribune. "That's when teams have to really tighten up, find ways to get stops, rebound the basketball. We lost our composure."
Al, however, thought the reason for the spurt had to do with a size difference that is usually an advantage for Minnesota but became a disadvantage on Wednesday night.
"Coaches see things differently than players," Al said. "I think they went small, and we stayed big, and that's what did it."
Love concurred with his frontcourt mate, even as the game was happening. When Rambis assigned him to guard Carmelo Anthony, the league's third-leading scorer, "I said, 'Are you sure?'" Love said.
Al was blunt with his assessment of K-Love's chances on Carmelo, but Love agreed again.
"I love Kevin Love, but I don't think he can guard Melo one on one," Al explained afterwards.
"Not many people can," Love replied.
Rambis has given Al and Co. room to grow and voice their opinions during this difficult season.
"Losing, it weighs on you," said Rambis. "Everybody's frustrated. This is where you look at people's character and see what they do. Your options are to roll over or to fight."
NEXT UP
Minnesota hosts the San Antonio Spurs (37-25) on Friday and then travels to Sacramento to battle the Kings(22-43) on Sunday.
Al has played well in matching up with all-time great Tim Duncan. In their only meeting against the Spurs this season, Al finished with 20 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists.
RELATED STORIES
Nuggets have on-off switch (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, March 11, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/blogs/On_the_Wolves.html
For Love, this season can't be over too soon (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, March 11, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/87273567.html
Bench buddies (Canis Hoopus, March 11, 2010)
http://www.canishoopus.com/2010/3/11/1367775/bench-buddies
Billups, role players push Nuggets to fourth straight win (AP, March 10, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300310016
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