11/09/2009 - 14:20
A Learning Curve for Al & Co.
by
Matt Martino
Not only are Big Al Jefferson and his young Minnesota teammates still adopting a new offense, they are also still learning how to play with each other after falling twice over the weekend.
On Friday, after an 87-72 loss at home to the Milwaukee Bucks, coach Kurt Rambis suggested that his team was trying too hard to get their center the ball.
"I don't think you can look for Al too much," point guard Johnny Flynn responded to the Star-Tribune. "He's a proven guy in this league, a proven scorer. Whenever we get the ball to him, most of the time good things happen. I don't think that was the main thing."
"There's plenty of opportunities for Al to get the ball on the backside of the offense if we just swing it," Rambis said. "But we can't continue to grind and grind and grind and hold and hold. They're just leaning on Al. They're wearing him out."
Big Al slams home two points against Portland on Sunday (Getty Images). |
Al played 35 minutes against Milwaukee (3-2) and finished with 8 points, 8 rebounds, and a block.
"We talked to Al the other day about this," Rambis said.
"We don't want him to coast for 30, 35 minutes. I'd rather him play really hard in shorter bursts. He's frustrated with himself, but he's not in condition. I'm very pleased with his defensive commitment. He's trying to rebound. He's trying to defend the post. These are things I was told he wouldn't do, and he's clearly making that commitment."
"I've never experienced an injury like this, and I am frustrated," Al told the Pioneer Press. "I want to pick up where I left off last year. When I'm on the court, I want to be who I know I can be, and I can't do that. It takes time."
"My knee has good days and bad days. Conditioning wise, I still have a ways to go. But I'm really happy where I'm at right now."
"I wasn't supposed to be ready for training camp, I wasn't supposed to play preseason, and I did all that. I think I'm where I'm supposed to be."
THIRD QUARTER BREAKDOWNS
The Wolves led Milwaukee by nine in the early going only to be outscored 31-14 in the third.
There was an identical pattern on Sunday’s game at the Rose Garden.
Minnesota closed to 78-63 on Corey Brewer's 3-pointer with four minutes remaining in the third quarter. The Portland Trailblazers (4-3) responded by Travis Outlaw and Martell Webster hitting 3-pointers to help the Blazers finish the period on a 14-4 run and a 92-67 lead.
Portland went on to claim a 116-93 victory.
No. 25 had his first double-double of the season as he tallied 12 points and 10 rebounds to go along with three assists, two steals, and a block. Al’s production all came within 25 minutes thanks to big man Nathan Jawai coming off the bench to score a team-high 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting.
Jawai demonstrated he could be a suitable option inside as Al continues his deliberate comeback from last year's season-ending knee surgery.
NEXT UP
The Wolves conclude their brief two-game road trip tonight against Golden State (1-4).
"We've got to forget about this one, go to Golden State and try to take one back to Minnesota," Brewer told the Pioneer Press after Sunday’s lost.
Big Al dominated the Golden State Warriors last year, averaging 28.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks in two games.
RELATED STORIES
Miller leads Blazers to rout of Timberwolves (AP, November 9, 2009)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g3pCNOzpuU8T7LpmJrSRFL...
Trail Blazers continue their mastery of Timberwolves with 10th straight win (St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 9, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/ci_13744616?nclick_check=1
Timberwolves' Al Jefferson frustrated, yet pleased with comeback from knee surgery (St. Paul Pioneer Press, November 8, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_13745035
Wolves wait for leader to emerge (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, November 8, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/69487727.html?page=1&c=y
Bogut, Bucks' big third quarter lead to win over Wolves (AP, November 8, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291106016
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