01/27/2010 - 14:13
Learning and Improving
by
Matt Martino
The last few games have been tough ones, but on the whole, January has been the most productive month for Big Al yet.
After returning from knee surgery, AJ’s numbers have steadily improved as the year has progressed. During the current month, he is averaging 19 points, 11 rebounds, 1 block, and shooting 50.5 percent from the floor.
Al's approached career-best numbers in the first month of 2010 (Getty Images). |
The consistent improvement has Al nearing his career-best numbers of last season: 23 points, 11 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 50 percent shooting.
Dime Magazine sat down with No. 25 and asked him what has been the difference between January and his slow start.
"Just getting my feel back," Al replied. "My knee’s feeling a whole lot better. Also getting my touch back. It took a little longer than I thought it would take. But I’ve never had an injury like that before. It’s coming along though, it’s going a lot better."
With only 36 games remaining in the season, Dime asked Al how he plans on finishing the year.
"Just get better. Get better as a team and get better personally. If I can finish strong and stay healthy, we have a better chance to come back next year and start from scratch and try to make the playoffs."
During Tuesday’s game at Madison Square Garden, Al scored only four points in only 24 minutes of action, but did pull down 10 rebounds. It marked his third straight game with double-digit rebounds and the 23rd time this season he's pulled down at least 10 boards.
MUTUAL LOVE
Al also addressed the circulating theory that there is tension between he and his tag-team partner in the post, Kevin Love:
Dime: It has also been in the media that there is tension between you and Kevin Love. How do you respond to that?
AJ:. …Whoever saying that obviously doesn’t know what’s going on. Kevin Love is like my son. We have a great relationship so we can’t even worry about what people say.
For the record, Al is 25, K-Love is 21.
NEXT UP
Minnesota (9-37) will finish up their three-game road trip tonight at Cleveland against LeBron James and the Cavaliers (35-11).
Earlier this season, No. 25 finished with 12 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, and a block against Cleveland. Al and Co. are looking to bounce back after four straight losses. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST and the game can be seen on KTSC-45.
RELATED STORIES
Al Jefferson Addresses Trade Rumors And The Alleged Tension With Kevin Love (Dime Magazine, January 27, 2010)
http://dimemag.com/2010/01/al-jefferson-addresses-trade-rumors-and-the-a...
After getting buried by 50, Knicks bury Wolves (Star-Tribune, January 27, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/82730342.html
Knicks come out with purpose, recovering from rout with big win (AP, January 26, 2010)
http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300126018
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