07/27/2010 - 11:52
Big Al Ready to Win Now
by
Devon Jeffreys
For the first six years of his NBA career, in two different locations, Big Al Jefferson found himself on the wrong side of the standings.
But after his trade to the Utah Jazz last week, Al finally finds himself in a position to win and win big, and he's anxious to do so.
Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports recently caught up with No. 25 for a story about the big man's future in Utah as well as what he'll take from his time in Minnesota, among other topics. Al stressed that he and his new teammates are dedicated to the cause:
"For all the guys trying to bounce back from injury, it’s going to take hard work, not just training camp," Jefferson said. "I proved I’m tough enough because of this injury. Utah wouldn’t take the chance to trade for me if they didn’t think I was healthy."
Al said at his press conference last week that after recovering while playing through most of last season, he finally started feeling like his old self at the end of his time in Minnesota. He shared with Spears that although the wins didn't come in bunches, he will always value those three years of his career:
"They have a nice group of guys, but will have a couple more losing seasons," Jefferson said of the T’wolves. "Minneapolis is my home away from home. I respect the fans that have supported me through the good and the bad … but when I told people I played for Minnesota, some people didn’t even know they had a team. Everybody knows about Utah. Everyone knows the Utah Jazz.
"I go from being in a Toyota to a Bentley. It’s a beautiful thing."
No. 25 has already spoken at length with his new point guard, perennial All-Star Deron Williams and Williams has already set forth goals for both he and Al.
"The first thing [Williams] told me is he’s going to make me an All-Star," Jefferson said. "It was music to my ears. That meant a lot. It’s a blessing. It means he is not done here. He’s an All-Star, the best point guard in the game, and I said that before I got here. I just need to have my hands ready."
For a team that once housed one of the best point guard/forward tandems in league history in John Stockton and Karl Malone, the bar is set high. But Al isn't one to hide his lofty aspirations, as he told Spears:
"One reason I came to Utah is so me and Deron could grow old together and win a championship," Jefferson said. "No disrespect [to Stockton and Malone] … I hope we are better and we win a championship. I hope so. I would love that."
To read Spears' piece in its entirety and learn more about Big Al and his new team, click here.
RELATED STORIES
Jefferson hits winning note with Jazz (Yahoo! Sports, July, 26, 2010)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=AgG29s7n9tyup3W91DzdigW8vLYF?slug=...
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