I'd love to have big Al. I've been a fan of his since he was a Celtic way back when. But I can't see the Jazz ever making a move with us. Having a legit (well almost) center immediately puts us into the playoff hunt if not the playoffs. Whatever we would give Utah in return would seemingly do the exact same. It doesn't make any sense.
So the Jazz wouldn't make a move that immediately puts them in the playoffs if it also put us in the playoffs? I'd take Jefferson in a heartbeat just because he's a legitimate big man that can play center. A guy in the paint that can routinely block shots. The only problem is overpaid, and we don't have much that will match up salary-wise other than Martin (and I don't think Morey will trade him unless it's for a star). I don't know what I'd want to give up for him other than Scola and maybe Budinger. The Jazz have absolutely no need for Scola though.
David Andersen is bad at defense, but he always tries and he also plays team defense. Jefferson is bad at defense, he never tries to play defense, and he is bad at team defense. The only Euroleague coach I remember in history that tolerated players like Jefferson was Gershon. No other Euroleague coaches allows players to not try on defense. It's nothing like the NBA, where the emphasis on defense is very low.
Jefferson has been more committed at the defense under Sloan and has helped his team at this side of the court much more than Boozer. At least with Sloan, I repeat, when their season was still alive. The Rockets would have much appreciated that presence in the middle, he was playing harder this season (motivation), rebounding, blocking and changing some shots. Not few big guys still improve their defense at that age. To join a winning dinamic, normally it helps.
Man, if we could get both Jefferson and Dalembert, even if we didn't fix the SF position, that would be a major upgrade to the team.
Would love to grab Jefferson. But what about a three-way trade between us, the Jazz, and the Thunder? Hou trades: * Martin, Scola, Budinger, Hill, Thabeet + Picks Hou Recieves: * Jefferson, Harden, Perkins Why: Houston immediately shores up its front line with a top tier scoring pf, one of the best defensive centers in the league, and gets a rising star who can immediately start or be a playmaker off the bench. Thunder trades: * Harden, Perkins, filler Thunder receives: * Scola, Okur, Budinger + Hou Picks Why: one reason why the Thunder lost to Dallas was their inability to create shots at the 4/5 positions, and thus they had to rely on pure perimeter play. Adding Okur and Scola immediately allow them better spacing, giving their star guards more room to roam, as well as stronger post play. They have enough defense to compensate IMO for the loss of Perkins in the post. This trade allows them to be even more competitive come next playoffs. Jazz trades: * Jefferson, Okur Jazz receives: * Martin, Hill, Thabeet, filler + Hou Picks Why: Jazz are in rebuild mode, and getting rid of Jefferson and Okur's contracts will allow them to get there faster. The Jazz receive Martin, another cornerstone to build around at 28 years old, as well as young and athletic big men who have potential to be good. This is mostly a salary shedding move, but they get younger and are in a better position to compete sooner. --------------------- Houston: 1: Lowry/Dragic 2: Lee/Williams 3: Harden/ (FA Sf i.e. Tayshaun, Battier) 4: Jefferson/Patterson 5: Perkins/Hayes Ultimately the goal of team building in this era is to beat the Heat and other "super teams" that will be forming very soon (possible Dwight and Paul/Deron to NY?). As seen in the series against the Heat, all opponents that have unbalanced teams (one superstar or a few stars, and a bunch of one dimensional role players) get stomped out when the Lebrons and Wades lock them down on one end and score on them on the other. This way, we get a very athletic team of two way players. All our perimeter players can handle, penetrate, cut, and shoot, while all our post players can run, rebound, and protect the rim. Possibly the only way to beat the Heat without the unlikely scenario forming our own Superfriends.
Time to revisit trading for Al "the Black Kevin McHale" Jefferson? Can probably get him without giving up too much.
chuckwagon in an interview last year said his hardest player to guard was al jefferson.. anyways hell yes, i love this guy.. tough inside scorer
This is the kind of move I dread most. Calling up, how should I put it?, the less than satisfactory past, to try and prove otherwise. Leave behind the pride and ego and move on.
awww damnit CARL kill yourself i thought this was a new thread and we were legitimately about to get him..
Try a 3 way with Minny getin KMart and Dragic, Rox get Al Jeff, Utah gets Beasley/Webster and Rockets pick from NYK?
Jefferson's inability to get to the FT line just baffles me. A big man of his skill should be so much more efficient... EDIT: In terms of production, he really is just Scola + shotblocking
What makes anyone think Thabeet can even crack the rotation, let alone start? Not happening. I'm down with Martin for Al Jefferson.
