While throwing their support behind the player being named an All-Star reserve, NBA TV talks to Al Jefferson about playing for the Wolves, learning from Kevin McHale, and being an All-Star caliber player (video)
Benjamin Hochman/The Denver Post on Hornets coach Byron Scott:
“I don’t buy into the theory that just because the guy’s on a losing team that he shouldn’t make it,” Scott said Wednesday. “I think that’s kind of crazy. So I just pick the seven guys I think are playing great basketball.”
Scott said he voted for Minnesota forward Al Jefferson (22.6 points and 10.6 rebounds), even though the Timberwolves are under .500. It’s possible a player like Jefferson could take votes from Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, who Karl said is the best small forward in the game, although Scott voted for Melo — and Chauncey Billups, too.
Mike McGraw/Daily Herald on his picks for All-Star reserves:
Al Jefferson, Minnesota: This should be automatic since he’s at 22.6 points and 106. rebounds, while the Timberwolves have been winners in January.
The ongoing lack of team toggery in Wednesday’s audience might indicate there’s still work to do to regain public appreciation. There’s no might about it when it comes to the search for appreciation among NBA counterparts.
The nine-player rookie team for All-Star weekend was announced and Love was not on the roster. The young man has fooled many people — none more than yours truly — with his production in recent weeks.
These days, Petersen, an assistant coach with the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx, is a T-Wolves TV analyst. He has a bird’s-eye view of the man responsible for a dramatic shift in the team’s fortunes.
“McHale’s humor and intelligence are best suited for coaching,” Petersen said in an e-mail. “I equate it to being a physician. Some are great at research or diagnosing disease. Some are great at lecturing, teaching, surgery.
“The key to being a great GM is similar to being great at research. You have to be a grinder, a basketball junkie willing to travel, talk and dig. That is not (McHale’s) strength. He is a star basketball surgeon who can diagnose and fix basketball illness.”
All-Star Game reserves will be announced during a one-hour TNT telecast beginning at 6 p.m. today. Might Love’s exclusion from the rookie team foreshadow the Western Conference coaches’ voting?
Jefferson’s main competition appears to be four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, whose Suns are playing host to this season’s game.
If Jefferson isn’t chosen, there will be many other chances, McHale said.
Mike Miller hit an early three-pointer for the Wolves but finished with just five points on 2-of-5 shooting in 35 1/2 minutes.
The former starter has scored in double figures just once in 13 games since returning from a second sprained ankle, but McHale insisted he isn’t worried.
“If Mike was not rebounding, defending, passing the ball, I’d be a lot more concerned about him,” he said. McHale said he went through plenty of slumps as a player and that it is easier for a big man like him to get to the basket and get out of it.
“I saw Larry Bird go through a shooting slump,” he said. “If Larry is entitled to a shooting slump, I’m sure Mike Miller is.”
Among Timberwolves jerseys, the best seller, by far, is that of Al Jefferson, followed, in order, by rookie Kevin Love and veteran Mike Miller.