32 wrote:On a related note, another monster is quickly coming up. I see Al Jefferson having a quietly dominant year this year... and than exploding next season. He's like Dwight Howard, only behind a year.
Jefferson is averaging career-highs in PPG (20.1), free throw percentage (70.4%), SPG (0.9), APG (1.3), offensive rebounds per game (3.7), defensive rebounds per game (7., RPG (11.5), and minutes (36.5), to go along with his usual 1.3 BPG. Its also worth mentioning that Jefferson is keeping out of foul trouble: averaging 2.7 FPG (which he hasn't done since he was a rookie). What's truly scary is that Jefferson is dominating while his FG% has been slightly below-average, by his standards, this year. 48% is a career-low for him. Imagine next season, if she shoots 53 or 54%.
I predict Jefferson will have an extreme breakout season next year. While It won't be the absolute rampage that Dwight Howard is going on, it'll be something special. Jefferson's a better inside scorer than Howard and should be in the upwards of 25, 26 PPG by next year, provided the Timberwolves keep going to him and don't crowd the offense by giving Randy Foye too many shots.
Yeah, he's definitely having a strong year. He should break out pretty soon.
This is a good time to bring up a point that I never understand which is why in the NBA the definition of dominance is often "being a great big-man" rather than being a dominant player? For instance, if you asked somebody who is more dominant, Al Jefferson or Deron Williams, a lot of people would say Al Jefferson, but I don't really think Al Jefferson "dominates" more.