Al Jefferson Reacts To Coaching Change
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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
DAVID KAHN PRESS CONFERENCE
Al Jefferson Press Conference Reacting to the Release of Kevin McHale
Al Jefferson Audio
Jefferson on his reaction to McHale's release:
“I was more shocked, disappointed and hurt, but at the same time I understand that it’s a business. I talked to David (Kahn) before the decision was made and I knew he had a decision to make at the end of the day. And I knew, at the end of the day, he was going to do what was best for the team. That was the decision he came up with. I just have to accept it and move on from it.”
Jefferson on whether he thinks it is the best decision:
“That’s not my job. They put him in charge to make that decision. I told him, either way – whatever decision he makes – I’m behind him 100 percent and I’m going to stand by it.”
Jefferson on when he found out:
“I found out last night. I got a phone call from (Kevin McHale) and I talked to him. He was hurt more from the fact that he couldn’t come back and coach us. He understands. He’s been in this business a long time and he knows how it goes. He left me with some good words. Like I said, you just have to move on from it.”
Jefferson on whether McHale was upset:
“Nah, he wasn’t upset. He understands how the business goes. He’s been around a long time. He knew there was a possibility this could happen and was prepared for it.”
Jefferson on whether he wonders if more changes are coming:
“There’s no doubt in my mind that there will be more changes coming. That’s the whole reason (Kahn is) here. They brought him in because they needed a change. There’s no doubt in my mind that there will be more changes coming. I’m just sitting back waiting. One thing when I talked to David – I’ve talked to him many times, we have a great relationship – and he made it real clear to me that he’s going to do his best to turn this team around. When it comes to things like that, I told him that I’m behind him. I’m just sitting back waiting to see the things that’s going to go down in the next couple years. Hopefully we’ll be one of the hottest teams in the NBA soon.”
Jefferson on what kind of coach he thinks this team needs:
“Once again, that’s not my job. I don’t know anything about stuff like that. Whoever we do get, we need someone who is going to be on the same page as us – and that’s winning and turning this team around. I’m pretty sure (Kahn is) going to do a good job finding that person to fit with us and get things rolling.”
Jefferson on whether they need a positive or tough coach:
“To me (McHale) was both of them. He was the type of guy who could communicate with you and if he was upset he would get in your face too. Most definitely, I think it’s always good to have a coach like that. Some of us players are knuckleheads and need a coach to really get down on them and get in their face. There’s also some time to sit down and communicate and talk to the player as a man. I think we need both of that.”
Jefferson on how close the team is to the playoffs:
“I just think with the team that we just had this past year, I think a couple more pieces with that – maybe another veteran player, some shooters. I just think with some pieces added to that with what we already got now, I think that it will take us there. The one thing about this team right now is everybody wants to win and wants to improve. There will be changes made and I’m pretty sure the changes will be made will be best for the team.”
Jefferson on whether team unity will be damaged by bringing in a new coach:
“No. I think everybody understands now that this is business. Everybody on the team has been traded before just about except for the young guys and the rookies. Everybody knows this is a business. We know right now we have got to let (McHale) go. We have to put Mac out of our heads right now. I talked to some of the guys today. In a way, we’re glad it’s over with now. That was something Mac told me in the beginning. He said, ‘If they don’t keep me, I hope they tell me so they can get a guy in for you all and you can get used to him and adjusted to him.’ We know that now we have to put Mac out of our heads. And whoever they decide to bring in, we have to accept him as our coach. He’s going to be our new leader.”
Jefferson on Kevin Love tweeting the news:
“That’s something I just still don’t understand. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet. But I really believe everybody ought to let him know that was a bad mistake.”
Jefferson on whether he wants to have input on the new head coach:
“I don’t want anything to do with it. It’s not my job. They pay me to do my job. I felt like I would feel a lot worse today if I would not have went to David (Kahn) two weeks ago and told him how I felt about Kevin McHale. I let him know how I felt and he took that and ran with it. The decision still came out the way it did. I told him again, I respect that and I’m going to roll with it. I did my part letting him know how I felt about Kevin McHale. I don’t think it’s my job to tell him what kind of coach or put my input on the new coach. I’m going to leave it up to him because he must be able to do the job because they hired him for the job. It’s out of my hands.”
Jefferson on his rehab:
“I’m ahead of schedule big time. I’m looking forward to August to be doing nothing but basketball stuff – kind of like what Corey (Brewer) is doing now, which is nothing but getting my lungs and conditioning ready and getting my basketball skills back. I’ve been working real hard this month and next month I’m going to work even harder so by about August I can be where I need to be to focus on nothing but basketball.”
For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jonah on Twitter.
DAVID KAHN PRESS CONFERENCE
Al Jefferson Press Conference Reacting to the Release of Kevin McHale
Al Jefferson AudioJefferson on his reaction to McHale's release:
“I was more shocked, disappointed and hurt, but at the same time I understand that it’s a business. I talked to David (Kahn) before the decision was made and I knew he had a decision to make at the end of the day. And I knew, at the end of the day, he was going to do what was best for the team. That was the decision he came up with. I just have to accept it and move on from it.”
Jefferson on whether he thinks it is the best decision:
“That’s not my job. They put him in charge to make that decision. I told him, either way – whatever decision he makes – I’m behind him 100 percent and I’m going to stand by it.”
Jefferson on when he found out:
“I found out last night. I got a phone call from (Kevin McHale) and I talked to him. He was hurt more from the fact that he couldn’t come back and coach us. He understands. He’s been in this business a long time and he knows how it goes. He left me with some good words. Like I said, you just have to move on from it.”
Jefferson on whether McHale was upset:
“Nah, he wasn’t upset. He understands how the business goes. He’s been around a long time. He knew there was a possibility this could happen and was prepared for it.”
Jefferson on whether he wonders if more changes are coming:
“There’s no doubt in my mind that there will be more changes coming. That’s the whole reason (Kahn is) here. They brought him in because they needed a change. There’s no doubt in my mind that there will be more changes coming. I’m just sitting back waiting. One thing when I talked to David – I’ve talked to him many times, we have a great relationship – and he made it real clear to me that he’s going to do his best to turn this team around. When it comes to things like that, I told him that I’m behind him. I’m just sitting back waiting to see the things that’s going to go down in the next couple years. Hopefully we’ll be one of the hottest teams in the NBA soon.”
Jefferson on what kind of coach he thinks this team needs:
“Once again, that’s not my job. I don’t know anything about stuff like that. Whoever we do get, we need someone who is going to be on the same page as us – and that’s winning and turning this team around. I’m pretty sure (Kahn is) going to do a good job finding that person to fit with us and get things rolling.”
Jefferson on whether they need a positive or tough coach:
“To me (McHale) was both of them. He was the type of guy who could communicate with you and if he was upset he would get in your face too. Most definitely, I think it’s always good to have a coach like that. Some of us players are knuckleheads and need a coach to really get down on them and get in their face. There’s also some time to sit down and communicate and talk to the player as a man. I think we need both of that.”
Jefferson on how close the team is to the playoffs:
“I just think with the team that we just had this past year, I think a couple more pieces with that – maybe another veteran player, some shooters. I just think with some pieces added to that with what we already got now, I think that it will take us there. The one thing about this team right now is everybody wants to win and wants to improve. There will be changes made and I’m pretty sure the changes will be made will be best for the team.”
Jefferson on whether team unity will be damaged by bringing in a new coach:
“No. I think everybody understands now that this is business. Everybody on the team has been traded before just about except for the young guys and the rookies. Everybody knows this is a business. We know right now we have got to let (McHale) go. We have to put Mac out of our heads right now. I talked to some of the guys today. In a way, we’re glad it’s over with now. That was something Mac told me in the beginning. He said, ‘If they don’t keep me, I hope they tell me so they can get a guy in for you all and you can get used to him and adjusted to him.’ We know that now we have to put Mac out of our heads. And whoever they decide to bring in, we have to accept him as our coach. He’s going to be our new leader.”
Jefferson on Kevin Love tweeting the news:
“That’s something I just still don’t understand. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him yet. But I really believe everybody ought to let him know that was a bad mistake.”
Jefferson on whether he wants to have input on the new head coach:
“I don’t want anything to do with it. It’s not my job. They pay me to do my job. I felt like I would feel a lot worse today if I would not have went to David (Kahn) two weeks ago and told him how I felt about Kevin McHale. I let him know how I felt and he took that and ran with it. The decision still came out the way it did. I told him again, I respect that and I’m going to roll with it. I did my part letting him know how I felt about Kevin McHale. I don’t think it’s my job to tell him what kind of coach or put my input on the new coach. I’m going to leave it up to him because he must be able to do the job because they hired him for the job. It’s out of my hands.”
Jefferson on his rehab:
“I’m ahead of schedule big time. I’m looking forward to August to be doing nothing but basketball stuff – kind of like what Corey (Brewer) is doing now, which is nothing but getting my lungs and conditioning ready and getting my basketball skills back. I’ve been working real hard this month and next month I’m going to work even harder so by about August I can be where I need to be to focus on nothing but basketball.”
For more news and notes on the team follow the Minnesota Timberwolves and Jonah on Twitter.
