Al Jefferson Snubbed
Jonah BallowRelated Images
"The Big Aristotle" was selected to his 15th straight All-Star game, which leaves "Big Al" left in the cold without a chance to represent the Wolves in Phoenix.
The 15 Western Conference coaches decided to send Suns center Shaquille O'Neal as the home crowd favorite despite Al Jefferson's prolific numbers through the first half of the season. Jefferson is clearly one of the best big-men in the league and is averaging 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks this season. This year, Jefferson has recorded 24 double-double performances, fifth best in the NBA. The Wolves have turned around their season behind the consistent production from Jefferson as the team has posted a 10-3 record in January. For further evidence of the incredible first half of the season from Jefferson, the Wolves media relations staff put together a highlight video on a GPS unit that was sent to the 14 coaches in the West.
Shaq is the more attractive player with his outgoing personality and mainstream appeal. The Suns also hold a better record at 25-18, which most likely led to the selection. Shaq is making an impact this year for Phoenix after a sub-par 2007-08 season. In eight-less games than Jefferson, Shaq averges 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.58 blocks. Shaq ranks second in the league in field goal percentage and leads the Suns in rebounding. One of the most intriguing aspects of Shaq's addition to the All-Star team is the dynamic it will create in the Western Conference locker room. Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson will reunite for the first time since 2004 when they all worked for the Lakers. Bryant and Shaq have a long history of verbal exchanges and Jackson wrote candidly about the relationship in his book, The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul.
Kevin Love was also bypassed for a chance to head to Phoenix in February for the Rookie Challenge. Assistant coaches decided to send rookies: Michael Beasley, Rudy Fernandez, Marc Gasol, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. Love has been limited in minutes but is giving the Wolves a dominant rebounding presence off the bench. In only 23 minutes of court time, Love averages nine points and 8.4 rebounds a game. Love also leads the league in offensive rebounding per minute. The last All-Star for the Wolves was Kevin Garnett in 2007.
The 15 Western Conference coaches decided to send Suns center Shaquille O'Neal as the home crowd favorite despite Al Jefferson's prolific numbers through the first half of the season. Jefferson is clearly one of the best big-men in the league and is averaging 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks this season. This year, Jefferson has recorded 24 double-double performances, fifth best in the NBA. The Wolves have turned around their season behind the consistent production from Jefferson as the team has posted a 10-3 record in January. For further evidence of the incredible first half of the season from Jefferson, the Wolves media relations staff put together a highlight video on a GPS unit that was sent to the 14 coaches in the West.
Shaq is the more attractive player with his outgoing personality and mainstream appeal. The Suns also hold a better record at 25-18, which most likely led to the selection. Shaq is making an impact this year for Phoenix after a sub-par 2007-08 season. In eight-less games than Jefferson, Shaq averges 18.2 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 1.58 blocks. Shaq ranks second in the league in field goal percentage and leads the Suns in rebounding. One of the most intriguing aspects of Shaq's addition to the All-Star team is the dynamic it will create in the Western Conference locker room. Shaq, Kobe Bryant, and Phil Jackson will reunite for the first time since 2004 when they all worked for the Lakers. Bryant and Shaq have a long history of verbal exchanges and Jackson wrote candidly about the relationship in his book, The Last Season: A Team in Search of Its Soul.
Kevin Love was also bypassed for a chance to head to Phoenix in February for the Rookie Challenge. Assistant coaches decided to send rookies: Michael Beasley, Rudy Fernandez, Marc Gasol, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, O.J. Mayo, Greg Oden, Derrick Rose, and Russell Westbrook. Love has been limited in minutes but is giving the Wolves a dominant rebounding presence off the bench. In only 23 minutes of court time, Love averages nine points and 8.4 rebounds a game. Love also leads the league in offensive rebounding per minute. The last All-Star for the Wolves was Kevin Garnett in 2007.
