Jefferson and Love To Play For USA Basketball
Jonah BallowWolves Editor/Writer
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Wolves forward Kevin Love and center Al Jefferson were named to the elite list as both players will compete for spots on the final roster that represents the United States in the 2012 Olympic Games. Jonah Ballow took the opportunity to ask a couple of quick questions to Colangelo about Love and Jefferson.
Jonah: Jerry, can you talk about what Kevin Love and Al Jefferson bring to the table and why they were selected for this specific program?
Jerry: Kevin Love has made us take notice about his game. He knows how to play, he can pass the ball, he knows how to use his frame; he can set as good a pick and roll as most anybody on the roster. He just knows how to play, and he's a great team kind of guy; he's a blender. Al Jefferson, he still isn't back to being 100%, but this is predicated on his instinctive ability to play around the basket. He's gotten better and better with his post up moves, he's a presence. When you're putting together a team you want to have different components and that's why he has a legitimate shot. We just want to see him get totally healthy and he'll play at an even higher level. We are certain, and hopefully we will see that this summer.
Jonah: Just to follow up with that, what Kevin Love did this summer with the U.S. Team, did that help him get on to this program this year?
Jerry: Absolutely, he impressed our entire coaching staff, myself; he's the kind of guy you look at and say, you know he's a lot better than one might have projected.
Press ConferenceDavid Kahn: I'm happy today, and especially coming off the selection of Jonny Flynn and Kevin to the Rookie / Sophomore game this weekend it seems like we got a spade of good news in terms of our players' individual accomplishments. I'm very proud that both Kevin and Al have been named to the large group of players, although not so large, but the larger group of players that will be joining all the other USA basketball team members this summer in Las Vegas to in effect tryout for this year's USA team that I think is going to be kept intact through the 2012 Olympics. I think it says a lot about both these young men and what they've accomplished at a pretty young age. In Kevin's case 21 and Al's case, as of a month ago, 25 to be included in such a group. And I think it says a lot about our franchise. I think that, am I correct in saying six, there is only six of thirty in the league that have more than one member named to this squad. I think it says a lot about the talent we are developing here that our team is one of those six teams. With that I will turn it over to both these young men. I just want to close by saying from where I sit, and I want to speak for Coach Rambis as well, it's a very pleasing, happy day to know you have a couple of young men who are getting this kind of recognition. Not just locally or within the league, but now at the USA basketball level.
Al: I just want to say it is an honor for me to be in this position to at least tryout for this team. I saw what they did a couple of years ago and won the gold medal. I watched the dream team when they was with Jordan and Pippen in the 90's. I never thought I would be in this position just to tryout. I'm really excited about that and I hope both me and Kevin both tryout and do well and make the team.
Kevin: I think Al said it. It is definitely an honor to be recognized as one of the, I believe, 27 players going to the minicamp and also having a chance to play in Turkey and also a chance to play in London as well. Just being able to be recognized by USA basketball at a national team and hopefully being selected to play on the Olympic team as well as the world championship team is just a tremendous honor. I think that it does speak a lot for our team as far as talent development and we are doing a great job as an organization stepping up and becoming a team, so to speak, like the Memphis Grizzlies and the Oklahoma City Thunder. We are trying to develop our talent and become a team like that. I think this is a good start for us to make this USA basketball team and hopefully we can take this on to this summer.
Q: Al what do you try to get out of this. Make the team, don't make the team, regardless of that what will this do for your game?
Al: Just being that type of guys, a bunch of talent; to see what they did a couple of years ago. And of course getting better, I plan on working real hard this summer, I didn't get to work on it last summer, it was all about my knee. This summer I'm going to really hit the court and try to get better as a player, so why not finish off the summer with them guys, trying to make the USA team.
Q: Al isn't it even more of an honor knowing that you're not 100% and that they are asking you to join this? That's got to make you feel pretty good?
Al: Yeah, it made me feel real good, knowing they had a chance to see me at 100% and that see that I'm getting back there. Hopefully by that time I'll be there.
Q: Kevin, what was the experience from the mini-camp last summer, what was that like and what do you take from that?
Kevin: Well it was the best experience I had all summer. I think that if you have a chance to play against that caliber of players and runs like that throughout the summer then it is going to take your game to the next level and I kind of saw where I needed to be as far as the season goes this year. Unfortunately my hand got hurt, but I felt like playing with those guys was a great experience for me and you know that happened in mid-July and I knew what I had to work on the rest of the summer. I came into training camp well prepared and well conditioned, just looking forward to it again this summer.
Q: What was Krzyzewski like?
Kevin: He's great. He didn't recruit me much in high school, but it feels good that between Al and I Jerry Colangelo and himself that he's kind of recruiting us now. It definitely feels great and it's going to be a great opportunity to hopefully play for him in the future.
Q: Kevin, they have all said that you made them take notice of your game. How does it feel to hear guys like that, your coach and Colangelo, say things like that?
Kevin: It feels great. Those guys have been around a long, long time. I remember my dad talking about Jerry Colangelo. It kind of makes me laugh that it goes back that far. I think that in the summer, this past summer, when I was at the mini-camp, Mr. Colangelo told me it doesn't always have to be above the rim players, and I think it was a big thing for me. They were taking notice and hopefully I'll get the chance to play for Krzyzewski one day.
Q: Do you guys worry about the time commitment at all? It's multiple years.
Kevin: I got time
Al: Me too
Q: That scared some guys off. Some guys said they didn't want to make the commitment for multiple years, but for you guys it's not an issue at all? Was it ever an issue? Did it cross your mind?
Al: I never thought about it until you just said something. It's not going to be an issue for me.
Kevin: I agree with Al. I had never thought about it all. I had always said that the Minnesota Timberwolves and this organization are my first priority, first and foremost. I say after that I'm a basketball player; I want to play at the highest level. I think nationally and internationally playing with USA basketball is my second priority. I think that was a big thing I always wanted to do was wear the red, white, and blue and be able to be on a gold medal team. It was something dream about, and I keep saying, hopefully one day I can play for.
Press Release
USA Basketball announced that Minnesota Timberwolves forwards Al Jefferson and Kevin Love have been named to the 2010-2012 Men's National Team Program. Players from the National Team Program will be selected to represent the United States in international basketball competitions over the next three summers, including the 2010 FIBA World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. Along with Jefferson and Love, 25 other NBA stars have been named to the program.
In his sixth NBA season, Jefferson has established himself as one of the premier low-post players in the NBA. The 6-10 forward has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds per game since joining the Wolves prior to the 2007-08 season and his 76 20-point/10-rebound games over that span rank fourth in the NBA (despite missing 32 games in 2008-09 with a torn ACL). In just two-plus seasons in Minnesota, Jefferson has already established franchise records for rebounds in a game (26 at Houston on 1/13/10), offensive rebounds in a game (12 vs. Phoenix on 11/26/08) and offensive rebounds in a season (308 in 2007-08).
"It is a tremendous honor to be selected to the 2010-2012 USA Basketball Men's National Team Program," Jefferson said. "There is no greater feeling than representing your country in your sport at the highest level. I'm extremely grateful to the members of the selection committee, and I'm looking forward to working with Coach K, the entire coaching staff and all of my teammates."
Love averaged 11.1 points and a rookie-best 9.1 rebounds per game during his first season in Minnesota, and has increased those numbers to 15.3 points and 11.6 rebounds per game this season. Love also led the NBA in offensive rebound percentage as a rookie (15.1%) and is on pace to do so again this season. The 6-10 forward has 51 point-rebound double-doubles in just 113 career games.
"I cannot describe what a privilege it is to represent the United States as a member of the Men's National Team Program," Love said. "I'm thankful to the selection committee for giving me this chance. Participating in the USA Basketball mini-camp this summer in Las Vegas was a tremendous experience and I can't wait to get back on the floor with my teammates and our coaching staff."
Returning to the USA National Team for 2010-12 are 2008 Olympic gold medalists Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets); Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz); Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors); Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers); Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic); LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers); Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets); Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat); and Deron Williams (Utah Jazz). Rounding out the list of Olympians on the national squad roster are 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers) and Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns).
Completing the list of National Team players are LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trail Blazers); Chauncey Billups (Denver Nuggets); Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder); Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies); Eric Gordon (Los Angeles Clippers); Danny Granger (Indiana Pacers); Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers); Al Jefferson (Minnesota Timberwolves); David Lee (New York Knicks); Brook Lopez (New Jersey Nets); Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves); O.J. Mayo (Memphis Grizzlies); Kendrick Perkins (Boston Celtics); Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls); Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats) and Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City Thunder).
The Timberwolves are one of just six NBA teams, along with the Los Angeles Lakers (Bryant and Odom), Denver Nuggets (Anthony and Billups), Memphis Grizzlies (Gay and Mayo), Oklahoma City Thunder (Durant and Westbrook), and Utah Jazz (Boozer and Williams), to have multiple players on the roster.
Over the course of the next three summers, the USA Basketball Men’s National Team will compete in the 2010 FIBA World Championship (Aug. 28-Sept. 12 in Turkey); if necessary the 2011 FIBA Americas Olympic Qualifying Tournament (dates and site TBD); and if the USA qualifies, the 2012 Summer Olympic Games (July 26-Aug. 12 in London, England). Click here to read the USA Basketball release.
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