Big Al Taking Over

Attention, Captain Obvious: Al Jefferson's pretty good. In Minnesota's last four games, Big Al's been good for 28.8 points and 14.3 boards.

Thanks in part to opposing teams showing an inability to contend with Jefferson on the low block in the last week and change, Minnesota's small lineup is now 3-3 on the season. Playing the center with Ryan Gomes at the four, Rashad McCants at the three and Marko Jaric and Sebastian Telfair in the backcourt, Jefferson put some icing on his great-play-of-late cake Wednesday against the Suns, exploding for a career-high 39 points and 15 rebounds.

"(Phoenix) didn't have an answer for (Jefferson)," said head coach Randy Wittman. "He was a beast tonight. Our guys played off of him -- that's what we're learning to do."

That Minnesota is rebuilding this season is no secret; the Wolves knew they'd face a tough challenge in bringing such a young team together. But, as has been clear of late, the Wolves are taking steps towards understanding how to play with one another; for example, teammates like Jaric and Telfair have learned when to force-feed Jefferson the ball.

"(Some teams) have nobody that can guard him on the post," said Telfair. "He's already a dominant post player in the first place, but when other teams don't have a big guy to bang with him, we have to take advantage."

Getting back to Wednesday's victory over the Suns...

"Against Phoenix, I knew I could attack and get easy points," said Jefferson. "Plus, they double-team, so it's a matter of moving the ball. Ryan Gomes hit a big shot at the top of the key, Corey hit a big one and Bassy hit a nice three, so we got guys open shots. I think in the fourth quarter, that was really a time for me to attack, to get my head out and get fouls, and make my guy play defense."

His guy for most of the game was Amare Stoudemire. If S.T.A.T. found a way to cover Jefferson, then you'd say no to a free 70-inch plasma screen TV.

"They go to (Jefferson) every time down the floor," said Stoudemire. "He is a good scorer. Hit a couple of tough shots. Once he gets it going, it's hard to shut him off. He has a soft touch."

That Jefferson's emerged as an All-Star caliber player should not be questioned at this point, but Suns head coach Mike D'Antoni was impressed not just with Big Al, but with the Wolves as a team.

"They played extremely well," he said. "I think they have kind of turned a corner. They are playing well ... We don't need answers for Jefferson, we need answers for Minnesota.

"That is not one guy, that is the whole team. Jefferson was good, but probably the second half he got 15. He's going to get that; they go to him every time."

Will Minnesota go to Jefferson every time on Friday night against a Boston Celtics team from which he was traded? Perhaps. One thing that's certain, however, is that Boston's starting center, Kendrick Perkins, came into the league with Jefferson and defended him in practice for two years.

"He thinks he knows all my moves, so it's going to be fun to surprise him and show him that I've learned some new ones," said Jefferson.

The Celtics also have a certain power forward known for his defense both on and off the ball. To see Jefferson go up against Boston's No. 5, whether it's one-on-one or not, should have Wolves fans licking their chops.

Stay tuned for much more coverage leading up to Minnesota's 6:30 p.m. tip in Boston on Friday night.