Meet Al Jefferson

"Coming over with Ryan (Gomes), Sebastian (Telfair) and Gerald (Green), I know those guys feel how I feel. They want to win. I feel like people say 'young' like it's an excuse, like we're supposed to lose. But it shouldn't be. We've still got five players on the floor and we're still pros. Every night we've just got to step out there and be ready to play and give it our all."
- Al Jefferson on this year's Wolves team

Before Wednesday night's canceled press conference, we caught up with Big Al Jefferson, among the key pieces Minnesota acquired from Boston in the trade for Kevin Garnett. Al talked about how excited he is to be here, what he's been working on this summer, and his past experiences playing with Corey Brewer down South.

MT: Hey Al, what's happening?
Al Jefferson: How you doing?

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MT: So, you grew up in Mississippi before being drafted by Boston. What do you know about Minnesota?
Al: Not much. I've been coming to Minneapolis once a year when I was with Boston, and I know it's a nice city. I heard about the big mall out here and everything, but I really don't know much about the state. But that's a good thing, because it'll give me something to do for the rest of the summer, just getting to know the city and everything.

MT: Make sure to check out the lakes if you can. But can you talk about your first thoughts after learning that the trade happened?
Al: Of course, being a young player and the first time being traded, I was a little disappointed at first. But I thought about it more, and to get traded for Kevin Garnett, man, that's a compliment. We were used to losing in Boston, and we don't want to bring it here. We're not going to bring it here. We're not coming here to lose, and we're really excited about the opportunity. I'm happy to be here.

MT: You're coming into a situation with a lot of young talented players, but I'll imagine you're not going to go up to a veteran team like San Antonio and say, "Hey, go ahead and take this one."
Al: Yeah, yeah. Coming over with Ryan (Gomes), Sebastian (Telfair) and Gerald (Green), I know those guys feel how I feel. They want to win. I feel like people say "young" like it's an excuse, like we're supposed to lose. But it shouldn't be. We've still got five players on the floor and we're still pros. Every night we've just got to step out there and be ready to play and give it our all. I talked to coach Wittman, and I'm pretty sure if we go out there and give it our all, leave it on the floor, he'll be happy with that. So that's all we can ask for.

MT: You had a break-out season last year, putting up 16 points, 11 boards and almost two blocks a night. But from what we hear, that doesn't satisfy you. You want to get to the next level.
Al: Definitely. There's always room for improvement. Guys like Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant are All-Stars, and they still work hard on their game. I feel like I've just scratched the surface last year. That's just the beginning of Al Jefferson. It's going to keep coming with a lot of hard work. I plan on staying up here in Minnesota for the remainder of the summer and working out. That's what I did in Boston when I was there and I'll do the same here. I'm going to show everyone that I want it, and that we want it as a team.

MT: All the great players add something every offseason. What have you been working on this summer?
Al: My jump shot has improved unbelievably. Not quite three, but 15, 17 feet I'm consistent. If I can hit it consistently, guys can't leave me open. But I don't want to get outside of the low post too much, man, because that's my bread and butter.

MT: We'll look forward to seeing that. What else do you have coming for us?
Al: I've also been working on my left hand a lot this summer, and can still get a little bit better with that. But I think the No. 1 key for me is to keep improving my defense both individually and with team defense.

MT: You've been building a reputation for yourself as being one of the best if not the best young low-post scorer in the league.
Al: I know sometimes it might sound a little cocky, but I feel like on the block, nobody can take me one-on-one. I just feel that way. Even double-teams sometimes. So, I'm known to be a low-post scorer and that's what I want to stick to. I don't want to fall in love with the outside shot.

MT: One of the great all-time NBA low scorers happens to be the VP of basketball operations here in Minnesota, former Celtic Kevin McHale. Maybe he could show you a few more moves?
Al: I'm going to steal a couple of tips from him. I've been watching him, the three years I've been in Boston. They always show the classics there; I feel like I grew up in Boston, watching him playing. I'm really excited about meeting him face-to-face. I think that's one of the most exciting things about coming here.

MT: You were selected as one of the "young stars" that will go compete against team USA at their camp leading up to Olympic Qualifying.
Al: I thought it was an honor to get selected for that. To go out there and just to be around those superstars and kind of get a feel of how it's going to be one day if I did make the team. I'm looking forward to it.

MT: Are you thinking to yourself, "Hey, I'll be on this team soon..."
Al: Yeah, I feel like if I go out there and prove myself that that could happen. Maybe not this year, but my name should be around there.

MT: Give us a word on your boys from Boston that you brought with you.
Al: Well, you know Gerald Green. He's a high-flyer, he dunks it, and can shoots real well. Sebastian is a good point guard that can pass the ball real well. And Ryan Gomes ... One thing I like about Ryan, you can put him at the three and you can put him at the four. He's one of those guys that can play all types of positions. We all have room for improvement and can get better, but I think it's a nice group of guys that came from Boston over here. We have a lot of talent, and I think the sky is the limit for us.

MT: Can you guard centers in the Western Conference on a nightly basis if need be?
Al: Oh yeah, I did it all last year.

MT: Right, but sometimes you played against fours. Are you comfortable either way?
Al: It doesn't matter. The only difference between the four and the five is who you go at. The five is more of a goaltender than a four is, but I can play either one.

MT: You're actually in the same high school class as Wolves No. 7 overall pick Corey Brewer, and used to play with him in summer ball.
Al: Me and Corey were in the same class, and we're really good friends, too. We played with each other at camps.

MT: Corey being from Tennessee and you from Mississippi, you saw each other on that Southern circuit. Now, you must have followed his play in the NCAA tournaments these past two years.
Al: When they won it two years ago, he was great. But this year, he really stepped it up. It was unbelievable. If you watch both championship games, it's a different story this year, and he had a lot to do with them winning. I honestly forgot that Minnesota drafted him because I really don't pay too much attention to the draft, but when it hit me, it was like, "Wow." I know the type of guy he is. He's a go-getter and he has a big heart.

MT: You didn't get a chance to see him in the Vegas Summer League, but one of the most impressive things Corey did was grab rebounds and immediately push the ball in transition before finding guys for easy shots. You gotta like that, right?
Al: Yeah I'm excited about that. Especially passing the ball to the bigs like me and my man Craig Smith. Craig runs the floor real well, and I love to run the floor.

MT: You just want to be fed. You need to eat.
Al: Oh yeah, if you run the floor as a big, you need that award. If you don't get it, you won't be as excited to run the floor again.

MT: All right Al, I'll make sure to let Corey know. But I think he's got it. Anyway, thanks for taking the time. We'll see you soon.
Al: All right.