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Al Jefferson on Celtics: ‘If that situation were to happen, I’d love to do that again’ 11.14.12 at 7:27 pm ET
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Talk about full circle.

If you’re a Celtics fan wouldn’t it be something if the Celtics were somehow able to land Al Jefferson in free agency next season? The man most famous for being the biggest chip that brought Kevin Garnett to Boston in the summer of 2007 spoke before taking on his former team Wednesday at the Garden. He forced the first overtime of Utah’s 140-133 triple-overtime win over Toronto Monday night with a rebound and a 3-pointer.

A lot of things would have to fall into place. First, Jefferson would have to turn down what he considers to be a situation in Salt Lake City that he says compares very favorably to Boston.

“We haven’t had any conversations,” Jefferson said before his match up with the Celtics Wednesday night. “This is all about going out and taking care of business. If I go out and take care of my business, everything else will work itself out. I’m not really concerned about it.”

Jefferson is making $15 million in the final year of his deal in Utah.

“I want to be in the NBA,” Jefferson said. “When both teams want me, that’s when I need to start worrying. Right now, I just want to be in the NBA, I want to be with the Utah Jazz to be honest with you. I’d love to stay in Utah. They do things the right way, kind of remind me of Boston, first class. They do everything the right way. They have to do what’s best for their team and I have to do what’s best for my family. Right now, it’s all about winning and getting back to the playoffs.

“I’ll cross that bridge when I get there. You really don’t want to think too far ahead. You have to take care of business day-by-day. If I do my part, everything will work out.”

As for Boston?

“This is my first home,” he said with a big smile. “This will always be my home away from home. Danny Ainge gave me a chance when nobody else did. If that situation were to happen, I’d love to do that again. But right now, like I said, it’s all about taking care of business and finishing out the season right.”

Last year, Doc Rivers took his former big man to dinner. This year?

“Nah, screw Al,” Rivers laughed. “I don’t have time for him. He’s too good now. I didn’t. It’s just a tough trip.”

Jefferson is averaging 15.8 points and 11 rebounds and has started all eight games for the Jazz this year. So much has changed for Jefferson, who has had his share of terrible injury luck, including blowing out his knee in Minnesota in three non-playoff seasons there before finally getting a taste of the playoffs last season with the Jazz.

“It was always a rebuilding year in Minnesota,” Jefferson said. “It’s just been great to get to the Jazz, where it’s just like Boston – all about winning. They always have winning in mind. Danny’s probably thinking right now of a way to win five years from now. That’s just the way it is [in Boston] and that’s the way it is in Utah.”

“He just keeps getting better and better,” Rivers said. “The thing I thought I’d never say about Al is he’s becoming a better passer, and I’m very happy about that for him. He just keeps working on his game.

“I think he hit that one little stretch, where he lost a lot and you can see he’s fought through that now. I think making that playoff run, he was a big part of it last year, has kind of restoked him, and it’s good. He’s a heck of a guy.”

Read More: Al Jefferson, Boston Celtics, Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers Print  |  Email  |  Bark It Up!  |  Digg It
  • Robyoung54

    NE will not pick a WR in the first round. That is the only thing you bank on, in a BB draft.

    • http://twitter.com/CSTODD89 Craig Stoddard

      oh really? i say yes cuz hes due for a young great WR in the 1st round

      • Relax

        I doubt the Pats are going to pick a WR just because they think they’re “due”.  Wr’s are a crap shoot.  If they use this pick for a receiver it will likely (and hopefully) be Mike Wallace.  All of the top talent will be off the board at this point.  I can’t see them going away from D-line with this pick if they have it.

  • patsfan63

    NE will not pick a safety in the first round like so many of these mock drafts think. BB remembers the mistake called Meriweather. I see BB going DL, OL,DB  with the first couple of picks. Just basing this on past drafts. I do not rule out a stud WR if one falls to them. 

    • Bhdyer20

      I don’t rule out anything with Belichick nobody ever pins him exactly.  How many people thought he would draft Logan Mankins, McCourty, or Solder?

      • Peterrici19

        it was obvious last year that he was gonna get a offensive tackle

  • Corky831

    awful mock

    • Bhdyer20

      All mock drafts are universally awful because nobody knows and there are always surprises.

  • Mike

    I see DT, DE, and or CB…I think they go free agency for the WR

    • Peterrici19

      i dont think they will get a dt but definetly a de or cb 

  • Greene762

    Janoris Jenkins, Stephen Hill, Harrison Smith, Whitney Merculis

    • Peterricci19

      in my mock draft i have them taking merculis with the saints pick they have and janoris jenkins with there pick

  • Fuego

    It gets to be pretty relative to what other teams are doing on draft day(s), as well as what is accomplished in free agency. I love seeing people spitball ideas, but its a pretty unclear picture as it sits now. 

    I will say that I hope that we add multiple WRs, an interior o-lineman, a stud d-lineman, a safety and a corner. Where they come from, its hard to say. 

  • Dfj

    I love Barron but Jeffery’s? Why not go barron and andre branch. I would love two impact defenders in this draft!

  • mockman

    If Baron falls to the pats at 27 they will take him without a doubt, he is the type of player BB loves.  He is aggressive hard hitting and flies over the whole field.  Perfect fit for the pats, but I don’t think he will be on the board.  Unfortunately he will go between 15 and 22 and the pats will prbly just trade the pick.

    • Peterricci19

      they will probably trade the 31 pick not the 27

  • Joekoool102

    We still need a pass rushing OLB who makes plays like a sack n fumble.

  • Joekoool102

    We won’t win another Super Bowl till we have a play making defense who stops people dead…especially in the fourth quarter. How bout a fourth quarter running back who moves the chains.

  • http://twitter.com/Rporter85 Robert Porter

    theres no ways the brown keep there other first round pick in that trade……………………………..

  • claret_rgt

    Alshon Jeffery? Are you kidding me? I’d rather take Stephen Hill than him, at least he turned up to the Combine and actually looked interested.

    And you praise Jeffery for not looking overweight? Wow, that’s great.

  • BennyV

    I see the pats trading down from one of their two late-first round picks. there will be a team who wants a guy and trades up to get him. in return they’ll probably get a high 2nd rounder and something like a 5th for that late 1st rounder. typical pats. they’ll prob take an o-lineman, they always do, especially not knowing the future of Koppen and Connolly – just to add some depth. no one knows what BB will do, it’s just a guess.

  • Peterricci19

    new england won’t get a wide receiver. wide receivers dont always work out in the first round and i dont think this mock draft is that good anyway

  • Peterricci19

    hey everyone check out my mock draft on youtube type in my nfl mock draft on youtube go to page 2 and it should be the one with a bears logo on the link my youtube name is 97redsoxfan

  • Bruinman86

     I don’t see a WR in the first round at all.  Maybe the second 2nd round pick  – if they don’t trade it off.  I think defense will be the common theme in the draft for the pats.  Unless there is a steal to be had, they are likely to focus more on Safety, CB, LB, DE and Offensive Line.  The main focus on the Defensive Line and Secondary.  I’m seriously interested in the free agent market as well.  Can’t wait to see what they will do.

  • Kopernicus

    Never seen anyone suggest it, so I will.

    With all the great press RGIII is getting, what if Indy surprises everyone and takes him rather than Luck. That would blow the rest of the draft (and the predictions) out of the water.  Does Cleve/Miami/Washington keep whatever deal with the Rams for Luck?  They’d have only minutes to think about it.

  • Jcroach7

    I’d be down for Barron or smith

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