Jefferson glum, mum after loss

Danny Moloshok, Associated Press

Minnesota's Al Jefferson

The Wolves forward was embarrassed about Monday's night's lopsided defeat.

By JERRY ZGODA, Star Tribune

Last update: November 10, 2009 - 11:48 PM

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Timberwolves forward Al Jefferson dressed slowly and silently after Monday's record-tying 146-105 loss at Golden State, the weight of the 41-point defeat seemingly measuring each movement.

Asked if he felt like talking about a loss that tied franchise records for point allowed and largest margin of defeat, he said, "No, but I will."

His words were few.

"It's an embarrassment," he said.

Now in his sixth NBA season, Jefferson has reached the playoffs only once, in his rookie season.

In eight games this season -- a seven-game losing streak that followed a season-opening victory -- he has labored to fully recover from February knee surgery and, as his teammates also have, adapt to new coach Kurt Rambis' triangle passing offense.

"I think he has been overly concerned with, in his mind, how slow he has been getting back to his elite level," Rambis said. "Everything I know about the injury [a torn anterior cruciate ligament] he had requires about a year for a player to get back the timing, the rhythm, the strength, the explosiveness in his knee. And he's not there yet.

"I've encouraged him not to be frustrated, to continue to work hard and do the things we're asking him to do, rebounding-wise, defensive-wise. ... Al's getting frustrated with himself, but I'm not getting frustrated with him. It's just a matter of time before he gets back to his old self."

Jefferson has averaged 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds in the first eight games. He averaged 23.1 points and 11 rebounds in an offense structured around his low-post skills before he was injured 50 games into last season.

His 12-point, 10-rebound game Sunday at Portland was his first double-double of the season. He had 30 double-doubles in those 50 games last season.

Meanwhile, Rambis preaches patience.

And patience was difficult to come by for Jefferson on Monday night at Oracle Arena. His comments reflected how he is taking all the losing in his sixth pro season.

"Very hard, man," Jefferson said. "Very hard."

On the ballot

Jefferson, injured Wolves forward Kevin Love and guard Ramon Sessions are the three Timberwolves listed on this season's NBA All-Star Game ballot.

Jefferson is listed at center, a position that in the Western Conference this season doesn't include traded Shaquille O'Neal or injured Yao Ming. It does, though, include Phoenix's Amare Stoudemire even though he plays power forward.

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