Al Jefferson Says the Indiana Pacers Can Compete for the NBA Title

Al Jefferson thinks the Indiana Pacers can compete for the NBA title this season thanks to their offseason moves.

Can the Indiana Pacers win the title this season? Al Jefferson thinks they can.

Jefferson was hosting the Eighth Annual Al Jefferson Youth Basketball Camp in Prentiss, Mississippi when he spoke with WJTV about why he signed with the Pacers.

"“They traded for Jeff Teague, who I’m a fan of, and they already have got one of the top players in the game in Paul George,” Jefferson said. “Monta Ellis, who me and him, of course, from the same state, and knew each other for a long time.”“It was a well put together team, and I feel like with what they are trying to do, adding me with it, I think will be a great chance for me getting closer to my goal, which is winning an NBA championship.”"

I’m a bit more skeptical than Big Al, but it is good to see he’s got faith in himself and the team. Any deep analysis aside, I’m happy he’s got confidence as oppose to him saying the team is going nowhere fast, and that he already hates everyone.

More from 8 Points, 9 Seconds

• 2 Studs, 1 dud from gut-wrenching Indiana Pacers loss to Charlotte Hornets
• Handing out early-season grades for Pacers’ Bruce Brown, Obi Toppin
• 3 positives, 2 negatives in Pacers In-Season Tournament win vs. Cavaliers
• 2 positives, 3 negatives from first week of Indiana Pacers basketball
• Should Isaiah Jackson’s days with Indiana Pacers be numbered?

But more importantly than what the backup center thinks of Indiana’s title chances, Jefferson was giving back to his hometown through his camp. According to MS News Now, over the last eight years, 3,000 campers have gone through the free camp, and they also receive school supplies, but Jefferson has more plans for what he can do in his hometown.

Jefferson says he wants to start an after-school program where kids can do homework and play basketball and football while being supervised by trainers.

"“I know a lot of people have different definitions of giving back, but my definition is when you can build a foundation to help every kid that comes through this hometown, or the surrounding towns, to help them in a way that they remember — like I can remember everything someone has done for me growing up — and help them believe in themselves.I think, to me, I can sit there and say I’ve done right by my career.”"

Next: London Calling the Indiana Pacers, Denver Nuggets

The camp concludes today.