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2017-18 Pacers Player Reviews: Al Jefferson

By Tony East

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Al Jefferson #25 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 17, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 17: Al Jefferson #25 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 17, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Al Jefferson Indiana Pacers
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 17: Al Jefferson #25 of the Indiana Pacers handles the ball during the game against the Washington Wizards on March 17, 2018, at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Al Jefferson was the perfect center for depth and veteran presence this season. He offered more than just his on-court value over the course of the year.

Al Jefferson finished his first season with the Indiana Pacers on bad terms. After signing a three year, $30 million contract in the summer of 2016, there were some moderately high expectations for the big fella. But in his first year in Indiana, he played in just 66 games and he was too slow to stay on the court and contribute. Fans were unhappy with how things were going for Jefferson.

Fast forward three months, and there was some news heading into this past season: Al Jefferson lost weight! Woohoo! He lost 40 whole pounds and in the process slimmed down to be in good enough shape to play effective basketball.

Unfortunately, when the Pacers acquired Daomantas Sabonis, the opportunities for Jefferson to actually play depleted. He only hit the court 36 times the entire season, and his 484 total minutes represented his first time ever being under 500.

But Jefferson’s value extends far beyond the hardwood. He was an awesome veteran off the court, and he was the professor for the younger centers in practice. Teaching post moves 101 to Myles Turner and Sabonis helped them grow before our very eyes, and his experience around the league made him a glue guy in the locker room. That is invaluable.

So Jefferson had an impact everywhere. Let’s look back on what may have been his last season in Indiana and see what is next for Big Al.

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