FanPost

Comparing Al Jefferson to Pau Gasol


I won't take too much time, but here are Al & Pau for their first six seasons, playing for mostly bad teams: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=jeffeal01&y1=2010&p2=gasolpa01&y2=2007

Very interesting. Al a much better rebounder, Pau a much better passer and at getting to the line, everything else slight edge to Pau. Al's numbers skewed a bit by injury, Pau also playing much more per game/heavier burden. Playoff samples too small, but Pau DID lead them to three berths. Al could do nothing to help Boston or Minny.

Here are their overall numbers, Pau's asterisk is obvious: http://www.basketball-reference.com/play-index/pcm_finder.cgi?request=1&sum=1&p1=jeffeal01&y1=2012&p2=gasolpa01&y2=2012

Hmm, still roughly the same ratios as before, aside from the playoffs. Pau IS better, but not by as much as I thought. How would those numbers look if Pau played with Sap (or Favors) and Al played with Bynum & Kobe in the triangle (or with Favors)?

Pau still has plenty in the tank, only 31 and just 31.6K combined minutes played. Based on their contracts and cap situation of the Jazz, I still think moving Al & Millsap's expiring deals for Pau and a GOOD wing/PG (both under contract for only two more years) in separate deals would improve the Jazz, but maybe not by as much as I thought.

All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.