This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
With All Star reserves scheduled to be announced Thursday, Jazz center Al Jefferson knows his name may be a ways down the list. With players such as Marc Gasol and LaMarcus Aldridge having breakout years, and former All Stars Zach Randolph, David Lee and Tim Duncan deserving as well, there is unlikely to be room for Jefferson.
However, the ninth-year veteran said he hopes he is considered by Western Conference coaches when they vote.
"I think them guys probably deserve it a little bit more than me," Jefferson said, "because of the things they have done with their teams. But I think my name should be in the mix, too.
Jefferson averages a team-high 17.3 points and 9.8 rebounds.
"I think he's up there," Jazz guard Randy Foye said. "He's played against all of the quote unquote the best and he's held his own or he did what he had to do against them."
Jefferson has never been an All Star, despite three seasons in which he averaged double-doubles. In 2008-09, Jefferson averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds.
"I do not get my hopes up for it no more," Jefferson said. "I used to be excited about it, my first, second year in Minnesota I got excited. So to keep me from being disappointed, I don't think about it. If it happens, I'm thankful. If it don't, I'll get some rest, that's the way I think about it."
The Jazz last had an All Star in 2011 when Deron Williams was selected to the team for a second-straight year. Last week, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and Kevin Durant were voted starters by the fans. All-Star Weekend is Feb. 15-17 in Houston.
— Bill Oram