Just Tinkerin' around
Come on Big Al, be a Pig for a year at least
Josh Tinker
Issue date: 3/29/04 Section: Sports
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"Big" Al Jefferson, Arkansas' prized basketball recruit this season, has the chance to do the same thing. But first he has to come to college.
Just like Arkansas coach Stan Heath doesn't want to stand in Big Al's way of realizing his dream of playing in the NBA, neither do I. But just think of all the possibilities for Razorback basketball next season if Al makes his way up The Hill. Much like Anthony and the Orangemen won the ultimate prize last season, the Hogs could do the same thing.
Arkansas' 1994 National Championship team proved that a dominating big man can do wonders for an offense. Al can have the same kind of impact that Corliss Williamson had during his stay in Bud Walton Arena.
But first he has to come. Even if it's just for a year, please.
That's all Arkansas fans are asking for. Just one year. Even if Arkansas doesn't make it past the first round of the tournament, Arkansas fans want just one year from Big Al to help get the program off the sling. After being left out of the postseason party for three straight seasons, Arkansas basketball fans want something to cheer about, something to be proud of.
If Jefferson comes and helps the Hogs achieve a higher level of success than the three losing seasons they've had concurrently, he'll be forever indebted in the hearts of Razorback fans. He'll be an Arkansas sports hero to the likes of John Daly, Matt Jones and pre-2000 Nolan Richardson.
But getting Jefferson on The Hill might be easier said than done. Jefferson is currently ranked as the No. 26 prospect in the draft, according to the Web site nbadraft.net., which has no affiliation with the NBA. Several media sources claim that Big Al has said that he won't jump to the NBA unless he is a lottery pick. As of now, he's not, but after he plays in three all-star games his stock could rise even higher.
It's after these all-star games that he'll decide his future. He wants to see how he performs on the national level.
It starts Wednesday when he travels to Oklahoma City for the McDonald's all-American game. Here Big Al will play against and alongside some of the best high school ballers in the country. Including Dwight Howard. Howard is thought by many to be the No. 1 pick in June's NBA draft, and seeing how Big Al plays against him in practice could be a determining factor in Jefferson's decision.
Others sharing the court with Jefferson will be LaMarcus Aldridge and Robert Swift. Aldridge is the No. 21 prospect according to nbadraft.net and Swift is the No. 34 prospect according to the site.
Standing 6-11 each, these players will have the daunting task of guarding Big Al J in the paint.
If they're successful, maybe he'll come to Arkansas and help return the Hogs to the level of prestige that they've had in the past.
Even if it's just for one year.
Think what happened to 'Melo. In just one year, he increased his draft status, won a National Championship ring and won the admiration of a sport nation for his play.
Big Al could do the same. And it could only take one year.
Josh Tinker is sports editor. His column appears on Mondays.
