Who’s Better: Amare Stoudemire or Al Jefferson?
We argue. You decide…
AMARE STOUDEMIRE (by Aron Phillips)
I’m sorry, but the Amare Stoudemire vs. Al Jefferson debate is like listening to Christian talk in the office about “giving buckets” to Isiah Thomas. As Pat would say, the score would be 100 to nothing.
When I first heard who I was going up against, I felt like any Western Conference playoff team matched up with the Rockets in the first round — sure, they may win a game or two, but let’s be honest; the opposing team is going to advance to the second round.
Amare Stoudemire, Dime #14So looking at Amare’s career, the debate is lopsided. Last season Amare averaged 25.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 2.1 blocks, while he shot a career-high 59.0 percent from the floor. This year, while his numbers have dropped a tad as he adjusts to the post-D’Antoni Suns, I expect his numbers to flourish once again now that Phoenix shipped out Boris Diaw and Raja Bell.
In really his sixth season in the League (not counting the season where he missed all but three games owing to a knee injury), Stoudemire has won the Rookie of the Year Award (2003), made three appearances in the All-Star Game (2005, 2007 and 2008), and made the All-NBA First Team in 2007, as well as the All-NBA Second Team in 2005 and 2008. Yeah, that means he was one of the five to 10 best players in the entire League in three of the past four seasons. Al Jefferson is not even one of the five best players in the Northwest Conference. Seriously.
Also, when it comes to the playoffs — a place Big Al has only played limited minutes in seven games as a rookie — Amare has been a beast with career averages of 25.1 points, 10.4 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. For his career in the postseason, he’s also shot 52.4 percent from the field.
Sure, they matchup size-wise, as both players are 6-foot-10 and roughly 250 pounds, and both came straight to the League from high school, but for a career resume the two are far from equals.
Personal accolades aside, my closing argument is this: For the past two seasons, Amare Stoudemire has won 116 games, while Al Jefferson has won 46. Case closed.
AL JEFFERSON (by Andrew Katz)
Honestly, my first instinct was that it’s going to be impossible to prove that Al Jefferson is better than Amare. But the more research I’ve done on this matchup, I’ve actually come to believe that Jefferson is the choice. Though Amare’s athleticism gives people the impression that he’s more “versatile,” he isn’t. STAT doesn’t have the back-to-the-basket post moves that Jefferson has in spades. Amare is limited offensively — he either shoots that top-of-the-key jumper or he attacks the rim. Watching Phoenix play earlier this season, Hubie Brown was basically begging the opposition to give him an 18-footer instead of biting on his up-fake and letting him drive to the rim uncontested. If you give that shot to Amare, he’ll hurt you, but he won’t beat you.
Big Al declined to be photographed…On the other hand, Al Jefferson is the best back-to-the-basket scorer in the game today. Well, maybe Duncan still has him, but it’s pretty damn close. I’d put his baby hook right up there among the League’s top 10 weapons. Also, people don’t realize how powerful he is. Watch Jefferson work for position on the block. Not only does he get where he wants, but he also wears out the defense doing so. If you’ve played, you know that it’s far more physically exerting to have to bang down low than it is to guard a guy who pops out to the top of the key more often than not.
And because he’s so good with his back to the rim, Al helps to create a floor balance that Phoenix doesn’t get with Amare. Think about it: if Al is facing his teammates, it’s much easier for him to zip a pass out to the perimeter than for Amare to do so as his eyes are locked on the rim. That is why Jefferson is a bona fide centerpiece who was worth trading for KG.
Though Amare takes the cake as a better shot-blocker, and thus a better all-around defender, Al Jefferson owns Amare in their head-to-head contests. Over the last five Suns/Wolves meetings dating back to last season, Big Al is averaging 30 points and 15.6 rebounds against Phoenix, while STAT has put up 20.2 points and 6.6 boards in those contests.
Who do you think is better?
“Who’s better?” archives
12/10 — Dirk Nowitzki vs. Chris Bosh
12/9 — Derrick Rose vs. O.J. Mayo
12/8 — Rasheed Wallace vs. Elton Brand
12/5 — Kevin Martin vs. Vince Carter
12/4 — Brandon Roy vs. Joe Johnson
12/3 — Dwight Howard vs. Yao Ming
12/2 — Paul Pierce vs. Carmelo Anthony
December 12th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Scott says:
Al needs more exposure.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:06 pm
SayItAintSo says:
Maybe it’s because I’ve never seen what he looks like before but Al’s photo seriously looks like it’s CGI.
Something about the lighting and his surreal grin makes that ish seem computer generated.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Drink the Haterade (KB24 Chip 09) says:
I would take AL… He is the perfect back to the basket player and because he plays so close to the rim, he’s in a better position to grab the rebound. Unfortunately everyone always thinks it’s about offense which Amare has, but defense wins CHAMPIONSHIPS!
December 12th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
isotope says:
Depends on what you’re talking about; if you’re talking about career then its not even close. That seems to be what APs argument is based on. But if we are talking about NOW. Its a lil closer.
Al Jefferson is carrying a franchise (not very successful) but he’s the focal point of the offense which means he gets isolation plays as well as double team defense. He has better post moves than Amare does but who needs post moves when u have Steve Nash running the pick and roll and throwing lobs all day.
It’s close but i’ll still go with Amare.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Sam I Am says:
Big Al Jefferson from MINNY !
December 12th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
Notorious says:
Didn’t even think it was close, Amare is the MOST OVERRATED player in the NBA. Gives you ZERO on the defensive end, content to shoot jumpers rather then bang down low, and is a complete cancer in the locker room.
Give me Al Jeff every day of the week, let Amare score his 25 per game while giving up 30 and 15 to the opposing player. I want a team player not Mr Selfish, change my number to #1, cause all I care about is taking care of myself.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
JCARR says:
STAT!!!!!… are you fo’ real?
“Mr. Standing Tall and Talented” came back from to knee surgeries… he was putting up numbers before nash even came to phx and marbury was PG. ROY. He comes through for them every night. Wins ball games.
STAT has athleticism, mid rage jumper, ferocious dunks, free throw %, can run, potential to play “D” (last year)…
Amare’s Wrath Wins.
Jefferson is a ball-hog… cant blame him.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Max says:
This reminds me of VC vs KMart, probably less one-sided. Amare is the freakish, accomplished athlete that is nevertheless underachieving, Jefferson the more consistent meat and potatoes guy.
Jefferson holds the ball for too long and doesn’t pass well enough to be on a D’Antoni team, but for any other team, I’d take him over Amare. STAT is a terrible defender and underachieving rebounder. If he doesn’t get his touches on offense, he disappears. I think he disappoints me more than any other high talent player in the league.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
barons beard says:
Do me a favour, STAT all day long
December 12th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
marcus says:
The case for Al was argued much more effectively and convincingly.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:42 pm
patrick says:
This debate is garbage. Andrew you did a nice job of stating a case, but a case can be made for anything. Amare is the third best big man in the game besides TD and DHoward, and he beasts Howard most of the times they play.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
dmitry of jersey says:
amare is a highlight reel …. al jefferson is a basketball player.
December 12th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Celts Fan says:
It’s Amare, but Al’s still a beast. All I’m saying is let’s see where Amare is at 33 when he can’t outjump guys. Big Al has them old-man moves that don’t age til he can’t move no more. Anyone think Amare would do much better than Big Al if he didn’t have anyone around him at all like Al does in Minnesota? I’d still take Amare, but it’s definitely closer than most people think.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
JBFC says:
Am I the only one who sees where this so-called “Who’s Better?” series is going? The final “edition” will pit “Kobe” Bryant against LeBron James. The “editors” — whose institutional bias against LeBron James is well-documented — will agree unanimously that Kobe is the “better” player. Included in the “analysis” will be “lots” of insults directed toward James. So long as Dime maintains this institutional bias against LeBron, it will not “and” cannot have any credibility.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Austin Burton says:
Awww damn, JBFC figured us out. Good work, Detective Stabler.
Anyway … Celts Fan took the words out of my mouth. When Amare is Duncan’s age, he can’t get by on just dunking and occasionally hitting an 18-footer. Unless Amare adapts, Jefferson will be better for a longer period of time.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
Austin Burton says:
Actually, the final one was gonna be Scalabrine vs. Matt Bonner…
December 12th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
JCARR says:
@ab
lol… cant wait for that one.
@JBFC
In the words of Clint Eastwood…”opinions are like assholes everyone has one”…. so JBFC get used to it.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Ravi says:
Amare’s my favorite player, but the man contributes absolutely nothing outside of points, and without Nash, he scores at a similar clip to Al.
Gimme Jefferson.
December 12th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
blah says:
shoulda done al jeff vs zach randolph, since their games are more similar.
that being said, if I HAVE to pick one, i guess i’d pick AL. I think STAT was talented and had potential but he’s no longer working hard enough to keep improving, he’s content to get by on talent alone. Now he’s just……okay. He could have been much more. (which BTW is basically the road Dwight Howard is headed down).
I’d take AL only for numbers. I like how he gets his stats, down low with his back to the basket like a non-shooting big man should. Amare is a non-shooting big man, one reliable spot on the court isn’t enough. I haven’t seen many non-highlights of AL so I can’t say much else about him.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:17 pm
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
I happen to be more of a fan of STAT but not because I think he’s better but I just like his athleticism and energy. However, I do think that if these two were to switch places the Suns would be a better team offensively and defensively. Al rebounds better, is a better defender, and is a true low post player. Al has the potential to be one of the best center/power forwards in the NBA for years to come. The only worry is that if Al stays with the T-Wolves long term he could develop the bad habit of being a loser.
December 12th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
driveatsleep says:
STAT! hands down…
December 12th, 2008 at 6:42 pm
junior says:
als got legit post game and i love his game
but amare just more dominant
December 12th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
K Dizzle says:
@ post 18
absolutely the worst shit I’ve ever read. If you want the other guy, then he’s not your favorite player…
that being said, I’m kinda torn on this cuz Al was beastin everybody at the beginnin of this season, but then he remembered he plays for the Wolves…Someone at Dime needs to ask Al if he wanted Love or Mayo…
Amare. Shawn Kemp didn’t start developin a post game till like his 8th or 9th season so if Amare keeps improvin like he has been(seriously, who thought the man would develop a money 18 foot j after watchin him cram on everybody durin his rookie year) he won’t need to cram by the time he’s thirty. Dude is stupid strong. Remember that block on Duncan’s dunk attempt playoffs couple years back. This is a win-win. Amare by a lil
@ Austin – Scalabrine all day…no…not really. I’d rather play shorthanded
December 12th, 2008 at 7:35 pm
Chaos says:
hey yea but amare has been with d’antonis systems his whole career. you see what happened when terry porter came in. not to mention al doesnt have to teammates the suns have. put al in that system and watch him flourish. he is waaaaay better defensively also and its no reason amare is so bad on the defensive end.
but as of right now i gotta give it Amare…as of right now
December 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
rangerjohn says:
ok im watching spurs wolves right now, and the commentators just said that al jeff was THE BEST FORWARD SINCE HAKEEM! they also said tim duncan USES POWER, SIZE STRENGTH TO MUSCLE HIS MOVES. said duncan had no finesse while al jeff was ALL FINESSE!!!
lmao i mean REALLY?
December 12th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Jau28 says:
I’d take Jefferson I’ve liked him ever since his Celtic days. Post players who can ACTUALLY back up and make good BACK to the basket moves are very rare. The only guys i know who do it consistently are Yao, Jefferson, Shaq, Big Z, Duncan, and maybe Dwight (he’s still got lots of work).
I like Amare but the problem I have with his game is the same problem I have with Bosh’s game… too soft and not enough rebounds. What I mean by soft is nothing to do with heart and determination which both have but its scoring in the paint and being physical and getting other bigs in foul trouble. Instead, what they do is take a bunch of perimeter jumpers.
December 12th, 2008 at 10:29 pm
TomGfromCanada says:
If both are at there best then Stoudemire, but if both are having bad nights then Jefferson is better.
December 12th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
Ian says:
ranger lol heard the same shit it was amazing
someone posted the same shit here once sayin kg is better than td because duncan is all power and doesnt have the post moves kg has. it has to be the same guy no way 2 people can say that crap.
celts fan
id take jefferson to start a team easy because of what u said excellent post. jefferson is to me the player that plays the most like timmy
aaron
your defense of amare was kinda sucky explain to me the last line that amare has won more games
yeah with nash and marion.
how did amare do without nash and 8th no a weaker west and look at his numbers when he plays without nash they drop like hell.
December 13th, 2008 at 1:05 am
patrick says:
And Amare just grabbed 14 boards against DHo. I question the bball knowledge of all the commenters.
December 13th, 2008 at 2:18 am
the scola says:
…amare…
December 13th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
JCARR says:
AMAREEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 13th, 2008 at 6:52 pm
Junior says:
If I needed a 4 for my team and the choice is between these two I’d go with big Al all day. Hes unstopable on the block. Wish there was a way mchale couldve just took perk but that wouldve made it toooo obvious and e wouldve got fired
December 14th, 2008 at 6:08 am
doc says:
Gimme Big Al.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:25 am
DON says:
I thought this was a player comparison – in terms of playoff performance (which is team related), it is not fair to be comparing a good player (amare) on a playoff contender to another good player (jefferson) who doesn’t have adequate talent around him .
Number of games won? you mean to tell me amare was DIRECTLY responsible for all those wins? highly doubtful
the only thing that should matter is the INDIVDUAL matchup, which Al Jefferson owns