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Charlotte Bobcats’ Al Jefferson says he’ll be ready to start the season

By Andrew Melnick

Sep 30, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) during the Bobcats media day at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) during the Bobcats media day at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 30, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) during the Bobcats media day at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Charlotte Bobcats center Al Jefferson (25) during the Bobcats media day at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /

The Charlotte Bobcats don’t usually make a splash in free agency.

That changed in the offseason when the Bobcats signed veteran big man Al Jefferson to a three-year, $41 million contract.

Things didn’t get off to a great start for Jefferson and the Bobcats. Jefferson left last Friday’s game against the Miami Heat with a sprained ankle and has not played since.  Jefferson had to be helped to the locker room by his teammates, but the injury obviously wasn’t as bad as it initially looked. After the game, Jefferson told reporters his goal was to return for the regular season opener.

According to Rick Bonnell of the Charlotte Observer, Jefferson will meet that goal, telling reporters he’ll be ready to play in the Bobcats’ opener.

The Bobcats will obviously need Jefferson – and the rest of the team to perform well if they’d like to start 1-0 because they open the season in Houston against Dwight Howard, James Harden and the new-look Rockets.

Jefferson, 28, has averaged 16.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 1.4 blocks per game over his nine-year career. Last season, with the Utah Jazz, Jefferson put up 17.8 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.

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