Al Be Sure: Jefferson Lighting it up for the Timberwolves

I'm a Denver Nuggets fan, but as much as this pains me to say, Al Jefferson is the second-best center in the Western Conference, behind Yao Ming.

Jefferson is averaging 21.1 PPG, 12.1 RPG, and 1.4 BPG per game this season—certainly All-Star-worthy numbers. 

Of course, Stoudemire , Camby, Chandler, and Duncan's names are all going to be thrown into this conversation. 

Well, Jefferson averages more points than Chandler, Camby, and Duncan.

He averages more rebounds per game than Duncan and Stoudemire.

He shoots free throws at a better percentage than Duncan, Chandler, or Camby. 

He has more steals, and more minutes per game than all four of them. He also has more assists than Chandler and Stoudemire.

Jefferson is in the top 10 in the NBA in 12 different categories. The most significant? He's second in double-doubles with 33, behind Dwight Howard.

In his last four games, Jefferson has scored a combined 104 points. That's more than the Miami Heat scored in 14 games in their 15-game losing streak. Jefferson also has led his team to upsets over Phoenix (twice), and everyone's favorite, the New Orleans Hornets.

In those games alone, Jefferson scored a combined 85 points.

Jefferson also has to be a candidate for the Most Improved Player award, as he is having a career year in steals, assists, free-throw shooting, points, and rebounding.

Jefferson was a first round pick in 2004 out of high school. Even though he has only been in the league three years, he has already progressed to great heights as an NBA center.