The J-Notes
Fansided

Ranking the top 10 forwards in Utah Jazz history

By Nathan Smith

CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Karl Malone (R) of the Utah Jazz battles for position with Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls 12 June during game five of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, UNITED STATES: Karl Malone (R) of the Utah Jazz battles for position with Dennis Rodman of the Chicago Bulls 12 June during game five of the NBA Finals at the United Center in Chicago, IL. The Bulls lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. AFP PHOTO/Jeff HAYNES (Photo credit should read JEFF HAYNES/AFP via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz in action against Tyson Chandler #6 and Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2013 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Jazz 113-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 09: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Al Jefferson #25 of the Utah Jazz in action against Tyson Chandler #6 and Raymond Felton #2 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on March 9, 2013 in New York City. The Knicks defeated the Jazz 113-84. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /

8. Al Jefferson

Career numbers: 18.5 PPG, 9.5 RPG, 2.0 APG, 221 GP.

Al Jefferson could play at either the center or the power forward position, making him very versatile, but still enough to qualify for this list, as his three seasons in Utah saw him contribute tremendously to a team on the rise. When Jefferson arrived in Salt Lake City via trade, the situation couldn’t have been better, as it gave him a chance to play with the talented Deron Williams under legendary coach Jerry Sloan. Unfortunately, both of them left the Jazz shortly after, but that didn’t deter Jefferson, who went on to have two of the best seasons in his career after this happened.

Ultimately, he bounced around the NBA for the majority of his career, and it stopped him building a genuine legacy anywhere, but during his short stint with Utah, he was once of the most talented and dominant big men in the NBA. Jefferson played a big part for this team during a rebuilding phase in the history of this great organization, and should be remembered for being a bruising big man with an underrated offensive game that would have him in his prime today as one of the best in the entire league.