Al Jefferson's 24 points lead Utah Jazz over Suns

SALT LAKE CITY — Getting Al Jefferson to the 2011 NBA All-Star Game has been on Deron Williams' to-do list since the Utah Jazz traded for the big man in July.

Looks like Williams might not have to twist too many voters' arms.

No doubt Jazz fans — who loved Jefferson even before he stepped into Utah, let alone prior to him donning his new team's uniform — will be running to stuff the ballot boxes if he continues playing and progressing as he has the past week.

The Jazz will likely be running away with a whole lot of wins, too.

In his strongest showing so far this preseason, Jefferson scored 24 points, grabbed six rebounds and carried Utah to its fourth straight preseason victory, a 108-97 rout of the Phoenix Suns.

"He just took over," Williams said.

Jefferson was particularly dominant in the third quarter, when he poured in a dozen points and hauled in four boards as the Jazz turned a one-point halftime deficit into an 81-74 end-of-third lead.

That's the Jefferson — the proven 20-10 guy they acquired in a trade from Minnesota — the Jazz were excited to add to their arsenal after losing Carlos Boozer to Chicago this past offseason.

"Every game, every practice, I'm getting better and better," Jefferson said regarding his comfort level in Utah's system. "By the first game in the regular season, hopefully, I'll look like I've been here for years."

By mid-February, Williams won't be surprised if people finally know what Jefferson looks like in an All-Star uniform. This was the third double-digit scoring game in a row for the 6-10 low-post weapon, who had 16 points in each of the Jazz's last two wins.

"Just being on a winning team is going to increase his (All-Star) chances," Williams said. "Because he's going to produce as he has in the past. ... I just look forward to being on his side."

Jefferson, who also had three assists in 26 minutes, eagerly anticipates receiving more spot-on passes from Williams and his teammates.

"The offense alone just gets you the ball in the right spot," Jefferson said. "And you've got teammates like D-Will just coming down throwing that ball out of nowhere. One time the ball just landed right in my hand. I didn't even know where it came from."