"Al had never touched the ball that many times in his basketball life," Wittman said with a wry grin. "And he liked it."

So much, he said, that Jefferson would occasionally gripe when he didn't think he was getting the ball enough, especially in the fourth quarter. Sometimes, Jefferson's teammates wouldn't run the offense through him, and would hear about it.

"The one time you might not touch the ball, you can't go off on somebody," Wittman said. "That's part of growing up."

Jefferson may have to wait a week or two to get on the court and start honing his leadership chops, but if it's up to him, it will be sooner rather than later.

"I'm pushing for it," he said when asked about participating in contract drills this week. "I've got a way of pushing these trainers, because I heal real fast. They really didn't think I was going to be walking as good as I'm walking now. I heal real fast."