Jefferson is doing everything he can to help Minnesota fans forget about Kevin Garnett. John Gichigi / Getty Images

Last off-season, the Boston Celtics upended the NBA's balance of power by trading for Kevin Garnett. But lost in all the Celtic pride was Minnesota's acquisition of their own franchise building block, Al Jefferson. Jefferson quietly put together a monster 2007-08 season for the Timberwolves, finishing third in the league in double-doubles while enduring his first season in the rough and tumble Western Conference. SIKids.com caught up with Jefferson to see what he had to say about his career year.

You averaged career highs in points, rebounds, and assists this season, what was the biggest difference in your game?

Just knowing that I'm one of the leaders on the team and that I worked real hard the past two off-seasons, so I knew I'd be able to step up my game and it worked out for me.

What was it like transitioning to the Western Conference and playing against all of those great power forwards?

That was tough. Being in the West, it's just nothing but run. You've got to run and play against great teams every night. It was a big challenge for us. It's a different style of play. You play against a team like Phoenix, Golden State, or New Orleans and they all love to run and have great point guards.

Do you ever find yourself winded in the middle of the first quarter, right off the bat, when you play against teams like that?

I did the first time I ever played Phoenix, but I got used to it after that.

So what will your workouts be like this off-season?

It will be a lot of basketball stuff. A lot of running, a lot of conditioning. Dealing with basketball, you try to do both conditioning and basketball drills.

Did your coaches tell you to work on anything in particular this off-season?

Basically the same things. Trying to use my body around the goal. Duck in when I have a chance to duck in. Other than that, everything they tell me to work on is the same: My left hand, get better with the jumper and stuff like that.

So who do you workout with in the off-season?

I go back to Minnesota and workout with the coaches and my other teammates. We all play pickup ball towards the end of the summer.

Do you guys ever get together away from the court during the off-season?

At the end [of summer], guys get some time. Yup, every time we're together, we always find some time to go out to eat and have a good time together.

What kind of TV setup do you have for watching the playoffs?

60 inch TV. I watch with a couple of my friends sometimes, but mostly by myself.

Do you watch for fun or do you break teams down like you're studying film?

No, I watch it for fun. Especially in the playoffs.

Who do you think has been the playoff MVP so far in the playoffs?

I think it has to be Chris Paul, because this is his first time ever in the playoffs and he's done some amazing things so far.

Which two teams do you see making it to the Finals?

I see the Celtics and the Lakers right now, but you never know.

Which of the big men still in the playoffs were the toughest for you to go up against this season?

Ben Wallace and Kevin Garnett. Especially when they're on defense.

What's been the most surprising development in the playoffs so far?

New Orleans. The way they handled Dallas and how they jumped on San Antonio.

So far, the home teams have really dominated in the playoffs. What do you think it's going to take for some of these teams to start winning on the road?

You need a lot of focus. You've got to come on somebody else's home floor with better focus and really stick to your game plan. You've got to get your energy up yourself because you're on the road and the crowd can't feed that energy. When you're on the road you just have to find that energy yourself.

So what's it like when you're on the road and the other team is going on a run and the crowd is just going crazy?

Just settle down and get a score. Get something going to the basket, get fouled, and go to the free throw line.