Al Jefferson no longer Celtic, but still Patriots fan
Bill Doyle, TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF, The Worcester Telegram & Gazette
BOSTON — Charlotte forward Al Jefferson hasn't played for the Celtics since the 2006-07 season, but he still openly roots for the local team. No, not the Celtics. The Patriots. \n Jefferson, 28, signe…
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Telegram & Gazette
BOSTON — Charlotte forward Al Jefferson hasn't played for the Celtics since the 2006-07 season, but he still openly roots for the local team. No, not the Celtics. The Patriots.

Jefferson, 28, signed a three-year, $41 million contract with the Bobcats last summer as a free agent, so he's in Carolina Panthers territory now.

The Panthers will host the Patriots Monday night and Jefferson is taking heat about the game from Carolina fans. Fortunately for him, not everyone on the Bobcats roots for the Panthers.

"You've got Cowboy fans," Jefferson said before the Bobcats played the Celtics Wednesday at the TD Garden. "You've got New York Giants fans, which I hate. I catch a little grief for my Patriots, but Carolina is my second team. I support the home team, but I'm a diehard Patriots fan."

The Celtics went 24-58, including an 18-game losing streak, during Jefferson's third and final season in Boston.

"I try to forget about it," Jefferson admitted. "It was a rebuilding year, that's all I can say. It was a lot of long nights."

Some fans are rooting for the Celtics to lose this season to improve their chances in the draft lottery. Jefferson heard that during his last year in Boston.

"I heard it," he said. "That's why I don't have no comment on it, but I know guys, professional guys, don't go out and play to lose. I know that for a fact. Everybody wants to win."

Jefferson finally beat the Celtics on Wednesday. Entering the night, he was 0-11 against them since he was traded to Minnesota for Kevin Garnett prior to the 2007-08 season.

Jefferson missed much of the preseason and five of the team's first seven regular-season games with a sprained ankle.

"It's part of the game," he said. "It was a freak accident — came down on somebody's foot. It could have happened to anybody. It's just all about bouncing back and recovering from it and getting back with my team."

Why did Jefferson sign with Charlotte?

"For the record, being a free agent is not fun," he said. "It's overrated. Nothing like I thought it would be. Charlotte was the team that showed interest in me and wanted me to be a part of their team. To me, that's all I needed."

Jefferson gets to work with former Knicks center Patrick Ewing, the Bobcats' associate head coach.

"Yeah, he still thinks he can play," he said. "I'm going to get him out there on that block and show him what the new school is about. But he's been very helpful to me, especially on the defensive end."

Sullinger hurting

Boston's Jared Sullinger warmed up before the game but sat out with a bone bruise in his right knee. Sullinger hurt the knee Monday when he took a charge from Orlando's Maurice Hawkins.

Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Kris Humphries, who played only 46 minutes in Boston's first eight games, would get Sullinger's minutes. Humphries had 9 points and 5 rebounds in only 18½ minutes at Miami Saturday, and didn't play Monday against Orlando.

Stevens has gone with younger players with an eye toward the future. Humphries' contract is up at the end of the season and the Celtics don't figure to re-sign him.

"I thought he's played great," Stevens said. "I really think at the end of the day, he's a guy that's been there, done that. He's done a great job rebounding. He's done a great job scoring. He's been a consummate pro, which I really appreciate."

"I've felt good as of lately," Humphries said. "It's been different. I was playing a lot of center. I haven't really played a lot of center to this point in my career. Just adjusting, also adjusting to my teammates and a new coaching system, but all those things considered, it's very simple for me. Be in shape, be ready, play hard — that's it."

Contact Bill Doyle at wdoyle@telegram.com. Follow him on Twitter @BillDoyle15.