Jazz nation woke up this morning with their panties in a wad over the loss to Oklahoma City the previous night, but the discomfort wasn’t because of the final score.

Instead, fans are upset because of a comment made by Al Jefferson post game that some have interpreted negatively. This comment, as well as comments made during the playoff series against San Antonio last season, have some thinking that Big Al doesn’t believe that the Jazz can beat top competition in the league. Some think it reflects that Jefferson is soft, or too nice of a guy.

The comment was made in an interview that can be heard by following this link. I have also transcribed the comments here. 

Al, how long were they inside, and how did that impact what you were trying to do tonight?

Which way?

Your offensive game.

They had strength (?)  in the paint, they did a great job pushing me out, and when I did get the ball, they had a guy sitting in my lap, so they did a good job.

I know losses aren’t good, but that seemed like a difficult night to play and you guys kept it close for 48, is there some consolation in that?

I don’t feel bad about this loss at all, I think we did a great job against all odds. We kept playing, we never gave up. 

What was the communication among you guys when the game got difficult during the game. 

Stay together.

Here’s the breakdown of the comments.

They did a good job. 

The Thunder have a history of defending big lineups well. Some think that Kendrick Perkins needs to be amnestied, but his value to the team is exposed when the Thunder have to defend against a lineup with two physical forwards. Perkins has the strength to deny position, one of the most important things for a low-post defender to do. The denial of position compounded by the shot-blocking threat of Serge Ibaka limits options on offense. Jefferson took four shots in the paint, and missed them all.

The Thunder had a good game plan against the Jazz. Teams are still not scared of the newly acquired 3-point specialists on the Jazz roster, allowing the Jazz to attempt 23 3-pointers, happy to live with the 30 percent completion rate. That means that Jefferson has to work against a crowded interior which closes passing lanes – as evident by the five turnovers and only one assist by Jefferson.

Is there some consolation in that?

The reporter is asking Jefferson if he feels like there were positives to be found in the loss. This is something that coaching staffs across the country do, because it is a way to encourage development. Didn’t your mother teach you to learn from your mistakes? She was right then, and she’s right now.

I don’t feel bad about this loss at all, I think we did a great job against all odds. We kept playing, we never gave up. 

This seems to be the comment that pushed buttons the wrong way. So I’ll go a little more in-depth than I did for previous comments.

The Jazz have historically struggled on the road. They were playing the defending Western Conference Champions, on the road, against a young, athletic, very talented team, who was 8-2 at home on the season. Those sound like pretty bad odds, something that Jefferson recognized.

Not feeling bad about the loss is a good thing! Jazz fans seem to love what Earl Watson sent out over Twitter Saturday morning.

I will never accept losing… I’ll just acknowledge it. #movingon

— Earl J Watson (@Earl_Watson) December 1, 2012

So why is it disturbing to hear that Jefferson doesn’t feel bad about the loss? It is an issue if the players felt like they couldn’t win before they stepped on the floor, but acknowledging a loss is not a bad thing.

Would it have been better if Big Al began to rail on the referees after the loss? Would it have been better if Big Al complained about the rotations used by Coach Ty Corbin in the game? Would it have been better if Big Al complained about the “celebrity complex” the league has, where they award foul shot attempts to superstars while not calling fouls against them? Would it have been better if Big Al began talking about breaking up the team, because there is no way the current roster is going to win every single game, and would improve if only a player like Monta Ellis or Josh Smith magically transformed the roster?

I think Jefferson said it best in his final comment. The thing the Jazz need to do next to improve?

Stay together.