"Al Jefferson and Kevin Love still keep in touch. The two former teammates, who played against each other Wednesday when the Wolves hosted the Utah Jazz at Target Center, communicate often. Love said he texts or talks to Jefferson three of four times a month.

"He's not really the mentor-type anymore, but he's a guy who keeps in touch and he always will be a good friend of mine," Love said. "I'm trying to fill the void he left. I've been trying to live up to what he did."

Jefferson clearly feels Love has done that, and more.

"He wouldn't be doing that [leading the league in rebounding at 15.5 a game while scoring 20.9] if I were still there," Jefferson said with a big laugh, "because I'd be getting half of 'em."

But seriously: "He probably could have been doing that before if I wasn't in the way, getting most of the rebounds," Jefferson said. "When he came in as a rookie, he was a great rebounder. He just had a feel for that ball. If I hadn't been in the way, he probably would have led the league before now."

Love jokingly disagreed.

"Nah, I go get 'em," he said. "Al's a one-zone rebounder."

It is clear that the decision to trade Jefferson to Utah has worked out for both Big Al and for Love. "He's happy there, and I'm happy for him being on a team with so many wins," Love said. "He knows exactly how I feel now.""