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Hornets' Jefferson credits Tim Duncan for inspiring him to lose weight

Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Discipline, more trips to the gym, and fewer visits to Popeye's has resulted in Charlotte Hornets big man Al Jefferson looking like a lean, mean basketball machine heading into the 2015-16 season.

At the age of 30, and with 11 years of NBA mileage on his body, Jefferson is looking at extending his career by ensuring a clean bill of health for himself, with the weight loss helping to relieve any strain on his lower extremities. San Antonio Spurs All-Star Tim Duncan has found success with a leaner physique in his later years, providing Jefferson with a perfect model to emulate.

"I had to get the pressure off my knees, man," Jefferson said during the Hornets' media day, according to At The Hive's Joshua Priemski.

"Tim Duncan set a great example. He lost his weight, he got down, and he's 38 or 39 still playing at a high level. I just turned 30, and it was time to add some years to my career, man. I've still got a lot of ball to play."

Jefferson missed 17 games last season due to issues with his knee and groin, which was the eye-opener he needed to get his act together.

"I just sat down and really got involved with the things that I need to do to take care of my body," Jefferson said. "I'm looking at it like this is second half of my career, even though this is my twelfth year. I feel like I have a lot of years left to play."

Jefferson is coming off a year in which he put up his worst numbers since 2006-07 with the Boston Celtics, averaging 16.6 points and 8.4 rebounds on 48.1 percent shooting. Charlotte finished the season with a 33-49 record, failing to qualify for the playoffs after doing so the year before.

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