The team has sent a marketing package to the 14 Western Conference coaches who will vote for reserves on the team urging them to consider the 24-year-old Jefferson. The theme of the campaign is "Big Al's Road Trip: Navigating his way to Phoenix," where the 2009 All-Star game will be held.

The package includes a Sony GPS device - dubbed the "Double-Double Machine" - that also plays a highlight video of Jefferson with Lupe Fiasco's hip-hop anthem "Superstar" serving as the backdrop.

"I checked it out this morning and I thought it was real nice," Jefferson said after practice on Thursday. "Hopefully it will give me enough publicity to get there."

The effectiveness of such a gimmick is debatable, but the Timberwolves public relations department is hoping it will put Jefferson on the radar screen.

Though he is a natural power forward, the 6-foot-10 bruiser has played center for the Timberwolves all season and has the numbers to stack up against any big man in the Western Conference. He is averaging 22.2 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, one of only three players in the league - with Tim Duncan and Dwight Howard - to average at least 20 points and 10 boards.

The kit sent to coaches also includes a "road map" with some of Jefferson's top performances across the country and a graphic of his performances against the top centers in the West this season.

Houston's Yao Ming (19.5 points, 9.7 rebounds), the Lakers' Andrew Bynum (12.5, 8.0), Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal (17.7, 9.0) and Golden State's Andris Biedrins (14.0, 12.0) are the other centers on the ballot.

"Al's got All-Star numbers, there's no question about that," Minnesota coach Kevin McHale said. "Al's an All-Star player, there's no question about that. I've always said it though, you have to have team success, too, to have individual success."

That's where Jefferson's road to Phoenix hits a speed bump. Despite being one of only three players in the league to be in the top 15 in scoring and rebounding and that his four games with at least 30 points and 10 boards are second only to Chris Bosh's eight, Jefferson is still considered a bit of a long shot because the Timberwolves are just 13-27 (.325).

Minnesota started the season 4-23, but has seven wins in its last 10 games.

"I don't know how many games we won this time last year, but I know we've got way more wins now," Jefferson said. "We're playing good ball."

Through the first 40 games last season, the Wolves were just 6-34.

"His game speaks for itself," McHale said. "Al's a tremendous, tremendous talent. He just turned 24 and should make multiple, multiple All-Star teams. But a lot of that comes from team success."

McHale scoffed when asked if the marketing campaign could sway some coaches, but Portland sent out iPods last season called 'iRoys' to drum up interest for guard Brandon Roy, who did make the team.

Jefferson will take the honor any way he can get it.

"It would mean a lot," Jefferson said. "Just growing up, before I even knew I was going to be an NBA player, just watching the All-Star games on TV; you always wanted to be there as a kid. Me having that chance to make it, it would mean a lot to me. It's something I could talk about for the rest of my life."