Richard Jefferson “was one of the guys that deserved a ring” in 2017 NBA Finals
Richard Jefferson was one of the Cleveland Cavaliers who deserved a ring, according to T.J. Kidd.
In an interview with RESPECT Magazine’s Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, T.J. Kidd said Cleveland Cavaliers forward Richard Jefferson “deserved to win” and “he was one of the guys that deserved a ring.”
After a 2017 NBA Finals series where LeBron James infamously noted that he’s not hanging his head after his efforts in the Finals, and not every Cav in the rotation showed up to play (and certainly not show up consistently), the vote of confidence for Jefferson, one of the Cavs “glue” guys all season, was well deserved.
Although Jefferson only averaged 5.8 points per game on 44.4 percent shooting from the field and 11.1 percent from three-point range in the series, he interestingly had an offensive rating (111) and defensive rating (125) on par with Kyrie Irving’s.
Irving, of course, leaves a lot to be desired on defense at times but he, like Jefferson, was often tasked with guarding a former MVP with a silky touch and elite scoring ability. That 2017 NBA Finals MVP Kevin Durant torched Jefferson means little considering Durant was a “killer” the whole series, whether guarded by the King or Jefferson. Iman Shumpert had some success guarding Durant, however there’s an intuitive nature to Jefferson’s all-around game that Shumpert lacks.
Kidd, who is the son of Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd (one of Jefferson’s teammates with the then-New Jersey Nets), is right about Jefferson because of what Jefferson had done for the team all season and since his arrival. Despite none of the Cleveland Cavaliers showing up as consistently as James – as it should have been – and seemingly no players making a consistent significant impact outside of the Cavs’ Big Three of James, Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love – which shouldn’t have been that way – , Jefferson had been perhaps the most consistent two-way presence in the Cavs’ second unit for the entire season.
He certainly made the right plays more often than not and, though he didn’t shoot well from three-point range save for a stretch that lasted the latter half of the regular season, for a 36-year-old he had a lot of bounce and energy in his legs last season. He had poster dunks over the Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson on Christmas Day that were probably more memorable than Irving’s game-winner over Thompson.
Defensively, while not a world-beater, Jefferson is what I would call “in tune with the Force”. He simply understands where to be and how to disrupt opponents’ shot attempts, which should more or less expected of a 15-year veteran. However, since he retained so much athleticism, he’s able to blend physical capabilities with mental acuity and be an ultimate glue player. He’s not always a successful defender but he’s solid.
He’s a player that you can insert into virtually any lineup and expect to make the right pass, drive the ball at the right time, take – and likely make – the open shot and play sound defense while utilizing his 6-foot-7, 233 pound frame to the best of his ability. At this point in his career, we should call the vampiric Jefferson “Twilight”.
Jefferson, who could retire next summer or play out the last two years of his contract, has been a consummate professional, fan favorite and unique presence during his time in Cleveland.
When you factor in his abilities on the court, of course he deserved a ring. Most Cavs did. However, there was such a clamoring for Derrick Williams to get playing time over Jefferson, it would seem that people have forgotten R.J.’s on-court importance to the team.