Tag: Richard Jefferson

Richard Jefferson sends message to those putting asterisk near 2020 NBA title

Former Nets forward turned YES Network and NBA analyst Richard Jefferson has no time for those trying to tarnish this year’s NBA title.

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As the NBA worked toward its plan to continue the 2019-20 season at Disney World in Orlando, there were some former players — as well as some current ones — who expressed the 2020 title will have an asterisk next to it.

Whether it be the hiatus, teams playing less than the normal 82 games, the rest of the season and the playoffs set to take place at a neutral site, or the concerns COVID-19 still presents, there are plenty of reasons point to why 2019-20 is different than any other year.

But each of the 22 teams heading down to Orlando has had the same or a similar experience during this odd time. Which is why former New Jersey Nets forward turned YES Network and ESPN analyst Richard Jefferson has no time for those already trying to belittle this year’s title:

I think that’s insanity. Look, let’s just go back in history. Are there any asterisks next to all of the home run hitters? Are there any asterisks next to the [Houston] Astros? Are there any asterisks next to the San Antonio Spurs? There are no asterisks. They don’t exist. … If a team and everyone has the exact same — that’s the idea of a championship, everything is a level playing field. And then you go out there — and yes, it’s not going to be perfect, it’s never been done before, all of these different things. If you go out there and you’re the team that comes on top, that means you are the champion. Right?

If anything, it has been harder because you had time off and you had to come in. Look, if everyone wants to talk about bastardized and this and that, everyone’s on a level playing field. … Don’t tell me any of this doesn’t count or this is — shut up. Stop. That’s selfish and those are people that are worried about legacy-building and ‘Well I had to do it this way.’

Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd’s triple-double helps clinch ’02 East Finals

The New Jersey Nets won the NBA Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history on May 31, 2002.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

May 31, 2002 was a big day for the Nets franchise. It was the first time the organization had the chance to punch their ticket to the NBA Finals since joining the league.

The Celtics had other plans though. Boston took a seven-point lead in the first quarter at home and expanded their lead to 10 by halftime. Then New Jersey responded.

The Nets clamped down on defense in the third quarter, holding Boston to 15 points, erasing their lead to gain a one-point advantage. New Jersey closed the door in the fourth, outscoring the Celtics 26-19 to win the game 96-88 and the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals with it (full box score).

“If you believe in yourself and your teammates, good things will happen,” Jason Kidd said after the win. ‘The Nets will be a blueprint for any team out there that has a good group of guys who believe in one another and want everybody to succeed and not be selfish.”

Kidd finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, 13 assists, one steal and one blocked shot. Kenyon Martin led the Nets in scoring with 16 points, and Richard Jefferson (15 points), Lucious Harris (12), Keith Van Horn (11) and Todd MacCullough (11) each finished in double-figures.

Today in Nets history: Series vs. Cavs extended despite 6-point fourth quarter

Jason Kidd stuffed the stat sheet when the New Jersey Nets visited LeBron James in Cleveland on May 16, 2007.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After losing a hard-fought Game 4 in New Jersey, the Nets were in desperation mode heading into Cleveland for Game 5 of the 2007 Eastern Conference Semifinals on May 16.

Jason Kidd and company outscored LeBron James’ Cavs in every quarter, except the last one. Though, neither team produced much in terms of offense in the fourth, combining for 19 points — six of which were scored by the Nets.

Even with their lackluster fourth quarter, the Nets held on to win comfortably, 83-72 (full box score).

Kidd led the Nets with 20 points. He also had eight rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocked shots.

“The fourth quarter wasn’t pretty,” Kidd said after the win. “Both teams were on fire defensively, not on the offensive side.”

Vince Carter had a double-double (12 points and 10 rebounds). Richard Jefferson (15 points), Mikki Moore (14), Boštjan Nachbar (13) each finished in double figures, as well.

Richard Jefferson roasts Boston’s Tacko Fall in Instagram Live

The 2016 NBA champion enjoyed giving Boston Celtics fan favorite Tacko Fall a hard time on Instagram Live a little TOO much.

Boston Celtics fan favorite center Tacko Fall knows to be a little more cautious when talking about another man’s dome, it seems.

Fall recently jumped into the comment section of an Instagram Live session being hosted by former NBAer Richard Jefferson for an interview with UFC head honcho Dana White and asked Jefferson about his hair care (or is it no-hair care?) routine, as both elect to shave their respective crania.

The Arizona product took Fall to task for the question, roasting the Senegalese center for kicks while he waited for White to arrive.

“You want to know my hair care routine, is that what you want to do? You want to clown me and think I won’t … ” began Jefferson, at which point the Celtic interjected.

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“I’m not clowning you, I’m just asking because we got the same haircut,” exclaimed Fall.

“No, Tacko! I know what you’re trying to do! Tacko, I’m not going to let you get on here and clown me and think that I won’t click on your name,” joked the former Cleveland Cavalier. “I will click on your name!”

Fall continued to deny any ill will, even showing his hairless noggin as evidence he had legitimate curiosity about how Jefferson took care of his equally depilated scalp.

The 2016 NBA champion unfortunately didn’t have time to offer much advice — but he did get a few friendly body blows into the rook.

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Today in Nets history: Richard Jefferson helps turn the tables on ’04 Pistons

After falling behind 2-0 in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals, the New Jersey Nets found themselves in a position of power on May 14.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After tying the series with wins in Games 3 and 4, the New Jersey Nets had the chance to get the upper hand on the Detroit Pistons in the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals with their May 14 matchup. It took three overtimes for the Nets to get the best of the Pistons, but New Jersey was able to walk out of The Palace with a 127-120 win and the 3-2 series lead (full box score).

Richard Jefferson finished with a team-high 31 points, 14 of which came in overtime. He also had 11 boards, as did Kerry Kittles — who also scored 22 points.

“That was an amazing game. It’s just a shame that someone had to lose,” Kidd said after the win.

Four other Nets finished in double figures: Kenyon Martin (22 points), Brian Scalabrine (career-high 17), Jason Kidd (16) and Lucious Harris (12).

Jefferson, Kidd, Martin and Jason Collins each blocked two shots apiece, too. Kidd also had eight assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Richard Jefferson wasn’t having Tacko Fall clown his hair on Instagram

Jefferson and Fall had a highly entertaining exchange recently on Instagram over hair care methods.

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Former NBA player turned analyst Richard Jefferson was just trying to kill some time on Instagram before interviewing UFC president Dana White but Tacko Fall had other ideas.

Jefferson hopped on Instagram Live recently awaiting White and noticed a comment from Fall asking about his hair care routine. Jefferson took it as a shot at his hair and then proceeded to roast the Boston Celtics rookie.

Fall claimed it wasn’t a shot but we’ll let you be the judge.

Jefferson: You want to know my hair care routine, is that what you want to do? You want to clown me and think I won’t …

Fall: I’m not clowning you, I’m just asking because we got the same hair cut …

Jefferson: No, Tacko! I know what you’re trying to do!

Fall: That’s not what I’m trying to do!

Jefferson: Tacko, I’m not going to let you get on here and clown me and think that I won’t click on your name. I will click on your name!

Fall: That’s not what I was trying to do, though. I’m being serious, I just want to know!

Upon further review, it appears as though Fall was just joking around with Jefferson and was genuinely curious to hear what he had to say. While no harm was done, it still made for a highly entertaining exchange between the two.

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Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd torches LeBron James’ Cavs

LeBron James ran into the New Jersey Nets during his second career NBA Playoffs run.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After the Cleveland Cavaliers took the first two games of their Eastern Conference Semifinals matchup against the Nets, the series moved to New Jersey on May 12, 2007 for Game 3. Even though his team was coming off a 10-point loss, Jason Kidd wasn’t about to let his team fall behind 3-0 in the series.

The 2007 All-Star point guard had one of his patented triple-double performances, finishing with 23 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds as the Nets took Game 3, 96-85 (full box score). Kidd also had one steal and finished 5-for-6 from beyond the arc.

“He was terrific. His intensity, his ability to attack the paint, his will and doing it on both ends playing at such a high energy level,” Nets coach Lawrence Frank said after the win. “The triple-double, that is obviously such a tangible thing. He was tremendous on both ends. As a captain, he set a great tone playing throughout their runs. He was obviously very, very special.”

Vince Carter and Richard Jefferson tied Kidd for a team-high 23 points. Jefferson also had eight rebounds and two steals.

Mikki Moore was the only other Net to finish in double-figures, scoring 11 points.

LeBron James scored 18 points in the loss while Larry Hughes led the Cavs with 23 points.

Today in Nets history: Jason Kidd evens 2004 East Semis vs. Pistons

Jason Kidd and his New Jersey Nets teammates blew out the Detroit Pistons on May 11, 2004, after a big win in Game 3.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

The first three games of the 2004 Eastern Conference Semifinals between the Nets and Pistons were each decided by 15 or more points, the last of which resulted in New Jersey’s first win of the series. Game 4 was no different.

Well, the margin of victory on May 11, 2004, was once again large, but there was something different about Game 4. For one, Richard Hamilton was the only Piston who finished in double figures (30). This development also had to do with Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups suffering injuries.

Something else that stood out — rather, someone — was Jason Kidd. He took it to Detroit, finishing with a triple-double (22 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds), two steals and a blocked shot, leading the Nets to a 94-79 win (full box score).

“I called it. He hadn’t had a triple-double in the series. He was due for one,” Nets forward Richard Jefferson said after the win. “J-Kidd is not going to shy away from a challenge. Sooner or later, those shots are going to fall.”

Jefferson finished with 19 points and seven rebounds himself while Kenyon Martin logged a double-double (16 points and 15 rebounds) to help even the series at 2-2.

Kerry Kittles (14 points) and Lucious Harris (11) each finished in double figures, as well.

Today in Nets history: Trio powers past Dwyane Wade’s Heat in Game 1

The New Jersey Nets met up with the Miami Heat on their way to the 2006 NBA Finals. In their matchup, the Nets took control first.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After winning a tough first-round series against the Pacers, the No. 3 ranked New Jersey Nets had to take on the No. 2 team in the Eastern Conference in 2006, the Miami Heat.

After gaining a 17-point advantage in the first quarter of Game 1 on May 8, the Nets never looked back, taking the series lead following the 100-88 finish (full box score).

“We were just focused from the beginning,” Carter said after the 2006 win. “We wanted to come out and be aggressive and let everybody know that we can compete — and that we’re a pretty good team ourselves.”

Carter (27 points), Jason Kidd (22) and Richard Jefferson (20) accounted for most of the Nets’ scoring. Nenad Krstic also chipped in 11 points.

Kidd also had nine rebounds, seven assists and four steals. Carter was right behind the Nets point guard in each category, logging eight boards, six assists and three steals.

Today in Nets history: 2003 East Semifinals matchup vs. Celtics begins

After knocking off the Boston Celtics in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, the New Jersey Nets faced them again in 2003 NBA Playoffs.

With the NBA on hiatus and New York continuing its battle against the novel coronavirus outbreak, Brooklyn Nets games will not be played for the foreseeable future.

For the Nets, as much as any team, this comes at an odd time — Brooklyn was battling the Orlando Magic for the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings. At the stoppage of play, the Nets had a half-game advantage over the Magic.

Since there aren’t any games, each day Nets Wire will highlight impressive individual performances and major moments throughout Nets history:

After the Nets knocked off the Boston Celtics in the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, New Jersey was set to face them again on May 5 in Game 1 of the 2003 Eastern Conference Semifinals.

The game was back-and-forth, but the Nets picked up where they left off in 2002, defeating the Celtics 97-93 (full box score).

Kenyon Martin led the Nets in points (21). Richard Jefferson (13 points) and Aaron Williams (12) tied for a team-high nine rebounds apiece. Jason Kidd had a team-high nine assists and scored 15 points.

Kerry Kittles finished second in scoring for the Nets with 17 points.