Talking Trash With Richard

Richard Jefferson leans on a wall near a garbage can when doing interviews now instead of leaning over one

"They don't have a big one here," Jefferson said today.

He doesn't end his interview sessions with, "Go Bucks," either.

"We don't do as much media here," Jefferson said.

You could tell Jefferson misses New Jersey and the give-and-take with reporters. Milwaukee only has one traveling paper.

You also could tell Jefferson enjoyed his time as a Net as he reminisced about what he and the team accomplished in his seven seasons in New Jersey.

We caught up with Jefferson today at the Cousins Center in Milwaukee and it was a veritable lovefest. Well, not really. But we didn't have to be separated and he didn't once disagree with something I said or shoot down one of my questions.

Jefferson and I had our battles, but I always said he's a good guy and I like him as a player and person. He plays hard, is an interesting person and quote and usually tells you how he feels - to a point.

I told him we missed him in Jersey and I could tell his missed Jersey, but he said it was "time for a change."

The good thing is Jefferson hasn't changed. He's still a person who likes to talk, give you his opinion and stubborn beyond belief, which he readily admits.

But some of the things he said is only going to make you guys like him more because he really wanted to be a Net. They went in another direction, of course, and he's moved on as much as he can.

Here is some of what was said in what was a lengthy interview. You can read more back here tomorrow and on the print side. By the way, the Nets considered sending Jefferson a trashcan as a joke, but didn't. He heard about it and found it funny that Devin Harris now does his interviews over the same garbage pan that Jefferson used.

The thing Jefferson remembers most about his time as a Net:

"Just the respect that we earned around the league. We all came in pretty much the same year and it clicked. We worked so hard. I remember I used to shoot on the same hoop every day from my rookie year and there were no banners there. And every year we put up another banner. Every year we put up another banner to the point where I think there's six banners there - foru division championships and two conference champions. That was great to see the impact you had on the franchise from nothing history in the NBA to six things in six years."

Does not winning it all still sting?

"Of course," Jefferson said. "The only satisfaction was I was part of a group that made an organization relevant because they really were irrelevant for so many years. I look at all the records team wise - winning 10 straight games in the playoffs, winning 14 straight versus the Eastern Conference. I know these things in my head because they meant something to me and they meant something to my teammates."

Are you looking forward to tomorrow?

"Yeah," Jefferson said, "you look forward to it just to see Tim Walsh, see the trainers, see the coaches, see some of the guys you spent the last three years with, playing in the playoffs with, Josh Boone, Rod Thorn. It's good to see those guys. Those are people you lived with for seven years."

(Editor's Note: Jefferson also mentioned Vince Carter and Harris in previous answers, but never Lawrence Frank by name).

But they traded you?

"Yeah, but I think everybody saw the writing on the wall for the organization with 2010 and my contract is through 2011. They really had to cut cap space. I think they're pleasantly surprised with where they are right now. They weren't one of the teams that were picked high. There's no ill will. I had too many good years with them to say I want them to lose every single game. No I want them to win and I want them to have a good season."

More to come at some point.

***
I haven't received an update on Devin Harris' condition. The Nets didn't practice today and I flew out early this morning to get my good buddy, Richard. I'm sure Harris is going to try and play, being back home and all. But I probably won't know anything definitive until tomorrow.

It might make more sense to give him these three days because the Nets don't play again until Monday, the start of four games in six days.

Comments

[barlo]

they shouldnt have traded rj sigh

[Mr. Dollar Bills]

Al,

I recall RJ saying something about the Nets "won't be good for a long time" after he was traded.

LOL!!! Good ol RJ. I for one miss the post game sarcasm from last year after each loss.

[Joanne]

I have always loved RJ and always will. Miss his interviews and his play. I hope he has a really good game Friday!

[hulyan]

I met RJ last year after the Bucks game (Harris's first game as a Net). He's a really cool guy. He stopped in, signed some autographs and then just went across the gate to the bar to watch an arizona game. It was like meeting an idol or something. I loved every second of it.

I wonder how he'd feel about the booing if he were still on the team.

[Robert Eick]

great interview