Richard Jefferson signed a one-year deal with the Nuggets which, could very well be the final stop of his career. The Denver Nuggets Team Twitter account broke the news.
Richard Jefferson is a Nugget.#MileHighBasketball https://t.co/5g6RlUW2Nv
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) October 19, 2017
We all remember the powerful dunking forward from his days with the New Jersey Nets. However, being a scorer is not the reason the Nuggets brought in the 16-year veteran. What role does Jefferson bring to a Nugget’s squad overloaded with assets?
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Seasoned Veteran
Let’s face it, Richard Jefferson does not have a roster spot merely because of his athleticism. He is holding his spot because of his IQ. Knowing a player’s tendencies to take away their advantages can be very valuable. Maybe not for him, but if he can dissect the opposing team’s star and inform Millsap, Jokic, or Murray, they will be able to exploit.
Championship Experience
Back to back trips to the NBA Finals alongside LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. He may not have been the X-Factor, but he was in the practices, the huddles, and the environment. When the Nuggets find themselves in those high-pressure situations, his experiences will pay dividends. Especially to a young, up and coming group with little to no playoff experience.
Vocal Leader of the Bench
Finally, Jefferson will play the role of Michael Malone version 2.0 this season. As a former basketball player, I have been on teams that had players who did not take the coach’s criticism very well. As an experienced player, Jefferson will be able to take some of the guys aside and critique them in a way Malone was not able to. Having a teammate who you can turn to when you’re in the doghouse is crucial in maintaining a successful team morale.
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Richard Jefferson’s role may not fill up the stat sheet each night, let alone get into the game; but, he will still be a valuable asset to the Nuggets’ success. His presence in practice and on the bench could very well be the difference in how some players respond when adversity hits this season.