Richard Jefferson
Richard Jefferson
Richard Allen Jeffersonis an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association. He was a member of the United States men's national basketball team at the 2003 Tournament of the Americas and the Athens 2004 Summer Olympics, and won the NBA championship as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionBasketball Player
Date of Birth21 June 1980
CityLos Angeles, CA
CountryUnited States of America
There are about five or six teams that realistically have a chance of winning a championship. I definitely think we're one of them.
We were the last team to beat them in the Eastern Conference. We still have confidence against this team.
We knew we had the ability to beat good teams on their floor. So we knew if we could just establish some consistency (at home) we could string together some wins.
I got it going in the second half. I just tried to keep playing through my teammates. They found me on some good looks. Honestly, our whole team had it going in the second half.
My first three years here is all about team and having lots of players around me. So you had to learn how to maximize your few opportunities. I was never a volume shooter. You look at my second or third year, I shot about 50 percent from the floor.
I have a lot of faith in my teammates and coaching staff. There are no major moves. We'll find a way. Somehow, someway, things will come up roses for us.
We've shown improvement and I believe our schedule gets a little more favorable. If we keep everybody healthy, I believe we can (win 50). I think we're going to be a team that makes a real good push. Sometimes, people forget about what we can do.
There is no doubt about it, both teams pride themselves on defense. It's not going to be a high-scoring game. It's going to be that type of series.
There are five or six teams that realistically have a chance to win the championship, and I definitely believe we're one of them.
There are five or six teams that can make it to the end. Nothing's changed.
I think we are going to be a team that makes a real good push. We have been a team that people consistently talk about for the last five years (come) playoff time. Sometimes people forget what we can do. I think the last 15 games, a lot of people are going to be talking about other (teams) while we are still playing well and having a chance to make some noise in the playoffs.
Just because he had an off night when all eyes were on our team doesn't mean that we have to question what we do and what we did to get here.
I think they've come down to Earth a little bit after a fast start, but they're still, I would say, the best team in the NBA. But we're a confident group here. I don't think there's a situation that we go into and don't believe we can win.
I remember when I first got here, everybody was all excited about the division. Now it's like you don't even see that many smiles. This is a team (that) will be judged by what we do in the playoffs.