During the NBA Draft Show, Richard Jefferson takes shots at Jay Williams, bringing up his selection as the No. 2 overall pick in 2002 and the motorcycle accident that ultimately ended his career
If they’re cool, then they’re cool, but Richard’s constant need to take shots can get a little tedious
Jay did not seem cool with it
I’m pretty sure Jay said he was suicidal after his career flamed out. I would never even bring that up because he turned it around.
He almost died in that wreck, battled through 10+ surgeries and the mental health shit to earn a try out, made it to the D-League. And then his d-league coach (Dennis Johnson) who made it a point to champion him getting back died of a heart attack on the court.
That’s when he decided to quit.
He got enough punishment from life.
Oh I didn’t he actually got to play basketball at a competitive level again after the accident, that’s wild
I don’t think he would ever be able to have an actual NBA roster spot again. Idk maybe. But he battled hard to get back at all and it’s honestly pretty impressive.
He was on the Nets for training camp and preseason on a non-guaranteed contract in 2006, but he was cut from the team at the end of preseason.
He wrote a book about it. That is very important about how not to fuck up your career. Fultz should’ve read it.
I´d bring it up even less if he didn´t.
tough noogies….maybe he should not have been doing stupid things…hes not hurtin thats for sure.
Money solves every problem. Oh wait, no it doesn’t.
Per Wikipedia, he wasn’t wearing a helmet, wasn’t licensed in Illinois and it was against the terms in his contract.
No way I condone the struggles he went through and he should be applauded for putting together a solid media career. But a lot of this was through some bad decisions.
Almost everyone makes some bad decisions at 21, especially if surrounded by the wrong crowd. The brain hasn’t even stopped fully developing yet.
Jefferson is just a self-centered narcissistic dick who has the delusion he’s way more famous and beloved than he is.
Just a cringe worthy try hard walking around acting like he was part of a big three in Cleveland with LeBron and Kyrie.
And people act like someone deserves to suffer the rest of their lives for making a poor decision but will openly support the most vile people alive who routinely deliberately hurt others. Humanity and civility are cooked.
AFAIK - one bad decision when he was 21 years old. He’s not the first, nor will he be the last, 21yo to make a fuck up like that.
And yeah he brought that on himself, and yeah he was lucky to be in a high profile position he was (eventually, after a shit ton of work) able to get himself a career as an analyst.
But - there is absolutely no excuse for RJ bringing it up. It was a complete dick move.
Yeah no one is saying it wasn’t a bad decision, that’s something jay has discussed extensively. The point is that the “tough noogies” commenter is an asshole.
He lost to JWill in the NCAA Championship game in 2001. Battier, JWill, Dunleavy, Boozer ran college basketball Jefferson’s final year at Arizona. I’m sure he’s still annoyed by that game all these years later.
And anyone who actually has watched JWill’s college games and rookie season knows he was a better prospect than Jefferson, and probably would’ve had a better career
C’mon man. He averaged single digit points on sub 40% FG%. Jefferson was a 15 PPG scorer on a playoff team the same season while being a year older.
He was definitely a better prospect coming out of college. But his Bulls rookie season was already a disappointment prior to the crash. He was already losing minutes to Jamal Crawford by December and had been pulled from the starting lineup in March.
RJ’s first season was 9.4 ppg on 45% shooting (52% ts) with 4 rebounds and 2 assists. Second in ROY voting.
Jay’s first season was 9.5 ppg on 40% shooting (47% ts) with 3 rebounds and 5 assists.
If we’re comparing, that’s pretty close first year stats. Not really enough to disregard.
Jay was thrown in to the fire of a dumpster Chicago Bulls running point. With such high quality veterans as Eddy Curry and Marcus Fizer.
RJ got a much cushier spot on the Eastern Conference contender NJ Nets. Playing off of and be mentored by Jason Kidd. Kerry Kittles. Dikembe Mutumbo.
Jay had an incredible game I remember watching vs Kidd and the Nets.
Also, look at his games (8 played) from April of his last season. He was improving and they were 4-4 in those games.
Thay tripple double was wild
A 5% difference in FG% and TS% is massive difference. Especially on the low end.
And Richard Jefferson was getting minutes and putting up those stats on a 50 win team that went to the Finals. Jay Williams, was struggling to get minutes on a lottery team.
The point guard position is notoriously the hardest position to learn in the NBA, not all, but a lot of great players who are IQ-guys start out averaging single digit points then ramp up as they get used to it. John Stockton, Steve Nash, Gary Payton all did.
nah do ur research lol
Who asked for more Richard Jefferson? The finals commentary team was so bad. Do you know how bad the team has to be to make Mike Breen sound bad? Jefferson at his best is a net negative to any discussion he’s involved in. Loved watching him play though!
Lowkey fucked up but he did admit it was dumb ig
RJ is just still a salty little bitch about the 2001 Title game.
Seemed like RJ was reacting to Jay basically saying that 13 was barely a lottery selection
Why is everyone mad at RJ when Kenny brought up the motorcycle accident?
people react to the titles of posts on reddit
Because that isn’t what happened and isn’t the point?
RJ made an off-colored joke about how Jay’s career didn’t go out as planned. In fact, Kenny’s comment on the specifics actually defused the situation heavily and you can legitimately see it in Jay’s changing of expression.
It is okay to say RJ fucked up and should have been more mindful of the situation.
Im confused by everybody else. Kennys comment was actually quite good. Acknowledging how talented jay was and then making a joke that eased the tension. RJ i think dug himself a hole and kept trying to make jokes to get himself out.
It just showed the difference between an entertaining media personality and a great media personality.
Kenny is amazing at what he does and should be commended for that because that could have gone sour for everyone involved really quickly.
Yeah Kenny isn’t my favorite on inside but no doubt he’s one of the best in the business
Kenny’s a great glue guy for any panel. There’s a reason he’s the one always egging on Shaq and Chuck.
I remember when the future of Inside the NBA was unclear and people were incredulous at the idea of a network paying big money just for Kenny.
Facts
It was an off-color remark, you want I can have him taxed?
What’s next? He gets to dunk on him for a million?!?
Whole thread is full of idiots lmao. Ironically they’re the ones calling RJ one
You’re terrible at reading social interactions lol
Because RJ basically did bring it up. Serious question, Can you not read body language and tone of voice? RJ said “they couldn’t see the future that’s why they were cheering” and Williams career was derailed by his accident. You can see Jays reaction when RJ says that and then Kenny comes in with a serious “nah they were cheering because Jay was an extreme talent that unfortunately got derailed.”
RJ’s comment is more of a dig, Kenny’s is a brag up.
I mean RJ said first that the people cheering didn’t know the future, even tho he immediately apologized I can tell bud wasn’t too happy about that comment.
Yeah I got confused too
They want to let off steam it’s not about accuracy
Yeah both comments were fucked imo, but Kenny’s was easily the worst.
I generally like roasts, but this felt more mean than funny
He’s still salty about a college basketball game 25 years ago
He’s an athlete
Richard is fucking annoying fr. He’s one of those people that think they are a lot funnier than they actually are and just say anything. Bro can’t go two seconds without being the center of attention, for better or for worse
He always seems to be pushing the line and nearly over stepping at times. Who knows how close they are. He does it with Legler all the time.
He’s an absolute dickhead. Not cool to make jokes about an accident that cost the man his career and nearly his life. Sad to see this scumbag thinks it’s something to laugh about and double down sayin “not all people that go to Duke are smart,” even after he knew he touched a nerve and fake apologized. Get this dude off the air in perpetuity
Yeah, this is just plain mean, not funny at all. Why do they put people like this on the air?
He’s helping all the kids out there learn that riding motorcycles is dangerous, risky behavior.
I’ve personally never liked him because he always has came off as a cunt.
He was right though. Jay was a donkey riding that thing which he knows violated his contract.
And have you heard what Jay’s takes about anything basketball?
Yeah he tries so hard to pretend to be smart but he is so fucking annoying and adds nothing to the commentary.
It’s like he’s trying to be a poor, poor man’s Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool, except the shit is rarely funny, not entertaining and just reeks of douchebaggery arrogance. He gets away with it on Road Trippin because he and Channing started it but even on there, he gives the most milquetoast, toting the line to not offend anybody takes that you can imagine… his brand is getting stale, FAST.
I just want to focus on the game and this guy is taking shots at people saying dumb “jokes” that are actually douchebaggery, why we need him on the broadcast I’m not sure. Legler/Breen is plenty.
There were these old YouTube videos circa 2004ish titled “Everyone Hates Richard Jefferson” parts 1-4. Short snips of him frolicking around the court looking for daps after his dunks or whatever, but everyone gives the cold shoulder. Teammates opponents, didn’t matter. Tinfoil hat, they got scrubbed when he got on ESPN. Only pt 2 is still up and it’s the worst one
Cannot stand Richard Jefferson
Kenny desperate to be b/w Chuck and Shaq and not these two JV, chuckleheads.
Kenny plays the role of the diplomat with such class and grace here trying to defuse the tension
“His career trajectory would’ve been a lot different if he didn’t like motorcycles” right in front of the man?
That doesn’t sound like defusing anything.
Every once in a while Kenny is forced into being a respectable adult because his co host are so much worse
Brutal, they must be close behind cameras to make jokes like that (I hope)
I’m a U of A alum and even I can’t stand RJ recently. Almost everything he said during the finals sounded so pompous or a deliberate attempt to say a memorable one liner
He is terrible. Adds nothing to the commentary and tries to act smart when he is a dumbass
He’s not suited to commentary. Should just be on the shitty ESPN panel shows
Breen & Legs would have a nice flow with their commentary, only for RJ to routinely mess it up.
I mean Jay Williams def takes shots at other players who make bad decisions so yeah this shouldn’t be off limits
This.
Jason Williams was an incredible player in high school and college. He’s one of those what if players…
RJ one of those dudes that has to put other dudes down to try to seem cool in front of girls
Sounds like they were busting chops. “That mustache was elite” “I forgot 13 is the lottery” [Motorcycle jokes]
It was a bit awkward on air. And Kenny actually made it worse by getting all serious. We don’t know their relationship. Reddit skews more soft than the general public, so the over reaction doesn’t surprise me.
We’re just breaking balls here
He didn’t insult nobody
Reddit definitely soft about teasing but I feel like the insane reaction to this more comes from the subs incessant need to shit on someone and get off an “Actually, I never liked this guy and he’s always been super annoying and below me”
Here come the brigade of Reddit psychoanalysts and behavioral experts
Pretty much
Everyone drops a joke that doesnt land well here n there. Aint that damn deep
Not that deep that people are saying its shitty to joke about the worst part of someones life in front a giant audience, either.
Im sure Jay is fine. There shouldnt be any reprocussions other than people saying its a shitty thing to joke about.
Absolutely hate RJ.
Kind of random to see Kenny Smith there. Don’t they usually have Jay Bilas or some other college guy?
He was on the ESPN coverage with Legler which was considerably better
the hell, I had no idea there was a better option to watch. I was on ABC all night.
Richard Jefferson being a douchebag is nothing new
I’ve been saying Rich Jeff is a smug douchebag, but keep downvoted for it. Idk why he’s so defended on here.
He’s right……….Not only did Jay Williams violate his contract by riding the motorcycle, then he got into a wreck which ruined a very promising career…….losing out on millions and millions of dollars.
Whenever I see him doing commentary, I cannot help but think….“what an absolute fuck up”.
damn lmao bro was cooked 😭
bro… literally same.
I wonder what we would find if we looked at the mistakes you made at 22 years old.
Some people cannot help but be colossal dickbags…
This whole sub was shitting on Wemby this month.
This is the NBA sub. We literally make fun of 22 yrs olds making mistakes last week.
I am not a dickbag……perhaps I should have phrased it like this……..Jay Williams missed out on making millions of dollars in the NBA when he got in a very serious motorcycle accident concurrent with a breach of contract…
Are you happy?
This is reddit bro, not the Economist…so I say what I mean “he really fucked up”
lol, yeah I made mistakes as a youth, but nothing as stupid as that……so sue me for expressing my unvarnished opinion.
RJ being weird as always
I feel like RJ gets a lot of leeway because it often seems like it might just be friendly roasting, and he’s pretty eloquent and measured about how he does it… but god he sounds like an absolute dick a lot of the time.
A motorcycle accident that results to an ended career is something that shouldn’t be joked about at all no matter how “cool” you are with someone.
Love RJ as a media guy but too much of him can get tiring real fast. Learned that a few days ago when i tried to binge watch his Richard show. He’s still funny though. Nobody’s perfect.
It seemed like an instant regret after looking at Jay Will’s reaction. At least RJ isn’t inherently an asshole
You can’t joke about it like 20 years after it happened? Toughen up.
No
Kenny is the one that brought it up … grow up
Grow up to what? An insensitive prick?
Not everything in the world is sunshine and rainbows. That accident is clearly a dark time in Jay Will’s life. Why joke about it?
If it was sensitive he wouldn’t have brought it up .. and they are obviously friends lol again .. grow up lol you soft soft asf
RJ brought it up as a jab and he apologized immediately. Are you even looking at the video when Jay Will says “wow”?
So yes, it was a sensitive topic.
Of course they’re still friends. You can be wrong, apologize and still be friends. That’s called being an adult. You should know that but if not, maybe you’re the one who needs to grow up.
Richard Jefferson really has progressed into becoming an absolute dickhead the past few years
as someone who started watching in 2010, detached from the reality of when it happened, and cuz jay williams has awful takes
this is a nothing burger to me
RJ can be a World class Asshole when he wants to be
RJ bombed 4 jokes in a row.
They all faked laughs at the mustache and stay home jokes which made it hard to fake laugh again for the fans regretting cheering Jwill and dumb duke grad jokes.
The lesson is don’t just keep going more controversial with jokes when your bombing them.
richard jefferson is a highly unlikable dude.
basically nothing about him is cool. he doesn’t look cool, his voice is annoying, he has no charisma whatsoever, he wasn’t that good in the nba.
i’ve got not problem with elite athletes being up their own ass, but you’ve gotta draw the line somewhere. and man, if he isn’t so far up his own ass he doesn’t come out his own mouth.
e: even his name sucks ass. richard jefferson. sounds like a dipshit loser you knew in college who got a sick job from his dad.
It honestly was both Kenny and Jefferson that tag teamed this one. Kenny’s usually the instigator for the Inside the NBA jokes but it was admittedly Jefferson that started it.
Maybe they felt comfortable because Williams and Jefferson were (technically) former teammates and Kenny felt like jumping in with the Duke-UNC rivalry? It wasn’t funny, regardless. I’d change the title to add Kenny Smith saying something too. Most folks are solely reacting to the title based off the responses….
If we can joke about 9⁄11 we can joke about this
this would be like joking about 9⁄11 straight infront of a family that lost someone in 9⁄11 lmfao. time and place ya know?
I genuinely don’t think they do know, a ton of people just simply don’t understand this kind of thing unfortunately lol
You’re totally right. It’s just like hilarious how obvious it should be why this is a dickhead thing to do 🤣
Maybe you just came up with two whole ways that people could be less shitty
Joking about 911 is fucking lame because people died and then our government went to war with a different country? I don’t know, bro the math isn’t mathing for me on that shit.
I mean TONS of people make fun of wars. I try to avoid it since it is kinda weird to mention even nowadays.
He’s the guy in your group who always is getting on everybody and claims it’s a joke
The shock jock shtick taking over all of sports commentary is so fucking annoying
Jefferson’s nice guy persona really deflects what a slimy black hearted person he is.
I have a 2nd uncle who is super successful, was on tv, pastor, beautiful wife etc. Every family reunion he publicly shames his brother who still lives off their mother. Both of them are over 50.
I don’t get why people continue to hold grudges after they win. I get a victory lap, but why continue to torment the other man.
What a weird thing to say.
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That’s hilarious coming from an LA fan. At least New Yorkers are self-aware of being total assholes lol
I literally never said anything about Williams? Maybe grow up and learn not to conflate one person’s opinion with an entire state or group, then you might sound less ignorant.
No, you deleted your comment, which said that Williams should be “made fun of for eternity” for getting in a motorcycle accident.
Sir, that was not my comment 😂
Glad to see you’re this ashamed of it
The man accused of conflating others’ opinions proves me right by thinking all Knicks flairs are the same people. Absolutely hilarious 😂
I have third party software for reddit and that was not his comment dude
Williams was speeding on a motorcycle, not wearing a helmet or protective gear, breaking the law as he didn’t have a license to drive it in the state, foolishly tried to rev the bike while speeding and crashed, but we’re supposed to feel all bad for him instead of pointing out he was a world class idiot and blew a chance millions of kids would relish? We’ll all hold his hand for blowing his family out of millions? Guy’s a bum.
Reddit, get overly annoyed and/or outraged about something. Aaaand go:
Dick Jeff definitely has a few skeletons in his closet
RJ a douche always has been
Jefferson looks like a cunt, was a cunt as a player and is an even bigger cunt now
They were both kind of fucking with each other leading up to this all night, RJ just went for the kill shot with this one.
Richard Jefferson is a “Habitual linestepper” though
He led the team that beat Jefferson in the NCAA Final. Jealousy is a bitch
Damn lots of pearl clutches here
just be nice people.. i say on reddit hahaha
Richard Jefferson has segued into comedy, he obviously is beloved by his fellow nba players/co workers, this gives him leeway to make jokes or roast his fellow man, especially anyone from Duke, since Arizona basketball and Duke basketball have a small rivalry . It could come back at him as well, and he’d take it, but for those of you who take everything so serious and get offended by all, this type of joking is just what it is, a joke. Not malicious, it’s entertainment, and if you get upset, that’s fine too because you are free to have your own reaction and that is the price of free speech. Everyone is entitled to react and feel what they feel. But RJ is a joker and none of us know any of these athlete stars personally, so a little bit of nuance and grace may be due, but also, feel what you feel. It won’t change what’s going on with the world, so don’t dwell on it
Winter 24 I was in line for chairlift at vail. Jefferson was a few places in front of me in line. Someone threw a huge snowball and smacked him in back of his big ass helmet sticking out like a sore thumb above everyone. Everyone laughed. It is a nice memory.
EMOTIONAL DAMAGE!!!!!
I hate RJ but Jay Williams is annoying AF so I’m good with this
That’s fucked up man
RJ’s personality is he’s a troll and a jokester. He definitely cross a line if they didn’t know each other but I think those that known him personally like Jay Will probably won’t take this too personally.
Jay Will for those that remember was a PROBLEM but sadly his career was cut short.
He was, in college. He’s mediocre as a 2nd pick.
They’re talking over each other the entire time.. what a bad broadcast.
J Will making a living in the NBA years later is a really great feel good story. RJ is a dork
Petty, but completely warranted. Probably a good idea to avoid motorcycles if you’re any type of athlete.
Actually, no I don’t think it’s cool for a random to throw a 22 year old’s mistake in his face on national TV.
RJ is insufferable, man.
Didn’t even know about Jay Wills accident. So on one hand, I’m happy I know a little more NBA lore. On the other hand, love RJ but this is a cheap shot that was unprovoked.
Are ESPN execs really pushing for controversy during the draft?
2002 Draft was a dumpster fire outside of Yao Ming anyways
Jefferson is a classless clown 🤡 He thinks he is funny BUT he is NOT
his mom named him DICK for a reason…
So what if he is? lmao. Are you insinuating something?
Oh no I was just asking
Cmon. If you guys are cool, even then it shouldnt be said on media.
Just keep it for the after hours.