35-year-old Richard Jefferson signed with the Cavaliers in the summer of 2015 to serve primarily as the backup small forward to LeBron James.
Until Wednesday night in Game 3 of the NBA Finals, everything pretty much went according to plan. Jefferson was a valuable member of the team all season long, but when Kevin Love was ruled out for Game 3 due to the NBA’s concussion protocol, it put the 14-year NBA veteran in the biggest stage of his career since 2003, the last time he was in the NBA Finals.
Back then, he was a 22-year-old in his second season of his NBA career, playing 35 minutes per game. His New Jersey Nets fell to the Spurs 4 games to 2 in the series and Jefferson spent the next 12 seasons hoping for an opportunity like this.
Jefferson played close to an All-Star level from 2003 to 2009, averaging 18 or more points in five out of six seasons, but did not reach the ultimate goal even during the prime of his career.
Now he is a role player on a championship-caliber team and made a huge impact in Game 3 of the 2016 Finals, scoring nine points and grabbing eight rebounds en route to a 30-point win to keep the Cavs alive in the series.
Heading into Game 4, reporters asked Cavaliers head coach Tyronn Lue if the team was better with Jefferson in the lineup and if he would consider continuing to start the small forward even if Love is cleared to play.
Lue laughed at the idea of the team being “better” without Love on the court, but said he had not thought about making that switch yet.
UPDATE: Ohio.com’s Jason Lloyd reports that Love is expected to play in Game 4 and will likely come off the bench.
Kevin Love expected to be cleared in time to play Friday and will likely come off the bench. Story: https://t.co/yw2HQzPqSx
— Jason Lloyd (@JasonLloydABJ) June 9, 2016
When Jefferson was asked about the possibility of starting in Game 4 he told reporters, “Whatever the situation dictates, I’m going to be ready to go. I think Kevin will be back in the series without a doubt, if you ask me. But whatever they need from me, that’s always been my motto.”
However, even if Jefferson is not in the starting lineup, that does not mean he would receive minimal playing time.
As with everything in basketball, the flow of the game dictates what moves are made by coaches.
Perhaps Love or J.R. Smith are struggling early. Maybe Jefferson takes some minutes away from one if not both of them.
One consequence of Jefferson being on the floor at the small forward position is that it moves LeBron to the four, where he matches up with Draymond Green.
Green scored a game-high 28 points in Game 2, some of which came while being guarded by Love before the Cavs forward exited the game with concussion-like symptoms.
In Game 3, Green scored just six points. It’s impossible to ignore the fact that LeBron had something to do with that on defense.
When asked about what Jefferson brings to the team, LeBron told reporters, “He’s a professional. He’s a true professional, and a guy who is seizing an opportunity and moment to be in this position. The last time he was in The Finals was his first and second year in the league, and I think he’s not taking this moment for granted. He’s just going out and giving everything that he has. He knows his role. He plays it very well, and he’s key to our team.”
Jefferson matches up well with some of the 6’6″ to 6’8″ forwards on Golden State’s roster. Guys like Harrison Barnes and Andre Iguodala.
He is a savvy veteran who makes smart basketball plays, takes care of the ball, and isn’t looking to overstep his role.
Jefferson knows the offense runs through LeBron and Irving, and picks his spots when to decide to try and give the team a lift himself.
For instance, if Jefferson has a wide open three in the corner, he’s going to have a good chance to knock it down. Or if there’s a clear lane for him to drive, he won’t hesitate to take it. But more often than not, Jefferson will fill his role of swinging the ball around, being a part of setting up plays for LeBron and Kyrie, and play solid defense to contain guys like Barnes and Iguodala.
Whether Jefferson starts in Game 4 or comes off the bench, he could make a huge impact in potentially tying the series at two games apiece.
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