La Summer League has always been fertile ground for the experiments at NBA. Not only in terms of being able to see interesting young people at work but also from the technical point of view and all the other aspects that revolve around the game.
Curious is the case of Richard Jefferson, former All-Star with a long tenure with the New Jersey Nets and 2016 title winner with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He is currently a columnist for ESPN but on the night he wore the uniform of referee. Jefferson, in fact, was invited to direct the second quarter of the showdown between the New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers (ended 77-88).
Why do this?
1. Tremendous amount of knowledge about our game that I’ve learned sitting in classes with the best refs in the world
2.I do this because not many people would dare put themselves in this position. The more info I have the more informed I am as a broadcaster 🫡– Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) July 11, 2022
An experiment meant to bring the world of commentators closer to the world of whistles, giving Jefferson a chance to look at basketball from a different perspective, as he explained.
The NBA asked me if I was interested, I didn’t want to at first but it’s been great. I love the game, I love talking about it, and I was able to learn new aspects. To be able to confront the referees, to participate in their meetings, to understand their point of view-a dream experience. For me it will be of great benefit because I gained more skills to be able to comment.
There was no shortage of hilarious moments, such as when Jefferson, probably caught up in the action, forgot to raise his arms to validate a triple. In any case, he was able to put himself on the “opposite side” for a few minutes after a career in which there was no shortage of friction with referees, as evidenced by the 45 technicals and 2 direct ejections he has levied in his NBA experience.
It’s been a long 10 days! pic.twitter.com/j8wF6FJJKg
– Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) July 11, 2022
