Hated by Knicks Fans, Richard Jefferson Finally Gets Closure on Decades-Old Rivalry Thanks to Jalen Brunson and Co.

The New York Knicks-Brooklyn Nets rivalry is decades old, but it seems Richard Jefferson no longer wants the subscription. The 2016 NBA champ has been a part of the rivalry ever since he joined the Nets in 2001. Jefferson arguably had his most productive years individually with the Nets. After all, he spent 7 years with the franchise. But having been retired for over half a decade now, and Jalen Brunson & Co.’s promising future for the Knicks seems to have helped RJ let go of any hard feelings that may have existed.

This came from the former Nets star during his recent appearance on The Mark Jackson Show. “I’m glad that we’ve built such a great relationship, me and the New York sports fans… I understand why they were grumpy at me… But that being said… they were not well run for about 20 years now over that span, the Nets were really good,” Jefferson mentioned on the podcast. This is also the very reason that the Knicks fans can’t ever truly say anything to Jefferson, he stated.

It’s no secret the Knicks and Nets have had a rivalry going back even before Richard Jefferson joined the league. However, when the 6’7″ player landed in New Jersey, the Nets were trailing in their head-to-head regular season games. Having players like RJ, Jason Kidd, and Kenyon Martin on the roster, the Nets quickly started closing the gap between the two teams. By the time RJ left the team, the Nets gained a 79-76 lead in their head-to-head regular season games.

This explains what the 6’7″ player meant when he said the Kicks fans can’t really say anything to him. However, he also reinstated his nature of giving credit when due. Along the same line, the 44-year-old praised the growth the Knicks have shown over the past few years. “I have nothing but positive say about the Knicks organization. Now, the Knicks fans I still have feelings about…” he added.

Richard Jefferson is not the only Knicks’ rival who praised the team

It has hardly been a month since Jalen Brunson signed a 4 year, $156 million extension deal. With this, he left $113 million on the table, creating enough cap space for the team to not just be able to sign key players but also possibly hold cash for Mikal Bridges’ extension, when needed. The move made one of the fiercest rivals of the Knicks, Reggie Miller, in favor of the Knicks.

In an interview with USA Today Sports, Knick Killer spotlighted the Knicks going all in with 4 players from one college — Villanova. And he believes the chemistry that these 4 players — Brunson, Bridges, Josh Hart, and Donte DiVincenzo — shared back in college will only further the Knicks’ future possibilities.

In fact, the former Indiana Pacers star termed the team that was once his rival championship material now. “Look, the Knicks won and are winning the offseason. And people need to understand how much team chemistry factors into winning,” he said of Brunson’s move. This makes the two of Knicks’ former rivals, including Richard Jefferson, who now have their faith in the team.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And join us for the exciting second episode of the “Dual Threat Show” as our host BG12 sits down with Georgia Bulldogs star and Mountain West All-Freshman Team Selection, Asia Avinger.