Richard Jefferson Shoots Back at Dave Portnoy on ‘Knicks Jersey’ Comments

Dave Portnoy accused Richard Jefferson of being partial to the New York Knicks in his commentary during game 3 vs. Boston.

Richard Jefferson Shoots Back at Dave Portnoy on ‘Knicks Jersey’ Comments

Davve Portnoy Richard Jefferson (images via Instagram)

The Boston Celtics entered game 3 of their series against the New York Knicks under a lot of pressure. The reigning NBA champions had lost 20-point leads in both of their first two games. They needed a win to stay alive in the series, and the crowd at Madison Square Garden knew that. Richard Jefferson, who was in the announcers’ booth for game 3 alongside Doris Burke and Mike Breen, also felt that energy.

The color commentator is a beloved announcer among NBA League Pass viewers. His quick wit, ability to take jokes on the nose and his ability to convey the game’s emotion has won him many fans. However, the former Nets star can get carried away at times with his emotions. A few of his former teammates are currently still killing it in the league. Jefferson also retains some emotion for teams that he’s played for.

According to Dave Portnoy, however, Jefferson extended this emotion to the New York Knicks as well. Announcing what many Knicks fans viewed as their most consequential home game since 1999, RJ may have seemed a touch partial to the home team due to the atmosphere. Though Portnoy was far from alone in noting this, his tweet about Jefferson’s affiliations during the game made the rounds on Twitter.

Jefferson came across the tweet only a few hours before tip-off for Sunday’s playoff games. The NBA veteran took little time to address what Portnoy had been getting at. He tweeted a GIF of himself with a quizzical expression while taking aim at Portnoy for not tagging him.

Dave my brother, we talked about this when we did your pizza review. I don’t care who wins I’m just telling the stories. Also don’t talk on twitter like you don’t know me.

Richard Jefferson tweeted

Irrespective of how Richard Jefferson has been viewed for his mic performance on Saturday, it is a well-established fact that he doesn’t have any sympathy for the New York Knicks. Jefferson represented their crosstown rivals during his best NBA days, making two Finals series with the New Jersey Nets. He’s also been a member of their announcing team before graduating to the national TV booth with ESPN. It is hard to believe he would willingly root for the Knicks for any extended period.

Richard Jefferson has invited ridicule for his partial commentary recently

NBA fans didn’t quite see eye to eye with Portnoy’s accusations about Jefferson’s alleged Knicks fandom. But they do have bones to pick with how he announces games involving LeBron James. Jefferson was famously a crucial member of the Cavaliers team that staged a 3-1 comeback in the NBA Finals. He owes his moment in basketball immortality to being a teammate of James, and he always has James’ back on the mic.

In particular, his commentary during game 4 of Timberwolves vs. Lakers invited a large amount of ridicule. The former combo forward has been accused of looking at James’ actions with rose-tinted glasses.

Perhaps Jefferson doesn’t realize how his bias for James shows up to newer fans who might not know his lore with his former teammate. But it is hard for viewers sitting through national broadcasts not to notice his soft spot for James.

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