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After practice on Tuesday before the Nets look to close out the series in Wednesday's Game 5, Jefferson responded to some fan e-mail.
The Nets are doing awesome this year and you are an
integral part of their success. Congratulations on a great start in the
NBA. I was wondering what were the greatest influences on your life growing
up and what do they continue to be as you start this new chapter of
your life?
Good luck during the rest of playoffs. I expect to be cheering you
guys on in the Finals.
Andrea
Tappan, NY
Jefferson: I would say my influences growing up were Scottie Pippen, basketball-wise and definitely Magic Johnson are the two players I really try to emulate myself after. Off the floor definitely my parents are the people who really influenced me a lot, but it was really a hands-off situation where they just let me do what I wanted to do and supported me in whatever.
I was wondering if you think it would have been better if
you had stayed at college to work on your game, or if you think you made the
right decision leaving early.
Goose
Tucscon, Ariz.
Jefferson: I would have been a senior this year and a lot of the guys I grew up with are graduating. I definitely miss it, but I got a chance to live a dream. I'm just so happy to be in this situation that I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Hello Mr. Jefferson. With all the pressure of you being a
rookie and proving yourself as being a dependable player; Do you feel that
your hard work and dedication have gained you the respect of your coach and
teammates?
Ebony
Ramstein AB, Germany
Jefferson: I think in the summer they knew I had a lot of talent and I worked hard and it was just a matter of seeing how I reacted in the games. Early on I think I proved myself. But there've been ups and downs and struggles, tough wins and tough losses. I think they've been through a lot with me and I think they've enjoyed seeing my maturing process.
Who do you think is the toughest person that you have
played against in either a season game or a playoff game?
Michael
Beaverton, Ore.
Jefferson: Dirk Nowitzki. He's big, can post up, shoot, just a big boy. He's definitely the toughest player I've had to play against. I won't say he's the best player in the NBA, but he's a tough matchup for me, a very tough matchup for me.
Dear R-Jam (that's what I call you): I was wondering, how
did you came to jump so high? I know that you're tall and being that tall anyone can jump. But you kinda jump too high. Can you help me and tell me what you did as a youngster that has made you jump ever so high? I want to work on my ups.
Vic
Bronx, NY
Jefferson: God-given genetics. I used to get made fun of in high school because I could barely dunk and all of a sudden, it just kept getting higher and higher and higher. I remember when I was in high school thinking, well, there are a lot of guys who are athletic in college. When I got to college, all of a sudden I was one of the more athletic guys. Then I was all, in the NBA, everybody's athletic and somehow I just keep finding a way to jump a little bit higher. It's all God-given.
Your contribution to the New Jersey Nets has been remarkable.
Your offensive game has been very strong, and your tight defense is
there night in and night out. I wanted to know if you had any trouble
adjusting to the NBA game style, and if so, what were the major
adjustments?
Cassandra
Cape Elizabeth, Conn.
Jefferson: No, basketball-wise, it was tough just because it was so long and so hard but mainly just 100 games -- when you play that many games, it starts to wear on you. It gets kind of tough at times.
You probably don't know that much about college girls'
basketball programs, but I can get a scholarship to Arizona or University of
Florida. I was just wondering. Anyways the Nets are really good, just
thought I should mention that!
Gillian
Haverhill, Mass.
Jefferson: If I didn't go to Arizona, I would have gone to Florida. They're both unbelievable. They're both a lot of fun and I think you can't go wrong with either school. Both of them have great traditions in every sport -- not just basketball or football -- the whole sports programs, the towns are kind of crazy over them. The only other school I thought about going to was Florida.
When we were in Charlotte last week, one of the girls from the women's team who was there when I was there plays for the Sting. She walked out and made eye contact with me and I talked to her for a little bit. The whole sports program at Arizona is really big so it makes for a lot of fun when we get together.
I hope you find time this first offseason to experience some of the
great sites and experiences in NJ. What plans have you made so far?
Eric
Middletown, NJ
Jefferson: After we win the NBA title, I'm going to go to Arizona for a little bit. Then I'm going to go to California for a little bit. I'm going to be in four places -- Tucson, Phoenix, San Diego and LA.
