HOUSTON — Richard Jefferson is often the loudest voice in the Denver Nuggets’ locker room. He’s also the most sarcastic.
Jefferson spoke with the media Friday morning about Denver’s recent acquisition Devin Harris, who the Nuggets traded for in a three-team deal that became official Friday. Here’s Jefferson’s not so serious assessment of his former teammates and why he told the rest of his teammates to ask for buyouts.
What can you tell us about Devin Harris?
“I really wish management would have asked me about him. I don’t think that he’s necessarily a good fit for this team, his personality, the way he plays, what he brings to the table, his professionalism isn’t something that needs to be in this locker room around these young guys. I went to bed last night and I said a prayer. I woke up this morning and here we are.
“I just really want to say this and I want to go out on record, I’ve never played two seasons with Devin Harris. One season in New Jersey, one season in Dallas and here we are. I just want to say farewell to the Denver Nuggets fans and I really appreciate my time here but now that Devin Harris is here I have to leave.”
Deep down, how do you really feel about Devin Harris?
“I feel like that pretty much sums up everything I have to say about Devin Harris.”
What can Devin Harris do on the court?
“I honestly believe we should be more worried about what he’s going to do off the floor, to the city of Denver. Him and his three girls, they’re just really going to raise hell around here and I think it’s something we should all be worried about and again, there’s not enough negative things I can say about him and just him as a professional and his career.”
So, you didn’t call him?
“We’ve spoken multiple times it was one of those things where I tried to talk to the organization about. I tried to tell everyone here they should ask for a buyout. The team decided to go a different route. It is what it is. We have to be professionals. I think to let it be known that this locker room will never be the same.”
Are you upset the organization didn’t take your advice?
“Hindsight’s 20/20. In these moments you look back on some of the great disasters in history, I think there are always warning signs, there are always people but their voices weren’t loud enough. I believe that my concerns are falling on deaf ears and it’s just something that we’re going to have to live and learn this lesson.”
