08-17-2007, 11:25 AM
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#1 (permalink)
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Sexy Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Posts: 12,237
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Jeffries Coming Back To Prove The Doubters Wrong?
Quote:
Jared Jeffries is a rare commodity. He is one of the few players that have the skill set that realistically allows him to play four different positions. He has every reason to be a star in this league, and when the Knicks brought him to New York, many people, (myself included), thought Jeffries would be a key piece to bringing the team back to the playoffs. But it hasn’t happened, a broken wrist early in the season derailed Jared and led him to what can only be called a bad year.
With a healthy bank account some players may make excuses, while brushing the season off, making promises to be better next year, Not Jared, he has no time. He’s too busy working harder than he has ever worked, ensuring that this up coming season is not a repeat of last year’s performance.
“I had a bad year last year,” said Jeffries. “I have always felt that if you put the work in; dedicate your time to the game, the game will give back what you put into it. I really want to take this summer to put as much as I could into it and get the rewards from it.”
Only 25 years old, it’s refreshing to see such a young player take responsibility for his disappointing season. It shows a tremendous amount of maturity and respect for his teammates, coaching staff, and his craft.
“I haven’t played as well as I would have liked my entire NBA career,” he said. “I’ve had good moments and bad moments but I feel like I’m only 25 years only and my better days are in front of me.”
We still don’t know how far in front of Jared those better days are but he certainly wants to start playing at the level he knows he’s capable of. To get to that point Jeffries has been working close to six hours per day preparing to be an impact player next season.
“I’m putting a lot of work in; I’m hoping it will pay off for me,” he said. “I think everyone knows I work hard but a lot of time they question my effort level. I love to play but I have to come out and show that everyday I’m giving the effort, not just physically but mentally.”
The work has to pay off for Jeffries this season.
Injuries and a failure to live up to high expectations have been the stigma attached to Jeffries. Now that he is healthy and working towards improvement there aren’t any excuses left for him- he has to produce.
The Knicks are a team that is looking to turn the corner and simply can’t wait for him to develop. He has to be able to contribute something to this team from day number one or his time in New York may come to an end.
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www.hoopsworld.com
I sure hope he does well......because I'm going to be on him all season long complaining if he does not improve. I just doubt we will see much of an improvement, he has been in the league 5 years already, so I think it's basically what you see is what you get.
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Jeffries Coming Back To Prove The Doubters Wrong?
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