There are several NBA veterans who have transitioned into a career on TV. Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal are arguably the biggest crossover success. Recently a list of favorite ex-players turned TV analysts was released, which was based on fan votes. The two mentioned above were ranked in the top 3.
While the fans have nothing but love for them, there are some who are having a tough time being accepted by the fans. Recently, an NBA veteran was insulted by a fan on the internet for his ESPN job. However, the 43-year-old didn’t hesitate in giving the troll a taste of his own medicine.
Richard Jefferson fires back at a troll
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Over the years, several NBA veterans have tasted success on TV. This has also translated into active athletes creating new opportunities through their own shows and podcasts. Today, the best NBA podcasts are being hosted by the players themselves. Additionally, this can also be seen as a blueprint for the upcoming generation to follow and not feel restricted inside a box. However, not everyone gets an equal amount of acceptance from fans. This is evident from the recent trolling that Richard Jefferson had to endure.
Jefferson was an active athlete from 2001 to 2018. After retirement, he took the role of a studio analyst with ESPN and has been working with them ever since. Recently, someone on X made an outrageous argument against Jefferson that caught the 43-year-old’s attention. The X user called Jefferson “scum” and that prompted a stern response from the NBA champion. Jefferson replied, saying, “Scum? Hey clown boy you follow me. The level of stupidity it takes to type this out I actually respect. 🤣Ill pray for you.”
Scum? Hey clown boy you follow me. The level of stupidity it takes to type this out I actually respect. 🤣Ill pray for you. https://t.co/8wLbgAgBQO
— Richard Jefferson (@Rjeff24) November 6, 2023
However, this can easily be discarded as an opinion of an individual because Jefferson does a pretty good job at ESPN in his role.
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Charles Barkley was recently overshadowed
Despite TV being a second career for these veterans, they always strive to be the very best in everything that they do. While the TNT crew is the most loved, Sir Charles was overshadowed by the fan votes. The person who was ranked higher than Barkley was none other than JJ Redick. It is worth noting that Redick is relatively younger than Barkley in the media business.
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Regardless, being ranked so high, that too by the fans, must be a great feeling for the NBA veteran.
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