Maxx Wolfson

When Philadelphia 76ers head coach Larry Brown saw Lute Olson at last weekâs Hall of Fame election, it was no surprise that the two legends talked basketball. What they talked about, however, might have been unexpected.

Brown could not say enough about one of Olsonâs former players ö Richard Jefferson.

Maybe it was the forwardâs game averages of 14 points and five rebounds against Brownâs Sixers in his first season that made him speak so enthusiastically. Or maybe it was the career-high 41 minutes that Jefferson logged in the 88-80 New Jersey victory against Philly back in March. Whatever the reason, Brown seems to think Jefferson had the best rookie season in the NBA.

ãBrown said that (Jefferson) was such a factor on the defensive end of the court because he played so hard every possession,ä Olson said. ãHe said he thought Richard played outstandingly all year long and he could not have been more enthusiastic about Richardâs rookie season.ä

His averages of 9.4 points and 3.7 rebounds in 24.3 minutes during the season were solid, but it has been defense that his former coach claims has made him proud.

ãHe has really played well,ä said Olson, who kept up on Jefferson during the year from various articles sent to him from the New Jersey area. ãHis play hasnât surprised me.ä

Defense was the one thing that Olson stressed during Jeffersonâs final season in Tucson. It seems to be paying off in big ways.

Jefferson has covered some of the leagueâs best players throughout the 2002 NBA playoffs ÷ Indianaâs Reggie Miller, Bostonâs Paul Pierce and Los Angelesâ Kobe Bryant. He covered the latter so well in the NBA Finals that New Jersey Nets head coach Byron Scott played him a playoff-high 32 minutes in game two.

Many thought Jefferson hurt his chances at NBA stardom by leaving UA a year early. After his offense failed to live up to expectations last year, it was defense that turned heads during the NCAA Tournament and likely made him a first-round pick in that yearâs pro draft, No. 13 overall.

Jefferson is now in New Jersey, far from the state of Arizona where he grew up. But he found that basketball was the same, and he quickly earned playing time in Byron Scottâs run-and-shoot offense. He soon became one of Jason Kiddâs favorite targets for alley-oops and breakaway dunks, making him a regular on SportsCenterâs Top Plays. He even got to host his own episode.

Now a year removed from college, the soon-to-be 22-year-old is a key factor in the Netsâ turnaround this season and is in the NBA Finals, the first time the franchise has ever made it that far since they joined the league.

Despite being down 3-0 to the Los Angeles Lakers and facing elimination Wednesday night, his first season as a professional has been a success.

Maybe the reason Brown had Jefferson on his mind was because the rookie is finishing his season in the same place Brownâs Sixers did last season ö the NBA Finals.