Is Jefferson underappreciated?

[ClonerJams]

Statistically, he's having a great year. Yet, it seems like he doesn't get the credit he deserves. I see the criticism with the turnovers and missing some bunnies (I'll admit I'm guilty of this at times as well), but if we're being honest with ourselves that is just nitpicking. He's being asked to do a lot for this team. For comparison, below are the season stats for Jefferson vs Deandre Kane for his one year here - I think most of us would agree Kane had a great season for us.

Jefferson: 16.6 PPG, 7.5 RPB, 5.2 APG, 2.5 turnovers per game (47.7 FG%, 36.1 3 pt%, 69.7 FT%)
Kane: 16 PPG, 5.6 RPB, 4.9 APG, 2.9 turnovers per game (48.3 FG%, 39.8 3 pt%, 63.5 FT%)

He only has a few more games here. Appreciate him in real time and not just when you look back on him here.

 

[JCity]

Very much so

 

[GetAwesome]

I don't believe he's underappreciated, but maybe he's moreso "quietly appreciated".

For the sake of your player comparisons, Kane just had a much bigger on-court personality than Jefferson, so it was easier to boast about Kane.

I'm with you on the bunnies criticism. Not exactly a fair criticism, because he brings so much more to this team. Getting to the line and getting the other team in foul trouble is invaluable. But damn, it's rare he actually gets an and-1 opportunity. Too often those bunnies get missed and it's disheartening we're left with a wing and a prayer that he can get the front end of a 1-and-1.

 

[Rural]

Well, yeah.

 

[madguy30]

On the whole, probably not but several posters on here target him in a weird way.

 

[Inthesystem]

The best player on a team is always a target for not doing enough. Any team.

 

[Isualum13]

If he starts to think he's awesome, it can go to his head. It's best to keep him grounded.

 

[Cyforce]

He’s a stat stuffing grinder but he’s not the freak athlete some of these freshman are. Still his handle and vision at 6’9 are special

 

[JP4CY]

Yes. VERY underappreciated.

 

[Cyched]

I appropriately appreciate JJ

 

[Cyrealist]

His weakness is his inconsistency. When he's good, he's one of the best players in the country. There were stretches where he was very ordinary - dribbling into turnovers, taking bad shots, etc. I think he's gotten a lot better the last few games, but the impression has been made.

 

[NENick]

... But damn, it's rare he actually gets an and-1 opportunity. Too often those bunnies get missed and it's disheartening we're left with a wing and a prayer that he can get the front end of a 1-and-1.

Well, if he misses "a bunny," while getting fouled, the foul obviously contributed to the miss and he'd be shooting 2, not a one & one.

I get your point, he's had some frustrating moments and games, but I think his role, handling the ball a lot and being the teams only consistent inside scorer, lead to more opportunities and, therefore, more missed opportunities.

He's been great and appreciated nationally, being one of the top names on NPOTY lists. I don't know where this team would be without him.

 

[bozclone]

100%

 

[Jnecker4cy]

I would say he is at times Frustrating. Huge talent, but sometimes plays down to his talent.

I would not want him to be on another team, glad he is on ours.

 

[Cyclonepride]

Statistically, he's having a great year. Yet, it seems like he doesn't get the credit he deserves. I see the criticism with the turnovers and missing some bunnies (I'll admit I'm guilty of this at times as well), but if we're being honest with ourselves that is just nitpicking. He's being asked to do a lot for this team. For comparison, below are the season stats for Jefferson vs Deandre Kane for his one year here - I think most of us would agree Kane had a great season for us.

Jefferson: 16.6 PPG, 7.5 RPB, 5.2 APG, 2.5 turnovers per game (47.7 FG%, 36.1 3 pt%, 69.7 FT%)
Kane: 16 PPG, 5.6 RPB, 4.9 APG, 2.9 turnovers per game (48.3 FG%, 39.8 3 pt%, 63.5 FT%)

He only has a few more games here. Appreciate him in real time and not just when you look back on him here.

Vastly by a certain group of fans. When you're going to be an All American on a 24-4 team playing for a chance at the first one seed in school history and you're still getting heat, you are not being properly appreciated.

 

[CyCity]

If he starts to think he's awesome, it can go to his head. It's best to keep him grounded.

Haha no.

 

[bosco]

When you're getting the money he's getting appreciation has nothing to do with it.

 

[bluestarcyclone]

When you're getting the money he's getting appreciation has nothing to do with it.

I mean, he's probably getting less than he could otherwise, the appreciation probably helps close that gap a small bit.

 

[Psiclone]

Well, if he misses "a bunny," while getting fouled, the foul obviously contributed to the miss and he'd be shooting 2, not a one & one.

I get your point, he's had some frustrating moments and games, but I think his role, handling the ball a lot and being the teams only consistent inside scorer, lead to more opportunities and, therefore, more missed opportunities.

He's been great and appreciated nationally, being one of the top names on NPOTY lists. I don't know where this team would be without him.

Exactly! It's not like he's getting wide open layups when he's missing shots around the rim. And, almost every broadcast of ISU games seems to mention him as being one of the top players in the country. He's close to a triple double in almost every game.

 

[GoSTATE71]

When he plays within his game he is ridiculously good but when he starts doing stuff and over dribbling it usually leads to dumb turnovers. He does tend to miss bunnies but as a whole, he’s probably under appreciated imo despite being one of the best players in America.