Golden State Warriors: Richard Jefferson set to retire after 17-year career

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 11: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media at practice and media availability as part of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 11, 2017 at Warriors Practice Facility in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 11: Richard Jefferson #24 of the Cleveland Cavaliers talks to the media at practice and media availability as part of the 2017 NBA Finals on June 11, 2017 at Warriors Practice Facility in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Former Golden State Warriors forward Richard Jefferson is set to retire after a legendary 17-year career with just a year and a half in the Bay Area.

For part of the 2011-2012 season and the full 2012-2013 season, the well-respected forward Richard Jefferson was a part of the Golden State Warriors.

Per Bleacher Report, he’ll be retiring after playing last season with the Denver Nuggets.

Jefferson played just a total of 78 games with the Warriors and recorded just four starts. He didn’t even really showcase any of his true potential, averaging less than five points per game in a Warriors uniform.

However, even Warrior fans should be able to acknowledge how strong-willed and well-liked Jefferson was among the NBA community.

Throughout the end of his career, Jefferson was known for being a part of the 2015-2016 Cavaliers team that came back from a 3-1 deficit in a remarkable 2016 NBA Finals to defeat Golden State.

One of the game’s best leaders, Jefferson’s impact on that team shouldn’t have gone unnoticed.

It’s a shame that the Dubs were never able to see that skill shine. During his only full season in the Bay, Jefferson was given little to no opportunity to succeed though. He played just over ten minutes per game.

Throwing it way back, Jefferson was on the Dubs when Draymond Green and Harrison Barnes were rookies. Curry was in his third season in the league and Mark Jackson was the Warriors head coach.

The Warriors finished 47-35, finishing second in the Pacific. Coming into the postseason as the No. 6 seed in the West, the Dubs eventually lost to a Denver Nuggets team that featured now-Warrior Andre Iguodala.

That season was all the Dubs really got of Richard Jefferson.

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All love for Jefferson though. He might not have had a huge impact on the Warriors, but he was a huge part of the NBA and the culture that’s made it such a fun league.