Jefferson fires back at Beal: 'Teams that are at home now want to start talking'

Certain NBA players and teams have a habit of saying "if only."

Two years ago, the Los Angeles Clippers theorized they would have given the Golden State Warriors a series in the Western Conference finals. Last month, Dion Waiters warned the world about the dangers of playing the Miami Heat, had they actually made the playoffs. And this week, Washington Wizards guard Bradley Beal opined that the Cleveland Cavaliers "didn't want to see us."

Cavs forward Richard Jefferson heard about Beal's remarks, and called him out Friday.

"It seems like the teams that are at home now want to start talking," Jefferson said after Cleveland's 44-point demolition of Boston in Game 2 on Friday, according to CBS Sports' James Herbert.

"Dion Waiters was saying that nobody wanted to see the Miami Heat ... then Bradley Beal says nobody wants to (play the Wizards). Well, if no one does, then show up. If you get there, then prove it."

While the backcourt of Beal and John Wall would present an explosive dynamic for the Cavs to deal with, the Wizards went 1-2 this season against Cleveland (although Beal missed one of those losses).

Still, 36-year-old veteran Jefferson recommended that the 23-year-old Beal check himself before he speaks.

"Bradley's a great young player, he's going to have a great career in front of him, but don't talk about teams that didn't want to see you when you're out of the playoffs," he said. It makes absolutely no sense. A team that has now won 10 in a row in the playoffs, the defending champions, didn't want to see you, but you didn't get out of the second round? It makes headlines, but does it make sense? How does it make you come across when people want to talk about basketball IQ?"

With Friday's victory against the Celtics, the Cavaliers tied an NBA record with their 13th consecutive playoff win dating back to last June's Finals. LeBron James and company are clicking on all cylinders, and it doesn't look like anyone outside of the equally dominant Warriors is capable of beating them right now.

"(Beal) wouldn't say that before the series if he was going against 'Bron," Jefferson added. "He can say it now that he's out of harm's way."