The start of the 2008-2009 season was not kind to Jared Jeffries.

During training camp he fractured his left  fibula, which meant for the second time during his three-year tenure with the New York Knicks, he would miss the first two months of the season.  Once he returned from his injury in December, Coach Mike D’Antoni slowly worked him into the lineup and he started just two games.  Since the new year, Jeffries has started every game and he is averaging 4 points and 4 rebounds.

After the Knicks 96-89 loss against his former team the Washington Wizards, Jeffries spoke to Hoops Addict about the health of his knee, his role with the team, and the current state of the Indiana Hoosiers.

Rashad Mobley: Let me start by asking you how the knee is holding up after a little over a month of being back on the court
Jared Jeffries: Overall, I’d say the knee is fine.  Its still a little sore, but for the most part I think its ok

Mobley: Can you pretty much do everything you could do prior to the injury?
Jeffries: Yeah, for the most part. There are some things that I do that are still a little painful, but this is the NBA, I’m pretty sure everyone in the league is in some kind of pain from time to time.  I just push through, ice it up and then get ready for the next game

Mobley: Now that you are healthy and starting, what has Coach D’Antoni told you about what your role is with this team?
Jeffries:  He told me he wants me to go out every night and be the energy guy for this team by playing good defense, driving to the basket, hit open shots and just make good basketball plays.  One thing that coach D’Antoni stresses is for us not to overthink things so much, and to just go out and make good basketball plays.  That’s what I try to do every night.

Mobley: Talk a little about Coach D’Antoni’s style and how it compliments your game
Jeffries: Like I said, it’s just about making basketball plays, moving quickly and maintaining a high level of energy every minute of every game.  The way this offense is set up, everyone will get their points, so you worry less about when and if you’re going to score, and more about giving energy, passing, team defense and stuff like that.

Mobley: How does it feel coming back to Washington, to play against the team that drafted you?
Jeffries: I have special memories here man, I love DC.   I loved playing with [Michael] Jordan, Gilbert [Arenas] and Larry [Hughes] and it was just fun playing here.  When I first got here we had low expectations and we missed the playoffs and when I left here, we were expected to not just make the playoffs, but advance at the same time, so I feel good about that.  Also I grew up in Indiana, so DC is the first big city I lived in, and you don’t forget stuff like that

Mobley: Will you be participating in any inaugural festivities here in DC?
Jeffries: Man, I wish, that’s one reason why I wish I still lived here.  I know it it going to be ridiculous down here, but no we’re leaving tonight.  I’ll be watching it like everyone else live on TV, the fact that Obama is about to be president a great historic moment.

Mobley: Can you talk a little about your alma mater Indiana, there are struggling pretty bad right now for the first time in awhile.
Jeffries: [laughs] You weren’t supposed to mention that, man.  But it’s cool. They’ll get better, when you have a legendary program that’s been that good and that solid for that long, you’re bound to have struggles, but they’ll be back.  They just need one big recruit to get them back in the game.

Mobley: Like Jared Jeffries?
Jeffries: Exactly!

Mobley: I know you have to catch your bus now, so I’ll let you go Jared. Thank you for your time and good luck the rest of the season.
Jeffries: No problem man, take care.

Photo Credit: ICON Sports Media