The learning curve has been steep, but Richard Jefferson is making the climb.

Just a few weeks into his first NBA training camp, he has learned to stay away from shooting contests with coach Byron Scott. Earlier, Scott -- known for taking money from unsuspecting players in such contests -- had tabbed Jefferson as one of his "pigeons."

"I'm not that dumb and I don't have that much money," the much wiser rookie said yesterday.

In fact, Jefferson is learning all the time. Often that education comes the hard way.