gold star for USAHOF

83. Michael Ray Richardson

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83. Michael Ray Richardson
Michael Ray Richardson could very well be the Dave Parker of basketball.  Michael Ray had all the talent in the world and was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career but cocaine got in the way.  When drafted out of tiny Montana with the fourth pick of the 1978 draft he was hailed as the next Walt Frazier as he had those kinds of offensive and defensive skills; and he did not disappoint.  He became the first player ever to lead the league in assists and steals in his second season and the Garden faithful loved him.  However, he was traded to Golden State as compensation for the signing of Bernard King.  Richardson would then be quickly dealt back to the East Coast where he was sent to New Jersey.  He led the Nets to one of the biggest upsets in NBA history in 1984 when they shocked the defending champion, Philadelphia 76ers.  Things soon unraveled after that and Michael Ray was out of the league by 1986 with a lifetime ban.  A four time All-Star and two time All Defensive First Team selection, Michael Ray had the talent to be an all time great.  Sadly, drugs got in the way.


Should Michael Ray Richarson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 52.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 17.5%
No opinion. - 3.2%
No way! - 12.7%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Lubbock, Texas, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Wednesday, 01 January 1992
  • Position: Point Guard, Shooting Guard
  • Played For: Golden State Warriors, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks
  • College: Montana
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 4th Overall in 1978
  • Major Accolades and Awards: NBA All-Star (4) (1980, 1981, 1982 & 1985)
    NBA All-Defensive First Team (2) (1979-80 & 1980-81)
    NBA Comeback Player of the Year (1) (1985)
    Most Assists (1) (1979-80)
    Most Steals (4) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1984-85)
    Most Assists per Game (1) (1979-80)
    Most Steals per Game (3) (1979-80, 1982-83 & 1984-85)
    Highest Assist Percentage (1) (1979-80)
    Highest Steal Percentage (1) (1982-83)
    NBA Championships (None)
    First Team All-Big Sky (3) (1976, 1977 & 1978)
    FIBA European Cup Winner's Cup (1) (Virtus Bologna, 1990)
    French Basketball Cup Champion (1) (Cholet Basket, 1998)
    LNB Pro A Champion (1) (Olympique Antibes, 1995)
    Italian Cup Champion (2) (Virtus Bologna, 1989 & 1990)
    LBA All-Star (5) (1988, 1989, 1990, 1993 & 1994)
    LBA All-Star Game MVP (2) (1988 & 1993)
    Croation Cup Champion (1) (Split, 1992)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Assists (4) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Assists per Game (4) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals (5) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals per Game (6) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85 & 1985-86)
    Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goals (1) (1981-82)
    Top Ten Finishes: 3-Point Field Goal Attempts (1) (1979-80, 1980-81 & 1981-82)
    Top Ten Finishes: Minutes Played (4) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Minutes per Game (3) (1979-80, 1980-81 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Win Shares (2) (1980-81 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Defensive Box Plus/Minus (1) (1985-86)
    Top Ten Finishes: VORP (3) (1979-80, 1980-81 & 1984-85)
    Top Ten Finishes: Assist Percentage (1) (1979-80)
    Top Ten Finishes: Steals Percentage (6) (1979-80, 1980-81, 1981-82, 1982-83, 1984-85 & 1985-86)
  • Notable All-time Rankings: 2.    Steals per Game: 2.6
    4.    Steal Percentage: 4.0
    27.  Assists per Game: 7.0
    48.  Steals: 1,463
    49.  Defensive Box Plus/Minus: 1.6
    94.  Box Plus/Minus: 2.5

Should Michael Ray Richarson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 52.4%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 17.5%
No opinion. - 3.2%
No way! - 12.7%

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