Micheal Ray Richardson
Montana Forlì | |
1999–2000 | Livorno |
---|---|
2001 | Olympique Antibes |
2002 | AC Golfe-Juan-Vallauris |
As coach: | |
2004–2007 | Albany Patroons |
2007–2011 | Oklahoma / Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry |
2011–2014 | London Lightning |
Career highlights and awards | |
As player:
As coach:
| |
Career NBA statistics | |
Points | 8,253 (14.8 ppg) |
Rebounds | 3,056 (5.5 rpg) |
Assists | 3,899 (7.0 apg) |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
Micheal "Sugar" Ray Richardson (born April 11, 1955) is an American former professional
Early life
Richardson was born in
College career
Richardson played collegiately at the University of Montana. He was recruited to the Big Sky Conference school by Hall of Fame Coach Jud Heathcote after Richardson's Denver basketball friend David Berry had visited the school.[4]
As a freshman in 1974-1975
Richardson averaged 18.2 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists as a sophomore in 1975-1976, as Montana finished 13-12. After the season, Coach Heathcote left for Michigan State University, where he would win the 1979 NCAA title.[6]
Under Coach Jim Brandenburg, who had been an assistant under Heathcote, Richardson averaged 19.2 points, 8.6 rebounds and 3.6 assists as Montana finished 18-8 in 1976-1977.[7]
As a senior, Richardson averaged 24.2 points and 6.9 rebounds in 1977-1978, and Montana finished 20-8, capturing the Big Sky regular-season title.[8]
In his Montana career, Richardson averaged 17.1 points, 6.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists on 49% shooting in 107 career games. Richardson was First team All-Big Sky Conference as a sophomore, junior and senior.[9]
Today, Richardson still shares the Montana single-game scoring record of 40 points, and holds the single-game record for field goals of 18 and the single-season scoring average record of 24.2. Richardson is third on the Montana career assists list (372), second in career scoring (1,827 points) and ninth in career rebounding. [10]
Professional career
New York Knicks (1978–1982)
The
Golden State Warriors (1982–1983)
At the beginning of the 1982–83 season, on October 22, 1982, Richardson was traded to the
New Jersey Nets (1983–1986)
In the 1984 playoffs, Richardson led the Nets to a shocking upset of the defending champion
In 556 career NBA games, Richardson averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.6 steals. In 18 career playoff games, he averaged 15.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.8 steals.[23]
NBA ban
On February 25, 1986, Richardson was banned for life by NBA commissioner David Stern for three violations of the league's drug policy. He regained the right to play in the NBA in 1988,[24] but decided to continue his career in Europe. He never played in the NBA again, despite being reinstated.[25]
Richardson bitterly complained that the suspensions he received from the NBA were unfair given the fact that
Long Island Knights (1986–1987)
Richardson played with the Long Island Knights of United States Basketball League in 1986–87.
Albany Patroons (1987–1988)
Richardson played with the Albany Patroons of the CBA in 1987–88, before playing for 14 seasons in Europe.
Europe (1988–2002)
In 1988, Richardson signed with
Richardson won the
Coaching career
Albany Patroons (2004–2007)
On December 14, 2004, he was named head coach of the Albany Patroons in the CBA. Richardson had previously played with Albany in 1987-1988, when it won its second CBA championship under Coach Bill Musselman.
Supposed anti-Semitic and homophobic comments
On March 28, 2007, Richardson was suspended for the remainder of the CBA championship series for comments in an interview with the
Some sportswriters came to Richardson's defense, in the wake of the incident.
Micheal Ray is proud to have a Jewish lawyer because he thinks they are the best lawyers. Certainly it's a stereotype, but it's a stereotype rooted in a reality. A disproportionate number of the great lawyers in America are Jews. A disproportionate number of the great basketball players in America are black. We have learned to be very careful around these facts because here the line between fact and "stereotype" can get very blurry and if you're not careful, you can get into deep water real quick. Micheal Ray was unwise to have been so indiscreet around reporters, but it wasn't exactly Elders of Zion territory.[30]
NBA commissioner David Stern, who was Jewish, voiced support for Richardson. While conceding that the remarks about homosexuals were "inappropriate and insensitive" and worthy of a suspension, Stern said, "I have no doubt that Micheal Ray is not anti-Semitic. I know that he's not...He may have exercised very poor judgment, but that does not reflect Micheal Ray Richardson's feelings about Jews."[31]
Ze'ev Chafets, author of A Match Made in Heaven: American Jews, Christian Zionists and One Man's Exploration of the Weird and Wonderful Judeo-Evangelical Alliance, wrote in the Los Angeles Times that Richardson's comments, while perhaps stereotypical, were not anti-semitic. After discussing Richardson's claim that Jews are "crafty," Chafets stated,
What other hurtful things did Richardson supposedly say? That Israel has the best airport security in the world? This is both true and something Israel itself brags about. That Jews are hated and need to protect themselves? That's the founding premise of the Anti-Defamation League itself ... Richardson, who was a popular player in Israel during his NBA exile years, is guilty of nothing more than free speech. Even if his observations were wrong--which they are not--there's nothing at all insulting about them. What is insulting is the notion that you can't speak honestly about Jews without getting into trouble.[32]
Oklahoma / Lawton-Fort Sill Cavalry (2007–2011)
On May 24, 2007, Richardson was named head coach of the reincarnated
Richardson coached for the relocated Lawton-Ft Sill Cavalry located in
Richardson was ejected from the first game of the 2010
London Lightning (2011–2014)
On August 17, 2011, Richardson was hired as the first head coach of
On April 12, 2013, Richardson led the London to an 87-80 victory over the Summerside Storm and TLondon became back to back NBL champions.[39]
Richardson left the London Lightning following the 2013–14 season to pursue coaching positions closer to home.[40]
Personal life
Richardson lived in Lawton, Oklahoma, as of 2015. He has 11 grandchildren. Richardson puts on youth basketball clinics with Otis Birdsong, his longtime friend and former teammate. He worked for a financial firm, and he and his wife, Kimberly, owned a beauty salon.[41] His son, Amir Richardson, is a professional soccer player with the Morocco national team.[42]
Richardson was the subject of the TNT Network 2000 film Whatever Happened to Micheal Ray?, narrated by Chris Rock.[43][44]
Honors
- Richardson was Inducted into the Montana Grizzly Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.[10]
- In 2001, Richardson was inducted into the Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame at the University of Montana.[41][10]
- Richardson was named to the list of Big Sky Conference 50 Greatest Male Athletes in 2013.
NBL coaching record
Team | Year | Regular season | Postseason | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Games | Won | Lost | Win % | Finish | PG | PW | PL | Win % | Result | ||
LDN | 2011–12 | 36 | 28 | 8 | .778 | 1st in Conference | 7 | 5 | 2 | .714 | Won NBL championship |
LDN | 2012–13 | 40 | 33 | 7 | .825 | 1st in Conference | 8 | 6 | 2 | .750 | Won NBL championship |
LDN | 2013–14 | 40 | 23 | 17 | .575 | 4th in Conference | 12 | 6 | 6 | .500 | Conference Semi-Finals |
LDN Total | 116 | 84 | 32 | .724 | - | 27 | 17 | 10 | .630 | – | |
Total | 116 | 84 | 32 | .724 | - | 27 | 17 | 10 | .630 | – |
NBA career statistics
GP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
* | Led the league |
Regular season
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1978–79 | New York | 72 | 16.9 | .414 | .539 | 3.2 | 3.0 | 1.4 | .3 | 6.5 | ||
1979–80 | New York | 82 | 37.3 | .472 | .245 | .660 | 6.6 | 10.1* | 3.2* | .4 | 15.3 | |
1980–81 | New York | 79 | 40.2 | .469 | .225 | .663 | 6.9 | 7.9 | 2.9 | .4 | 16.4 | |
1981–82 | New York | 82 | 79 | 37.1 | .461 | .188 | .700 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 2.6 | .5 | 17.9 |
1982–83 | Golden State | 33 | 25 | 32.5 | .412 | .129 | .632 | 4.4 | 7.4 | 3.1* | .3 | 12.5 |
1982–83 | New Jersey | 31 | 26 | 32.3 | .438 | .200 | .671 | 4.8 | 6.0 | 2.6 | .5 | 12.7 |
1983–84 | New Jersey | 48 | 25 | 26.8 | .460 | .241 | .704 | 3.6 | 4.5 | 2.1 | .4 | 12.0 |
1984–85 | New Jersey | 82 | 82 | 38.1 | .469 | .252 | .767 | 5.6 | 8.2 | 3.0* | .3 | 20.1 |
1985–86 | New Jersey | 47 | 39 | 34.1 | .448 | .148 | .788 | 5.3 | 7.2 | 2.7 | .2 | 15.7 |
Career | 556 | 276 | 33.4 | .457 | .220 | .690 | 5.5 | 7.0 | 2.6 | .4 | 14.8 | |
All-Star | 4 | 0 | 17.5 | .469 | .000 | .500 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.3 | .0 | 8.0 |
Playoffs
Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1981 | New York
|
2 | 43.0 | .242 | .000 | .583 | 9.5 | 5.5 | 3.5 | .0 | 11.5 | |
1983 | New Jersey
|
2 | 29.0 | .381 | .000 | .600 | 4.0 | 2.5 | 2.5 | .0 | 9.5 | |
1984 | New Jersey
|
11 | 40.3 | .408 | .273 | .732 | 4.9 | 7.2 | 3.1 | .4 | 16.8 | |
1985 | New Jersey
|
3 | 3 | 41.7 | .404 | .000 | .643 | 6.0 | 11.3 | 1.3 | .0 | 18.3 |
Career | 18 | 3 | 39.6 | .386 | .207 | .690 | 5.5 | 7.2 | 2.8 | .2 | 15.7 |
See also
- List of National Basketball Association career steals leaders
- List of National Basketball Association career triple-double leaders
- List of National Basketball Association players with 9 or more steals in a game
References
- ^ "Lubbock, Texas". City-Data.com. Retrieved May 31, 2014.
- ^ arzellebacmag2015. "Top 50 ever! Colorado High School Hoops - BAC Magazine".
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Araton, Harvey (October 1, 2003). "Sports of The Times; Road for Richardson Leads Back Home". The New York Times.
- ISBN 1571670173.
- ^ "1974-75 Montana Grizzlies Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "1975-76 Montana Grizzlies Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "1976-77 Montana Grizzlies Roster and Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "1977-78 Montana Grizzlies Schedule and Results". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ "Michael Ray Richardson College Stats". College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com.
- ^ a b c "Micheal Ray Richardson (2001) - Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame". University of Montana Athletics.
- ^ "1975-76 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "1976-77 NBA Season Summary". basketball-reference.com. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
- ^ "Michael Ray Richardson All-Star Games". Basketball Reference.
- ^ "1981 NBA Eastern Conference First Round Bulls vs. Knicks". Basketball Reference.
- ^ "Michael Ray Richardson Most Points as a Knick". Statmuse.
- ^ "San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors Box Score, February 5, 1983". Basketball Reference.
- ^ "Micheal Ray Richardson Stats". Basketball-Reference.com.
- ^ "1984 NBA Eastern Conference Semifinals Game 4: Milwaukee Bucks at New Jersey Nets Box Score, May 5, 1984". Basketball Reference.
- ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Award for Richardson". The New York Times. May 14, 1985.
- ^ "10/30/1985, Indiana at New Jersey". Statmuse.
- ^ "Michael Ray Richardson Most Steals as a Net". Statmuse.
- ^ "Catalog - LAKERS RINGS FOR RELIEF".
- ^ "Micheal Ray Richardson Stats".
- ^ "CBA Coach Makes Anti-Semitic Comments". The Washington Post. Associated Press. March 28, 2007. Retrieved April 29, 2015.
- ^ Buckland, Jason (July 21, 2015). "Micheal Ray Richardson hopes to return to the NBA" – via www.sportsonearth.com.
{{cite journal}}
: Cite journal requires|journal=
(help) - ^ CBA coach Richardson suspended for remarks, March 28, 2007
- ^ Time for this coach to sit out Archived February 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, March 28, 2007
- ^ Vecsey, Peter. "Why All the Heat on Richardson? Archived 2007-09-29 at the Wayback Machine", the New York Post, published March 30, 2007, accessed April 2, 2007.
- Village Voice, published February 9, 2000, accessed April 2, 2007.
- ^ Isenberg, Christopher. "Jews for Micheal Ray[permanent dead link]", nomas-nyc.com, published March 29, 2007, accessed April 2, 2007.
- ^ Stein, Marc. "Stern: Sugar not Anti-Semitic, ESPN.com, published March 30, 2007, accessed April 3, 2007.
- ^ Chafets, Zev. "He isn't an anti-Semite. He's right." Los Angeles Times. 3 April 2007. "He isn't an anti-Semite. He's right". Archived from the original on April 18, 2007. Retrieved April 4, 2007.
- ^ Latzke, Jeff. "Richardson to coach Oklahoma City in CBA." Houston Chronicle. May 24, 2007. [1]
- ^ Latzke, Jeff. "CAVALRY MAKE HEAD COACHING CHANGE" league press release. December 16, 2007.
- ^ "Sports | Democrat and Chronicle". democratandchronicle.com. April 23, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ nurun.com (August 18, 2011). "Coach knows highs, lows | The London Free Press". Lfpress.com. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "NBL Canada Coach Of The Month". National Basketball League of Canada. Archived from the original on March 26, 2012. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
- ^ "London Lightning Named First NBL Canada Champions". National Basketball League of Canada. March 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013. Retrieved March 25, 2012.
- ^ Matisz, John. "London Lightning capture second straight NBL title | Metro". Metronews.ca. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
- ^ "Coach Micheal Ray Richardson and London Lightning parting ways". lfpress.com. June 6, 2014. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
- ^ a b DEVLIN, VINCE. "Ex-Griz Micheal Ray Richardson returns for youth basketball clinic". missoulian.com.
- ^ POISNEL, David (July 9, 2021). "Football - Amical : Richardson, un grand parmi les grands". Paris-Normandie.
- ^ "Whatever Happened to Micheal Ray?". February 16, 2000 – via www.imdb.com.
- ^ "No Longer a Sinking Ship". SLAMonline. February 18, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- FIBA EuroLeague Profile
- Italian League Profile (in Italian)