Michael Ray Richardson: The Defensive Ace That TURNED the NBA Down

Описание: Micheal Ray Richardson was a unique talent of his era, as he had excellent height for a point at 6 '5', but he could also play the 2, especially when his jump shot was falling. He could even slide to the small forward position at times due to his excellent rebounding. But the best parts of his game were his elite court vision and defensive ability, as he was great at intercepting errant passes and pickpocketing ball handlers. While he wasn’t the best athlete, he was able to rise up and finish at the rim on occasion. A lot of people say he was the beginning of the influx of the taller point guards, as Magic entered the league a year after him. Micheal was drafted 4th overall by the Knicks in 1978 to replace their former star Walt Frazier. After a decent rookie season, he completely broke out as a sophomore, leading the league in assists and steals, and by year 4, he was a multiple time All-Star and All-Defensive Team Member, presumably about to enter the prime of his career. However, his battles with addiction would put a major roadblock in the way, as his several failed drug tests led to a lifetime ban in 1986, but Micheal would find a new home in Europe, even turning down the NBA once he was reinstated, as he would play overseas and in other leagues into his late 40’s, before becoming a successful coach. While most people know about him because he was banned, this video will shed more of a light on what he was actually able to do on the court.