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Whatever Happened To Jason Richardson?

By Christopher Cruz

Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Jason Richardson (23) during media day at the Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jason Richardson just might be the greatest dunker to ever play the game of basketball. Sure, there have been guys who are shorter, and have done some acrobatic things. Maybe names like Spud Webb and Nate Robinson come to mind.

But, I would submit that when you compare the three dunkers, you’re taking size into account and deducing that because Robinson and Webb are smaller, necessarily they are better dunkers. I disagree.

First, I would eliminate Webb from the competition simply because Webb didn’t win two dunk contests the way that only five other dunkers in history have. Those five dunkers are Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Nate Robinson, Jason Richardson and Harold Miner. As much as this might annoy some people, I don’t think Harold Miner was all that crazy of a dunker.

Yes, he was explosive, but it takes more than just explosiveness to win the title of best dunker.

You have to have a combination of explosiveness, finesse and a bit of swag to go with your dunk in order to win. See for yourself:

Harold Miner won three times, which might be a numerical way of saying he was the best dunker. His dunks were pretty good, but nothing out of this world. I think you can make the some comments about Dominique Wilkins’ dunks. Again, yes they are explosive, but it takes more than that. For example, Jordan’s dunk from the free throw line, is more than just his explosiveness.

It is also a finesse move, namely, that he is jumping from the free-throw line. He is jumping 15 feet to reach the basket. Plus, there is that subtle cock-back that he does with his right hand, and the wagging of his tongue, his traditional stamp.

That was a great one.

But I remember a dunk that literally made me stand up and wail.  This had never happened to me before, and I’ve been watching dunk contests for years already. Nothing could prepare me for what was going to happen. It was this one:

Interestingly, Richardson didn’t even win this dunk contest, Fred Jones did. But this is the greatest dunk that I have ever seen in the dunk contest. Vince Carter‘s was an amazing one, yes, but a 360 windmill seems to pale in comparison to this dunk.

Do you know what kind of coordination it takes to throw the ball off the backboard, catch it in mid-air, and then put the ball in between your legs, and put the ball in the basket? By the way, all of this is done while still in the air. Kenny Smith called this the greatest dunk he’d ever seen.

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Vince Carter and Jason Richardson helped bring back an event that, if we’re being honest, has waned a bit. But let’s not forget that he was a pretty good player. From the 2004-05 to 2005-06 seasons, Richardson averaged 21 and 23 points per game. He embodied everything that we as fans wanted to see in NBA games, namely, dunks and three-pointers.

Also, don’t forget that the point guard who was running the show was a household name at the time, Baron Davis.

What happened to him?

Nobody really remembers him with the exception of his time with the Golden State Warriors. That is when he truly shined, and was able to play freely in Mike Montgomery’s system. He bounced around the league for a few years, playing for the Phoenix Suns, and eventually landing in “the place that you do not return from,” which right now, is the Philadelphia 76ers.

He didn’t play all of last year, and is hoping to make a comeback, but I defy you to show me a better dunk than the one he did during All-Star weekend 2004.

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