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The 10 Best Debuts Of The NBA Playoffs

By Josh Eberley

Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Miami Heat center Hassan Whiteside (21) is defended by Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the first quarter at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Mitch Richmond, Golden State Warriors, 1989

Age 23
Points 30
Rebounds 7
Assists 5

Mitch Richmond showed up in a big way for his debut. If you’re curious, Chris Mullin scored 40 and Tim Hardaway was not yet with the squad.

Aside from the dirty 30 he dropped, the playoff debut was significant because it came in a David vs. Goliath matchup. The seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors were matched up with the powerhouse Utah Jazz in the first round of the 1989 playoffs. Suffice to say, they weren’t supposed to win, but they did 123-119.

In fact, the Jazz were so fazed they didn’t end up winning a single game in the series. Richmond, who shot 12-for-21 percent in Game 1, didn’t ease off. In the series-clinching Game 3, Richmond went 9-for-10 from the field and buried Utah with the quickness. His line in Game 3, just for reference’s sake: 26 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.

Next: Ralph Sampson 1985