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Brooklyn Nets: 25 Best Players To Play For The Nets

By Phil Watson

Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the opening tip-off between the Brooklyn Nets and the Milwaukee Bucks during the first quarter at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1984: Michael Ray Richardson #20 of the New Jersey Nets looks to put a move on Maurice Cheeks #10 of the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game circa 1984 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Richardson played for the Nets from 1982-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Ray Richardson; Maurice Cheeks
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1984: Michael Ray Richardson #20 of the New Jersey Nets looks to put a move on Maurice Cheeks #10 of the Philadelphia 76ers during an NBA basketball game circa 1984 at The Spectrum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Richardson played for the Nets from 1982-86. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Michael Ray Richardson; Maurice Cheeks /

147. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Golden State Warriors, Feb. 6, 1983.. PG. 1983-86. Micheal Ray Richardson. 16. player

The New Jersey Nets gave up a promising rookie to land Micheal Ray Richardson in a February 1983 trade, sending Sleepy Floyd and Mickey Johnson to the Golden State Warriors.

For a short time, Richardson made it look like a great deal.

BKN_16_RICHARDSON
BKN_16_RICHARDSON /

He was an All-Star in 1985, leading the NBA in steals in both 1982-83 and 1984-85 and finishing second in 1985-86.

But in 1984, Richardson earned a suspension after testing positive for cocaine twice and in 1986, he earned a lifetime ban for a third positive test. Although he was reinstated in 1988, Richardson’s NBA career ended in February 1986.

In parts of four seasons in New Jersey, Richardson averaged 16.1 points, 6.8 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 2.7 steals in 33.7 minutes per game, shooting .459/.232/.751.

He was the fourth overall pick out of Montana by the New York Knicks in the 1978 NBA Draft and was a three-time All-Star and two-time All-Defensive selection with the Knicks, leading the league in assists and steals in 1979-80.

In October 1982, Richardson was traded to the Warriors. Following his ban from the NBA, he played in the Continental Basketball Association for a season before heading to Europe, playing in Italy, Croatia and France until 2002, retiring at age 47.

Richardson is 46th in NBA history with 1,463 steals, 25th with an average of 7.0 assists per game and second with an average of 2.6 steals per game.

Next: Came In With Big Shoes To Fill

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