New York Knicks: Top 10 NBA Draft picks in franchise history

6. Micheal Ray Richardson (PG) – No. 4 pick in 1978 NBA Draft

Career stats (with the Knicks):  315 GP, 14.2 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 7.1 APG, 2.6 STL, 0.4 BLK, 3.5 TOV, 46.0 FG%, 22.0 3P%, 65.8 FT%

The story of Micheal Ray Richardson is constantly described as a “What if?” example of how a promising NBA career can be cut short due to off-the-court problems. Richardson was a stats machine for New York in the 1980s. He became the third player in league history to lead in both assists (10.1) and steals per game (3.2), setting team records in each category.

Richardson made three straight All-Star appearances from 1980-82 as a member of the Knicks and ranks third on the franchise’s triple-doubles list with 18. His career took a turn for the worse due to problems with drugs, eventually leading to being banned for life by then NBA commissioner David Stern in 1986.

His NBA career may have been cut short but he still remains an icon among Knicks fans, especially for his amazing Christmas Day performance in 1980 against the Boston Celtics. Others may never forget his infamous quote to reporters as the team struggled to last place in the Atlantic Division in 1981.

"“The ship be sinking.”"