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NBA: 50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame

By Maxwell Ogden

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Piston celebrates with the fans after the Pistons defeated the Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship final, in Auburn Hills, MI, 15 June 2004. The Pistons won the best-of-seven NBA championship series 5-1 and Billups was the series MVP. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Piston celebrates with the fans after the Pistons defeated the Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship final, in Auburn Hills, MI, 15 June 2004. The Pistons won the best-of-seven NBA championship series 5-1 and Billups was the series MVP. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /
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NBA star Micheal Ray Richardson
PHILADELPHIA, PA – CIRCA 1984: Micheal 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) /

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 30. Micheal Ray Richardson

Micheal Ray Richardson had the potential to be one of the greatest guards in NBA history. He was a 6’5” athlete who could operate from either point guard or shooting guard with effectiveness and efficiency, as well as an elite ball-hawk who could create offense for himself and others.

Richardson’s career was derailed by his personal demons, but it’s hard to exclude him from this list given the sheer magnitude of his immense talent.

Over the course of nine NBA seasons, Richardson averaged 14.8 points. 7.0 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.6 steals per game. For perspective on just how insane those numbers are, it puts him in company with the player known as, “The Point God.”

Richardson joins Chris Paul as the only players in NBA history to average at least 14.0 points, 7.0 assists, and 2.0 steals over the course of their careers.

Richardson only appeared in 556 games to Paul’s 1,090 and counting, but it’s a testament to just how special of a player he was despite what he battled off of the court.

Richardson actually led the NBA in both assists and steals in 1979-80 at 10.1 and 3.2 respectively. He was the first player in league history to lead the Association in steals in three separate seasons, which is a mark that still ranks second all-time behind Paul at six.

Throw in four All-Star Game appearances and two All-Defensive First Team nods, and Richardson has an impressive résumé.

Richardson would go on to experience success overseas, but fans will always be left to wonder what he could’ve done had he been able to overcome the issues that plagued him early in his career.