Jason Richardson

Infobox NBA Player


name = Jason Richardson
image_size =
position = Shooting guard/Small forward
number = 23
height_ft = 6
height_in = 6
weight_lb = 225
team = Charlotte Bobcats
nationality = USA
birth_date = birth date and age|1981|1|20
birth_place = Saginaw, Michigan
draft = 5th overall
college = Michigan State
draft_year = 2001
draft_team = Golden State Warriors
career_start = 2001
former_teams = Golden State Warriors (2001–07)

Jason Anthoney Richardson (born January 20 1981 in Saginaw, Michigan) is an American professional basketball player currently playing shooting guard for the Charlotte Bobcats of the National Basketball Association. He previously played for the Golden State Warriors, from whom he was traded on June 28 2007 after six years with the team.

NBA

The Warriors drafted Richardson out of Michigan State University with the fifth overall pick in the 2001 NBA Draft. It was while playing for Michigan State that he and fellow current NBA players Mateen Cleaves, Charlie Bell, and Morris Peterson (and current Melbourne Tiger and NBL first-teamer Dave Thomas) won an NCAA National Championship.

Richardson competed in the Rookie Challenge as a rookie in 2002 and a sophomore in 2003. His teams won both years, and he was awarded the MVP as a rookie. As a sophomore, he had a memorable moment when, in the closing seconds of the game, he bounced the ball off Carlos Boozer's forehead and then made a three-pointer before the clock ran out. [ [http://espn.go.com/nba/allstar/2003/news/2003/0208/1506109.html Warrior tandem score big in loosely-played game] February 5, 2003]

During his time with Golden State, Richardson gained popularity for his outstanding scoring, dedication to the team and fans, and ethical maturity. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/06/29/SPGC8QO8UB1.DTL Richardson trade is good news, sad news] ] [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/06/SPGUKPM5T01.DTL&hw=jason+richardson&sn=005&sc=758 Richardson is being repaid for his loyalty] ] The long time captain of the Warriors, Richardson organized a letter of apology to Warrior fans after the team failed to make the playoffs for the 12th straight season. The letter ran in several Bay Area newspapers. The following year, Richardson helped lead the Warriors to their first playoff game in 13 years. They won in the first round, upsetting the top-seeded Dallas Mavericks, but lost in the second round to the Utah Jazz.

On June 28, 2007, Richardson was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats along with the draft rights to 36th pick Jermareo Davidson for the draft rights to eighth pick Brandan Wright. [ [http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nba&id=2920470 Warriors trade J-Rich, pick up Wright, Belinelli on draft day] June 29, 2007]

Richardson began to gain attention with the Bobcats when he led the team to a road win against the Boston Celtics after scoring 34 points. This was only the Celtics' fourth loss of the season and second loss at home. [ [http://www.nba.com/games/20080109/CHABOS/recap.html Richardson, Bobcats Surprise Celtics] January 9, 2008] It was also the Bobcats' second road win of the season, ending an 11 game road losing streak. Richardson also led the Bobcats to a franchise-record five consecutive game winning streak, including a home win against his former team, the Golden State Warriors. Richardson posted 42 points against the Warriors. [ [http://www.nba.com/games/20080308/CHAWAS/recap.html Richardson’s 34 Help Bobcats Bring Down Wizards] March 8, 2008] The 2007-08 season was a season of rebuilding for Richardson and the Bobcats. He was able to get his points per game average back up to 21.8, lead the Bobcats in scoring, and lead the league in three-point field goals made.

Although no longer playing for Golden State, Richardson remains one of the most popular players among Warrior fans because of his electric style of play and ability to shoot three-pointers, as well as the longevity and tenor of his tenure with the team. [ [http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/07/06/SPGGFQS4BI1.DTL&hw=jason+richardson&sn=003&sc=836 J-Rich exits on high road] ] Richardson set the Warrior franchise record for three-pointers made in a game without missing (8) in a home win against the Phoenix Suns. [ [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_richardson/bio.html Jason Richardson Bio Page] ] Richardson is especially known for his high-flying abilities and is widely regarded as one of the best dunkers in the NBA today. [ [http://www.nba.com/inside_stuff/ten_dunkers_041230.html Top 10 Dunkers Today] ] [ [http://www.nba.com/allstar2005/bestdunk_final_results.html Best Dunk Contest Dunk: J-Rich in 2003] ] He won the NBA Slam Dunk Contests in 2002 and 2003, joining Michael Jordan as the only players to have won in consecutive years. Richardson competed in the 2004 contest as well but lost to Fred Jones in the finals.

Awards and Accomplishments

*NBA Slam Dunk Champion: 2002, 2003
*Rookie Challenge MVP: 2002
*NBA All-Rookie First Team: 2002
*1999 McDonald's All-American
*1999 Mr. Basketball of Michigan

NBA career statistics

Regular season

-
align="left" | 2001–02
align="left" | Golden State
80 || 75 || 32.9 || .426 || .333 || .671 || 4.3 || 3.0 || 1.3 || .4 || 14.4
-
align="left" | 2002–03
align="left" | Golden State
82 || 82 || 32.9 || .410 || .368 || .764 || 4.6 || 3.0 || 1.1 || .3 || 15.6
-
align="left" | 2003–04
align="left" | Golden State
78 || 78 || 37.6 || .438 || .282 || .684 || 6.7 || 2.9 || 1.1 || .5 || 18.7
-
align="left" | 2004–05
align="left" | Golden State
72 || 72 || 37.8 || .446 || .338 || .693 || 5.9 || 3.9 || 1.5 || .4 || 21.7
-
align="left" | 2005–06
align="left" | Golden State
75 || 75 || 38.4 || .446 || .384 || .673 || 5.8 || 3.1 || 1.3 || .5 || 23.2
-
align="left" | 2006–07
align="left" | Golden State
51 || 49 || 32.8 || .417 || .365 || .657 || 5.1 || 3.4 || 1.1 || .6 || 16.0
-
align="left" | 2007–08
align="left" | Charlotte
82 || 82 || 38.4 || .441 || .406 || .752 || 5.4 || 3.1 || 1.4 || .7 || 21.8
-
align="left" | Career
align="left" |
520 || 513 || 35.9 || .434 || .363 || .702 || 5.4 || 3.2 || 1.3 || .4 || 18.8
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

Playoffs

-
align="left" | 2006–07
align="left" | Golden State
11 || 11 || 38.9 || .476 || .354 || .704 || 6.7 || 2.0 || 1.3 || .4 || 19.1
-
align="left" | Career
align="left" |
11 || 11 || 38.9 || .476 || .354 || .704 || 6.7 || 2.0 || 1.3 || .4 || 19.1
###@@@KEYEND@@@###

References

External links

* [http://www.nba.com/playerfile/jason_richardson/index.html Jason Richardson Profile] at NBA.com
* [http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2006/4/19/164039/466 Jason Richardson's Apology Letter] at GSoM
* [http://www.goldenstateofmind.com/story/2007/7/2/44811/21849 2k6-2k7 REPORT CARD: Jason Richardson] (GSoM)