Sugar Ray

[Marchesk]

Michael "Sugar Ray" Richardson led the league in assists and steals in Magic's rookie season as an athletic 6'5 23 year old PG. But he had persistent drug issues that hurt his career and eventually led to Stern permanently banning him. Isiah and Magic both had high praise for him as a player, and he led the Nets to a big upset over the defending champion 76ers in the 84 playoffs.

For those who watched basketball back then, could he have been as good as Magic if he had stayed clean? Did he have that kind of talent? In the two links below, there are highlights of him going at Moncrief, Magic, Bird, Dr. J and stealing the ball from Jordan.



Highlights:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjGhRlrCoj4

Here's his story:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOo20EBKdDE

[FKAri]

[NBAplayoffs2001]

People thought he had crazy potential when he came up. Didn't have hall of fame potential IMO but could have been known as one of the borderline hall of famers of the 80s.