Richardson, NBA star before ban, dies at age 70
Four-time NBA All-Star Micheal Ray Richardson, who was once banned from the NBA for drug use, died after a short battle with prostate cancer at the age of 70.
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MBBALL Michael Ray Richardson has died
- Thread starter dirtysoup
- Start date
mousegriz1
Well-known member
Micheal
I'd agree to that, we've had some very fine players, but he was tops, a cut above ,a gifted one! One my best memories at Dalhberg was watching him make a steal, running the court, launching around the free throw line for a spectacular slammer! Would be fitting UM might consider something like a moment of silence, and a short video played at one the upcoming men's games. May include a half time remembrance, signed basketball and memento offered to family, or receiving Griz former teammates/coaches.
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DoubleNicks
Well-known member
It's interesting that I've seen it spelled both ways (Micheal/Michael) multiple times by different professional sources (I have trading cards with each example, as well).
Even the ESPN link provided in the OP uses "ae" during the article while other links on the page and the actual title of the web address uses "ea"...is there some kind of story behind that? Did he change it sometime in his life or just a very common mistake/typo?
interesting interview 2014
Grizzlies1982
Well-known member
I swear I saw him do that on more than one occasion. He was graceful and beautiful to watch. When he leaped he seemed to just float for an unreal distance then either slam it or lay it in.
Grateful I saw him in action. He was phenomenal. God bless his family!
You had to get to the arena early back then if you wanted student section seats. Every game was packed during the MRR days, with coach Jud Heathcoat and then Jim Brandenburg after Jud split for Michigan State. They were the real glory days of Griz hoops or at least the beginning of them.
Not sure the year but Brandenburg brought in a tall slender dude that could jump out of the gym. I think his name was Lee Johnson. Griz got off to an 11-1 start that year with their only loss coming from the Kevin Mchale Golden Gophers at their place in a close one. It was so much fun watching Sugar Ray and him do their thing! Too bad it didn’t last as Lee was declared ineligible and the Griz had to forfeit those games. RIP MRR my favorite Griz of all time!
CopperGold14
Well-known member
There should be a statue of him outside the arena. He was THE biggest ticket in the Winter of ‘78 when the Griz hosted the conference tournament and lost a heartbreaker to the dreaded Weber State Wildcats with Bruce Collins, Richard Smith and coach Neil McCarthy.
A few months later Sugar Ray was the 4th pick in the NBA draft - selected by the Knicks.
A few months later Sugar Ray was the 4th pick in the NBA draft - selected by the Knicks.
grizzlyjournal
Well-known member
R.I.P. Micheal Ray...
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
My heart is broken.
Michael Ray Richardson was THE 1st GRIZ athlete that drew my attention to GRIZ Basketball, then GRIZ sports.
He's the main reason I became a GRIZ fan and Basketball fan.
I'm not sure, who would've eventually done that for me, but he did.
RIP, Sugar! Thank you for bringing a once young boy to GRIZ basketball and sports!
Thanks to you I was introduced to my passions GRIZ athletics, basketball, and sports! You impacted me for life. Thank you.
Michael Ray Richardson was THE 1st GRIZ athlete that drew my attention to GRIZ Basketball, then GRIZ sports.
He's the main reason I became a GRIZ fan and Basketball fan.
I'm not sure, who would've eventually done that for me, but he did.
RIP, Sugar! Thank you for bringing a once young boy to GRIZ basketball and sports!
Thanks to you I was introduced to my passions GRIZ athletics, basketball, and sports! You impacted me for life. Thank you.
mtgrizrule
Well-known member
I vividly remember to this day, Michael Ray with his fancy fur coat in NYC surrounding the 78 draft. I'm sure the Missoulian has that article and picture in it's archives.
Sad news. Had season tickets when he was playing for UM, and the atmosphere was just electric in the fieldhouse. Greatest Griz ever.
I also had a chance to see him play in Denver against the Nuggets. Believe he was playing for the Warriors at that time. He had a triple double. Just a dominant player, even at that level. Too bad it didn't last, but at least he got things straightened out.
I also had a chance to see him play in Denver against the Nuggets. Believe he was playing for the Warriors at that time. He had a triple double. Just a dominant player, even at that level. Too bad it didn't last, but at least he got things straightened out.
