Michael Ray Richardson, former Knicks and Nets All-Star, dead at 70

"Michael Ray Richardson, who starred for the Knicks and Nets during eight NBA seasons, has died at age 70, the teams announced Tuesday. Richardson had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his agent told ESPN's Andscape. "One of the fiercest defensive players of his era, the four-time NBA All-Star made an incredible impact on the Knicks," the Knicks said in a statement."

"The Knicks drafted Richardson with the No. 4 overall pick in 1978, and he spent his first four NBA seasons with the franchise, earning three All-Star selections. Richardson also spent parts of four seasons with the Nets and was an All-Star with them, too, in 1985. In 1986, Richardson was banned from the NBA after three violations of the league's drug policy, and he declined to return once he was deemed eligible two years later."

Michael Ray Richardson died at age 70 after a recent prostate cancer diagnosis. He played eight NBA seasons, starring for the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets and also spending time with the Golden State Warriors. Nicknamed "Sugar," he averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 7.0 assists per game. The Knicks selected him No. 4 overall in the 1978 draft and he earned three All-Star selections during his first four seasons. Richardson was a four-time All-Star and a fierce defensive player. In 1986 he received a lifetime NBA ban after three drug-policy violations and declined to return when later eligible. Both teams offered condolences to his family.

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