Tag: J Rich

Draft Rewind: Warriors select Michigan State’s Jason Richardson in 2001 first round

In the 2001 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors added Michigan State’s Jason Richardson and Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy in the first round.

With the Warriors not participating in the league’s Orlando return, the next important date on Golden State’s calendar will come on draft day. For the first time since 2002, the Warriors will be on the clock in the top five.

Before October’s draft rolls around, Warriors Wire is rewinding through Golden State’s draft history to highlight the most memorable selections — trades, surprises, busts, sleepers and everything in between.

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Long before the Warriors added Draymond Green in the second round of the 2012 draft, Golden State found success with another Michigan State product in 2001.

July 27, 2001

The Washington Wizards started the 2001 draft selecting Kwame Brown out of Glynn Academy in Georgia. Fast forward four picks, and the Golden State Warriors were on the clock.

With the No. 5 overall selection in the draft, Golden State general manager Gary St. Jean selected Jason Richardson out of Michigan State. Later in the draft, the Warriors added Notre Dame’s Troy Murphy and Arizona’s Gilbert Arenas.

As a sophomore in Tom Izzo’s program, Richardson was named a second-team All American, averaging 14.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per contest. Alongside fellow first-rounder Zach Randolph, the duo helped lead the Spartans to the 2001 NCAA Tournament Final Four.

Watch highlights from Richardson’s run in East Lansing via YouTube:

As a rookie, Richardson started 75 games averaging 14.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.3 steals per game. Richardson’s impressive debut campaign earned him a nod to the NBA’s All-Rookie First Team.

The Michigan State product showed off at the 2002 All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia, earning Most Valuable Player of the Rising Stars Challenge and winning the Slam Dunk Contest.

Watch highlights from Richardson’s Slam Dunk Championship via YouTube:

Outside of the Golden State trio and Randolph, other notable selections from the 2001 draft class included Tyson Chandler, Spain’s Paul Gasol, Duke’s Shane Battier, Arkansas’ Joe Johnson, Arizona’s Richard Jefferson and France’s Tony Parker.

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Today in Warriors History: Jason Richardson hits spinning game winner vs. Dallas in 2006

With no NBA basketball on the radar, Warriors Wire is digging deep into Golden State’s history.

March usually translates to the stretch run of the NBA season, yet in 2020, things are a bit different. The league is on hold until further notice due to the coronavirus pandemic.

When the season resumes, the Golden State Warriors will have 17 games remaining on the schedule. While the NBA is on hiatus, Warriors Wire is digging deep into the Dubs history to highlight standout performances from the past.

Long before Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson dominated the Bay Area basketball world, another dynamic scorer held court at Oracle Arena. In six seasons with Golden State, Jason Richardson averaged 18.3 points per game on 43.3% shooting from the field.

In 2006, “J-Rich” drilled an improbable game-winner that still rolls through Warriors highlight reels to this day.

March 23, 2006

In a struggling season, the Golden State Warriors were on a hot streak heading into a date with the playoff-bound Dallas Mavericks. The Warriors and Mavericks battled throughout in a contest that had 13 lead changes in total.

The game was tied at 107 with 3:24 left in the final period. A run of points from Jason Terry and Dirk Nowitzki stretched the Dallas lead into the final seconds. A missed free-throw with under five seconds from Terry opened the door for the Warriors to take the last shot.

Richardson snatched the defensive rebound and proceeded to streak down the court. Terry tried to stop the fast break, forcing Richardson into a spinning 3-point runner that drove through the bottom of the net as the final horn buzzed.

In a matter of seconds, Golden State’s shooting guard silenced American Airlines Arena with his game-winner. Richardson’s 40 points on 14-of-23 shooting spoiled Nowitzki’s 50 points for the Mavericks.

Watch Richardson’s thrilling game-winner below.

Via @NBCSWarriors on Twitter:

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