<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">OAKLAND ? He didn't get a call, didn't get a letter, didn't see his name among those considered the league's finest players. Which left Jason Richardson wondering. Was it his team? As a Warrior, he was with one of the NBA's sputtering clinkers. Was he toiling in the dark, for a team of no status, in a place not apparent on any map? Was it him? Had he been labeled? Was he good enough to go to All-Star Weekend to win the dunk contest, only to step aside for the "real" ballers? Disappointed and hurt, Richardson came up with a plan. He would get better ? at shooting, at passing, at defending. He would make people notice. It's working. Asked recently if he has been especially motivated since sometime around the Feb.17 break, the 6-foot-6 guard responded like a man whose itty-bitty secret had been exposed. Richardson lowered his head, grinned sheepishlyand'fessed up. "I think so," he said. "I think there's something to that." This is never more apparent than when Richardson sees an All-Star guard in the opposing lineup, as was the case Sunday when Ray Allen and the Seattle SuperSonics came to town. The Warriors won, beating the Sonics for the second consecutive time. More to the point, Richardson was better than Allen, for the second consecutive time. As planned. "I look forward to playing against him," Richardson said after a 101-92 win at the Arena. "He's one of the top two-guards in the league, and you want to have a good game against him, offensively and defensively." </div> Source
Thanks Shape. Just seeing this guy develope the way he has over the past year or so has been amazing. If the Warriors continue to play like this through next year, he and Bdiddy will both be all-stars. The guy is a superstar, as a player and person.
I think Jason in his first two years was able to obsorb a lot from Jamison and Arenas and that whole experience. And then I believe he really got a push from Nick Van Exel last year along with Eric Musselman always being on his back. Also I think Pietrus even had an impact on him. The thing that you can say about JRich, is that he is very obsorbant to many different players and influences. And he has been able to put it all together, with his athleticism, and his game, to really become a good player, the player he has become today. Good job Jason. I am proud of him and what he has done with his game and this team. Right on!
Clif25, you may be on to something there. Richardson does seem to be influenced by others around him. Obviously, it's not the same Richardson since Arenas/Jamison left and when it unquestionably became Jason Richardson's team. Jrich has gotten better in almost every aspect of his game. He had all the pressure and expectations on him and he is the type of player that will rise to the occassion if you put him in that position just like in his NCAA championship win. So the roster moves to get solid veterans might have been better in the long run because of their positive influence on a seemingly impressionable guy like Jrich. I wouldn't be suprised if NVE was the inspiration to be the go to guy in the 4th quarter. That and having seen off the bench players ike Arenas/Boykins be successful as late game closers while he sat and watched. Then there's Cliff Robinson who might have taught him some things about defense or how to lead as a professional. Then Calbert Cheaney taught him some things about the post up midrange game in addition to encouraging him to unlock his potential. I've even seen some flashes of Baron Davis in Jrich's game since Baron arrived. I remember when he dribbled behind his back to himself for the layup. He also did a really quick cross over, splitting defenders and showing some one-on-one skill to create for others. Also Jrich's defense has gotten way better since the 2003 offseason where he's actually considered pretty darn good when he sets his mind to making sure his assignment doesn't score and when to recognize where to help out if his teammates get beat. He's had some great weakside blocks this year. Plus, he's developed some reliable/consistent ways to score for a guy that can't break down defenders as easily, such as the post up fadeaway jumper and a cool spin move he uses to pivot into the lane for a midrange shot. And then he can obviously become explosive from anywhere once he gets rolling, off the dribble, off the catch, in the air, in transition and moving without the ball. He's the new leader in franchise history to make 7 consecutive 3 pointers too. Jrich is definitely a winner and beginning to very all around in what he does. High fg%, 4 assists, a couple steals and nearly 6 rebounds a game is awesome. If he can work on consistency from the foul line and get to the foul line more, I couldn't see why he couldn't be a top 10 player in the NBA in terms of efficiency Efficiency Formula: ((PTS + REB + AST + STL + BLK) - ((FGA - FGM) + (FTA - FTM) + TO)) / G.
