When I think back on Jason Richardson’s injury-plagued three years with the Sixers, February 20th will always stand out. It was the day after the trade deadline, and everybody was asking Brett Brown about Michael Carter-Williams, K.J. McDaniels, and JaVale McGee.
At the end of his media availability, Brown offered something himself that took everyone by surprise: Jason Richardson was in the starting lineup, suiting up for the first time in over two seasons. This was the moment that came to my mind initially after hearing Richardson officially announced his retirement on Wednesday night:
J-Rich had an excellent career, finishing 16th all-time with 1,608 three-pointers. He played on some memorable teams like the “We Believe Warriors" and the high-powered Phoenix Suns that made the Western Conference Finals in 2010. Richardson also won a couple of dunk contests, including this one in Philly against current Sixer (probably not for long) Gerald Wallace:
But what I’ll remember most is the big smile on his face in the locker room after playing that night last February. Injuries ended Jason Richardson’s career, but not before one final go-round.
Follow Rich on Twitter: @rich_hofmann