Richardson making influential friends
Unlike a week ago there’s not a lot going on. I did come across this story in the wire about Quentin Richardson working out in Chicago with a certain member of the 2010 free agent class.
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Sports Writer
CHICAGO (AP) — Quentin Richardson hears the question all the time: How long will it take Mike D’Antoni to change the fortunes of the New York Knicks?
Richardson has history on the side of his answer.
He was with Phoenix for D’Antoni’s first season there, the 2004-05 campaign in which the Suns went from an 29-win team to a 62-win club that reached the Western Conference finals — one of the biggest turnarounds in NBA history.
And the Knicks’ swingman doesn’t see any reason why a similar tale can’t come true next year, when he reunites with D’Antoni in turnaround-starved New York.
“My season I spent in Phoenix with Coach D as the coach, that was the best season of my career,” Richardson told The Associated Press during a break from his offseason training in Chicago, where he’s working out with Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat.
“Career-high in wins, I was with a great group of guys, we played a fun style and he made it that way. He had that environment conducive to the way we played, and that was a big part of our chemistry. And we hope it happens again, sooner than later.”
D’Antoni was hired earlier this month to coach the moribund Knicks, who are coming off a 23-59 season and endured more than a few rocky stretches under former coach Isiah Thomas.
Richardson was one of the first people to learn that D’Antoni took the job; his new coach called to tell him the news before word leaked of the hiring.
“He told me, ’You can’t get rid of me,”’ Richardson said.
No need for that — Richardson made it clear he’s delighted by the hiring.
He tied for the NBA lead in 3-pointers made in his one season under D’Antoni, connecting on 226. In the three seasons that have followed since joining the Knicks, Richardson — who has battled injury issues in each of those years, including a herniated disk that cut his 2007-08 season short — has made a total of 230 shots from 3-point range.
But now, his workouts are going well, he feels strong and can’t wait to see what D’Antoni has in store for the Knicks.
“It’s pure excitement for me,” Richardson said. “I’m healthy, I feel like I’m finally back to 100 percent after my back surgery, I’ve been working out since April 26 getting myself ready. I’m optimistic. I’m ready to get back to being the best player I can be and help us turn this thing around.”
Richardson’s workouts under trainer Tim Grover typically last three hours a day, five days a week, and they’re brutal. But during a particularly arduous drill during one recent session, Wade began shouting words of encouragement at Richardson, telling him just to think about all the shots he’ll get next year in D’Antoni’s up-tempo style.
With that, Richardson could manage a grin through his pain.
“Anybody who knows Coach D knows he’s impossible not to like,” Richardson said. “He’s a great guy, so right off the bat we know it’s going to be a lot of fun. The best thing myself and the rest of the players can do is do what I’m doing now — get in the gym and get prepared for whatever Coach D wants us to do.”
Now, before anybody starts to believe Q is going to connect 226 times from behind the arc, remind youself of what’s happened since that season. Richardson had back surgery a year ago. He missed 17 games this season due to a hyper-extended left elbow, strained right knee tendon, flu-like symptoms, sprained right ankle, concussion and sprained left ankle.
The uninsurable contract guarantees he’ll be coming back.
Richardson, though, has some value. I can’t think of a better person to come off the bench and give the Knicks whatever they might be lacking. He still does a lot to contribute on the court even when the shot isn’t dropping. Richardson actually knows a thing or two about defense and rebounding.
May 17th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
I was very down on QRich this season, and was one of the many people questioning whether or not he was washed up. But with Coach D coming on, his veteran presence as someone who’s familiar with this system from his time in Phoenix may prove invaluable.
If you haven’t already, pick up Jack Macallum’s book “Seven Seconds or Less”. It provides great insight into the type of coach we’re getting, and how he operates with his players and his coaches. It’s also just a damn good read.
May 17th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
I forget where I read this ridiculous speculation, but I couldn’t help think about it. What fraction of a percent chance is there that Coach D in NY could bring us Marion from the Heat??
I forget his contract numbers and such, but just the thought of it got me giggly. And I think its fairly certain that Miami is in blow-up mode. Then again, so are we. But hey, a fraction of a percent?
May 17th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
Everyone just assumes Richardson will be a good fit in D’Antoni’s system because he just so happened to play one season with him in Phoenix. Why isn’t it also brought up that they traded him (for Kurt Thomas) one year into his deal ? They dealt him even though they knew they were going to lose another perimeter scorer in the same offseason (Joe Johnson).
Richardson made a lot of threes in 2004-2005 because he took a lot of threes. His 3-pt FG % was about 36%, and he shot 39% overall. Maybe that had something to do with his only lasting one season in Phoenix. And his back is much worse now than it was 4 years ago.
I’m not very high on Richardson, I think those minutes should go to Chandler.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Q-Rich like most of this team is on trade alert. I can’t blame the team for looking and keeping any trades open. That includes Q-Rich. There are too many ifs with Q. I think he displayed cry baby behavior during the season with the arguing with Isiah and lack of leadership qualities. Coach D likes him but can’t be that naive and can see he is a shadow of the old Q-Rich.
May 18th, 2008 at 5:22 am
its about time to trade Q.
May 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
Q Rich should be one of the 1st to go.