Back-to-back NBA Slam Dunk Champion Jason Richardson announces retirement

Jason Richardson en route to his Slam Dunk Championship

Former Philadelphia 76ers shooting guard Jason Richardson announced his retirement on the 23rd of September after a fourteen-year professional career in the NBA. Richardson was drafted out of Michigan State by the Golden State Warriors in 2001, as the fifth pick overall in the first round. He stayed with the Warriors from 2001-07 and went on to captain them for a long time. In a touching gesture, Richardson conveyed a letter of apology to all the Warriors’ fans for failing to make the 2005 playoffs. The letter was published in several San Francisco newspapers.

As a small forward who had commendable three-point skils, Richardson led the Warriors to their first playoff in thirteen years in 2006 upsetting the Dallas Mavericks in the process. Richardson set the Warriors’ record for most single-game three-pointers without missing, making eight against the Phoenix Suns in a home game win. Even after his departure from the franchise, he remained one of their most popular players. Richardson’s signature was his explosive slam dunk.

But Richardson’s lasting legacy will be his two NBA Slam Dunk Contest wins on the trot in 2002 and 2003. In 2002, Richardson recreated Dominique Wilkins’ legendary Windmill dunk, but couldn’t do the same with Julius “Dr.J” Erving’s running takeoff dunk from the free throw line. He would emerge victorious with his final dunk, a 360 degree Windmill, beating defending champion Desmond Mason.

Jason Richardson stepped on to the hardwood as defending Slam Dunk Champion in 2003, an event marked by the absence of major stars like Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady. But Richardson would more than compensate for their absence, with a backwards between-the-legs dunk that won him the contest. With the victory, Richardson became only the second player, and the second of three(5”9’ LA Clippers point Nate Robinson would set a new record by winning three Slam Dunk’s in 2006,2009 and 2010) in NBA history to win two Slam Dunk Championships. He shares the honour with Michael Jordan and Nate Robinson.

Less than a month after signing with the Atlanta Hawks, Richardson began experiencing pain in his right knee. An MRI revealed osteophytes or bone spurs, small bony projections in the knee joint that are caused ostensibly, by the wear from playing basketball over the years. He cited that he feared that his ability to walk would be impeded if he continued to play, and subsequently announced his retirement.

Here is a video of his career’s highest moments, including the Slam Dunk contests: