Michael Ray Richardson could very well be the Dave Parker of basketball.  Michael Ray had all the talent in the world and was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career but cocaine got in the way.  When drafted out of tiny Montana with the fourth pick of the 1978 draft he was hailed as the next Walt Frazier as he had those kinds of offensive and defensive skills; and he did not disappoint.  He became the first player ever to lead the league in assists and steals in his second season and the Garden faithful loved him.  However, he was traded to Golden State as compensation for the signing of Bernard King.  Richardson would then be quickly dealt back to the East Coast where he was sent to New Jersey.  He led the Nets to one of the biggest upsets in NBA history in 1984 when they shocked the defending champion, Philadelphia 76ers.  Things soon unraveled after that and Michael Ray was out of the league by 1986 with a lifetime ban.  A four time All-Star and two time All Defensive First Team selection, Michael Ray had the talent to be an all time great.  Sadly, drugs got in the way.

The grunge movement would not have been the same if Pearl Jam would have been able to call themselves what they wanted to; it would have been better.  Mookie Blaylock has such a nice ring to it for a Rock band don’t you think?  In regards to the man, Blaylock was quite the player.  One of the great shooting point guards ever, Mookie is top 50 in several NBA all time statistics.  He never really dominated the game but his consistency, ability to shoot and his great defense set him apart from most of the point guards of the 90’s.

“Stormin” Norman was one of the most popular Bulls players ever.  Van Lier teamed with Jerry Sloan to form one of the most ferocious backcourts in league history.  The two super tough and defensive mined players were perfect compliments of each other.  He was a great assist man and tenacious defender who probably does not have the career statistics to get in but is a legend in Chicago.

One of the great shooters of all time, Austin Carr’s college run overshadows a very good pro career that was lost in the obscurity of playing in Cleveland.  However, shouldn’t the all time NCAA tournament scoring average leader be considered?  He scored sixty-one once in an NCAA tourney game, showcasing his legendary shooting.  Considering all the nonsense the Cavs have had to deal with recently, Carr, who is Mr. Cavalier, would give the city a nice boost with an induction.  Of course his induction in the College Hall of Fame in 2007 really hurts his chances of getting in the version in Springfield.