Philadelphia 76ers: One key statistic for every new free agent addition
Josh Richardson: Onward and upward
Getting Josh Richardson from Miami in return for Jimmy Butler was not an even trade. However, with Butler determined to take his talents to South Beach, the 6-foot-6 guard is certainly more than a consolation prize.
On a Heat team dying for offense when Dwanye Wade was not in the game, Richardson provided what little firepower they had. He led the team in scoring (over Wade and former all-star Goran Dragic) with a 16.6 points average.
Before last season, Richardson was known as a defensive specialist. Although not the closer, or a scorer off the dribble, like Butler, Richardson has a lot in common with him, except he is four years younger and has two more years on a very, reasonable contract.
You could almost call Richardson ‘Jimmy Butler Lite’, at least on the court. However, his personality is nowhere as prickly as Butler’s. He has never led the Heat bench in a scrimmage against the regulars.
Richardson was no big-time draft pick out of college. He lasted until the 40th pick of the 2015 NBA draft so he came into the league having to earn his spot – and to his credit he has done so.
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Key stat: 6.6, 10.2, 12.9, 16.6.
Richardson’s scoring average has gone up every year he has played. This is someone whose career trajectory is on the upswing. He does not stand on his laurels, as he is always working to get better.
It is not only in points that Richardson improved. He also every single season has boosted his average in assists, rebounds and free throw percentage. He shot 20 percentage points better on foul shots last year than he did as a rookie (maybe he can help Ben Simmons with that).
And remember it is defense for which Richardson is best known for.
Richardson, surrounded by more talent than he has ever been with before, should continue to develop his game.
Is Richardson better than Butler? No, but Richardson will turn 26 during the season while Butler turns 30. A few years from now, who will be the better player at that point?
The thing to remember about Richardson is that, statistically speaking, he is like fine wine; just going to get better and better.