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If you were to take a look at Richardson's basic stats this year, you'd probably think that he's taken a step backwards offensively after last season. That's not actually the case. His 3-point shooting has regressed but that's most likely due to an injury he sustained before the regular season started. In fact, after being a little more healthy he's made 10 of his 25 3's over a 5-game span. He's also averaging 16.4 PPG over that same 5-game span. We could also talk about how well he's been distributing lately(don't forget that he's played at least 1 season as a PG in college) but there's another area he's been excelling in. Or 3 .

Last season, Richardson made 9 of his 29 FGA(31%) from 3-10 feet, 8 of his 30 FGA(26.7%) from 10-16 feet and 15 of his 36 2-point FGA(41.7%) from 16+ feet out. This season he's 9 of 20(45%), 18 of 30(60%) and 23 of 62(37.1%) from those areas so far. That's elite accuracy. Some of those numbers might even out a bit but his 3-point shooting numbers should improve by the end of this season.

So could Richardson be a borderline star?

He has the tools

JR Smith without antics would be great. So that's a borderline star eh?

Borderline star maybe. For comparison sake was thinking Eddie Jones

MettaWorldPanda wrote:Borderline star maybe. For comparison sake was thinking Eddie Jones

Good one panda. similar in size too. Now pls stop using my sig and leave TJ alone.

IggieCC wrote:

MettaWorldPanda wrote:Borderline star maybe. For comparison sake was thinking Eddie Jones

Good one panda. similar in size too. Now pls stop using my sig and leave TJ alone.

I'll think about the sig. Been so busy. Maybe tomorrow. Everyone knows you gg'd TJ already. No way he could ever be your favorite player

I just hope his knee injury hasn't permanently compromised his athleticism.

another good comparison is Danny Green. The homer in me tells me that's his floor which I'd be totally happy with if that's where he platued.

Nope I still compare him to Aaron McKie. Both could play the 1 thru 3 position. He would be a great fit next to a high volume PG like Westbrook.

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I've always thought of a Richardson having potential (impact and career progression wise) to compare to Khris Middleton. Not exactly the same game, but the SG/PG version.

Not with that shooting stroke.

His usage has been different than last year. The last few games he has stepped up but overall he looks worse than last year. I expected his takes to the rim to be better this year. The last game he really showed off his passing however the whole team moved well without the ball and that helped. Overall it looks like coaching and gamelan that's the difference despite his individual performance. Even Dragic set some dimes that he fails to do well with Whiteside. He also seems slower on d but still optimistic he can be a solid player for us.

Yeah he could be. I think he's athletic enough, long enough and a strong enough ball handler to be a rotation player on a team that contends for a title. That's a borderline star.

MartyCONLONNN wrote:another good comparison is Danny Green. The homer in me tells me that's his floor which I'd be totally happy with if that's where he platued.

twix2500 wrote:Nope I still compare him to Aaron McKie. Both could play the 1 thru 3 position. He would be a great fit next to a high volume PG like Westbrook.

These are the closest comparisons. Neither McKie or DG would ever be mistaken for "stars" or even borderline star players but they were very good players who enjoyed/will enjoy long careers because of it. I doubt Richardson's scoring off the dribble every reaches elite/star level but he has a niche as a combo guard who can stretch to the 3. And for reference a borderline star to me is a guy like prime Lamar Odom