RealGM

He is from Jamaica, one of the few players that have played in the NBA from that nation. The most famous is Pat Ewing.

College at Kentucky where he played until his Junior season. #42 in 2020 draft.

All his NBA career at Charlotte.

Measured: 6'10.50” barefoot, 6'11.50” in shoes,
9'2.00” standing reach, 241.6 lbs,7'2.25” wingspan at the 2020 NBA Combine.

Head coach Charles Lee spoke highly of how much the fifth-year big has grown.

“Nick is another guy that I think has thrived with more minutes and more opportunities. … For him early on in the year, he got to start and was playing a ton of minutes and was finishing games for us and I think that all of those reps have kind of helped him,” Lee said.

Lee cited “a physicality to help us finish possessions".

Richards is a good interior presence. His grades for rim finishing, block percentage, offensive rebounding percentage and defensive rebounding percentage are all good to great, per Cleaning the Glass.

His role on offense is a rim runner and finisher. He’s taken over 80% of his career shots around the basket, and converts at around a 70% clip, a very good return.

https://arizonasports.com/nba/phoenix-suns/nick-richards-suns-trade/3570394/

He starting or playing today?

He gets lost on defense more than I'd like but when he's in position, his size & length make him impactful, including getting up to block shots like nobody else on the roster.

He can finish above the rim on lobs but needs a lotta space/runway to do it, as he needs time to load up and jump off two feet.

Can't do much with the ball in his hands. He's able to finish over the top with his length better than the Suns' bigs but doesn't shoot or pass well. Turns it over a fair amount too.

Should get his hands on a lot of defensive rebounds, especially since no Suns outside the center position are interested in that. I'm unsure how effective he'll be keeping opponents off the offensive glass when he's not the one grabbing the rebound, though. Never been a team strength when he's on the floor and him being out of position a fair amount doesn't inspire confidence, but we'll see.

Love his energy crashing the offensive glass. He can be a real difference maker there. But this team gives zero f***s about offensive rebounds so will they let him cook?

49erhokie827 wrote:He starting or playing today?

He isn't with the team yet.

49erhokie827 wrote:He starting or playing today?

No.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

Have low expectations but hes in his prime so should add athleticism for boards and easy points

Mulhollanddrive wrote:Have low expectations but hes in his prime so should add athleticism for boards and easy points

How is there not one comment on dude getting 21/11 first game !!!! Wake up

KdoubleDees23 wrote:

Mulhollanddrive wrote:Have low expectations but hes in his prime so should add athleticism for boards and easy points

How is there not one comment on dude getting 21/11 first game !!!! Wake up

You’re the one comment. Relax man!

After 1 game I like this trade. He's got good size and athleticism and mostly stays out of the way. Just crash the boards and be an outlet for a dunk when KD and Book get doubled, his role is that simple and it looks like he can do it and do it well. Nice trade, he definitely does more for us than Okogie, credit where credit is due.

He'll not be putting 20/10 very often, but what is not to like at 5M. He's at least an adequate backup and based on his finishing, FT shooting, rebounding in this game - a deserving starter.

sunsbg wrote:He'll not be putting 20/10 very often, but what is not to like at 5M. He's at least an adequate backup and based on his finishing, FT shooting, rebounding in this game - a deserving starter.

His chemistry with Book and KD will only get better.

21 PTS
11 REB
7-8 FG
7-9 FT
+22 plus-minus (team-high)

Wow. This guy actually DUNKS near the basket.

Sent from my SM-F936U using RealGM mobile app

Ayton would never

RaisingArizona wrote:Ayton would never

That’s uncalled for little buddy.

Is Nick Richards better than Nurkic and Deandre Ayton? This is the question.

Boujack wrote:Is Nick Richards better than Nurkic and Deandre Ayton? This is the question.

We should wait and see in regards to Nurk who was looking great for half a season last year. Nick is not better than Ayton, but much cheaper.

RaisingArizona wrote:Ayton would never

Do i really need to come back here and say Ayton avg 18.5 ppg and 13.6 rpg to help us win a WCF and make it to the NBA Finals.