Saginaw native returns for 7th annual charity golf event
FRANKENMUTH -- Jason Richardson has handed out nearly 2,000 assists in his eight-year NBA career, but none have been bigger than the assist he gives to the United Way of Saginaw County every summer, who receive the proceeds from his annual charity golf event.
Raising funds and donating food for underprivileged families is at the core of Richardson's seventh annual charity golf event, but its greatest impact may be found in the chance to verbally connect with area youth.
"That's the most important part of this week for me, is the Man-Up Forum," said the former "Mr. Basketball" out of Arthur Hill. "Just talking to kids, just trying to convert them from violence. Steer them in the right direction, letting them know that you can come from Saginaw and be successful."
Like many others, the eight-year pro had a strong opinion on the recent frenzy surrounding LeBron James. Richardson was asked if he and his NBA peers felt that James deserved the harsh criticism levied upon him by many in the media for his primetime, ESPN special.
"In a sense, I think of a lot of guys did," said Richardson. "He was the most coveted free agent in NBA history. So, I think a lot of guys were kind of like, hey, I think there's too much going on. The ESPN special and all the speculation, but we've been talking about this for two years."
Richardson's Phoenix Suns came within two wins of reaching the NBA Finals this past season, and the former Michigan State Spartan felt the team's success helped people discover him, in a sense, after toiling for so many years on poor teams.
"I maybe was averaging 22, 23 points a game for the season, but was only winning 19 to 25 games," he said. "A lot of people were saying I was scoring on a bad team, a losing team. But I think the playoffs this year, I put it all to rest."
A sore spot for Richardson and every NBA player right now is the potential of a lockout next season, something which could turn out to be more than mere speculation.
"It's very possible," admitted Richardson. "Knowing the economy, knowing that the owners want more of the basketball revenue. It's very likely to happen. Players' Association is having meetings, trying to figure out a way to not go into a lockout. But we're prepared, guys have been saving up their money, preparing for it in case there will be a lockout."
