A Royal Pain
Fansided

Sacramento Kings: 30 greatest players in franchise history

By Daniel Lubofsky

SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 16: Chris Webber #4, Predrag Stojakovic #16, and Mike Bibby #10 of the Sacramento Kings are shown during a break in the action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of Round 2 of the 2004 NBA Western Conference Playoffs May 16, 2004, at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly aknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - MAY 16: Chris Webber #4, Predrag Stojakovic #16, and Mike Bibby #10 of the Sacramento Kings are shown during a break in the action against the Minnesota Timberwolves in Game 6 of Round 2 of the 2004 NBA Western Conference Playoffs May 16, 2004, at Arco Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly aknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2004 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Shooting Guard. 1992-98. Mitch Richmond. 5. player. 67.

The scoring average of Mitch Richmond never was among the league’s highest, but it was still elite, and in terms of consistency, not many did it better than him.

There wasn’t a single spot on the court in which Richmond couldn’t put the ball in the basket from. He did most of his damage coming off screens, either firing immediately off the catch, taking a step in and letting it fly or taking it all the way to the bucket for a layup.

Defenses never really knew what he’d do on any given play. Take away the outside shot and he drives to the bucket. Sag off and he’ll drop a jumper right in your face. Richmond took what the opposition gave him because he had no reason not to.

After arriving prior to the 1991-92 season, Richmond did everything he could to put Sacramento on the map, putting up points in bunches with incredible efficiency in the hopes it could help increase the Kings win total.

The team would qualify for the playoffs just once during his tenure, getting quickly eliminated in the first round in 1996, but Richmond was still box office because he possessed the ability to heat up at any given moment, and when that time did come, there really wasn’t anyone who could stop the six-time All-Star.

Would you believe that out of all the players to step foot on the court during the 90s, Richmond scored the second-most points with 16,178? Because it’s the truth, and it’s a testament to the consistent scoring gifts he brought to the court every day, never averaging less than 21.9 points per game in Sacramento.

This scoring prowess didn’t help him win much during his prime, but it did get him a spot in the Hall of Fame as one of the most lethal threats in an era that proved incredibly difficult to get buckets in.

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