For every shining example such as Michael Jordan in the league, there are darker instances of fame as well. One wrong move can overshadow years of hard work. Such an example was seen during MJ’s game in Paris in 1977. The legend was creating ripples across the globe and establishing a fresh example. However, that is when NBA commissioner David Stern saw a different instance standing in front of him that made him emotional.

In the New York Times bestseller book, ‘Playing for Keeps: Michael Jordan and the World He Made,’ David Halberstam detailed Stern’s emotional moment that stole Jordan’s spotlight.

David Stern gave Michael Ray Richardson a new lease of life

The value of fame becomes more evident when people start to lose it. Years after being banned from the league, former New York Knicks star Michael Ray Richardson saw Stern at Jordan’s last game in Paris. He expressed his gratitude to Stern and said, “I want to thank you for saving my life.” 

Richardson was the first player to receive a ban from NBA Commissioner David Stern due to three violations of the league’s drug policy. Following this, he started to get clean and became successful. It was Stern again who reinstated him in 1988. However, despite being reinstated, he chose to play in Europe.

Stern played a pivotal role in his career. Richardson recounted that Stern not only provided him with a job at the NBA office in Paris during his time abroad but also facilitated another significant opportunity. The commissioner helped him in securing a position as a community ambassador with the Denver Nuggets.

Michael Ray Richardson’s gratitude moved David Stern

In an interview, Richardson revealed that he had a great relationship with the NBA commissioner. He stated that he harbors no resentment towards Stern for the ban. He said, “I didn’t blame David for anything that had took place, because I did something wrong. I deserved to be punished, so he did what he had to do.”

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Post the Paris game, Stern was moved by Richardson’s gratitude and put his arm around him to give him a hug. Though Jordan was named the MVP during that game, instead of all the fame and attention that the Chicago Bulls legend had brought to the game, what made Stern emotional was Richardson’s inspiring story.

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