Q-Rich Gives Back

Last night, Quentin Richardson came up big for the Knicks with two hold-your-breath shots against the Pistons. I was surprised as anyone. In fact, when the man known as Q-Rich took both shots, I shook my head and hoped he'd at least draw iron. Although they weren't pretty, the baskets helped secure a much-needed victory for the Knicks, their second straight road win. Here's one of them:



The Knicks are now just one-and-a-half games out the eighth--and final--playoff spot, even though I essentially wrote them off just a few days ago, after they blew back-to-back games against the Bobcats and Nets. Can you really blame me, though? Baseball is just around the corner and March Madness is pounding on the front door. Simply put, the Knicks's schizophrenic play was interfering with my growing interest in the World Baseball Classic and, more immediately, my preparation for the NCAA tournament, which is as close to sacred as it gets around these parts. I should clarify, though: the other day, when I wrote that baseball was a much more pleasant viewing experience than basketball, I meant specifically in comparison to the NBA's 82-game schedule. March Madness, on the other hand, is a perfect viewing experience, the best sports has to offer. 

But I digress. This post is about Q-Rich's helping hands. In addition to putting away the Pistons, Richardson donated--during the game, no less-- $1,000 to Feed the Children, an organization that provides food for impoverished families in the state of Michigan, as part of the Pistons' annual telethon.  

Fans in the arena were urged to give at every break in the game's action -- and from his spot on the visiting team's bench, Quentin Richardson got the message. Despite the fact that his team was in the middle of a game, Richardson had a team employee fetch a donation form so he could cut a check for a cool grand at halftime.

Good for Q. Although I've never particularly been impressed with his game, I've always liked him for his unwillingness to put up with Stephon Marbury's crap and his personal resiliency. The guy's been through a lot. 2005 was a particularly rough year for him: his relationship with the singer Brandy came to an end and two of his brothers were murdered in Chicago. That's also the same year he was traded from the Phoenix Suns to the Knicks, which would have been too much for just about anyone. Q-Rich, though, pushed on, and continues to make his presence known, even if it isn't always via the box score.   

(Via NBA Fanhouse)