SUMMARY
- Jason Richardson and Steve Nash were teammates between 2008 and 2010 on the Phoenix Suns.
- The 2x NBA Dunk Champion was excited to play alongside Steve Nash.
There was a major controversy involving two of the biggest guards in the NBA during the early 2010s. We all know exactly who Steve Nash is, a former 2x MVP who led the league in various categories for a long time. And then there was Jason Richardson, who was one of the most athletic guards in the league back then. It was players like them that the league loved watching every night at times. The best part was when they both became teammates on the Phoenix Suns roster.
Nash was already with the Suns for a while before Richardson walked into the picture. The Suns were a strong team in the Western Conference with Nash as the leader. The 2x MVP was paired with Richard in 2008. But two years later, things went downhill. Somehow, Jason got involved in a major controversy looming around Nash’s marriage to Alejandra Amarilla.
Nash and Amarilla allegedly began having problems, however, they maintained a relationship for their daughters and yet-to-be-born son. The couple welcomed Matteo, their son in November 2010. There were rumors regarding Matteo being born black that started the controversy. This is what led fans to speculate that Jason Richardson might have been involved.
At the time of Matteo’s birth and after the rumors had surfaced, the Suns abruptly traded the guard to the Orlando Magic. Fans were led to speculate that Richardson had an affair with Amarilla and that Matteo is his son. However, there isn’t any substantial evidence to support these claims.
Jason Richardson experienced a major learning curve playing with Steve Nash
But based on one of Jason Richardson’s recent podcast appearances, it doesn’t seem like he had any beef with Nash to begin with. Jason went on to praise Nash on the Knuckleheads Podcast featuring Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles. The former 2x NBA Dunk Contest Champion experienced a learning curve while playing alongside Nash.
He said, “Amazing man. The first couple of days playing with Steve [Nash] I was getting turnovers. Cause he would literally throw the ball [everywhere] and I’m bobbling it. So I’m like, ‘Man I’ve got run through the lane.’ I haven’t been used to a point guard always passing. So I realized, that every time I cut, always look for the ball. Cause he is going to get to you. If you’re open, it is going to get to you.”
Jason Richardson spent two and a half seasons with the Suns and Steve Nash. He averaged 17.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game during that time. Nash retired from the sport in 2014 and Richardson in 2015. Interestingly, both players ended their careers after facing injuries that hindered their ability to function on the court.