On February 25, 1986, the NBA dropped a bombshell: four-time All-Star Micheal Ray “Sugar” Richardson became the first active player banned for life under the league’s new anti-drug policy. This cinematic deep dive uncovers the rise, fall, and redemption of a Knicks and Nets legend—rewinding from a tense airport confrontation to his All-Star glory, the cocaine-fueled 1980s NBA crisis, David Stern’s ruthless crackdown, and his triumphant European comeback. How did one man’s exile save the NBA’s image… and maybe even his life?<br />Discover Richardson’s unreal stats (14.8 PPG, 7.0 APG, elite steals) and why he was “Magic Johnson’s prototype.” Explore the league’s hidden cocaine epidemic (40-75% player usage rumors). Relive the exact moment Stern enforced “third strike = lifetime ban.” Hear his post-NBA glory: European titles, coaching wins, and the quote: “He saved my life.”<br /><br />Listen now! 👉 <a href="https://dailysportshistory.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">DailySportsHistory.com</a> 📲 Follow for more daily sports history insights! <br /><br />Email: [email protected]<br /><br />YouTube: <a href="https://YouTube.com/@dailysportshistory" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">YouTube.com/@dailysportshistory</a><br /><br />Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/dailysportshis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">twitter.com/dailysportshis</a><br /><br />Facebook: <a href="https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551687917253&amp;mibextid=ZbWKwL" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551687917253&amp;mibextid=ZbWKwL</a><br /><b></b><b></b><b></b><b></b><br />Bluesky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/dailysportshistory.bsky.social" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://bsky.app/profile/dailysportshistory.bsky.social</a><br /><br />Instagram<br /><a href="https://www.instagram.com/dailysportshis/profilecard/?igsh=OWl1MzIyYndqOGU2" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.instagram.com/dailysportshis/profilecard/?igsh=OWl1MzIyYndqOGU2</a><br /><br />Threads<br /><a href="https://www.threads.net/@dailysportshis" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.threads.net/@dailysportshis</a>