Top five assist leaders in Timberwolves history

MINNEAPOLIS – MARCH 30: Pooh Richardson, first franchise draft pick for the Timberwolves, helps the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrate 80’s night against the Miami Heat at the Target Center March 30, 2007 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges 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 2007 NBAE (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

3. Pooh Richardson – 1,973 Assists

Pooh Richardson only played three seasons with the Timberwolves but managed to land in the top-three assist leaders for the franchise. It speaks volumes as to how mightily the Wolves have struggled to find and keep talent. Still, it takes talent to land yourself in the top-three in a franchise alone, so congratulations on a this great feat.

Richardson was drafted back in the 1989 draft, selected 10th by the Wolves. Outside his time from the Timberwolves, his career wasn’t the best. Just take a look at his career numbers:

Per Game Table
Season	Age	Tm	Lg	TRB	AST	STL	BLK	TOV	PTS
1989-90	23	MIN	NBA	2.6	6.8	1.6	0.3	1.7	11.4
1990-91	24	MIN	NBA	3.5	9.0	1.6	0.2	2.1	17.1
1991-92	25	MIN	NBA	3.7	8.4	1.5	0.3	2.5	16.5
1992-93	26	IND	NBA	3.6	7.7	1.3	0.2	2.3	10.4
1993-94	27	IND	NBA	3.0	6.4	0.9	0.1	2.4	10.0
1994-95	28	LAC	NBA	3.3	7.9	1.6	0.2	2.1	10.9
1995-96	29	LAC	NBA	2.5	5.4	1.2	0.2	1.5	11.7
1996-97	30	LAC	NBA	1.7	2.9	0.9	0.1	1.1	5.6
1997-98	31	LAC	NBA	1.4	3.3	0.6	0.0	0.8	4.2
1998-99	32	LAC	NBA	1.2	2.7	0.4	0.0	0.8	2.5

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table

Clearly, his best years were with the Timberwolves as Richardson only scored a little over 10 points per game in a few seasons with the Indiana Pacers and the Los Angeles Clippers. With Minnesota, he was able to score over 15 points per game and put up good assist numbers.

It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t play more seasons in Minnesota. Maybe his career could have turned out a differently than it did. Would he have kept up his level of play instead of declining?