Michael Ray Richardson , who starred for the Knicks and Nets during eight NBA seasons, has died at age 70, the teams announced Tuesday.

Richardson was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, his attorney told ESPN’s Andscape .

“One of the fiercest defensive players of his era, the four-time NBA All-Star made an incredible impact on the Knicks,” the Knicks said in a statement.

“Our deepest condolences go to his family, friends and teammates.”

Nicknamed “Sugar,” Richardson averaged 14.8 points, 5.5 rebounds, 7.0 assists and 2.6 steals per game in his career with the Knicks, Golden State Warriors and Nets from 1978-86 before he was banned from the league due to substance abuse.

The Knicks drafted Richardson out of Montana with the No. 4 overall pick in 1978, and he spent his firs

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