The Phoenix Suns will be without their starting Shooting Guard Jason Richardson for the first 2 games of the 2009-2010 season. The 2 game suspension handed down by the league stems from Richardson being cited for DUI on December 21st by a Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community officer. Richardson was pulled over at 2:48 am for failure to drive in one lane and speeding.   The ticket said the officer clocked Richardson traveling 65 mph in a 55 mph zone as he headed south on the freeway in a white 2008 Mercedez Benz.

Richardson was already suspended by the team last year stemming from another traffic incident on February 16th (2 months after the DUI) where Richardson was going 90 mph in a 35 mph zone. What made this even worse was the fact his 3-year old son was in the back seat unrestrained.

Jason Richardson has been nothing but a disappointment since he was traded for in December of last season. 2 traffic incidents and an infamous rejected showboat spinning dunk attempt (see video below) have been his main contributions to the Phoenix Suns thus far. In his first 14 games with the Charlotte Bobcats last season Richardson shot nearly 46% from 3-point range and appeared poised to help the Suns as a sharpshooter as well as finisher around the basket. Richardson however fell off his torrid pace and only shot 38% from 3-point land with the Suns. Richardson’s scoring average also unexpectedly dropped from 18.7 ppg with the Bobcatas to 16.4 ppg with the Suns. Surely, Richardson had more open looks with Steve Nash passing to him than Raymond Felton!

The Suns are going to need a huge year out of Jason Richardson to contend in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. This suspension sure is an auspicious start.