Former NBA player for Minnesota Timberwolves, Isaiah Rider, better known as “J.R”, had his game already set up for him. He was the star performer for the Wolves. Everything looked like some magical fairy tale when it all fell off like a pack of cards.
Rider had been a star performer for the Wolves. Rider proved to be a driving force for the entire team. “He wasn’t the best ball-handler. But he scored in bunches and was an unstoppable force.” Washington Wizards vice president Tommy Sheppard said. In 2000-01, Rider spent a full NBA season playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. <img src=”http://media3.picsearch.com/is?CwkQC2cP_hRkWk6fprtsphD7_4JYU3gtO25DC_lIFXg” width=”128” height=”91” alt=” Isaiah Rider “J.R.”” /»
However, Rider was unpopular off the field. Rider was often late at practice meets, meetings, games, much to the disappointment of the coaches and teammates. He had unfriendly relationships with the management as well. The Denver Nuggets showed him the door at the end of 2001 season. His unsatisfactory behavior towards the game, the spirit of the game and his disrespect for the players, team and management was intolerable.
After being disavowed from NBA his life went on further rough patches. He lost his mom, Donna, who was his best friend and mentor. In 2006, Rider as arrested on charges of domestic violence against s girlfriend. All this led to his developing a taste for marijuana and cocaine. The drugs seemed to have a hallucinating effect on Rider and hi felt his life getting better. But far from better it was. He was sentenced to 7 years of prison for illegal possession of drugs.
“It was the ultimate low point of my life,” Rider said. “…There were no visitors. No one down for me. No letters. I had fake friends. They left me for dead. I’ve been there for so many people. I co-signed to pay for homes. I paid for weddings. But when I was struggling, no one was there for me.” Rider expressed himself.
Troubles still found a way to reach Rider. In 2008, he was arrested for a confrontation with a taxi driver in Berkley, California. At the time of arrest, he also possessed an unauthorized firearm. Another arrest followed later related to drugs. And another one related to auto theft. The list seemed to be growing longer.
That was Rider’s past. Currently, Rider is preparing himself for his first match as a player for the North Texas Fresh. He tries once again to carve out a proud ending for his basketball career. Rider wants to start afresh, and he has had a heart change having started to attend a church. His former girlfriend Vanessa Cassidy has also reunited with him. Sheppard had said “The talent was undeniable. But we had structure. …That’s where all the bad habits came together. The Nuggets were in no position to take that, even with his talent at that time.”
Rider now claims to have lost his appetite for drugs. He joined The Fresh afresh to rebuild his career. He has lost precious moments and is aware about it. Jay Bowdy, owner of Fresh quoted “I understand that he’s made mistakes, he had his chance and he flunked on it for whatever reason, But the reason why I took him is because unless you mess up with me and I see it … then I’m not going to not accept you because of what you did 10 years ago. That’s a long time and there’s so much you can learn from your experience from that.”
With hopes hung high, Rider is slowing gaining grounds in his second innings. He has recently filmed a documentary about his life. Only time can tell the outcome of this All-Starer.