My my, how the mighty terribly-underachieving have fallen.
Isaiah (J.R.) Rider was arrested Thursday by Mesa (AZ) police after three separate incidents in five days. The last straw was when Rider allegedly stiffed a cabbie after once again, allegedly assaulting his fiancée last Sunday.
From ABC-15:
Police say the first incident happened Sunday after Rider, 39, allegedly pulled his fiancée out of her vehicle and threw her to the ground during an argument.
Rider later told police his fiancée had refused to give him his money and identification and they “tussled” in a “tug of war” when she fell.
After the altercation, Rider, also known as J.R. Rider, took a cab ride from Mesa to Phoenix and back and when they arrived at Rider’s apartment complex he told the driver he needed to run inside to get his wallet to pay the $150 fare.
Hoo boy.
Rider has had his fair share of troubles ever since the Minnesota Timberwolves drafted th UNLV star with the 5th overall pick in the 1993 NBA draft, some of which I have rudimentary knowledge, being a resident of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. I recall when he kicked a female manager in the back at a sports bar in the Mall of America after showing up hours late for an autograph signing, a deplorable act that resulted in him being charged with 5th Degree Assault.
Rider’s inclination for self-destructive behavior got progressively worse after he left the Timberwolves, and before he probably even realized it, he was out of league, another sad tale of an athlete who had everything: talent, opportunity, lots of money, only to throw it all away.
For nostalgic purposes, below is an example of when Rider’s star burned the brightest: his East Bay Funk dunk from the slam dunk competition at the 1994 All-Star Game:
What an utter and colossal waste. A shame, really. There really isn’t much more to add, but if there were, I believe Yahoo commenter “Norm!” puts it all in perspective:
Where were his parents / role models?….For what he had in pure talent, he missed in responsibility. He should’ve stuck with baseball… Not as exciting and quick as basketball, but I believe there are a few more role models than in the basketball arena.
My sentiments exactly. Wait. What?
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Mesa PD: Former NBA player arrested for assaulting fiancée [ABC-15]
RIDER ON A STORM [Las Vegas Review-Journal]
Ex-NBA player Isaiah Rider arrested in Arizona [Yahoo!/AP]
