<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">OAKLAND - Just when it appeared everything was falling into place for the beginning of what is supposed to be the Warriors' breakout season, one of their most important players is limping out of the gate. Shooting guard Jason Richardson missed his second straight day of practice Tuesday with a sore left knee and might not play in tonight's season opener against the Atlanta Hawks. Richardson said his knee has been bothering him throughout training camp but got to a point last week where he could "barely walk." That being said, Richardson said he will be in the lineup tonight. "I'll play," he said after Tuesday's practice. "I've worked too hard this offseason not to be able to help my teammates. I just have to take a couple of precautions." While Richardson said he is playing tonight, Warriors coach Mike Montgomery wasn't so sure. "It will be a game-time decision," Montgomery said. "His knee hurts. If he can't go or be effective, he can't play. If he's not effective, we're better off not going with him." Richardson, the Warriors' leading scorer last season at 21.7 points per game, said he didn't think the injury would limit his effectiveness. He may just have to manage it by missing some practice time and getting treatment. "I still have my full effectiveness," Richardson said. "When I plant (to jump), I get a little weak sometimes. It's just a matter of me getting it some rest and getting some treatment on it." If Richardson can't go, Mickael Pietrus will start in his place, Montgomery said. Montgomery also said center Adonal Foyle, who is being bothered by left knee tendinitis, will start tonight.</div> Source
The Hawks might have a chance because Richardson is that important. Let's hope Pietrus and Dunleavy are on fire this game and Biedrins and Murphy control the glass. I've got Biedrins in my fantasy lineup so I'm hoping he gets something like 10 points and 15 boards and 2-3 blocks. When Big Dre starts and doesn't have much foul trouble he gets double doubles.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">The Hawks might have a chance because Richardson is that important. Let's hope Pietrus and Dunleavy are on fire this game and Biedrins and Murphy control the glass. I've got Biedrins in my fantasy lineup so I'm hoping he gets something like 10 points and 15 boards and 2-3 blocks. When Big Dre starts and doesn't have much foul trouble he gets double doubles.</div> I'm pretty sure Foyle is starting. The warriors.com lineup says so at least.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Run BJM:</div><div class="quote_post">I'm pretty sure Foyle is starting. The warriors.com lineup says so at least.</div> Well that's good. I guess it's a last minute change with Foyle in place of Biedrins.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting BDiddyJRich:</div><div class="quote_post">Crap, this game is going to become more interesting than I hoped. Hawks aren't that bad.</div> No they aren't. They aren't bad on paper at all. But as a team, I don't know how well they will play together. They will play a starting rotation of two GF, two SF/PF, and a power forward at center. Who knows if Joe Johnson will be a franchise player. He's got great court vision and can do a lot of things, but he's not a freak athletically.
I know how good was Richardson tonight? Holy smokes. He was putting on a Vince Carter type performance on a banged up knee. He probably could have gotten a few more assists but I wasn't complaining when he got two great blocks, shot the ball well and played some great D against Childress. He was also 4 of 5 from the free throw line.
I heard from Tim Roye on the radio that he had "jumper's knee" like VC had a few years ago... I wonder how bad that is going to be for him as the season goes on. Hopefully Monty will rest Jrich and Davis as much as possible...
