http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctime...ia/15709377.htm <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Richardson determined to be healthy for opener Swingman says he's on pace in his recovery from arthroscopic knee surgery Warriors notebook OAKLAND -- At Monday's media day, Warriors swingman Jason Richardson made clear the depth of his commitment to come back from his arthroscopic knee surgery in time for the team's season opener. "I'm going to be in here doing whatever I can, night and day," Richardson said, motioning to the training room at the team's downtown headquarters. "If I have to sleep in here, bring a pillow and sleep on that couch, I'm going to be in there to get back to the playing shape that I'm capable of being in and being ready for (opening night)." Apparently, the couch snooze won't be necessary. Richardson said he was set to run some sprints -- his first of training camp -- on Saturday evening, hopes to partake in non-contact drills as early as Tuesday and feels "like I'm on pace" to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Nov. 1. That last piece will hinge, at least in part, on getting the OK in a final checkup from his surgeon on Friday. In the meantime, he's been trying to soak up coach Don Nelson's new schemes by simple observation. "I try to talk to the assistant coaches as much as I can, try to get the play calls down, try to get the timing right," Richardson said. "I'm just trying to do as much as a I can from the sidelines." Monta returns Second-year guard Monta Ellis finally got in the mix, scrimmage-wise, on Friday night and impressed Nelson with his quickness and his passing skills from the shooting guard spot. After watching so much film of Ellis, Nelson said, "It was nice to see him on the floor. I liked what I saw." It'll be an interesting battle for playing time between Ellis and Dajuan Wagner, a similarly undersized two-guard who has made huge strides after missing nearly two full years dealing with medical problems that led to the removal of his colon. Both players can fill it up in a hurry, so the choice may come down to other areas. "If they can guard and make free throws, that's going to definitely add to their minutes on the floor," Nelson said. </div>
