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Richardson out 9-12 months following surgery

Jason Richardson will be out perhaps almost a full year recovering from what he says is a cartilage tear the size of a quarter in his left knee.

Jason Richardson will be out perhaps almost a full year recovering from what he says is a cartilage tear the size of a quarter in his left knee.

"It's pretty tough news to hear," Richardson, 32, said earlier today following the 76ers practice this afternoon at Philadelphia College of Medicine.  "I've been to four different doctors and they pretty much all said the same thing."

Richardson, who has never missed extensive time before in his 12-year career, sought three different opinions from outside doctors before deciding to have the surgery. All of the doctors who examined his left knee suggested he have the surgery.

"I have a hole the size of a quarter in my cartilage," Richardson said. "They told me that there is the possibility that if I don't do something about it eventually it will be bone on bone. I have a life after basketball and I have kids. So I'm going to take care of it."

Richardson said he plans to have the surgery done next week in New York by Dr. Jonathan Glashow. Glashow was one of the examining physicians.

Richardson is making $5.8 million this season and is schedule to make $6.2 million next season, the last year on his contract.  Richardson has said that he wants to play beyond his current contract.

The Sixers acquired Richardson this past summer from Orlando as part of the four-team, 12-player deal that also brought Andrew Bynum to Philadelphia. Bynum, recovering from bilateral bone bruises (knee) has yet to play a game for the team. He hopes to make his debut with the team after the All-Star break later this month.

Richardson appeared in just 33 games this season. He has missed the last eight games due to chronic pain in his left knee. In the 33 games he appeared in Richardson averaged 10.5 points and shot 40.2 percent from the field.  In 11 seasons in the NBA, Richardson has averaged 17.3 points on 44.0 percent shooting.