Richardson showing more signs of returning to the Sixers

BOSTON - We've seen the always-smooth jumper being practiced for months now, and it appears that Jason Richardson has amped up his workouts even more of late. Gone is the extra weight he accumulated while he was unable to do much after serious left knee surgery almost 2 years ago sidelined him.

The jumper is unlike all others in the gym. It is effortless, with perfect arc and usually a positive result. It is a weapon coach Brett Brown envisions having in his arsenal at some point. Probably not as soon as Richardson would hope, but probably some time in the not too distant future.

"All of the sudden, we've been able to collide on defensive improvement with lots of energy and a lot of work, just on basic fundamentals and team rules, with an offense that is starting to make threes," Brown said. "He would add to that. We've seen how Hollis [Thompson] helps us, what Robert Covington's addition has meant since he's been here. JaKarr [Sampson] has come in and made some shots, Jerami [Grant] has made some shots, K.J. [McDaniels], too. So Jason would be another one of those guys who can hit the long ball. Create some space for Michael's [Carter-Williams] penetration. Create space for Nerlens [Noel] posting up. I see him doing what he did, incredibly well, for most of his career."

How would bringing in Richardson, who is 34, help this young team at all? He most certainly won't be a part of the rebuilding plan moving forward, after all, and can he really help the team win more games?

The positive of having him around is sort of obvious. He is a veteran who has been around the NBA, who has led the league in three-pointers during a season (243 in 2007-08) and has garnered the adulation and respect from many around the league, not only for his play, but also for his terrific personality. That is always a positive to have around youngsters, especially this roster, which is so full of them.

Brown has often said that Richardson is one of hardest workers on the team, if not the hardest worker. He often goes to Richardson for advice, himself. Surrounded by the youngest team in the league, it is no doubt refreshing for Brown to have a veteran at his disposal.

If Richardson can play at all, even if it is only minimal minutes off the bench, I think the Sixers should allow him. This is a guy who shows up many late nights at the team's practice facility to work on his game. One night, some students were playing in the gym at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. As one of the players recognized Richardson, he went over to the vet and asked whether they should get off the court. Richardson politely told them to finish their game and he would get his workout in when they were through.

Many times, younger players on the team head to the practice site for extra work, sometimes even after home games. You can't help but think watching Richardson rehab this season didn't have something to do with helping along the work ethic of the youngsters.

Brown said that Richardson isn't practicing 5-on-5 yet, and probably won't be ready to play until he does that for a bit: "He's not going to go away easy."

A couple of days after Sixers coach Brett Brown praised the play of Larry Drew II, saying he would give him an "A-plus" for his play, the diminutive point guard is gone. The second of Drew's 10-day contracts ran out on Wednesday, and, instead of signing him for the rest of the season, which is mandatory after two 10-day contracts, the team waived him.

The new backup to Michael Carter-Williams at the point is Penn State product Tim Frazier, who played minimally for the Sixers in the Las Vegas Summer League.

Undrafted in 2014 after a 4-year career at Penn State, the 6-1 Frazier has averaged 15.9 points, 8.9 assists and 6.7 rebounds in 27 games this season for the Maine Red Claws, of the NBA Development League. He finished his Nittany Lions career as the school's all-time leader in assists.

"It's great. I feel blessed for the opportunity to come to an organization and be able to build with these guys," Frazier said. "I'm ready to work hard and be a part of something special. They have great point guards and point guards who are similar to my game. They attack the ball and attack the basket and are great pass-first guys sometimes. I've always been a pass-first point guard, so I'm just here to get the shooters involved and run the offense and try to be a leader on the court."

He will suit up, and no doubt get minutes tonight in Boston.

Legendary Sixers stat man Harvey Pollack remains in the surgical trauma intensive care unit at Hahnemann University Hospital, recovering from serious injuries suffered in a one-car accident on New Year's Day. After serving as a judge in the Mummers Parade, Pollack, 92, crashed his car inside of a parking garage in Center City. He suffered a broken hip, on which he has had surgery, as well as broken ribs, a broken pelvis and many lacerations.

Early in his recovery Pollack was in full need of a ventilator, but recently has been breathing on his own for periods of time. Pollack is still unable to verbally communicate very well, but his son Ron says he is able to understand what people are saying to him and is aware of all the gifts and well-wishes that have come his way.

Sixers (11-39) at Boston Celtics (18-30)

When:  Tonight, 7:30

Where:  TD Boston Garden

TV/Radio:  Comcast SportsNet/The Fanatic (97.5 FM)

Game stuff:  Celtics big man Jared Sullinger was taken out of the starting lineup twice this week because of tardiness, but still got ample playing time from coach Brad Stevens. There is a lot of buzz in Boston with the Patriots' win on Sunday, and many players were in attendance for their game on Tuesday.

Charlotte Hornets (22-27) at Sixers

When:  Tomorrow, 7 p.m.

Where:  Wells Fargo Center

TV/Radio:  Comcast SportsNet/The Fanatic (97.5 FM)

Game stuff:  Going into last night's action, the Hornets were the No. 1 defensive team in the league since Jan. 1. They have held opponents to 89.4 points and 39.7 percent shooting since the New Year.

Golden State Warriors (39-8) at Sixers

When:  Monday, 7 p.m.

Where:  Wells Fargo Center

TV/Radio:  Comcast SportsNet/The Fanatic (97.5 FM)

Game stuff:  If you can make it to this game, do yourself a favor. Golden State might be the most entertaining team in the league — and is very good, too. The Warriors trailed the Dallas Mavericks by 22 points in the first quarter Wednesday before scoring 70 in the second half for a 14-point win.

51:  That's how many points Golden State guard Steph Curry had on Wednesday. A week and a half earliers, his backcourt mate, Klay Thompson, deposited 52. They Warriors are only the seventh team in history to have two or more players score 50 or more points in the same season, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

2004:  That was the last time a Miami Heat player scored at least 20 points and grabbed at least 20 rebounds, before Hassan Whiteside did it on Wednesday. Shaquille O'Neal was the last.

On Twitter: @BobCooney76