Jason Richardson returns to Sixers after missing 2 years with injury, promptly airballs first shot

You might have forgotten Jason Richardson is in the NBA. The 34-year-old last played in a game on Jan. 18, 2013, 763 days ago. He underwent knee surgery that ended his season, and wasn’t able to return during the next season either.

But he diligently rehabbed, working and working and working and helping the Sixers’ youngsters and working and working and finally, two days ago, he returned to practice. And with the Sixers short-handed at guard after making moves at the trade deadline, it turned out he wouldn’t just be playing tonight -- he’d be starting. Let’s see how it went:

Just a bit rusty.

We can make fun of Richardson for missing the shot, but we should really take a moment to praise him for his determination. He worked hard for two years with no guarantee he’d ever get better, all for the purpose of joining a roster of a tanking team. That takes heart. Props to J-Rich.