New year, same crap. Actually, it's still 2006, so maybe the Warriors are just clearing their pipes of the last dregs of bad karma before starting a new year and a new franchise era -- one that will be known to future Warriors fans as The Warriors Decade. Either way, Saturday night in Sacramento, fate and bad planning teamed up to dish the Warriors a cosmic double-tap, with the Kings throwing in an unhappy ending, for good measure.

Jason Richardson broke his hand, first round draft pick Patrick O'Bryant was optioned to the minors, and the Warriors took a 116-97 facial from the Kings.

Just when it seemed like Richardson might be gaining a little momentum in his quest to fully recover from knee problems, fate stepped in to remind Warrior nation of our place in the universe. In the second quarter, JRich broke his right hand while playing defense when Mickael Pietrus accidentally kicked him. Total fluke injury. Richardson immediately left the game and was treated to X-rays and a cast by the Kings medical staff. The bad news is he's out six to eight weeks, or maybe indefinitely.

The good news, apparently, is that this new injury will allow his pre-existing injuries to heal. Per JRich, "It could be a blessing in disguise, so we'll see." Concurs Coach Don Nelson, "We haven't seen the real Jason Richardson anyway. There was somebody disguised as him playing . . . His knee should be really healthy (when he returns)."

Get well soon JRich. Photo from SI.com.

In fact, Richardson has missed nine games already this year due to injury. He missed all of training camp recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in August. He also missed eight games in December with a bone bruise on his left knee. Now you can scratch January and February. AP/ESPN is already labeling him "oft-injured". Low blow.