Richardson’s Suspension Is 3 Games

Golden State guard Jason Richardson was suspended for the first three games of the regular season by the NBA because of a conviction in the summer for domestic violence involving his former girlfriend in Michigan.

“I fully understand the seriousness of the implications, and I accept the penalty,” Richardson said in a statement issued by the NBA.

The 6-foot-6 Richardson last season averaged 15.6 points, 4.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists, all career highs.

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Washington forward Jerry Stackhouse had scar tissue in his right knee removed Tuesday, but the Wizards did not issue a timetable for his return.

Meanwhile, Wizard owner Abe Pollin, in his first in-depth interview since dismissing Michael Jordan as president of basketball operations five months ago, said he had no choice.

“It was an atmosphere on edge,” Pollin told Associated Press. “It was not a healthy atmosphere to produce a happy organization or a winning team.”

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Jerryl Sasser, drafted 22nd overall two years ago by Orlando, was waived with one year remaining on his rookie contract.

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ESPN hired Bill Laimbeer, former Detroit center and coach of the WNBA champion Detroit Shock, as an NBA studio analyst.... Indiana picked up the fourth-year contract options for point guard Jamaal Tinsley and center Primoz Brezec.

Baseball

Boston Red Sox Manager Grady Little is not sure he wants to be back with the team next season, according to the Boston Globe.

“I’m prepared for the likelihood,” Little said of being fired. “I am not sure that I want to manage that team. That’s how I felt when I drove out of town.”

Little said has not heard from the team’s management since returning to his North Carolina home.

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Baseball and its union are moving closer to an agreement that would shift 22 Montreal Expo games to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for the second consecutive season.

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San Francisco declined its $4-million option on outfielder Jose Cruz Jr. for next season, making him eligible for free agency.... Manager Jimy Williams received a one-year contract extension, signing with Houston through the 2005 season.

Tennis

Top-seeded Andy Roddick overcame local qualifier Jean-Claude Scherrer, 6-3, 7-6 (4), in the first round of the Swiss Indoors at Basel.

Roddick is ranked No. 2, Scherrer No. 291.

Defending champion David Nalbandian of Argentina, sidelined because of wrist and abdominal injuries since losing to Roddick in the U.S. Open semifinals, defeated Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo of Spain, 6-4, 6-0.

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Defending champion Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand was upset by unseeded John Van Lottum of the Netherlands, 7-5, 6-1, in the first round of the Stockholm Open.

Srichaphan, 11th in the ATP Champions Race, is trying to become one of eight players who will qualify for the Tennis Masters Cup next month.

Fifth-seeded Mardy Fish reached the quarterfinals by defeating qualifier Julien Benneteau of France, 6-4, 6-4.

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Vince Spadea reached the quarterfinals of the St. Petersburg Open in Russia with a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia.

Miscellany

Former NFL lineman Robert “Pig” Goff has resigned as an assistant football coach and teaching aide at Bayshore High in Bradenton, Fla., after being accused of making improper advances toward female students, all athletes.

Prosecutors dropped the case because they were unable to prove the allegations, the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reported today.

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Olympic skiing champion Kjetil Andre Aamodt of Norway broke his right ankle when he crashed while training at Soelden, Austria, and could be sidelined until January.

Aamodt won gold medals in the super-giant slalom and combined events in the Salt Lake City Games last year.

Passings

Dee Andros, an Oregon State football icon, died in his home at Corvallis, Ore. He was 79.

Andros had suffered from diabetes and had had several strokes, a university spokesman said.

Andros coached the Beavers from 1965 to 1975 and was athletic director until he retired in 1985. Story in Section B.