W's big men Biedrins, Turiaf back to practice

It's not like theyre conceding their next two gamesat Memphis and New Orleansbut you do get the sense the Warriors are looking ahead a little bit. Can you blame them? Sometime after Christmas, most likely against Phoenix on Saturday or Boston next Monday, the Warriors are going to have what looks like a full roster. Or at least as full as it's going to get this season. Yes, centers Andris Biedrins and Ronny Turiaf are coming back soon. Both Biedrins (abdominal strain) and Turiaf (sprained left knee) took part in the entire Warriors' practice on Monday, and it's apparent they're going to be returning sooner rather than later. They're not expected back for Tuesday's game against the Grizzlies or the following night against the Hornets, but then they'll be on the clock. "We'll have to wait and see when they get out onto the floor, but it was good seeing them get up and run, with a little contact," Monta Ellis said. "It's a plus for us. Biedrins is on the way back, same for Ronny. Like I said, we need those two big guys. We're short-handed, and that's going to turn our team around." That remains to be seen. But at least the Warriors will get a better look at what they really have. Warriors coach Don Nelson has maintained much of the season that it's been impossible to evaluate this team because of the abundance of injuries. No, the Warriors aren't going to get Kelenna Azubuike and Brandan Wright back in 2009-10, but this is as whole as they're going to get. At the very least, it sets up a January where you can better assess the Warriors. Biedrins, the team's leading rebounder in each of the past three seasons, has played just four games this season. Ditto for Turiaf: Just four games. "We know we don't have all our guys," Anthony Randolph said. "We miss Ronny and Biedrins, and they're two big parts of our team. Once we get them back, it's kind of like we're starting over again with our full team." Not only will it be possible to begin to assess the Warriors upon their return, but it also will be possible to start assessing Nelson. Said Nelson: "I've been fair game all year. Doesn't matter if were healthy or not."Monta Ellis, who suffered a left thigh contusion in the third quarter of the game against Washington on Friday, did some shooting on the side and individual work while the team practiced. Ellis, who didnt practice on Sunday, said he will play against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday.