Fantasy Relted But Great Info.........
Should We Believe Teaser Zero?
Heading into Week 22 there are, as usual, some interesting story lines out there. Mr. Arenas is talking about playing this weekend,
Tim Duncan could sit on Wednesday,
Quentin Richardson could have a nice week if
Larry Hughes remains iffy with a toe injury, while
Andrea Bargnani,
Al Thornton and
Caron Butler will test owners' will power and fortune-telling skills in weekly leagues.
The full injury list is included, in all it's glory, on Page 3.
Don't Forget About Snapdraft!
Snapdraft is still in full effect and is a great way to get your fantasy fix while you…
A. Wait for baseball season to start.
B. Wait for your fantasy hoops draft next October in case you're out of it this year.
C. Wait for your football draft in August.
Gilbert's Arena – Cleveland?
According to Chris Miller of Comcast via the Washington Post,
Gilbert Arenas told Miller via a text message that he plans on making his return Saturday when the Wizards host the Pistons. Here is the reported content of his text: "You're the first to get the truth. I'm playing Saturday against Detroit. And I'm only playing home games but I will play in Cleveland. Me and Cleveland fans have this love, hate relationship."
So, that means we
could see Arenas on the following dates: Saturday vs. Detroit, Thursday, April 2 vs. Cleveland, Saturday, April 4 vs. Miami, Wednesday, April 8 @ Cleveland and Monday, April 13 vs. Toronto. That's five games and we don't even know if he'll really do what he says. In the past few days he's said he would play tonight, wouldn't play at all this season, as well as unveiled his latest "five-game plan." Then, the next update that hit the Post included this gem from Arenas: "It's true if it ends up happening." Classic. I'm going to treat him as I have all season – which is just to pretend he's done. That said, if you're in a daily transaction league and the waiver wire is dead, feel free to grab him.
Andrea's Fault - Sunday was very nearly a painful day for me when it was revealed that
Andrea Bargnani (Achilles),
Al Thornton (shoulder) and
Jamal Crawford (Nellie) would not play. All three were in my six-man lineup in League Freak and I was in a tight battle. Despite not having Crawf for the whole week, and missing the other two on Sunday, I was able to hang on for a 5-3 win and still have a shot at the title.
As for Bargnani, he was a surprise scratch with his Achilles' flaring up and there are no updates on what his availability will be for the week. With just three games and the injury question mark, I'm benching him. If you're feeling lucky, go ahead and start him. It's very possible he could play in all three. But unless we get a nice afternoon update from Doug Smith, I'm benching him.
Manu's Plea, Duncan's Knee - Ginobili wants to return from his ankle injury that has now kept him out for his last 18 games, but Gregg Popovich keeps saying he's about a week away – week after week. Just keep him benched, or you could even cut him if you feel like you have to.
Tim Duncan could easily be held out of Wednesday's game against the Hawks, as Gregg Popovich said recently he would hold him out of the second of back-to-backs. That's a shame, as quality big men usually dominate the Hawks. If Duncan does sit in that one, he's still playable with three other games this week.
Barbosa Done? -
Leandro Barbosa's knee injury could keep him out all week, as well as end his regular season. The injury wasn't as bad as it could have been and the time off will actually help his abdominal injury to heal. But losing him for this five-game week is tough. I guess he could play at some point this week, but I'm starting
Grant Hill and
[URL="http://fantasyfootball.usatoday.com/content/playerpages/player_main.asp?sport=NBA&id=1551"]Jason Richardson[/URL] with confidence, as I'm not expecting to see Barbosa in any of the five games.
Thornton In My Side - Thornton was having a very solid week and the Clips go four times in this one. However, Sunday's surprise DNP with a shoulder injury makes him pretty risky. I am not playing him this week, but he could pay off with four games if he's able to go in all of them.
The Offices of Duhon, Hughes & Q-Rich - With
Chris Duhon still lacking anything resembling explosiveness or confidence, I can't justify starting him this week unless you clearly have no better options. With four games, he might be the best you've got, but that's your call.
Larry Hughes ticked off his coach (and fantasy owners) with some terrible play and a toe injury that he elected not to tell anyone about. He missed Saturday's game, which saw
Quentin Richardson blow up for 33 points. I don't feel good about it (at all), but I'm going to roll the dice and play Q-Rich this week. Hughes can probably be dropped in your league, but the best advice is to just hold him and see what happens this week. Especially in weekly leagues, as the Knicks finish up 4-4-4-1.
David Lee finally missed a game with sore knees and said he shouldn't have tried to play Friday, either. However, he also said Saturday's game is the last one he's planning on missing this season, so I think he's worth a roll of the dice unless you've got a sure thing in your pocket to replace him with.
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KG's Minutes - Rick Kamla said on this morning's fantasy show that
Kevin Garnett, who got 15 and 17 minutes (10 points, four boards in each) in his back-to-back games over the weekend is a guy to get back in your lineup this week. While I can see it as a possibility, I don't feel all that great about rolling him out there if he's going to get just 20 minutes per game. If it's between him and a guy like
Dominic McGuire, I'd probably play KG. But if you've got a sure thing, ignore KG's big name and play the guy who will get the guaranteed minutes. The good news is that KG played in both of back-to-back games and should see a gradual increase in minutes the rest of the way.
Hornet's Nest -
Peja Stojakovic will supposedly play this week despite a back injury, but if I owned him, I would not put him in my lineup until we see him in action. His back is far from being healthy and he still sounds pretty iffy, if you read any quotes from him recently.
Tyson Chandler's ankle is still a problem and may be the rest of the way. If you're desperate for a center you could roll the dice on him this week, but he is still a very high-risk player.
Hilton Armstrong double-doubled before suffering a finger laceration on Sunday, leaving him iffy for his next game. He doesn't exactly sound confident that he'll play Wednesday, making him an extremely risky three-game play this week. Plus, despite his nice lines in two straight games, he's still
Hilton Armstrong.
Crawford & Nellie – Head Games - Nellie benched
Jamal Crawford for two games, "just because." Then Crawford sat out the next two due to a "lack of practice." Now they're talking about him returning on Saturday. I dropped JC and don't think he's trustworthy the rest of the way, although it's Nellie's fault, and not his.
Anthony Randolph quietly returned from a groin injury on Sunday but is not healthy. Don't play him, but know that he could hurt the value of
Brandan Wright if he gets minutes this week.
Dooling & Devin -
Devin Harris sounds very unlikely for Wednesday's game, leaving him with a max of two games this week. However, I'd be very surprised if he plays in any of New Jersey's three games. I'm starting
Keyon Dooling (again) in my main league, but don't feel all that great about it. Then again, he played very well against the Cavs on Sunday and gets them again on Wednesday. He'll also face the Lakers and Timberwolves to finish out the week. If you start him, pray that Harris doesn't make a surprise appearance.
The Butler Isn't Doing It - Once again,
Caron Butler is a game-time decision for Monday. I would not have the guts to play him if I owned him, but the move could pay off if you get lucky and he goes in all four. But really, what's the point of him gutting out these games?
Deng It - It's still very tough to get a feel for when or if
Luol Deng will play again. I really don't even see the point in owning him as of now, especially since the Bulls' schedule gets bleak after the five games this week.
Jo-Ho Done Until Playoffs? - Howard hasn't really been ruled out of anything right now, but he's way to risky to currently be starting for your team.
K-Mart Hurting - Playing mainly only in the first half of his games with a back injury for now,
Kenyon Martin is just not going to put up enough numbers to be in starting lineups.
Renaldo Balkman and
Chris Andersen are playing though, and look like decent fantasy options with Phoenix, Golden State and Dallas as part of their four-game docket.
DE-TROIT IN-JU-RIES! - Rip Hamilton hopes to return from his groin injury on Tuesday. Risky, but doable if you need him.
Rasheed Wallace is now hoping to return on Thursday, giving him a potential three-game week. He's going to be rusty and is far from a guarantee to play, so I'd look for other options.
Allen Iverson sounds like he's getting closer, but he'll come off the bench and there's still no guarantee he'll be effective again this season with his back injury.
Old To Begin -
Greg Oden is back, although his minutes aren't all that exciting and
Joel Przybilla still appears to be dialed in after averaging a double-double last week. Feel free to grab Oden if you want him, but I'm not sure I trust him enough right now to start him. In fact, I know I don't if there are any other center options available.
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Monday Morning Injury Breakdown
Marvin Williams – back – Could be done for regular season.
Acie Law – back – No value when healthy.
Leon Powe – knee – Probably out a couple more weeks. Cut him.
Kevin Garnett – knee – Playing limited minutes, a little risky.
Brian Scalabrine – concussion – No real value when healthy.
Tony Allen – thumb – Hoping for playoffs.
Luol Deng – leg – Have you forgotten about him yet? Bulls have.
Wally Szczerbiak – knee – Could miss rest of regular season.
Ben Wallace – leg –May not return for regular season.
Josh Howard – ankle – Could he play this week? Maybe, but bench him.
Erick Dampier – knee – Missed last one but says he'll play on Weds.
Jerry Stackhouse – foot – Who knows when he'll play. No value.
Devean George – knee – Had season-ending surgery.
Kenyon Martin – back – Playing, but only first halves.
Rasheed Wallace – calf – Now shooting for Thursday? Ouch.
Allen Iverson – back – Could play this week, but bench for now.
Richard Hamilton – groin – Hoping for Tuesday, but a little risky.
Jamal Crawford – Nellieitis – Won't play until Saturday. Unreal.
Andris Biedrins – ankle – Should miss another week w/ sprain.
Anthony Randolph – groin – Returned Sunday, but only got 11 minutes.
Marco Belinelli – toe – Seeing specialist. Forget him for now.
Jermareo Davidson – foot surgery – Out for the season.
Carl Landry – leg – Bullet wound could keep him out awhile.
Tracy McGrady – knee – It's official. Season over.
Mike Dunleavy – knee – Had surgery, out for the year.
Danny Granger – foot – Should be safe start for now.
Marquis Daniels – wrist – Value was plummeting before injury.
T.J. Ford – personal – Healthy, but demoted for now.
Al Thornton – shoulder- Surprise DNP Sunday, start at own risk.
Marcus Camby – head – Playing right now, but always risky.
Ricky Davis – knee – Could be done for the year.
Andrew Bynum – knee – Running, but can't cut. Anyone's guess on return.
Mark Blount – personal – He's back, but doesn't have much value.
Andrew Bogut – back – Season very much in doubt.
Michael Redd – knee – Had surgery and is done for the season.
Al Jefferson – knee – Season over.
Devin Harris – shoulder – Doesn't sound likely for the week. Bench.
Eduardo Najera – ab strain – Out for season.
Chris Douglas-Roberts – flu – Playing well w/o Harris. Should be fine.
Tyson Chandler – ankle – Should play at some point, but not 100 percent.
Peja Stojakovic – back – Iffy for week, as usual. I'd bench him.
Hilton Armstrong – finger – With Chandler lurking & injury, very risky.
Ryan Bowen – shoulder – Wants to play, but no fantasy value either way.
Larry Hughes – toe – Iffy for Monday, in D'Antoni's doghouse?
David Lee – knee – Says he won't miss any more games this year.
Danilo Gallinari – back – In Italy having back looked at. Cut him.
Chris Duhon – ankle – He's back, but still fatigued. Weigh options.
Eddy Curry – knee – Could play again, but no fantasy value.
Desmond Mason – knee – Out for season.
Jameer Nelson – shoulder – Not likely to play again this season.
Elton Brand – shoulder – Season over.
Leandro Barbosa – knee – Could miss whole week and rest of season.
Amare Stoudemire – eye surgery – Done through playoffs. Hello, Barnes.
Greg Oden – bone chip knee – Back in limited minutes, but looks decent.
Nicolas Batum – ankle – Probable for Monday, but not much value.
Martell Webster – foot – Says he'll play again this season.
Andres Nocioni – quad – Two game week + injury = bench.
Bobby Jackson – cheek – Wants to play through it, just watch him.
Tim Duncan – knee – Could sit Wednesday vs. Hawks = 3-game week.
Manu Ginobili – ankle – Wants to play, but too risky for now.
Andrea Bargnani – Achilles – Surprise DNP Sunday leaves him very shaky.
Kris Humphries – leg – Broken leg, out indefinitely.
Deron Williams – leg – Looks good to go for the week.
Mehmet Okur – eye – Eye scare minor, should be good to go.
Caron Butler – hip – Was day-to-day all week. Could play, but your call.
Juan Dixon – Achilles – Iffy for Monday, could hurt
Nick Young a little.
DeShawn Stevenson – back – Season-ending surgery.
Etan Thomas – knee – Trying to avoid surgery. Forget him.
Brendan Haywood – wrist – Could play again, but not soon.
Gilbert Arenas – knee – Now says he'll play in five random games.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Harris unlikely to return Wed, possible Fri </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Devin Harris - G - NJ - Mar. 23</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Devin Harris (shoulder) told reporters Sunday that a return for the Nets' game against the Cavs on Wednesday is "far-fetched."
