Fantasy Related But Good Info......
Big Blake Griffin
I went into Sunday needing just a total of 13 points from DeMar DeRozan and Monta Ellis to secure a win in one of my big leagues. No brainer, right? It was with shock and disbelief that the box scores said they combined for 11 points yesterday. Injuries are a natural and disastrous part of fantasy hoops (I had Kevin Durant in the same lineup and my opponent had Andre Iguodala in there), but having one of your stars simply not even show up in the clutch is a tougher pill to swallow.
www.miamiheat.ws
Monta is listed on the injury report for a bad hip, but is fine and ready to play through it. The Warriors were terrible last night in a loss to the Lakers at Staples. Pau Gasol was the polar opposite, posting a perfect line of 10-of-10 shooting 8-of-8 free throws, 28 points, five assists, nine rebounds and four blocks in the win.
Breaking Down Blake
Blake Griffin exploded for 44 points, 15 rebounds, seven assists, two steals and a block on Saturday. The highlight dunks were awesome, as was his game, although he did hit just 16-of-23 free throws. I've gotten a few emails from folks wondering what Griffin did to make us so leery of him and I've got an answer. Actually, I've got three of them.
1. In a keeper league, or a league that doesn't use free throw percentage, it's all good with Griffin and he should be held. He's just going to keep getting better and better.
2. In a points-based league that doesn't necessarily kill you for missed free throws, and that rewards a guy who might have success in just a couple categories, keep him and enjoy the ride.
3. In a head-to-head categories league, or a Roto league, where Griffin guarantees you a loss in FTP every week, and doesn't help you in many other categories, he should be dealt to another owner frothing over Saturday's big line.
I like Griffin and enjoy his highlights on the WWL, but don't own him in any leagues. I have a few leagues where I would love to have him, as well as a few where I'm not sure he would ever make my starting lineup.
5 vs. 2
The Hawks play five games this week, while the Blazers play just twice. It's possible Marvin Williams could outperform LaMarcus Aldridge this week, although I'm not telling you to play Marvin over Aldridge. But in many leagues, it makes sense to play guys like Mike Bibby and Marvin this week, while benching your Blazers will also make sense.
Iguodala's Return
Speaking of Andre Iguodala, he says he is planning to return from his achilles injury on Tuesday. The Sixers play four times this week and while owners in weekly leagues are still feeling the burn from starting him last week (for zero games played), it looks like he can be used if you don't have better options. Just don't expect him to be up to form after sitting out the last week.
Haslem Shut Down
www.miamiheat.ws
Udonis Haslem (torn ligament in left foot) is expected to be out until at least the All-Star break in February and if Monday's exam reveals a need for surgery, he could miss most of the regular season. The Heat haven't caught any breaks with this injury, as well as Mike Miller's thumb injury that still has him wearing street clothes. And while these are two legitimate and built in excuses for the Heat, no one is going to care if they still aren't winning a majority of their games a month from now. If you have Haslem, it's time to move on.
Calderon Could
Jose Calderon had just 11 points and two assists on Sunday, despite having the point guard minutes all to himself. He was an automatic pickup when Jarrett Jack was traded, but this doesn't guarantee that he's suddenly going to blow up and lead your team to a championship. Calderon has constantly disappointed and has never proven that he can handle a starting role. Many readers think that Jerryd Bayless is going to take over Jack's minutes and that Calderon will still be stuck in a 50-50 timeshare, which is also a possibility. But the bottom line is that Calderon's talent is above average and the possibilities for success are too great to ignore. If you picked him up, plan on a three-week experiment to find out if it was truly worth it. The odds are in your favor, but he's never been a sure bet.
What To Do About Wade
Dwyane Wade is now a risky play due to a wrist injury and he didn't participate in Monday's shootaround, making him a true game-time decision for tonight's game. We should know if he's in or out before his game starts, but he was a very late addition to the starting lineup on Friday before missing Saturday. The Heat have four games this week and you have to guess that Wade plays in three of them. Start him at your own risk, but I would lean toward playing him.
<!--RW-->Other Injury Notes</B>
John Wall missed his fourth straight game Sunday with a foot sprain, but sounds like he's closer to playing. Start him at your own risk.
Steve Nash (groin) and Rajon Rondo (hamstring) are both listed as doubtful for Monday, although there is late-breaking good news on Nash. He's feeling no pain in his groin and it now sounds like he might give it a shot against the Rockets, although it will be up to the medical staff. Neither injury is believed to be serious, but it is now sounding like Nash should be in fantasy lineups this week, while Rondo's situation is a little more tricky.
Taj Gibson is suffering from a foot injury that could cause him to miss some time. With Carlos Boozer nearing a return, it's time to start making plans for life without Gibson.
Chauncey Billups took a hard fall on Saturday suffering a broken nose and injured wrist. Ty Lawson could get some nice run in his absence, although there's no telling what Billups will do this week. I don't think Lawson is a must-start, while I don't think I'd start Billups this week.
Kevin Durant and Jeff Green have both been out for the Thunder with sprained ankles, which has been devastating for owners of both. Green has missed seven games, while Durant missed the last two.
Update Latest info is that both guys will start on Monday against Minnesota, so go ahead and get them in there.
Andrew Bogut is thinking about having his right arm looked at, as he's still in a great deal of pain seven months past his surgery. He's still playing through it, but could be one hard fall away from being shut down. Drew Gooden has suddenly awoken and is putting up serious numbers lately. But don't be surprised to see Scott Skiles tire of him and turn to a guy like Luc Richard Mbah a Moute at some point, probably just after you get Gooden into your lineup.
Who To Cut
I've been getting a ton of emails about which player to cut when picking up hot free agents like Darko Milicic, Jose Calderon, Donte Greene and Wesley Matthews. Eric Bledsoe is a name that often comes up and at this point, it is probably safe to let him go. Randy Foye is back (or at least he was for a minute) and will hurt Bledsoe's playing time if his hamstring is every 100 percent again. Baron Davis is expected back sometime this week from a knee injury, which is also going to hurt Bledsoe. The rookie may or may not keep the starting job, but is going to be in a three-headed timeshare either way.
Terrence Williams, like teammate Troy Murphy, Knick Anthony Randolph, and Piston Austin Daye, is getting no love from his coach and is useless right now. Unless you have a deep bench or are in a weekly lineup league, it would be very difficult to sit on any of these guys right now. Are they automatic cuts from your roster? No, but could be dropped if you need to make a move. You just have to weigh the pros and cons and assume that you will be fine if the player you're dropping blows up a couple weeks or months from now.
News and Notes
Richard Hamilton blew up for 27 points in a vintage performance on Sunday. Now let's see him do it again. Charlie Villanueva had 25 points and 11 boards, while Austin Daye was a DNP-CD. Be careful with any Pistons, as John Kuester simply cannot be trusted.
Gilbert Arenas handed out a career-high 16 assists, while JaVale McGee is coming on, adding 20 points, 16 rebounds and two blocks on Sunday. Of course, it came against the Pistons.
Amir Johnson had 17 points and 11 boards for the Raptors, just as he was finally being dropped in many leagues.
Al Horford went 20 & 20 on Saturday.
Tony Parker's divorce doesn't seem to be limiting him at all, as he's possibly more focused than ever.
On a tragic note, a small child fell from an upper-level suite just after the Laker game ended and died on Sunday night. Thoughts go out to the family and everyone involved.
Hacked
My email account was hacked, or something, and ended up sending out spam to my entire address book. Therefore my email has been shut down for 24 hours. In other words, don't expect to hear from me today.
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Monday Morning Injury Report
Rajon Rondo hamstring – Doubtful Monday, should play rest of week. Your call.
Jermaine O'Neal knee – No timetable on return but should be getting closer.
Kendrick Perkins knee – Still targeting early February.
Taj Gibson foot – Missed Sunday's practice, iffy for Tuesday. Risky.
Carlos Boozer hand – Could be back late next week.
Roddy Beaubois foot – Should play sometime in December.
Chauncey Billups nose, wrist – Sounds banged up. Probably best to bench.
Kenyon Martin knee – May be back in January.
Chris Andersen knee – Probable tonight vs. Warriors.
Monta Ellis hip – Sounds good to go on Monday.
Brandan Wright back – Could keep him out awhile.
David Lee elbow – Will be examined on Tuesday, out on Monday.
Yao Ming leg – He's probably out another week for now.
Aaron Brooks ankle – Still a couple weeks away.
Darren Collison ankle – Sounds like he should be back Monday night.
Randy Foye hamstring – Missed practice, iffy for Monday. Good for Bledsoe.
Rasual Butler finger – Not worth using if healthy.
Baron Davis knee – Could be back any time now. Bad for Bledsoe.
Chris Kaman ankle – He'll be out at least one more week.
Andrew Bynum knee – Targeting Dec. 10.
Dwyane Wade wrist – 50-50 to play on Monday night.
Udonis Haslem foot – Targeting All-Star break.
Mike Miller thumb – Targeting Christmas.
Carlos Delfino concussion – Who knows?
Nikola Pekovic ankle – Day-to-day but no fantasy value.
Jonny Flynn hip – Now targeting early December.
Martell Webster back – Still a few weeks away.
Kelenna Azubuike knee – Nearing return. Could hurt Fields, Douglas.
Kevin Durant ankle – Risky, but almost have to start him.
Jeff Green ankle – Isn't seven games enough?
Andre Iguodala achilles – Sounding likely for Tuesday, if no setbacks.
Steve Nash groin – Thinks he might play on Monday, I'd probably start him.
Robin Lopez knee – Out for about a month. Hello, Channing Frye.
Brandon Roy knee – Blazers two games, Roy may play in zero. Bench.
Joel Przybilla knee – Should play this week. Nazr Mohammed might be better.
Greg Oden knee surgery – Season ends before it begins.
Mehmet Okur achilles – No new timetable, sometime in December.
John Wall foot – Has now missed four straight, risky start.
Yi Jianlian knee – Could play this week, but not worth risk.
Josh Howard knee – Will be back some time in Dec., who knows for how long.
