Fantasy Related but good info....
Miami Meltdown?
Fire and Ice
What is going on in Miami? The Heat are 8-6 after losing their second straight game on Monday, this time at home to the Pacers after getting beat at the buzzer by Rudy Gay and Memphis on Saturday. I'm pretty sure Bron, D-Wade and Bosh had circled those two games as easy wins prior to the season, but things aren't going according to plan.
www.miamiheat.ws
Dwyane Wade has been fighting through the flu and injuries, LeBron James has been quietly doing a little bit of everything and Chris Bosh is finally playing well. But on nights when James Jones doesn't hit a bunch of threes, things aren't going well for the Heat. Add in the fact that Mike Miller and Udonis Haslem are out, and it's going to possibly be a struggle for the Heat going forward. I still think they're going to get it figured out and LeBron is eventually going to snap and simply start taking over the entire offense, but it hasn't happened yet.
You have to wonder why Wade even bothered last night. His wrist injury is clearly a problem and he hurt his fantasy owners, and the Heat, a lot more than he helped. He was just 1-of-13 from the floor and 1-of-5 from the line for three points in 37 minutes, and I'm now concerned about his availability for the next one, although nothing has been reported that he might miss it. As usual, Wade's injuries are an early concern and are clearly hindering his game. In any case, the loss of Haslem, who could miss the whole season after foot surgery, is big. They're bringing in Erick Dampier to start at center and I still think the Heat are going to be a very dangerous and good team, but it's not going to happen until LeBron stops playing nice and starts taking over games for four quarters.
World Party – Way Down Now
The Hawks looked as bad as any NBA team I've ever seen play last night. They didn't look ready to play before the game, they didn't look ready to play just after tip off and the game against the Celtics was literally over midway through the first quarter. The Celtics couldn't miss, the Hawks couldn't get an open shot, let alone a basket, and it pretty much ruined my plan of sitting and enjoying an NBA game without having to worry about working. Kevin Garnett and Nate Robinson each double-doubled in the cakewalk.
How bad was it? Coach Larry Drew is opening an investigation to find out what kind of partying his boys are doing on nights before they have games. Atlanta is notoriously a great place to have home-court advantage in the NBA because of the late-night antics of the competition, but now it looks like it could also be negatively impacting the home team. As for that 5-game week I was so excited for? It's now a 4-gamer after nearly every player in a Hawks uniform, including Josh Smith, Joe Johnson and Al Horford, laid an egg. Whatever. Hopefully they can bounce back tonight against the, ahem, Nets. In fact, their next four are nearly must-win games with the Nets, Wizards, Knicks and Raptors on the schedule. That 6-0 start against non-winning teams is now a distant memory, and I'm not going to lie. I miss Joe Johnson.
Injury Returns
Kevin Durant (28 points, 3 blocks) and Jeff Green (24 points, 6 rebounds) both finally returned from their sprained ankles on Monday. We had plenty of notice that they'd play so hopefully you got them in your lineup. It's amazing how much better my teams look with Durant and Green back in the mix.
Steve Nash looked fine in his return from a groin injury with 24 points, nine dimes and five turnovers.
Chris Andersen's hair/tattoo combo was simply amazing last night, and much better than his seven points, three boards and a steal in his return from knee surgery. The numbers weren't there, but he looked good.
Things didn't go so well in Darren Collison's return from an ankle injury for the Pacers. He had just four points, two rebounds and three dimes in 21 minutes, and was clearly outplayed by T.J. Ford (13 points, six boards, five assists). Over the summer I tried to warn against expecting too much from DC after his awesome season in New Orleans, but Jim O'Brien might be getting to him. I really don't know what to tell you on Collison, other than to hold on and hope everything turns out all right. This was his first game back from injury and he's still the starter. But any time a guy you blew a 4th-, 5th- or 6th-round pick on has a game like that, it's tough to swallow.
Injury Roll Call
John Wall remains iffy for tonight after experiencing soreness in his left foot after Monday's practice. We should know more before game time, but the latest report makes it sound like he will finally play. And it also sounds like Kirk Hinrich will continue to start, with Gilbert Arenas coming off the bench for the Wiz.
Andrew Bogut is experiencing back spasms to go along with his sore right hand and elbow, and is very iffy for Wednesday. Consider him a game-time decision.
Chauncey Billups was out last night with his wrist injury, allowing Ty Lawson to go for 14 points, four boards, five assists and two 3-pointers. Billups is questionable for Friday, but it does sound like he is going to try to play that night.
Rajon Rondo was out last night with his hamstring injury, which might be the best decision the Celtics have ever made since the Hawks were no-shows. They get the Nets on Wednesday, which will be the second of a back-to-back for New Jersey, so it's possible they give Rondo one more day off. I assume he'll be a game-time decision for that one.
David Lee is hoping to play next Tuesday, but he also expects to take things slowly coming back. It's hard to believe that a thing as simple as Wilson Chandler's tooth is causing this much fantasy devastation, but it's true.
Chris Kaman would like to play on Thursday, but it sounds like he's being a little overly optimistic. But whether he plays that night or not, he's getting close to a return from a severely sprained ankle.
Andre Iguodala should be back in action tonight from his achilles injury, while it also sounds like Evan Turner is going to stick in the starting five, along with Spencer Hawes. Turner and Hawes aren't fantasy beasts, but are both worth consideration in many leagues.
Deron Williams is pretty banged up for the Jazz, but keeps on playing through it.
Mike Bibby is dealing with a sore achilles, but hasn't been forced to miss any time. With five games this week, he's in a lot of lineups, so fingers are crossed.
Baron Davis will be re-evaluated on Thursday but Vinny Del Negro still doesn't sound too psyched about his return. "The plan is to get him back here Thursday, and I won't have an answer [about his return date] until I see him in practice and see where he is physically and how his knee reacts," Del Negro said. He added that while Davis has done individual work, the PG "hasn't gone full throttle," and "he's not at the level right now that I think he's comfortable at."
Taj Gibson is unlikely to play for the Bulls tonight with a foot injury, which should mean more goodies for Joakim Noah, and an appearance from James Johnson.
Vince Carter left Monday's game with a sharp pain under his knee, which doesn't sound great. He's being re-evaluated today and is very iffy for Wednesday at Miami. If this turns out to be more than just knee soreness, both Rashard Lewis and J.J. Redick are going to get a boost.
George Hill left last night's game for the Spurs with cramps in his calf, but should be fine.
Kelenna Azubuike (knee surgery) is scrimmaging with the Knicks although no return date has been set. When he does play, I worry about it hurting Landry Fields and Toney Douglas.
Andrew Bynum could be practicing with the Lakers soon and it sounds like Dec. 17 is a possible target date for his season debut. That's about three weeks, so if you're thinking about picking him up, make sure you can survive with a hole in your roster for that long.
Keep reading for News and Notes from Monday night.
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News & Notes From Monday
Darko Milicic didn't crash the boards Monday, but hit 9-of-14 shots for 21 points, four boards and three blocks. I had him in most of my lineups and am now just hoping this isn't a fluke. If you've watched him play in the last couple games, it sure doesn't look like the same old Darko. Luke Ridnour came off the Wolves bench for 17 points, five boards and seven assists, but don't take the bait. The timeshare with Jonny Flynn and Sebastian Telfair is getting ready to happen. Kevin Love stole Darko's boards to finish with 24 points, 17 rebounds and a career-high four 3-pointers. Deadly combo.
Kyle Lowry had 13 points, eight boards and six steals as the Rockets lost another one, while Jordan Hill double-doubled and Chuck Hayes started at center. Lowry is still good to go for a few more weeks, while Brad Miller is still my favorite big man in Houston while Yao Ming is out for another 10 days or so.
Serge Ibaka saw just 18 minutes off the OKC bench, which completely goes against what Scott Brooks said yesterday. Which was that Ibaka will get his minutes whether starting or coming off the bench. It didn't happen last night, but it's clear he wants to play him. Hang in there with Ibaka.
Grant Hill is quietly hot again and had 17 points, seven boards, seven assists, a steal and a block on Monday. He's not the most exciting pickup in the world, but should be effective. Channing Frye is still playing well for the Suns and has been very consistent over his last six games. He's averaging 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 3-pointers, 1 block and .75 steals over that stretch, and is shooting it much better. Congratulations if you picked him up.
Dwight Howard had 26 points, 18 rebounds, three steals and two blocks on 11-of-16 shooting. He also hit 4-of-7 free throws, and some of the fantasy heat has been lifted off his shoulders now that Blake Griffin shoots his free throws in the NBA.
Tony Parker is still killing it for the hot Spurs and had 29 points and 10 assists last night, while Manu Ginobili added 25 points, six boards, nine dimes and three 3-pointers. Don't sleep on the Spurs. Matt Bonner blew up for four 3-pointers on his way to 15 points and seven rebounds, and is another reason why DeJuan Blair and Tiago Splitter are going to be tough to own this season. Bonner's worth a look in very deep leagues, but that's about it.
Tyreke Evans hit just 3-of-12 shots for 11 points, four rebounds and four assists last night. He's clearly a better basketball player when Beno Udrih is starting next to him, but Paul Westphal is choosing to shake things up. I got a couple emails from guys saying we had Evans ranked way to low in the Guide, but he's starting to have some real issues. He's played terribly in two straight and has scored 11 or less in three of his last seven games. He'll get it turned around, but I'd feel better about him if Beno was still starting at point guard.
Donte Greene had 10 points and five boards for the Kings last night, but I still think he's a guy who should be added in many leagues, as long as he hangs onto the starting job. And don't look now, but DeMarcus Cousins had 18 points and nine boards last night, is racking up rebounds and minutes right now. I don't fully trust him, but he is worth a close look with all the minutes he's getting lately. He's played 29 or more in three of his last four.
C.J. Miles, who we touted as a solid pick up last week, backed up his seven 3-pointer game with 20 points, four boards, four assists, a steal, two blocks and a three on Monday for the Jazz, hitting 8-of-13 shots. Again, another guy worth owning in most formats.
Al-Farouq Aminu made another start on Monday and had 16 points, four rebounds, two steals, two blocks and two 3-pointers on 6-of-11 shooting. He also played 37 minutes and the Clippers actually beat the Hornets. He should now be owned in most leagues until further notice.
Arron Afflalo hit three 3-pointers for 15 points, nine rebounds and two blocks for Denver, while Carmelo Anthony had 39 points, nine boards, five assists and hit all 17 of his free throw attempts in a win over the Warriors. Al Harrington hit five 3-pointers for 19 points and eight rebounds.
For the Warriors, Dorell Wright disappeared with two points on 1-of-6 shooting, while Reggie Williams and Rodney Carney each scored 16 off the bench. I still think Williams should be owned in many leagues, while we'll have to wait and see if the Wright party is coming to an end. Wright had scored 16 points in three straight, so he should bounce back. Dan Gadzuric had eight points, 11 rebounds and two blocks, but it's hard to imagine him every having real value.
Brandon Rush started over Mike Dunleavy and played the best game of his career, finishing with 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while also playing solid D on Dwyane Wade. Dunleavy added 11 points and these two are going to share minutes, regardless of who wins the job.
It sounds like Joey Graham will replace Jamario Moon in the starting lineup for Cleveland on Tuesday night, which will be worth keeping an eye on - especially in 14- to 16-team leagues.
