Fantasy Related but good info........
Even Kidd Can't Miss w/ 5
We had an interesting weekend here in Dahlonega, Georgia. We had the first white Christmas in 120 years with a couple inches falling on Christmas Day, while today is my birthday. I'm thinking of celebrating by driving my four kids to Indy for a few days, leaving my wife behind to work. Last time I drove them to Indy without her was in the dead of winter as well, and while I won't go into detail, we had a puppy in the car, as well as a baby doing an impersonation of Linda Blair in the Exorcist. Hopefully things go a little more smoothly this time if I decide to go for it.
Anyway, as far as hoops go, here's a list of some things going on around the league you'll want to think about from a fantasy standpoint this week.
Five On The Five
I forgot to mention the Dallas Mavericks play five times this week in Waiver Wired, but I'm sure you figured that out by now. DeShawn Stevenson is available in a couple leagues, but even a games-played whore like me isn't going to touch that one. Besides, so many teams play four times this week, the five-game advantage isn't as big as it usually seems to be. But if you own Dirk Nowitzki, you already have a lead in your game, while this could be a nice week for Jason Kidd, as well.
Welcome Back
Here's a list of guys who have returned to action recently, or are set to return, and a quick thought about them.
Jamal Crawford (back) – Should be ok to start, but still a bit shaky.
John Wall (knee) – Played off bench on Sunday, risky as usual.
Andray Blatche (susp.) – Should be fine after silly suspension for fighting with…
JaVale McGee (susp.) – Ditto, although bench role could be coming.
Jermaine O'Neal (knee) – No fantasy value for now.
Taj Gibson (head) – Could get back into groove, but bench for now.
Stephen Curry (ankle) – Must-start with 4 games after playing (poorly) on Sat.
Mike Miller (thumb) – Will start hitting threes at some point, but risky start.
Nenad Krstic (ankle) – Does nothing but hurt Serge Ibaka.
Jason Thompson (hand) – Does nothing but hurt Carl Landry, who I'm starting.
George Hill (toe) – Ruins Gary Neal, but a little risky coming off injury.
Mehmet Okur (Achilles) – I see no reason to be playing him right now.
Good News For People Who Like Bad News
As for the big injury picture, a link to the NBA Injury Report at Rotoworld is linked at the end of the column, which will give you the entire league. But here's what we know about the guys you are asking about the most as you prepare to set lineups.
Rajon Rondo (ankle/hamstring)
Rondo could play this week, and it could even happen Tuesday at Indy. But he could also miss all week. Either way, he's a risky play and Doc Rivers is always too coy and mysterious about his injured players. I really wouldn't be surprised to see him play on Tuesday, or miss the entire week. Therefore, if I owned him I'd be looking for an alternative starter this week, while praying for an update later on Monday. One thing we've learned in his absence is that Nate Robinson is no Rondo. But maybe Paul Pierce is close.
Gerald Wallace (ankle)
Crash is now planning on sitting out Monday and Wednesday with his severely sprained ankle, meaning it's time to get him benched until further notice. That injury must have been a bad one, as he'll have missed six straight games if he does play on Friday. Curiously, Gerald Henderson will start in his place, and while he has no value, this whole scene appears to be setting up perfectly for a breakout week for Tyrus Thomas under new coach Paul Silas. Of course when expectations are high for Thomas, he generally turns into a disaster, but if I own him, I'm starting him this week, just out of principal. And if Silas doesn't set Thomas free, it's probably never going to happen.
Carmelo Anthony (personal)
As I predicted when the news first came out that Melo would return "after Christmas," he also missed Sunday's game. He's expected back for Tuesday against the Blazers, but that is not guaranteed and he'll be playing with a heavy heart. I'd start him if I owned him, but there is a little risk involved.
Andrea Bargnani (calf)
I posted a cryptic Bargnani blurb on Sunday night that stated he didn't make the trip to Memphis for tonight's game due to a calf injury. Making matters worse is the team travels to Dallas for a Tuesday game and will then hit Houston on Friday. They're back home for Boston on Sunday, but Bargnani might miss the whole week. He's definitely out on Monday, and doubtful for Tuesday and Friday. Bench him until further notice, and look for Amir Johnson and Joey Dorsey to get extra run in his absence. Johnson is iffy with a back injury of his own, but it sounds like he's going to try to play. And as owners know, just because he's starting doesn't mean he's necessarily going to play well.
Brandon Roy (knee)
Maybe he'll play Thursday, maybe he won't. But if I own him, he's planted firmly on my bench.
Monta Ellis (ankle)
Monta tweaked his ankle on Saturday but played through it for a monster fantasy line. It's possible it swelled up on him and could hurt him this week, but I've got him in all my lineups for now. And I'm leaving him there unless I see an update on his status on Rotoworld later today.
Keep reading for more injury updates, as well as some Shallow Thoughts.
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Andris Biedrins (foot)
He's missed four straight, but there is talk he might play on the upcoming road trip. While that's not enough good news to toss him into your weekly lineup, it does give owners some hope.
Dwyane Wade (knee)
Wade missed a couple dunks on Christmas Day, but played pretty well despite swelling in his sore left knee. As far as I know, he should be good to go this week. The Heat only play three games though, and I could see Wade possibly taking a half off against the Warriors on Saturday, which is just something to keep in mind.
Darko Milicic (ankle)
Darko is supposedly feeling better, but his game looks like garbage right now. I'm going to blame it on the various injuries he's been dealing with, while the haters are going to blame it on Darko just being Darko. Either way, the Timberwolves only have three games this week and I'm going to make sure I don't have a more reliable four-game option to use in his place. However, I'm not going to cut him.
Lou Williams (baby)
Sweet Lou will miss two games due to the birth of a child. First of all, congratulations, Lou. As a father of four, I can dig it. But I'm also the guy who has had a laptop in the birthing room and hospital, posting updates and writing columns with each of the last three babies, and not missing a day of work at Rotoworld in nine years. So I'm not a big fan of missing multiple games for healthy babies, especially when Lou will probably be paid as much in those two missed games as I make in a year, but what do I know? I mean, if I had a crappy job that I hated, I'd use the baby card to get as many days or weeks off as I could, but he plays in the NBA. And all of this nonsense is, of course, thrown out the window if the baby is not healthy or there are complications. Steve Nash played on the same day his son was born in November, which is what I'm talking about. Of course, he also announced he was getting divorced the next day. Coincidence?
Daniel Gibson (flu)
Gibson is a little iffy with the flu, but has been hot lately. There's a decent chance he'll play on Tuesday, but it's far from guaranteed. Check your options carefully before using Boobie.
Mike Conley (hand)
Conley's hand laceration sounds pretty gross, but he played through it after suffering the injury and is expected to play on Monday. There's some risk there, as the injury is on his right hand, between his ring and pinking finger, but it sure sounds like he's going to play.
Al Harrington (thumb)
X-rays on Harrington's thumb were negative, but given his poor play as of late, this looks like a great excuse to bench him anyway. He wasn't very good with Carmelo Anthony out, so I see no reason why his outlook is any better this week with Melo due back. Then you add in the fact that his thumb isn't right, and I can't find a single reason to start him.
[SIZE=+1]Shallow Thoughts[/SIZE]
Super Friends Bashing
You guys know how I feel about Avery Johnson, but he actually had a nice zinger directed at LeBron James recently. James has been running his mouth about contraction, saying the league would be better off eliminating a team or two and upgrading the talent level across the board, to which Johnson had this response. "I disagree. Maybe the league would be better if we didn't have three stars on one team." Thanks to @Samamiconba on Twitter for that one.
Electric Larryland
I've recently been accused of being "bullish" on Tyrus Thomas, and while it might appear that way, I'm not sure it's the case. I have been bullish on him in the past, and he's let me down nearly every time. All I'm saying is that with a new coach, an injury to the team's best player and a new running offense, it's now or never on Thomas. Will I be surprised if he's being dropped in all leagues a week from now? Not at all. But you have to at least take a flier on him to see what happens. Just like many of us did with Michael Vick and Peyton Hillis back in NFL Week 2 (I thankfully benched Hillis this week, by the way).
Detroit Rock City
I can't figure the Pistons out and I'm not sure anyone else can, either. Rodney Stuckey, Charlie Villanueva and Tayshaun Prince should all be solid, but the simple truth is that none of these guys are reliable. Ben Gordon was a hot pickup when he was announced a starter, but he's been just as bad with the starters as he was on the bench and it looks like the veterans just don't give a crap. I'd start Stuckey and Charlie V in most leagues, but outside of those two, you're really rolling the dice.
Must See TV
If you've ever thought about buying the NBA League Pass, Blake Griffin and the Clippers are reason enough alone to get it. Not only do you get to see Griffin put on a dunk contest and double-double clinic every night, but DeAndre Jordan has become very fun to watch, and you get Ralph Lawler and Michael Smith calling the games. It's just a really good time and Griffin is possibly the best athletic big man I've ever seen play. He's on a pogo stick. And for those of you demanding an apology for us sleeping on him early in the season, here it is. However, I wonder how may Griffin owners are winning their leagues? My guess is they're performing very well in points-based leagues, and possibly struggling in category leagues that dock for free throw percentage. Then again, that's just a guess.
We Are Very Busy People
The Lakers have looked like dog poo in two straight games, getting blown out at home by the Bucks and then embarrassed by the Heat on Christmas Day. It's odd, but it seems like Phil Jackson and Kobe Byrant have become so obsessed with hating Christmas Day games that they let it get in their heads. Like, they somehow don't even care if they lose that day in hopes of making some kind of point to the league. Kobe said something like "those games mean a lot more to the other team than they do to us." Whatever. Ray Allen said it's an honor just to play in the NBA and playing on Christmas Day is a small sacrifice to make. He also acknowledged that the games help bring families (his own included) together and basically said all the right things. It would be nice to see Phil, Kobe and Stan Van Gundy think about the troops overseas on Christmas, as well as the regular schmo's like you and me who were also working hard that day, and just shut it.
And on that happy note, I'm going to leave you with the link to the injured list. Good luck this week, and for those of you awaiting your football championship outcome, good luck on Tuesday night. I'm down about 35 points with Adrian Peterson and Michael Vick still going against no one. Fingers crossed
