Fantasy Related but good info......
Steph Curry: Heating Up
Weekend Fantasy Highlights/Lowlights
These basically show up in alphabetical order by team, with not every team getting an update if there's nothing fascinating going on.
Rajon Rondo was a late scratch on Sunday with a hamstring injury and is day-to-day again. Sunday surprises are the worst and here's to hoping this one didn't get you. The C's are off until Wednesday so I'd go ahead and play him, but if he can't go in that one after resting since Friday's game, we might have a real problem on our hands. But remember that he took a real hard fall in that Friday game, yet played through it. Shaquille O'Neal left on Sunday with a sore right calf and is day-to-day.
After getting embarrassed by the Heat on Thursday the Cavaliers then got their barn doors blown off by the Timberwolves on Saturday in Minnesota. I feel bad for the fans and kind of bad for the players, but this has the feel of someone getting bullied and then simply quitting. Like when Bob and Doug McKenzie are driving the van with no brakes downhill in Strange Brew and Doug decides there's "no point in steering now, eh?" Come on Cavs. Suck it up and have some pride.
Denver's Chris Andersen broke a bone in his lower back and will be out for a couple weeks. Arron Afflalo scored a season-high 25 on Sunday and J.R. Smith struggled in that one.
Ben Gordon started the second half for the Pistons on Sunday and it still smells like lineup changes are coming. Eventually Austin Daye is going to be turned loose, but for now, Rodney Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince and Richard Hamilton are the only guys I'd start. Speaking of Rip, he's broken the 20-point plateau just three times this season and scored exactly 27 each time. And the really weird part? All three games were at home, on a Sunday.
Stephen Curry went off for a season-high 39 points in Sunday's loss to the Thunder, while Monta Ellis scored 29 points for the Warriors. Oh, and by the way. Basketballmonster.com now has Curry as the No. 2 player in non-turnover leagues, and at No. 4 overall in leagues that count them.
Brad Miller went nuts for the Rockets on Friday for 23 points and then backed it up on Saturday with 20. Who knows if he'll keep it going, but that guy has busted in my lineup and played well on my bench (and after I've cut him) with tremendous consistency this season. Yao Ming is hoping to play on Tuesday, but Miller should still get run, along with Chuck Hayes and Jordan Hill. Aaron Brooks is also due back soon from an ankle injury, but keep rolling Kyle Lowry out there until it happens.
Pacers Brandon Rush and Josh McRoberts, who were both featured in Waiver Wired, should be watched closely going forward.
Chris Kaman left Sunday's Clippers game after aggravating his ankle injury and is probably too risky to start this week. Blake Griffin's free throw shooting is really, really bad, but he's just too fun to own right now. Just like Shaq and Dwight Howard before him, Griffin is going to be one of those "free throws made" league freaks. Brian Cook probably has a one-game suspension coming for taking out Joel Przybilla last night, while Baron Davis appears to be back and ready to take over the starting point guard duties from Eric Bledsoe. And while Eric Gordon is playing well and having a big season, he's still bothered by his shoulder injury, which is just something to keep in mind going forward.
Andrew Bynum could play Tuesday against JaVale McGee and the Wizards. I wouldn't put him in a fantasy lineup yet, but it's time to own him and get ready for his debut for the Lakers. Pau Gasol skipped Saturday's practice and the Lakers are going to be very careful with him. He's still probably worth starting, but Phil Jackson will yank him at the first sign of trouble with the injury.
Xavier Henry scored a career-high 17 points on Sunday, while O.J. Mayo is now withering away on the Grizzlies bench. He scored three points on Friday and three more on Sunday, making him unplayable right now. And yes, I would probably cut him given my well-documented lack of patience in fantasy, but I'm not going to tell you to cut him. Do it if you must, but try to hang in there with him if you can. As for Henry, I'm not rushing out to pick him up.
Andrew Bogut returned for the Bucks from a back injury on Saturday with a season-high 31 points, 18 boards and two blocks. Wow. Maybe the five-game break also allowed his sore arm to heal. Either way, get him back in your lineup.
Michael Beasley is iffy for Monday against the Knicks after missing Saturday with a sprained ankle, while Anthony Tolliver is going to miss time for the Wolves with a knee injury. Meanwhile, Kevin Love is averaging nearly 22 points, 17 rebounds and two 3-pointers in his three December games, and 19 points, 15 boards and one 3-pointer on the season. He's increased his league-leading rebounding average to 15.3, which is a full three boards over Joakim Noah, who now has to compete with Carlos Boozer for them. And yes, Darko Milicic is still kicking along for the Wolves, who play four games this week.
Devin Harris is back for the Nets, but that didn't stop Jordan Farmar from scoring 16 points on Sunday. Farmar may be worth hanging onto going forward. Looking at the box score for this game can do irreparable damage, especially for the owners of Brook Lopez, who has hit rock bottom. Then again, the whole team has, as Lopez can't get a rebound, Terrence Williams is dominating the D-League, Troy Murphy can't get off the bench and Anthony Morrow is treated like the best player on the team. Well done, Avery Johnson. Well done.
Shawne Williams is suddenly relevant for the Knicks, but is still only worth a look in deeper leagues. Landry Fields is the real deal and had another double-double on Sunday. I also think we're close to an Eddy Curry sighting, but it shouldn't matter in fantasyland. If you're still waiting for Anthony Randolph, I hope you aren't holding your breath. And don't look now, but Amare Stoudemire is crushing, going for at least 30 points and nine boards in four straight games.
Kevin Durant finally returned from a two-game absence with a knee injury and led the Thunder to a win over the Warriors, while Serge Ibaka abused the undersized opposition for 19 points, eight boards and three blocks off the bench. Wish I had a crystal ball on him, as he's another guy that duds in your lineup and goes off from your bench.
Orlando is flu stricken and owners of every one of them should be keeping a close eye on Rotoworld.com's news feed today. They host the Hawks at 7 tonight.
Jodie Meeks is starting at SG for the Sixers and is worth a look if you need threes, but he doesn't do much else. Or, at least he hasn't done much else up to this point.
Hakim Warrick caught fire off the Suns bench on Sunday for 26 points on 10-of-13 shooting and six rebounds, but had been terrible before that. I'm going to ignore him for now as long as he's coming off the bench.
Nicolas Batum had 13 points and a season-high 14 boards on Sunday off the bench, but was useless in his previous few games. He might be worth a pickup if he was dropped in your league, but I wouldn't put him into a lineup yet. Wesley Matthews had another nice game with 26 points, but might have left the bench after Brian Cook's hard foul on Joel Przybilla. And if he did, he could be facing a one-game suspension. If he's going to get one, let's hope the punishment comes down today before you have to set your lineup. The bad news is the Blazers don't play until Tuesday.
Beno Udrih is back in the starting five for the Kings right now, who are still a complete mess. DeMarcus Cousins looks like he's probably worth owning again, while the rest of them, outside of Tyreke Evans, are a crapshoot.
George Hill is hot for the Spurs, hitting double figures in scoring in eight straight games. Manu Ginobili is dealing with a sore neck, but doesn't sound in jeopardy of missing time.
Jerryd Bayless is suddenly a focal point of the offense in Toronto, and I have to give props to several readers who told me this was coming when he was traded to the Raptors. I didn't buy it, but it appears to be happening. He had 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and five 3-pointers on 8-of-16 shooting on Sunday and appears to be ready for a full timeshare with Jose Calderon. Which really stinks for JC's owners. I picked Bayless up in several leagues yesterday. Amir Johnson, who I cut in a few leagues, but still own in others, finally blew up with 22 points, 16 rebounds, three steals and two blocks on 10-of-14 shooting. Yes, it was the Knicks, but he's played well in two straight, has four games this week, and gets the Knicks in one of those. Get him in your lineup.
Random and Unrelated
It's been interesting to watch the uproar of the baseball community on Twitter with the Nationals signing Jayson Werth to the third largest ever contract for an outfielder ($126 million over seven years). Something tells me those baseball guys wouldn't have enjoyed Rashard Lewis' deal, either.
Peyton Manning was awful again last night and just doesn't look right. Is this the end for the Colts? I don't think so and I will still argue that it's nearly impossible to compete at that level with a bunch of fill-ins, but man, he doesn't look good. As one of my Indy buds posted on Facebook last night: "Ah, so this is what it feels like to have Brett Favre as your team's QB."
I haven't mentioned music much recently, but then again, haven't had much time to buy or listen to music. I did hear on Sunday that Sebadoh used some stuff I had lying around for the artwork on the upcoming 'Bakesale' reissue and my name will actually appear in the credits. That's a first for me and Bakesale is one of my all-time favorites, so needless to say, I'm pretty thrilled.
Lastly, thanks to all of you who follow me on Twitter. I hit 3,000 followers on Sunday and I appreciate it.
Monday Morning Injury Report
Joe Johnson – elbow – Out for a month. Marvin, Bibby, Evans benefit.
Shaquille O'Neal – calf – Day-to-day, hopefully will be OK by Weds.
Rajon Rondo – hamstring – Hopefully will be ready by Weds.
Delonte West – wrist – Will miss most of season.
Jermaine O'Neal – knee – Could finally return this week.
Kendrick Perkins – knee – Targeting early February.
Roddy Beaubois – foot – Still out a few more weeks.
Chris Andersen – back – Will miss a couple weeks.
Kenyon Martin – knee – Maybe ready next week?
Rodney Carney – foot – Day-to-day, but has no fantasy value.
Brandan Wright – back – hasn't played in several weeks.
Louis Amundson – finger – Could play late in week.
Ekpe Udoh – wrist – Could return in December.
Yao Ming – leg – Hoping for Tuesday, don't start him yet.
Aaron Brooks – ankle – Hoping for Dec. 10. Bye, bye Lowry.
Chris Kaman – ankle – Day-to-day, but now very risky start.
Randy Foye – hamstring – Out last week, not much value.
Pau Gasol – hamstring – Playing, but could miss game at any time.
Andrew Bynum – knee – Could play Wednesday, risky this week.
Udonis Haslem – foot – Targeting April return.
Mike Miller – thumb – Could be back in next 10 days or so.
Drew Gooden – foot – Missed Saturday, very risky play.
Carlos Delfino – head – Still 10 days or so away.
Michael Beasley – ankle – Game-time decision.
Anthony Tolliver – knee – Will be out "a while."
Martell Webster – back – Could be nearing a return.
Jonny Flynn – hip – Could play this week, but not tonight.
Ronny Turiaf – knee – Will play Monday.
Kelenna Azubuike – knee – Could return any day. Keep an eye on him.
Eddy Curry – hamstring – Says he's healthy, D'Antoni disinterested.
D.J. White – ankle – Day-to-day, no fantasy value.
Ryan Anderson – foot – Could miss several weeks, Bass benefits.
Jameer Nelson – flu – Iffy Monday.
Dwight Howard – flu – Iffy Monday.
J.J. Redick – flu – Iffy Monday.
Mickael Pietrus – flu – Iffy Monday.
Robin Lopez – knee – Still a couple weeks away.
Manu Ginobili – neck – Neck is sore, but he's fine.
Peja Stojakovic – knee – Missed 3 straight, keep benched.
Reggie Evans – foot – Will miss a couple months.
Mehmet Okur – achilles – Getting close, worth a stash.
Josh Howard – knee – Getting closer, but could be a few more weeks.
</TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=subHead vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pau Gasol's hamstring much improved </TD></TR><TR vAlign=top><TD class=vaLabel colSpan=3>Pau Gasol - F/C - LAK - Dec. 6 - 3:54 p.m. ET</B> </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top colSpan=3>Pau Gasol's injured hamstring was feeling much better on Monday and he now looks like a safe bet for the upcoming week, including back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday.
