NBA News/Injuries/etc. (4/19/11)

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Darren Collison - G - Pacers

Coach Frank Vogel said that the Pacers are preparing for Game 3 against the Bulls as if they'll be without starting point guard Darren Collison.
Collison also said that he's going to play if he's anywhere between 60-70 percent, so even if he plays it sounds like he'll be extremely limited. Look for an update before Thursday's Game 3 at Indiana. A.J. Price would likely start if Collison can't go for the Pacers. Apr. 19 - 4:39 p.m. ET
Source: Mike Wells on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Lamar Odom - F - Lakers

The Lakers are expected to make an announcement at 3:00 PM PST regarding Lamar Odom.
Odom is expected to take home the Sixth Man of the Year Award, and was viewed as the heavy favorite before the ballots were submitted. LO has been brilliant this season, looking seamless in his transition between starter and reserve, producing no matter what his role has been. He'll need to come up big for the Lakers in the postseason if they hope for a three-peat. Apr. 19 - 12:13 p.m. ET
Source: John Schuhmann on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Josh Smith - F - Hawks

Josh Smith reported improvement in his sprained elbow on Tuesday and remains on track to play in Game 2 against the Magic.
The injury is to Smith's shooting elbow, and if he struggles with his shot early he may look to defer to others on his team. He will have to remain very productive for the Hawks to take down Orlando for the second straight game. Apr. 19 - 11:25 a.m. ET
Source: Josh Robbins on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Chauncey Billups - G - Knicks

Chauncey Billups is officially listed as very doubtful for Tuesday night's Game 2 against the Celtics.
He did not participate in shootaround this morning, and Toney Douglas will start in his place. The Knicks are hopeful that Billups will be well enough to go in Game 3. Apr. 19 - 11:13 a.m. ET
Source: Frank Isola on Twitter

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Kenyon Martin - F - Nuggets </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Kenyon Martin is not happy with the way that his team defended Kevin Durant in Game 1.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>He wants to give KD the Kobe Bryant treatment, and those interested in his full comments should click the link below, as Martin really goes off on Denver's plan to stop Durant. Among his most notable of quotes was when he stated, "For three games, he’s been having his way with us – and I’m not comfortable with it." We'll see if it leads to any sort of defensive changes in Game 2.
Apr. 19 - 10:54 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Denver Post</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Chris Bosh - F/C - Heat </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Chris Bosh is the first player in Miami Heat history to open the postseason with back-to-back games of at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Much of the attention has been paid to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade for obvious reasons, but after a slow start to the regular season Bosh has really proven his worth in Miami. Without a dominant center, Bosh's success could be the X-factor in the team's playoff success.
Apr. 19 - 10:27 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Adam Reisinger on Twitter</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Andrea Bargnani - F/C - Raptors </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Raptors president/general manager Bryan Colangelo recently called Andrea Bargnani "the enigma of all enigma's".</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Bargs may not play a ton of defense or be a traditional center like Colangelo seemingly yearns for, but it doesn't seem to affect his playing time with the team. After a tumultuous regular season, it wouldn't be surprising to see the former no. 1 overall pick play elsewhere in 2011-12.
Apr. 19 - 9:43 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Toronto Sun</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Marc Gasol - C - Grizzlies </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Teammate Zach Randolph said that the Grizzlies told him they are intending to re-sign impending free agent Marc Gasol.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>"That's one of the reasons I signed," Z-Bo said. "They told me they were going to sign Marc back. That's what they said." It should be interesting to see how much money they plan to offer Gasol, who is going to be an extremely attractive option on the free agent market. Having just dished out lucrative extensions to Randolph, Gay and Conley, Memphis may not have the resources necessary to retain their starting center.
Apr. 19 - 9:27 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: NBA.com</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

HacheMan · Apr 19, 2011

Caron Butler - G/F - Mavericks </TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bodyCopy>Caron Butler, coming off knee surgery in January, is hoping to come back in the playoffs.</TD></TR><TR><TD>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Butler is hoping for a return, but it could take the Mavs reaching the Finals for it to happen. "Man, I’m hoping and praying," he said in regards to playing this postseason. "That would put at somewhere between 18 weeks or so; it’s a four to six month process and I’m approaching the fourth month, so we’ll see what happens. But, I’m definitely confident about playing again this year." Don't get too excited or draft him in a playoffs league, but don't be surprised if he makes an appearance in the Finals, either.
Apr. 19 - 1:57 a.m. ET</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>

</TD></TR><TR><TD class=vaLink>Source: Dallas Morning News</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>