FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Dwyane Wade: Still Wants to Represent USA
Update: Wade (knee) said that he will be ready to take part in summer workouts in preparation for the Olympics in August, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Wade missed the final 21 games of the season after undergoing a form of shock wave treatment on his surgically repaired left knee. If Wade is able to play in the summer games, he should be in much better shape heading into next season, though the fatigue may be a factor in April and May of 2009.
Rafer Alston: Likely to Miss the First Two Games at Least
Update: Alston is hoping to return from a strained hamstring in Game 2, but more than likely won't be cleared for action until the series shifts to Salt Lake City, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: Bobby Jackson will start in his place.
Josh McRoberts: Sent to Idaho
Update: The Blazers sent McRoberts to Idaho of the Developmental League Thursday.
Analysis: McRoberts averaged 7.7 rebounds and 6.4 rebounds in 15 games with Idaho this season, and only played in eight games with the Blazers.
Mouhamed Sene: Underwent Knee Surgery
Update: Sene underwent successful knee surgery Monday.
Analysis: Doctors repaired a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee. He was co-defensive player of the year in the D-League, averaging 12.4 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Kevin Garnett: Misses Practice to be With Expectant Wife
Update: Garnett missed practice Thursday because his wife was due to give birth, according to the Boston Globe.
Analysis: Garnett is expected to be back at practice on Friday to start preparing for their opening round series with Atlanta.
Juan Carlos Navarro: Returns to Spain
Update: Navarro left for Spain immediately following Memphis' final game, and was noncommittal towards returning to Memphis next season, according to the Memphis Commercial Appeal.
Analysis: Navarro had a nice rookie campaign, he averaged nearly 11 points per night and shot 36 percent from beyond the arc. Navarro said earlier this season that he was looking for a lucrative, long-term contract from Memphis.
Mehmet Okur: Will Not Face Suspension
Update: Okur will not face suspension from the NBA for a swipe at San Antonio's Fabricio Oberto during Wednesday night's game, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: An NBA spokesman confirmed via e-mail that the foul will remain a Flagrant 1 with nothing further in the way of penalties. Okur explained the swipe by saying he was off-balance after going for the loose ball and trying to hit the ball that was recovered by Oberto.
Deron Williams: Will Be Available Saturday
Update: Despite sitting out the second half of Wednesday's game against San Antonio, Williams (bruised tailbone) is said to be fine and will be available for the first game of the playoffs Saturday against Houston, the Deseret Morning News reports.
Analysis: "It's sore. It's sore. Just get some more treatment," Williams said Thursday morning following a team meeting. Trainer Gary Briggs said through a spokesman that Williams is fine, and the team is not listing him as "probable" or "day-to-day" or anything of that nature.
Luke Ridnour: Likely Played Last Game as a Sonic
Update: Ridnour played just 16 minutes Wednesday in what is likely his last game as a Sonic, scoring two points.
Analysis: Ridnour will still be under contract for 2008-09, but the Sonics likely will work out a trade this season to rid themselves of an unneeded part. Earl Watson took hold of the point guard job this season and never let go. The Sonics will draft a point guard in June, and, with Watson, won't need Ridnour. Ridnour was hampered by injuries early in the year, then rode the pine behind Watson.
Mouhamed Sene: Wins Defensive Honors in D-League
Update: Sene, whose season ended early because of a knee injury, won co-defensive player of the year honors in the D-League.
Analysis: Sene averaged 12.4 points, nine rebounds and two blocks. Sene played in 13 games with the Sonics, but made good progress in the D-League. He'll be back with the Sonics next season.
Jeff Green: Wraps Up Impressive Rookie Season with Double-Double
Update: Green scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds Wednesday, finishing a fine rookie season.
Analysis: Green had his ups and downs. Some games he looked like a future all-star, other times he seemed lost. But that's to be expected from an NBA rookie. Overall, he got better as the year wore on and is more likely a star in the making rather than simply a role player for Kevin Durant.
Nick Collison: Posts 22nd Double-Double in Season Finale
Update: Collison posted 16 points and 13 rebounds Wednesday in the season finale for his 22nd double-double of the season.
Analysis: Collison nearly averaged a double-double this season with 9.8 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. As a starter, he averaged 10.9 points and 11 rebounds per game. Collison is undersized for an NBA center, but he can hold his own. He proved this season, though, that he can be an NBA starter at power forward.
Earl Watson: Caps Season with Double-Double
Update: Watson posted 17 points and 12 assists Wednesday in the season finale, capping a strong second half to the season.
Analysis: Watson is prone to inconsistency, but he elevated his play in the season's second half. He scored in double figures in 24 of 28 games after the All-Star break, averaging nearly 15 points and more than seven assists. The Sonics likely will draft a point guard, but Watson has proven capable enough not to get traded in the offseason -- if for nothing else than to give the Sonics an insurance policy at point guard.
Kevin Durant: Ends Season with Career-High
Update: Durant turned in his best game of his rookie year Wednesday in the season finale, posting career highs of 42 points, 13 rebounds and 72 percent shooting (18-of-25).
Analysis: Good to see Durant finish strong. He turned the ball over five times, but offset that with six assists, two blocks and a steal. He's the runaway Rookie of the Year, leading all rookies in minutes, points and free-throw shooting. He also shoulder Seattle's offensive load (often by himself) and usually guarded the opposition's best player in the fourth quarter. Durant's game improved throughout season as he became more selective with his shot and stronger in the lane. In 30 games after the All-Star break, he shot less than 40 percent just seven times, shooting at least 50 percent 14 times. As he gains more strength, smarts and experience, his game has room for even more growth (particularly with rebounds and assists). Durant is the third teenager (LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony) to average 20 points in a season.
Jameer Nelson: Sits out Season Finale
Update: Nelson (bruised left thumb) did not play in Wednesday's game against Washington, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Nelson was held out for precautionary reasons and should be ready to go when the playoffs begin this weekend.
Dwight Howard: Wins Rebounding Title
Update: Howard grabbed four rebounds on Wednesday and finished the season averaging 14.2 boards per game, the highest average in the league.
Analysis: Howard is the youngest player to ever win the rebounding title, surpassing the record held by Dolph Schayes since the 1950-51 season, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Howard has developed into a star this season, but a deep run into the playoffs could push him to an even higher level.
JJ Redick: Another Double-Digit Game
Update: Redick shot 7-of-14 from the field, including 4-of-8 from behind the three point arc, and scored 18 points in Orlando's victory over Washington on Wednesday night.
Analysis: Redick played 24 minutes in the game and is showing that he can put the ball in the hole when given extra minutes. However, those extra minutes will disappear when the playoffs begin this weekend.
Brent Barry: Good in Regular Season Finale
Update: Barry (left calf strain) scored eight points (3-of-3 FG, 2-of-2 3-PT) in the Spurs' win over the Jazz on Wednesday.
Analysis: This was a good sign for the Spurs, as they will need good shooting from Barry, Michael Finley and Ime Udoka if they hope to beat a tough Phoenix team in the first round of the playoffs.
Marcin Gortat: Big Game in Finale
Update: Gortat had his best game as a pro on Wednesday, scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds to record his first career double-double in Orlando's victory over Washington.
Analysis: Gortat played a career-high 27 minutes in the game. With the Magic resting their regulars in preparation for the playoffs, Gortat and the other backups played most of the game. Don't expect him to see much playing time when the playoffs begin this weekend.
Tim Duncan: Strong Finish to Regular Season
Update: Duncan had 14 points, 11 rebounds, two steals and three blocks in 26 minutes in the Spurs' win over the Jazz on Wednesday.
Analysis: Duncan finished the season averaging 19.3 points, 11.3 rebounds and two blocks per game. The Spurs open the playoffs against the Suns on Saturday.
Mike Bibby: Getting Ready For The Playoffs
Update: Bibby had 17 points, four rebounds and five assists in the Hawks' loss to the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: In Bibby's 32 games with the Hawks, he averaged 14.1 points, 3.2 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.1 steals a game. Bibby will lead the Hawks into the playoffs against Boston on Sunday.
Al Horford: 12 Rebounds in Regular Season Finale
Update: Horford had eight points, 12 rebounds and two blocks in the Hawks' loss to the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Horford finished his rookie season averaging almost a double-double, scoring 10.1 points while grabbing 9.7 rebounds per game.
Josh Smith: Scores 20 in Regular Season Finale
Update: Smith had 20 points, seven rebounds, two steals and a block in the Hawks' loss to the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: For the season, Smith averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 2.8 blocks per game. Smith and the Hawks will begin their playoff run against Boston on Sunday.
Joe Johnson: Scores Five in Season Finale
Update: Johnson had just five points in the Hawks' loss to the Heat in the regular season finale.
Analysis: For the season, Johnson averaged 21.7 points, 4.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists and a steal while making over two 3-pointers a game. Johnson and the Hawks open their playoff series with Boston on Sunday.
Ron Artest: Under Review
Update: Artest can opt out of his contract this summer, but if he decides he wants to stay in Sacramento, management will review his controversial history to see if he should be included in the team's long-term plans, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "I'm sure that it (past) will play a part, and that is more of a franchise decision and a directional decision," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "And until I sit down with (Kings basketball president) Geoff (Petrie) and those guys and really discuss everything, I really couldn't even get into that. But that decision that is going to be made here is something that's going to last for the next four or five years, so yeah, it's a directional thing that we have to deal with." Artest has recently spoken about his desire to stay with the Kings, assuming they continue to remain competitive.
Allen Iverson: Leads Nuggets with 21 Points on Wednesday
Update: Iverson scored 21 points in just 19 minutes during Denver's 120-111 win over Memphis in Wednesday's regular season finale.
Analysis: Iverson, who has averaged over 40 minutes a game for the entire season, got some much needed rest. He finished 8-of-11 from the field (1-of-1 3-pt) and 4-of-6 from the line. The club's starting SG has played brilliantly down the stretch but his free throw shooting has been sub-par over his last seven games (49-of-73) and is something he'll need to correct if the club hopes to upset the Lakers in Round 1.
Carmelo Anthony: Plays 21 Minutes in Season Finale
Update: Anthony finished with 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and one steal during Denver's season ending win over Memphis on Wednesday.
Analysis: Anthony was suprisingly effective considering the dark cloud hanging over his head from his DUI arrest earlier in the week. His court date has been set for the 14th of May and it will be interesting to see if he can block out the legal troubles and catcalls during the club's first round series against the Lakers.
Nene Hilario: Expected to Play in Playoffs
Update: Nene (groin) missed his sixth consecutive game on Wednesday.
Analysis: While Nene finished the season on the bench head coach George Karl has indicated Nene will likely see action during the playoffs. However, we don't see the 6'11" PF playing more than 10-15 minutes a night even if he's healthy.
Bostjan Nachbar: MRI on Back
Update: Nachbar will undergo an MRI on his lower back Thursday to determine a course of action, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Nachbar will require straight rest or injections to combat an inflamed disc, but he said surgery is not an option. Nachbar is entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent.
Vince Carter: Decision About Ankle
Update: Carter said he will decide whether to have his right ankle scoped after Friday's postseason physical, the Newark Star-Ledger reports.
Analysis: Carter had been bothered by the ankle much of the year, but was phenomenal over the course of the final month when the ankle bothered him less.
Marquis Daniels: Sprained Ankle
Update: Daniels sat out the second half of the Pacers' season-finale against the Knicks with a sprained ankle.
Analysis: He'll have all summer to let it heal. The Pacers will be turning over much of their roster this offseason, and Daniels could be part of that overhaul.
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