FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Jermaine O'Neal: Misses One of Two Practices on Thursday
Update: O'Neal (knee) missed the morning session of the Pacers' two practices on Thursday, with some soreness in his surgically repaired knee, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: The Pacers are spending a lot of time running and generally working on conditioning in their early practices, which is more likely to put extra stress on O'Neal's knee.
Jared Dudley: Bigger Role Ahead?
Update: With Sean May out for the season, Dudley may pick up significant minutes in the Bobcats' frontcourt.
Analysis: Dudley will get minutes at the small and power forward spots, especially when Emeka Okafor rolls over the the five spot.
Sean May: Out For Season
Update: May will undergo microfracture surgery on his right knee and is out for the season, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: May, the 13th pick in the 2005 draft, has played in only 58 of 164 games over the past two seasons. May's injury leaves the Bobcats thin in the frontcourt, but will likely lead to more playing time for rookie Jared Dudley.
Jianlian Yi: Coach Refutes Playing Time Allegations
Update: Bucks head coach Larry Krystkowiak made it very clear Friday that he has made Yi no guarantees of playing time, according to the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: "It would be unfair to Yi, unfair to Charlie Villanueva, unfair to a lot of people because nothing is being handed to anyone coming into training camp," said Krystkowiak during the Bucks' annual media day. "The only commitment made was that we would develop him," said Bucks GM Larry Harris. From the sound of things, however, Yi is beginning to get comfortable on the Bucks roster despite the never-ending controversy surrounding his role on the team.
Antawn Jamison: Shin Fine, but Tweaks an Ankle
Update: Jamison (bruised right shin) returned to practice Friday, but had the session cut short after tweaking his right ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Jamison is questionable for a team scrimmage on Saturday. Talk about bad luck.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim: Out for At Least Three Weeks
Update: Abdur-Rahim (knee) will sit out at least three weeks while recovering from arthroscopic surgery, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Abdur-Rahim averaged a career-low 9.9 points last season despite playing in nearly every game for the Kings last season. Abdur-Rahim should be ready for the season opener.
Dwight Howard: Hoaning in the Fundamentals
Update: After leading the Magic with 317 turnovers, Howard has made a conscious effort to work on passing out of double- and triple-team defenses during training camp, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: "[Howard's] passing has been one of the most impressive things I've seen from him [in camp], getting the ball out to other people," said head coach Stan Van Gundy. Howard does not have many weak points in his game, so any progress in his passing ability spells great news for the Magic.
Matt Barnes: Sore Left Foot
Update: Barnes, who is already nursing a sore thumb, had X-rays taken on his swollen left foot on Thursday, the Contra Costa Times reports.
Analysis: The X-rays showed no break, but Barnes will not practice for the next couple of days and remain under observation. "It's just frustrating, the little stuff that holds you back," Barnes said. "But it's better to have it now than have it come up later in the season."
Emeka Okafor: 'Sleek and Fast'
Update: Okafor has lost 10 pounds this offseason and hopes to be in better shape to run the floor this season, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He's moving around the floor very well in practices. "I've slimmed down 10 pounds, so that will help," Okafor said. "Everybody is sleek and fast and in good shape. And we ran a bit last year, too, so I don't think it will be any problem at all."
Ryan Hollins: Working with First Team
Update: Hollins has been working at center with the starters for much of training camp, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: To be fair, Primoz Brezec has missed the last few days taking care of family matters, but the athletic Hollins fits in better with what fast-breaking Charlotte wants to do on offense. He'll not be much of a scorer, but he's an excellent shot-blocker and can run the floor. Keep an eye on his playing time as opening day aproaches.
Raymond Felton: Bobcats Run and Gun
Update: New coach Sam Vincent is going to have the Bobcats run fast and often this season, which suits Felton just fine, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The speedy Felton will run the middle while the athletic Gerald Wallace and Jason Richardson will play on the wings. Charlotte figures to be among the highest scoring teams in the Eastern Conference this season. Felton will never be a great scorer, but he could pile up the assists and steals this season.
Rashad McCants: Sore Hamstring
Update: McCants may miss Minnesota's first exhibition game due to a sore hamstring, the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.
Analysis: This doesn't look like a problem that will carry over into the regular season, but we'll watch his progress during the preseason.
Dwyane Wade: No Contact Until Mid-November
Update: Wade (knee, shoulder) won't be cleared for contact until mid-November, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: "I'm getting to do certain things with the team right now that I haven't done in five months, so that's good." Wade said. "Six months from the day I had surgery is the day I get cleared. And when I start, hopefully I'll be able to go for the rest of the 70-odd games we'll have left." It's believed that Wade will need at least one week of full-contact practice upon being cleared on Nov. 15, so a late November return to game action appears to be the best estimate for his return.
Alonzo Mourning: Likely Out Until Next Week
Update: Mourning missed Thursday's practice with a quadriceps injury and he'll likely be out of action until next week, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: It's still early enough where we don't see this as being any threat to his availability to begin the regular season. Mourning is still a viable option as a shot-blocking specialist for fantasy owners, even when Shaquille O'Neal is healthy and sees most of the minutes at center.
Shaquille O'Neal: Misses Practice Thursday
Update: O'Neal missed Thursday's practices because of knee tendinitis, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: We're not too concerned about this, as the Heat are currently saying he's "day-to-day". He should be back on the floor soon, though this little ailment is a friendly reminder that O'Neal is a long shot to play more than 60-65 games during the regular season.
Wayne Simien: Practicing Just Once Each Day
Update: Simien (knee) will be limited to practicing once each day until his swelling goes down, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: "It's definitely a setback for him," head coach Pat Riley said. "There's a lot of competition at that [power forward] position." Simien could be an option as a midseason pickup for fantasy owners, but don't expect much from him out of the gates.
Kyle Lowry: Returns to Practice
Update: Lowry (ankle) returned to practice Thursday, and expects to fully participate in Friday's practice, the Memphis Commercial Appeal reports.
Analysis: Lowry played in only 10 games for the Grizzlies last season, and will be stuck in a logjam in the Grizzly back court this season. Lowry is joined by incoming rookie Mike Conley, Jr, as well as 27 year-old Juan Carlos Navarro, and veteran Damon Stoudamire in competition for minutes at the point this season.
Andrea Bargnani: Toronto Exercises Option on Bargnani Through 2009
Update: The Raptors exercised the third-year option on Bargnani's contract, keeping the Italian forward in Toronto through 2009, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Bargnani had a successful rookie campgain being named to the all-rookie first team while averaging 11.6 points and 3.9 rebounds for the Raptors. Bargnani, the top pick of the 2006 draft, shot nearly 43% from the floor, including 37% from beyond the arc.
Tony Allen: May Sign A Contract Extension Within the Month
Update: Allen (knee) has until the end of October to sign an extension, according to the Boston Herald, and indications are that the team is leaning towards signing him.
Analysis: Allen's extension seemed at first to hinge on his health, but Celtics coach Doc Rivers noted that "I've been very pleased. He's been great. He's going to be fine health-wise. Truly I have no doubt about that." We expect the team to extend him sometime this month.
Darryl Watkins: Battles for a Roster Spot
Update: Watkins, competing with second-year center Justin Williams for a backup center spot behind Brad Miller, hopes to impress coaches at training camp, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: The 6-foot-11, 258-pound center is an undrafted rookie free agent from Syracuse who brings crucial qualities to the Sacramento frontcourt: rebounding and shotblocking. In his final season for the Orangemen, he averaged 8.1 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.4 blocks per game. With rookie center Spencer Hawes currently (knee) awaiting results from a second MRI, the possibility of playing time increases for Watkins. At this stage, he is strictly a project, but may warrant more attention if Hawes is out for a prolonged period.
Javaris Crittenton: Has Impressed Early in Training Camp
Update: Crittenton has impressed Lakers coaches early in training camp with his speed and athleticism, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Crittenton is battling with Jordan Farmar for the backup point guard spot, and has the advantage of being three inches taller than Farmar. With a strong training camp, he can wrest the backup job away.
Kwame Brown: Still Not Participating in Contact Drills
Update: Brown (shoulder) is still not participating in contact drills and will not for at least a week, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Brown is losing ground to Andrew Bynum and Chris Mihm in what is a three-man race for the starting center spot. We however expect Brown's shoulder to be ready for opening day.
Andrew Bynum: Has Shown Improvement Early in Training Camp
Update: Bynum has shown improved rebounding and shot-blocking early in training camp, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Analysis: Bynum currently leads what is a three-man race for the starting center spot, though the improved health of Chris Mihm may cut into his playing time.
Chris Mihm: Practiced For First Time in 17 Months
Update: Mihm (ankle) survived his first full practice in 17 months, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Mihm missed all of last season with reconstructive ankle surgery, but expects to be ready for the start of the regular season this year. We however would be wary at first of his fantasy prospects, especially with Andrew Bynum improving.
Devean George: May Not Be Ready for Season Opener
Update: George (foot) may not be ready to play when the season starts October 31 due to a stress reaction in his foot, the Dallas Morning News reports.
Analysis: Mavs coach Avery Johnson noted "90 percent of these (type of injuries) you're OK after two to four weeks. Some of them, you're not." We would expect Jason Terry and Devin Harris to pick up a greater load of minutes in George's absence.
Jarvis Hayes: Could Start Slowly
Update: Hayes' primary role with Detroit will be to provide offense, but he may not play much early in the season, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Hayes will be the primary backup to Tayshaun Prince this year, but Prince will probably play a lot with the second unit until rookie point guard Rodney Stuckey gets more comfortable running the team. Once coach Flip Saunders feels confidence Stuckey can run the second unit himself, Hayes will see his minutes improve considerably.
Tayshaun Prince: Leading Second Unit Also
Update: Although the Pistons hope to cut Prince's minutes a little this year, he'll probably play with the second unit a lot during the early part of the season, the Detroit News reports.
Analysis: While rookie Rodney Stuckey is getting his feet wet at the point, the Pistons want another reliable ball handler on the floor. Prince, like a lot of Pistons, wore down under the weight of heavy minutes last year. He shot only 24% in the Eastern Conference Finals, and there's no telling how much fatigue played a factor.
Larry Hughes: One Hundred Percent Healthy
Update: Hughes, who missed time and was hampered by various injuries last season, is 100 percent healthy and looking good in training camp, the Akron Beacon Journal reports. Hughes suffered from a finger injury, a high ankle sprain that he never got over, and a foot injury in the playoffs.
Analysis: He was limited to spot-up jumpers and offered little movement last season because of the ankle injury. Cleveland head coach Mike Brown is adding more schemes on offense this year, similar to ones used in Washington when Hughes scored 22 points per game. "I definitely think these changes were put in to help me out. They will allow me to play like I like to play," Hughes said. "It's no secret the way we played last year was not the way I wanted to play. But we needed to do it at the time, and it worked for us."
Deron Williams: Back to Practice
Update: Williams (oral surgery) attended Thursday night's practice, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: Williams missed the first few days of camp after having his wisdom teeth removed last week.
Carlos Boozer: A Week to Ten Days Away From Camp
Update: Boozer, who is in Miami where his son is undergoing a bone marrow transplant, is about a week to 10 days away from re-joining the Jazz's training camp, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: Boozer should be in Utah in time to participate in a few preseason games and be ready for the start of the regular season.
Shelden Williams: Sidelined by Hamstring
Update: Williams has been sidelined for much of training camp with a hamstring injury, the Atlanta Journal Constitution reports.
Analysis: With Josh Smith expected to start at power forward and the need to get Al Horford minutes there and at center, Williams could be looking at a marginal role off the bench for the Hawks this year.
Kurt Thomas: Sore Left Quadriceps
Update: Thomas missed all of Thursday's practice with a sore left quadriceps, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: The injury does not appear to be serious. "Somebody just kneed him," Seattle coach P.J. Carlesimo said.
Robert Swift: Knee Tendinitis
Update: Swift could miss the next couple of days of practice because of right knee tendinitis, the Seattle Times reports.
Analysis: This sort of thing should be expected considering he's coming off surgery to repair the right anterior cruciate ligament last year. "Robert's [injury] was probably expected. We've been going pretty hard," coach P.J. Carlesimo said. Swift is a candidate to start at center for the Sonics along with Kurt Thomas and Nick Collison.
Amar'e Stoudemire: Walked the Sidelines at Thursday's Practice
Update: Stoudemire (right knee) walked the sidelines at Thursday's practice, the first he attended since undergoing arthroscopic surgery on Tuesday, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Stoudemire said he felt no stiffness as he walked comfortably, dribbled between his legs, shot, encouraged teammates and watched with an analytical hand to his chin. Stoudemire should be finished with a more aggressive rehabilitation program by October 23. All signs point to Stoudemire being ready for the season opener. We'll keep you posted.
Ime Udoka: No Problem Coming Off The Bench
Update: Udoka is undaunted by the fact that he will have to fight for playing time despite starting 75 games last season for the Blazers, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: "I don't have a problem coming in and competing," he said. "That's the way I've always been." Udoka should be a valuable role player for the Spurs. His fantasy value is limited, however, as his strengths are primarily on defense.
Shaun Livingston: Shooting in Practice
Update: Livingston (knee) was shooting at Thursday's practice and is ahead of schedule in his rehab, the Los Angeles Daily News reports.
Analysis: Livingston dislocated his left knee and knee cap, tearing three ligaments in the knee. A best-case scenario has him coming back by February. "They don't want me to jump or whatever, but I still jump," Livingston said. "They stay on me to stay off the knee, but that's hard to do when I'm here in camp."
Tracy McGrady: Healthy for Now
Update: McGrady said the blister that forced him to cut short his participation in Wednesday's practice did not bother him Thursday - as long as he did not look at it, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"It's nasty," he said. "The whole skin is peeled off."
Analysis: McGrady said he was treated by Waco rehabilitation specialist John Patterson about a week before the start of training camp. Patterson's unusual treatment helped turn around McGrady's season after he went out with back spasms last December.
"I felt good, did well," McGrady said. "I don't have a sub. Bonzi (Wells) was out. Chuck (Hayes, who bruised his right foot) was out. So I went until I couldn't go anymore. We went up and down, went pretty hard. We're getting in great shape." McGrady's healthy at this point, but you'd be wise not to expect more than 70 games from him.
Bonzi Wells: On the Mend
Update: Wells went through the majority of Thursday's practice, returning from a pulled groin muscle ahead of schedule, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Wells was not expected to practice until Monday in Houston.
Analysis: After going through the drills Wednesday with no problems, Wells went through all of the drills and most of the scrimmage time Thursday. "I feel great," Wells said. "I did about two, 2 1/2 hours. It's good to be out there." Teammates said Wells looked particularly happy about playing and seems to be in good shape. But Rockets coach Rick Adelman said there is a reason Wells would look particularly energetic. "He did OK (Thursday)," Adelman said. "He scrimmaged for a while and then sat out the end of it. He should do OK. He's got the freshest legs here. But he did do OK. He was very active and very live." Barring a setback, Wells should be ready for the start of the season.
Yao Ming: Yao Passes Physical
Update: Yao passed the extensive physicals he took Thursday morning, with the slight tear of the labrum in his right shoulder not considered a major problem, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Rockets doctors and trainers determined Yao could better treat the shoulder with strengthening and stretching exercises than with surgery, and he was cleared to continue workouts and to play this summer with the Chinese national team.
Analysis: "He has a slightly torn labrum, but a lot of guys have that," Rockets athletic trainer Keith Jones said. "They play with it. We'll always do maintenance to make sure he keeps it strong. The exam was normal. We didn't feel the need to do an MRI or anything further. The doctor did the full range of motion tests. Everything was fine." A healthy Yao is a first-round pick in most formats, and right now, he's essentially healthy.
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