FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Richard Jefferson: Strained Left Quad
Update: Jefferson strained his left quad during the first quarter of Monday's game.
Analysis: He was not expected to return, but this injury doesn't sound too serious. We'll get a better read on his status once the Bucks run some tests -- if they deem it necessary to do so -- in the next day or so.
Steven Hunter: Battling Knee Inflammation
Update: Hunter is battling inflammation in his right knee, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Hunter, who is competing with Chris Anderson and Juwan Howard for the back-up center role, will apparently practice if he can fight through the pain. This injury does not bode well for a guy who says he's desperate for playing time. If one week of practice causes swelling in his knee what will five or six games do?
Chris Andersen: Calf Injury Limits Practice Time
Update: Anderson was limited in Monday's practice due to a calf contusion suffered during Saturday's practice, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Anderson, who is competing for the back-up center role behind Nene, was kicked in the calf over the weekend and it's limited his mobility. He is not expected to miss significant time.
Allen Iverson: Misses Practice on Monday
Update: Iverson was not able to practice on Monday due to a knee contusion suffered during Friday's practice, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Iverson banged his left knee on the court during practice and the club played it safe and kept him sidelined on Monday. He is not expected to miss significant time.
Eddy Curry: Practiced for first time this season
Update: Curry (bacterial infection) practiced with the Knicks for the first time this season Monday, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He was unable to participate in training camp with the Knicks because of the infection, and he also came to camp out of shape. His starting job as New York's center remains in question, as new coach Mike D'Antoni will have a fast-paced system that he might be unable to keep up with. Expect David Lee to take some minutes away from Curry this season.
Ben Gordon: Jammed Toe In Monday's Practice
Update: Gordon, who is also is nursing a sore ankle, missed a portion of the Bulls' 3-hour-15-minute practice Monday after jamming his toe, the Chicago Tribune's Bulls blog reports.
Analysis: Coach Vinny Del Negro said neither injury is serious and Gordon hasn't sat for an entire practice. The Bulls begin exhibition play Thursday at home against Dallas, and so far, there is no word if Gordon's injuries will prevent him from suiting up.
Awvee Storey: Waived by Nets
Update: The Nets waived Storey on Monday.
Analysis: He might latch on elsewhere as a depth guy, but don't expect to see him on the floor much anytime soon.
Jianlian Yi: Yi catching up on offense
Update: According to the New York Times , Nets coach Lawrence Frank says that the time Yi missed due to a sprained ankle hasn't set him back too far in learning the new dribble-drive offense they're implementing.
Analysis: According to Frank, Yi has a good basketball IQ and he hasn't fallen too far behind. That'll be important for Yi, going into his second NBA season. New Jersey has a glut of young players and veterans, such as Bobby Simmons, trying to win starting jobs at small forward and power forward. Yi has versatility and the ability to hit 15-footers so he should be a better fit at the 4 than Josh Boone or Sean Williams. His problem has been concentration because he gets lost in games and doesn't maintain intensity.
Michael Ruffin: Sidelined By Sprained Left Ankle
Update: Coach Vinny Del Negro said Ruffin, who signed a non-guaranteed minimum contract with Chicago last week, will be sidelined a bit longer by a sprained left ankle, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: The injury won't help Ruffin's chances of making the team, and even if he does break camp with the squad, don't look for him to see major minutes.
Aaron Gray: Sprained Left Ankle: Might Practice Monday or Tuesday
Update: Coach Vinny Del Negro said Gray, sidelined by a sprained left ankle, might practice Monday or Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Gray is in the mix for playing time in the front court, but likely won't see enough minutes to be a fantasy factor.
Ben Gordon: Undergoing Therapy For Ankle
Update: Coach Vinny Del Negro disclosed Sunday that Gordon has been undergoing therapy for an ankle he rolled at a recent practice, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Gordon hasn't missed practice due to the ailment and still has a bit of time to be 100 percent before the season starts, so don't downgrade him yet on your cheat sheets.
Brandon Bass: Will See Time at Power Forward and Center
Update: Bass will see time at both the center and power forward position this season, the Star-Telegram reports.
Analysis: "The big challenge for [Bass] this year is he's going to have to play two positions. He's going to have to play the four [power forward] and he's going to have to play the five [center] when he's on the court with Dirk," Head Coach Rick Carlisle said. Bass had a breakout season last year and will likely improve on those numbers this season. With multiple position eligibility likely, Bass could be a late steal in most fantasy drafts.
Nate Robinson: D'Antoni likes what he sees from Robinson
Update: Mike D'Antoni has been impressed with the way Robinson opened training camp according to Yahoo.
Analysis: Robinson has the higher ceiling between Duhon and himself. It is likely the Knicks open the season with Duhon as the starter, but Robinson could be more productive. He has more speed and agility to create opportunities in the open floor. While D'Antoni teams rack up the assists, they do it in a non-traditional early shot-clock opportunity way. Many have faulted Robinson for not sharing the ball, but in this wide-open offense where its one or two passes and shot, he should excel.
Chris Duhon: Knicks could employ a 3-guard set
Update: According to the New York Times, the Knicks have been practicing a 3-guard set featuring Duhon, Marbury, and Crawford.
Analysis: While rumors and speculation have run rampant all summer that Marbury will be traded and Duhon will start the season at Point Guard, the fact is that Marbury remains on the roster. While Duhon is the favorite to start, don't over-value his "starter" label. In 2005, Duhon had a career high 29 minutes a game, and scored only 8.7 points per game, five assists, and 1.35 3-pointers. While he should better those numbers, Duhon's role with the Knicks is to play defense and distribute. Plus, Nate Robinson is probably a better fit for the Knicks, if he is willing to share the ball.
Zach Randolph: Randolph to get more playing time
Update: With Jared Jeffries out until early December due to a cracked fibula, the New York Times reports that Randolph should move into the starting frontcourt alongside David Lee.
Analysis: Randolph can hit the 15 to 18-foot jumper and he doesn't enjoy defense. Sound like a D'Antoni power forward? Alongside David Lee, who also loves to clean the glass, Randolph will probably lose a few rebounds, but in an uptempo offense that utilizes perimeter-oriented big men, the Knicks should give him more scoring opportunities and up his trade value.
Matt Bonner: Minutes to Increase?
Update: Bonner stands first in line for those minutes Robert Horry used to get as a shooting big man off the bench, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: "This is really the first time he's going to be the lead character in the play at his position," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "He's always kind of been in the shadow of Robert Horry. He's got a chance to step out of the shadows and show he deserves those minutes." "Bonner is going to have to step up and play a lot better for us," (Tim) Duncan said. "And he's going to have the opportunity to." Bonner averaged 4.8 points per game, and shot 33.6 percent from 3-point range last season.
Emeka Okafor: Back Soreness
Update: Okafor did not participate in Sunday's intra-squad scrimmage because of lower back soreness, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Okafor downplayed the injury, which he started feeling on Thursday. The move to sit him Sunday sounds precautionary, but we'll monitor it nevertheless.
Dwyane Wade: Point Forward
Update: Wade spent most of his time in Sunday's preseason opener against Detroit at point forward, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: This was a new role for Wade, which is part of Wade had a game-high seven assists on the night, playing small forward with Mario Chalmers and Chris Quinn in the back court. Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's plan for the club to play at a faster pace with a more versatile lineup.
|
   |
||||||
Copyright © NBA Media Ventures, LLC. All rights reserved. No portion of NBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use.
NBA.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network
