FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Jared Dudley: Sore Left Big Toe
Update: Dudley missed Thursday night's preseason game with a sore left big toe, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: It was the second straight game he's missed.
Antoine Walker: Riley Criticizes Walker
Update: Walker scored four points in 16 minutes in Wednesday night's preseason win over the Hawks, the Source Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: The real story is the remarks coach Pat Riley had before the game about Walker, who reported to camp more than 20 pounds over the weight that was expected. "I'm beyond irritated," said Riley. "I was irritated the first year I signed him. I don't have time to be irritated. He and I have talked. We met the other day, just trying to get him there."
Shaquille O'Neal: Returns to Action
Update: O'Neal scored 10 points on 5-for-9 from the field in 16 minutes in his preseason debut Wednesday night, the Miami Herald reports.
Analysis: "I told [Riley] I was going to be ready if he needed me to go 10 minutes, 40 minutes, whatever," O'Neal said. "I don't have any injuries. I'm ready to play and get us off to a good start."
Marcus Slaughter: Slaughter in the Mix to Start
Update: Slaughter scored nine points and added eight rebounds and three assists in Wednesday night's preseason loss against the Hawks.
Analysis: Slaughter played 32 minutes but shot just 3-for-11 from the field. Heat coach Pat Riley said that Slaughter is in the mix for the starting small forward position along with Dorell Wright and Antoine Walker, the Miami Herald reports.
David Harrison: Aggravates Ankle Injury
Update: Harrison sat out the second half of the Pacers' preseason opener on Wednesday after aggravating a right ankle injury, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Harrison had started the game in place of the injured Jermaine O'Neal. Being unable to stay on the court, be it injuries or foul trouble, has thwarted Harrison's development as a pro.
Jermaine O'Neal: Sits Out Preseason Opener
Update: O'Neal sat out the Pacers' preseason opener against the Hornets on Wednesday with soreness in his surgically repaired left knee, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: O'Neal aggravated the soreness in his knee when colliding with teammate Shawne Williams in practice.
Kobe Bryant: Could Still Be Traded
Update: Bryant could still be traded, Lakers owner Jerry Buss told the Los Angeles Times. Buss noted that he would "certainly listen" to a trade offer for Bryant that was "within reason."
Analysis: Bryant's battles with Buss and Lakers management have been well-documented, but at the end of the day, we expect Kobe to be in Los Angeles at least through this season. Bryant's huge contract (four years left, $88.6 million) and personality would make it extremely difficult to move him, and the Lakers' franchise is so dependent on Bryant that a trade would decimate the franchise for years.
Ron Artest: Right Knee is Healthy
Update: Artest is healthy despite requesting an MRI on his right knee Monday, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "It's such an important year for me and my family, I just wanted to make sure everything was all right," Artest said. The positive results are great news for the 6-foot-7 forward who played in Tuesday's preseason opener. Throughout last season, he experienced knee and back problems, missing six games as a result. It is a contract year for Artest, who is set to be paid $7.8 million this season with an early termination option available next summer.
Jameer Nelson: Improving His Decision-Making
Update: Nelson played very well on Wednesday night, dishing out 12 assists while only turning the ball over twice in the Magic's victory over the Bobcats.
Analysis: Nelson only scored 9 points, but Van Gundy wants him to look for his teammates more instead of for his own shot. Nelson wasn't guaranteed a starting spot by head coach Stan Van Gundy before the preseason because he wanted to see Nelson play more like a point guard; however, Nelson definitely has a big lead on both Carlos Arroyo and Keyon Dooling at this point. If he can play the point more consistently, Nelson will definitely be in the starting lineup on opening night in Milwaukee.
JJ Redick: Impressive in First Career Start
Update: Redick started the first game of his career on Wednesday and looked impressive, playing 31 minutes and scoring 17 points in the Magic's preseason victory over the Bobcats, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Redick was 5-of-8 from three-point range. As he did in college, Redick worked hard to improve this offseason and has put himself in a position to challenge for the starting shooting guard position. Keith Bogans started the last game but was benched for a lack of defensive hustle, so Redick seized an early opportunity on Wednesday night. If he ends up as the starter, Redick should make at least 100 three-pointers and will provide a very good free throw percentage.
Rashard Lewis: Sprained Right Ankle
Update: After leaving Monday's game early with leg cramps, Lewis left Wednesday's game in the first quarter after spraining his right ankle, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: After seeing their last big free agent signing, Grant Hill, on the sidelines for much of his seven seasons with the team, the Magic and their fans can't help but feeling a sense of deja vu. Fortunately, neither of Lewis' injuries are considered serious and they shouldn't affect him as the regular season grows nearer; however, it is unlikely that Lewis will play on Friday against the Heat.
Gilbert Arenas: Feeling Good, but Lacking Normal Explosiveness Thus Far
Update: Arenas (knee) said he felt "good" following Tuesday's game and will play in at least one of this weekend's preseason games, the Washington Post reports. The Wizards play Dallas Saturday and at Philadelphia Sunday.
Analysis: Arenas has played without a brace since training camp opened but wore a compression sleeve on his left leg Tuesday night. "He still has quickness, but he has to get his legs under him a little bit more," coach Eddie Jordan said after Tuesday's game. "I think, going to his left, he doesn't have the explosiveness as he did before. He's working, he's just not the real Gil yet."
Etan Thomas: Likely Will Need at Least Several Months Before Being Cleared for Strenuous Activities
Update: Thomas, who will undergo heart surgery to repair a leak in his aortic valve Thursday, likely will require at least several months of recovery before he can be cleared to resume strenuous activities, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Thomas will be evaluated further following the procedure, but at this point, neither he nor the team has discussed his basketball future. Players have returned to action from similar procedures though, so assuming there are no complications, Thomas can look to the example of Ronny Turiaf was cleared to resume his career after undergoing surgery to repair an enlarged aortic root in July 2005. According to Ammar Bafi, a cardiac surgeon, "if you're just talking about normal everyday activities like walking around, driving your car, things like that, he should be fine in a few weeks, but for what we call supra normal activities like running and jumping and lifting weights, it would be a few months and in reality, up to a year." In Thomas' absence, Darius Songaila, Andray Blatche and Oleksiy Pecherov are expected to rotate at center behind starter Brendan Haywood.
Francisco Garcia: Should Play Thursday
Update: Garcia, who has been sidelined with an ankle injury, is expected to play in Thursday's exhibition against Phoenix, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: He has missed the past five days after rolling his right ankle in a scrimmage, skipping Sacramento's preseason opener on Tuesday. Garcia will be a welcome sight on the court for coach Reggie Theus who is looking to find a starter to replace small forward Ron Artest (7-game suspension) at the beginning of the season.
Matt Harpring: Reports Surface of Off Season Ankle Surgery.
Update: Harpring (knee,ankle) underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his knee this summer. Now, the Deseret News is reporting Harpring also had ankle surgery in the off season.
Harpring did not play in Utah's exhibition opener.
Analysis: More bad news regarding Harpring's health. The second procedure helps to explain Harpring's slow return.
Tracy McGrady: Feeling Healthy
Update: Despite his struggles in the team's first preseason game, McGrady says he feels completely healthy and that his conditioning is good, the Houston Chronicle reports. "I feel pretty good," McGrady said. "Physically, mentally the best I've felt in a long time going into a season in the preseason. I was telling the guys when I came out of the game, I wasn't tired at all. We pretty much got up and down in that first quarter. I think my conditioning is at its best."
Analysis: McGrady didn't look sharp and wasn't in his usual scoring rhythm, but that's the least of your concerns if you're a McGrady owner as he'll no doubt come around so long as he remains healthy. McGrady will also be used a little bit differently in coach Rick Adelman's system this year - not only creating off the dribble for himself and teammates, but moving more without the ball and presumably getting more open looks and less double teams.
Rodney Carney: Has a Chance to Start
Update: Even though Carney started 35 of his 67 games last season, rookie forward Thaddeus Young or guard Willie Green could challenge him for the fifth starting spot, the Philadelphia Daily News reports.
Analysis: Carney could challenge if he upgrades his perimeter defense and rebounding and his perimeter shooting but is the slight underdog considering he had his chance last season. He didn't perform especially well last season so his fantasy value remains low whether he starts or not.
Ray Allen: Scores 28 In Preseason Win
Update: Allen scored 28 points in the Celtics' preseason 92-81 win over Minnesota on Wednesday.
Analysis: Allen converted 11 of his 14 shots, and will continue to have big shooting nights come the start of the regular season.
Eddie Jones: Returns to Practice
Update: Jones (hamstring) returned to practice on Wednesday, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Analysis: Those considering adding Jones should remember that he is nearly 36 years old, and prone to these type of injuries.
Kevin Ollie: Recovered from Groin Strain
Update: Ollie, who missed Monday's game with a groin strain, looked strong while participating in the entire practice Wednesday night, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Having a couple of days off really helped Ollie recover from the strain and he looks to be fine heading into the regular season. He has no fantasy value.
Kyle Korver: Expressed Concern with His Groin Injury
Update: Korver (groin) participated in Wednesday's entire practice but still expressed mild concern about the injury, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: "I felt really good walking around; I felt it was 100 percent fine, but I went out there yesterday and I didn't feel 100 percent," he said. Korver averaged 14.4 points off the bench last season and coach Maurice Cheeks said Wednesday night that he was leaning toward keeping Korver in the sixth-man role he thrived in last season.
Jason Terry: Will See Less Minutes This Year
Update: Terry will see a reduction in minutes this season, Mavs coach Avery Johnson told the Dallas Morning News.
Analysis: Johnson noted that "I'd like to see (Terry's minutes) go down and him be more effective. So hypothetically, if it was 38 minutes, even if it was 36 or 32 or 30 wherever it is we're thinking, 'Let's try to win as many games as we can,' but we just want to try to be a little fresher." Terry averaged more than 35 minutes per game last season, and the team is concerned that he wore down late in the year.
Desmond Mason: Mason Scores Six Points in Exhibition Win.
Update: Mason scored six points in 20 minutes during an exhibition game on Wednesday.
Analysis: Mason came off of the bench on Wednesday after starting in Tuesday's exhibition game. The Bucks are hoping that he can add some toughness and defense to the team, something they didn't have last season.
Dan Gadzuric: Grabs Seven Rebounds in Exhibition Win.
Update: Gadzuric scored seven points and added seven rebounds in Wednesday's exhibition win over Utah.
Analysis: Gadzuric came off of the bench on Wednesday after starting Tuesday's opener. Head coach Larry Krystkowiak loves Gadzuric's hussle and energy, so he could get more playing time this season. He's still not going to get any significant minutes, but he could provide the Bucks a spark off of the bench.
Bobby Simmons: Scores Nine Points in Exhibition Win.
Update: Simmons played well during Wednesday's exhibtion game, finishing with nine points and three rebounds in 27 minutes.
Analysis: Simmons started the game at small forward and kept the Bucks in the game during the first quarter. The Bucks would really like to see Simmons return strong from the heel injury that caused him to miss last season.
Mo Williams: Misses Exhibition Game with Shoulder Injury.
Update: Williams did not play in Wednesday night's exhibition game due to a sore shoulder.
Analysis: Head coach Larry Krystkowiak said that Williams had hurt his shoulder the previous night during the first exhibition game and was held out as a precaution. Don't get too worried about this injury yet, but keep an eye on it since Williams does have an injury prone history.
Jianlian Yi: Shows Off Shooting Touch
Update: Yi looked much better during his second exhibition game, scoring 12 points and grabbing four rebounds in 26 minutes.
Analysis: After a terrible first game, Yi came back and showed of his shooting touch, scoring 11 points in the second quarter on jump shots. He was also 1-for-2 on three point attempts, showing that he's not afraid to put it up from downtown.
Marvin Williams: Another Solid Outing
Update: Williams had 17 points (6-of-13 FG, 5-of-6 FT), six rebounds and two assists in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: The major question for fantasy owners is whether Williams will remain healthy and put together the type of season that his talent suggests. While it is still very early, all signs point to a good season.
Josh Childress: Leads Hawks With 25 in Win
Update: Childress had 25 points (7-of-11 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 11-of-12 FT), four rebounds, a steal and a block in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Childress is expected to be the Hawks' sixth man this season and could be a solid late round fantasy selection. He had a nice season a year ago averaging 13 points and 6.2 rebounds a game in 55 games before having a stress fracture in his right foot.
Joe Johnson: Scores 21 in Win
Update: Johnson had 21 points (6-of-10 FG, 2-of-5 3-PT, 7-of-10 FT), five rebounds, three assists and two steals in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Johnson looks at though the calf injury that plagued him at the end of last season is a thing of the past. Johnson is a valuable fantasy player whose greatest attributes are his scoring and 3-point shooting.
Josh Smith: Tough Night From the Floor
Update: Smith had six points (0-of-5 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 6-of-8 FT), 15 rebounds, four assists and three blocks in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Heat on Wednesday.
Analysis: Even if Smith struggles from the floor, he still can help fantasy owners with his rebounding and shot-blocking. Don't expect Smith to have too many nights like this from the floor though.
Matt Bonner: Hoping For More Minutes
Update: Bonner is fighting for more playing time in his second season with the Spurs, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: Last season Bonner struggled with both the offensive and defensive system. This season he is hoping to fill in more for Spurs forward Robert Horry. Even if Bonner gets more minutes, do not expect him to have a great fantasy impact.
Ronnie Brewer: Starts at Shooting Guard
Update: Brewer started at shooting guard Wednesday night in Utah's preseason opener.
Analysis: Brewer scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the field and 5-of-5 from the free-throw line in 21:22. If Brewer can consistently make his shots, it will go a long way to securing the starting two guard job. His main competition comes from Gordan Giricek (1-for-6, seven points, 22:06) and C.J. Miles (0-for-2, no points, 4:27). Rookie Morris Almond (4-for-7, 10 points, 26:38) is also in the mix, but we have a hard time seeing coach Jerry Sloan relying on a rookie.
Brian Skinner: Will Miss Preseason Opener
Update: Skinner (knee) will sit out Phoenix' preseason opener on Thursday, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: Skinner was unable to practice for a second consecutive day on Wednesday with a bruised right knee. The injury isn't expected to keep him out for too long, but he could also miss Saturday's home preseason game against the Hornets.
Dan Dickau: Battling Brevin Knight
Update: Clippers head coach Mike Dunleavy said Dickau will battle Brevin Knight for the backup point guard job behind Sam Cassell, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: Dunleavy has been impressed with both players during training camp. "The bottom line is what I'm looking for is that they can both play and so far, they haven't hurt that thought at all," Dunleavy said. Conceivably, this battle could be an important one from a fantasy perspective because of Cassell's age and likelihood for injury. Dickau received all the backup minutes during Wednesday's preseason game, scoring 14 points (5-of-9 FG, 1-of-3 3pt) to go along with five assists and one turnover. Knight is probably the better playmaker, but Dickau is a better shooter. It all depends on what Dunleavy is looking for on a particular night or in a particular situation.
Al Thornton: Big Game for Rookie
Update: Thornton started at power forward and posted a double-double in 31 minutes Wednesday night, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 boards in the Clippers' preseason loss to Portland.
Analysis: The rookie also had five turnovers, a steal and a blocked shot. With injuries to others, Thornton has been getting steady minutes in the preseason. Though he's not expected to be a starter once the regular season starts, coach Mike Dunleavy said he'll be part of the rotation.
Corey Maggette: Left Thigh Contusion
Update: Maggette sat out Wednesday's preseason game because of a left thigh contusion.
Analysis: We figure this isn't a serious injury.
Sam Cassell: Returns from Knee Injury
Update: Cassell (sore left knee) made his preseason debut Wednesday night, scoring 21 points in the Clippers' loss to Portland.
Analysis: Cassell, who also pulled down five rebounds and had three assists, is a scoring point guard and will take on some of the scoring responsibility in the absence of Elton Brand.
Cedric Simmons: Re-Injures Left Ankle
Update: Simmons re-injured is left ankle during Tuesday's preseason loss to Washington and was scheduled to undergo an MRI on Wednesday, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: Simmons' status for the next couple of preseason games is up in the air, pending the results of that MRI. The Cavs are already light in the front court with Anderson Varejao holding out, so look for starter Drew Gooden, whose never played more than 30:48 per game in his career, to get more playing time along with Donyell Marshall.
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