FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
David Harrison: Possible Lengthy Absence
Update: Harrison's sprained ankle may keep him out for a while, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Harrison's previous injury problems certainly color the training staff's estimate on his absence.
Robert Swift: Soreness in Knee After Playing On Tuesday
Update: Swift experienced soreness in his right knee Wednesday after playing Tuesday's preseason game, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.
Analysis: This looks like it's going to be the deal with Swift in the early going. Until he's fully recovered, Swift will have occasional soreness that will require a practice off, or prevent him from playing in back-to-back games.
Shawne Williams: Pacers Exercise Option on Williams
Update: The Pacers exercised an option on Williams that will pay him $1.57 million next season.
Analysis: Williams averaged 3.9 points with 1.8 boards in 46 games for the Pacers in his rookie season, but is still strictly bench material behind Danny Granger and Mike Dunleavy Jr.
Danny Granger: Pacers Pick Up Option on Granger
Update: The Pacers exercised an option on Granger that will pay him $2.33 million for the 2008-09 season.
Analysis: The 17th overall pick in the 2005 draft looks to have a bigger offensive role coming into next season. He made career highs in points (13.9 per game) and in rebounds (4.7 per game) in 82 games played. Look for Granger to continue to excel as a long-range shooter.
Ike Diogu: Diogu Staying with Pacers
Update: The Pacers exercised an option on Diogu Friday that will pay him $2.19 million for the 2007-08 season.
Analysis: Diogu was acquired by the Pacers last January, and averaged 6.2 points with 3.4 assists in 59 games for both the Pacers and Golden State. Diogu is the top guy off the bench behind Jermaine O'Neal.
Eddy Curry: Could Debut at Boston
Update: Curry said that there is a "realistic" chance that he will make his exhibition debut Oct. 17 at Boston, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Curry was initially expected to be out an additional week after the exhibition at Boston. The Knicks don't want the shoulder to be a recurring theme to Curry's season this year, so don't be surprised if they decide to hold him out the full two weeks.
Rashard Lewis: Will Miss Friday's Game
Update: Lewis (ankle) will miss Friday's preseason game, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Lewis missed Thursday's practice while getting treatment on his ankle but he said that he expects to play at least one of the three games the Magic will play in China next week. Lewis isn't making the greatest first impression, but the injuries shouldn't affect him during the regular season.
Jorge Garbajosa: Cut After Collision With Parker
Update: Garbajosa left Thursday's exhibition game with Real Madrid late in the fourth quarter after accidentally colliding with teammate Anthony Parker, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: Garbajosa needed stitches afterwards to close a cut on his scalp. He should be fine going forward, however.
Anthony Parker: Woozy After Collision With Garbajosa
Update: Parker left Thursday's exhibition game with Real Madrid late in the fourth quarter after accidentally colliding with teammate Jorge Garbajosa, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: He stayed down on the court for about a minute, before slowly rising and getting helped to the bench. This likely isn't serious, but if he suffered a concussion the effects could linger for a while.
Chris Bosh: Misses Exhibition Game Thursday
Update: As expected, Bosh (knee) did not play in Thursday's exhibition game against Real Madrid, the Toronto Sun reports.
Analysis: "We're going to get [Bosh] back to Toronto and get him fully evaluated, take another MRI, compare it to previous MRIs," said GM Bryan Colangelo. "With only a couple of days left on the trip we didn't want to push anything. Let's just get him rested, let's get the joint calmed down, let's get back and we'll take the necessary steps to find out where we are." The Raptors are doing everything they can to make sure the knee isn't an issue when the games start to count.
Mickael Pietrus: Strains Back
Update: Pietrus left Thursday's pre-season game with a strained lower back and did not return, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Pietrus is listed as day-to-day after scoring 17 points in the game.
Kevin Martin: Burns the Suns in a Short Stint
Update: Martin finished with 17 points in 17 minutes on 6-of-10 shooting in Thursday night's loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: He looked comfortable running back and forth with the Suns in his brief appearance. After two exhibition games, the new and improved K-Mart has 44 points in just 39 minutes.
Samuel Dalembert: Suffers a Setback and Will Likely Sit Out Friday Night
Update: Dalembert, who had been recovering smoothly from a stress fracture in his left foot, experienced a setback Thursday at practice and will likely sit out Friday night's game, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
Analysis: Dalembert pulled himself from practice after feeling pain in his foot and is likely to have an MRI next week. Calvin Booth is the backup. The only other center on the roster is 6-foot-10 rookie Herbert Hill, whom coach Maurice Cheeks has called one of the pleasant surprises of camp. If Dalembert were to miss any time the two players would likely split minutes at center.
Al Horford: Continues to Rebound Well
Update: Horford had 10 points (5-of-8 FG), nine rebounds, two assists and two blocks in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Bobcats on Thursday.
Analysis: Horford continues to have a nice preseason. If Horford's offense can continue to improve, he could be one of the more productive rookies for fantasy players this season.
Acie Law: Plays 38 Minutes in Win
Update: Law had 10 points (5-of-11 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 0-of-2 FT), six rebounds, six assists and three steals in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Bobcats on Thursday.
Analysis: Law played starters minutes with Speedy Claxton (knee) not playing and had a decent night. If Law gets starters minutes, he might be worth a late round flyer in deep fantasy leagues.
Marvin Williams: Good Preseason Continues
Update: Williams had 21 points (7-of-12 FG, 7-of-7 FT) and four rebounds in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Bobcats on Thursday.
Analysis: Williams has been solid in all three exhibition games. The key will be health and being a consistent rebounder. If those two things happen, Williams will be a nice later round addition to a fantasy roster.
Josh Smith: Limited to 17 Minutes Due to Fouls
Update: Smith had 11 points (2-of-6 FG, 7-of-9 FT), four rebounds, four steals and two blocks in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Bobcats on Thursday.
Analysis: Smith again demonstrated good production despite not scoring a lot and being limited by fouls. Fantasy owners will be happy with four steals and two blocks.
Ronald Murray: Benched Thursday
Update: Murray did not play Thursday, with coach Flip Saunders opting to go with a shorter rotation and leaning on rookie guards Aaron Afflalo and Rodney Stuckey.
Analysis: Afflalo and Stuckey combined for nine turnovers, so Murray may have made up ground on them without playing. Murray should see playing time Friday against the Jazz.
Joe Johnson: Scores 25 In Win
Update: Johnson had 25 points (6-of-15 FG, 3-of-7 3-PT, 10-of-10 FT), six rebounds, five assists and two steals in the Hawks' exhibition win over the Bobcats on Thursday.
Analysis: These are the types of all-around performances fantasy owners are hoping for out of Johnson during the regular season.
Arron Afflalo: Filling Boxscore
Update: Afflalo tied for the team lead with 12 points and six rebounds, but he also turned the ball over four times Thursday.
Analysis: Afflalo and fellow rookie Rodney Stuckey were both on the floor during key moments in the overtime loss to Cleveland, but they showed their youth by combining for nine turnovers. Stuckey will be in the rotation regardless this season, but Afflalo will need to protect the ball better if he wants to join him. It's worth noting that Flip Murray, who is probably Afflalo's chief competition for minutes this year, did not play Thursday.
Jason Maxiell: Playing Center
Update: With Nazr Mohammed hobbled with a sore calf and Rasheed Wallace in foul trouble, Maxiell played heavy minutes at center Thursday.
Analysis: Maxiell could probably play any front court position, but is most naturally a power forward. If he proves he can handle playing in the middle, it would not be a surprise to see him start at center at some point this season.
Amir Johnson: Should Return Next Weekend
Update: Coach Flip Saunders indicated Thursday that Johnson (ankle) will not return to action until the back-to-back games in Texas next weekend, the Detroit Free Press reports.
Analysis: Johnson will have missed five exhibition games at that point, severely hurting his chances to get into the Detroit rotation at the beginning of the season.
Brent Barry: Offseason Has Big Impact
Update: Barry's offseason has had a big impact on what has been to this point an excellent camp, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: "He was aggressive looking for his threes the other night, and he's even been a lot better in camp," said Mike Budenholzer, now Gregg Popovich's top assistant. "I think he's had a great camp, and he just has to take the mind-set and freedom and just that aggressive play from practice to games. He has to get where if he turns it over it doesn't matter. I think he is getting very close to that." Barry had a summer filled with spending time with his sons, two weddings, two funerals and many meaningful hours of introspection in what may be his final season in the NBA.
Francisco Elson: Returns to Practice
Update: Elson (indigestion) returned to practice on Thursday, the San Antonio Express-News reports.
Analysis: Elson missed the team's trip to Dallas for their first preseason game because of the ailment. Elson participated in the full practice. Elson is not expected to contribute to a fantasy roster, as he is in a time-share with Fabricio Oberto.
John Salmons: Sees Time at Point Guard
Update: Salmons saw time at point guard, scoring nine points, dishing out two assists and committing no turnovers in Thursday's loss to the Suns.
Analysis: Coach Reggie Theus plans on using the 6-foot-6 swingman in the role occasionally since he is versatile enough to do so, as well as capable enough of pushing the pace when the team needs to. Last season in 79 games, Salmons averaged 27 minutes, 8.5 points and shot 45.7 from the field.
Nazr Mohammed: Tweaked Calf
Update: Mohammed was kicked in the calf during the fourth quarter of Thursday's exhibition game.
Analysis: Mohammed didn't return to the game, but his injury is considered minor at this point.
Mo Williams: Returns to Practice.
Update: Williams (shoulder) returned to practice on Thursday, but will be cautious during training camp, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Analysis: Williams injured the same shoulder that kept him out for nine games last season, so the Bucks want to make sure they rest him and get that straightened out. He should be ready to go for the start of the regular season.
Darko Milicic: Leads Grizzlies in Scoring Thursday
Update: Milicic scored a team-high 13 points against MMT Estudiantes in just over 22 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: He also chipped in eight rebounds and two blocked shots. Again, Stromile Swift got the start at center, but it's only the preseason. As long as Milicic has games like this, he should be the team's starting center.
Mikki Moore: Starts at Power Forward
Update: Moore, started at power forward after coming off the bench in the first game, and scored four points and committed four turnovers in Thursday night's loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: He played 24 indistinguishable minutes, and there's nothing to glean from his appearance on the floor at tip-off. The starting power forward position for Sacramento may go undefined well into the season since there appears to be no frontrunner amongst Kenny Thomas, Justin Williams, Shareef Abdur-Rahim and Moore at this point.
Quincy Douby: Can Score from the Point
Update: Douby, playing just 18 minutes, scored 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting with two steals and two turnovers in Thursday's loss to Phoenix.
Analysis: The second-year point guard is starting to separate himself in the race to be Mike Bibby's backup. Offensively, he's way ahead of his competition, rookie Mustafa Shakur and defensive specialist Orien Greene, but needs to cut down on his mistakes. He has deep range all the way out to the three-point line and is playing sound defense while running the offensive sets adequately. In two games, he is averaging 14 points and two turnovers per game, shooting 50 percent from the floor in 18.5 minutes.
Maurice Evans: Misses Preseason Game with Hamstring Injury
Update: Evans (hamstring) missed Thursday's preseason game against Golden State.
Analysis: We expect Evans to be ready for the start of the regular season.
Chris Mihm: Scores 11 Off Bench In Preseason Loss
Update: Mihm (ankle) scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds coming off the bench in the Lakers' 119-106 preseason loss to Golden State on Thursday.
Analysis: Mihm played nearly as many minutes (18) as starting center Andrew Bynum (19 minutes), and we expect a similar split in time until Kwame Brown (ankle) returns.
Andrew Bynum: Scores 11 In Preseason Loss
Update: Bynum received the start at center and had 11 points and six rebounds in the Lakers' 119-106 loss to Golden State on Thursday.
Analysis: Bynum also turned the ball over five times on Thursday, and played nearly equal minutes (19) as fellow center Chris Mihm (18). Expect a similar time split until Kwame Brown (ankle) regains his health.
Kobe Bryant: Shoots Poorly in Preseason Loss
Update: Bryant had 11 points on 2-10 shooting in the Lakers' 119-106 preseason loss to Golden State on Thursday. He also had eight assists and four rebounds in the loss.
Analysis: Bryant may have some trouble adjusting scoring-wise to his new "facilitator" role in the Lakers' offense, though we expect his assist numbers to greatly increase during this time, as they did on Thursday.
Allan Houston: Starts Practice Friday
Update: Houston will begin his comeback attempt Friday, Newsday reports.
Analysis: Knicks coach Isiah Thomas says Houston is "definitely behind" after missing the first 10 days of training camp. New York has 15 players with guaranteed contracts in camp, so Houston has some work ahead of him. Rookie Demetris Nichols will be the likely casualty of Houston making the team.
Nenad Krstic: Best Scrimmage to Date
Update: Krstic (knee) scrimmaged for the fourth straight day on Friday, eliciting praise from his teammates and coaches as he returns from knee surgery, the New York Post reports.
Analysis: Krstic has been tentative in the first few days of scrimmaging and has yet to be hit in the left knee, but he's moving well and spending less time thinking and more time reacting. "It was his best practice. He was real active offensively and defensively," teammate Bostjan Nachbar said. "He had a couple of blocks, made a couple shots. He's taking steps. Every practice he goes further."
Grant Hill: Looks Good in Suns' Debut
Update: Hill scored 17 points (6-of-14 FG, 1-of-3 3pt, 4-of-4 FT) with eight rebounds Thursday night in Phoenix' preseason victory over Sacramento, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Hill moved easily with the Suns' tempo and took nine shots in his first 11 minutes of action. "I was real pleased with how Grant came in and seemed to fit in real quick," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "He'll just keep getting better. This is the baseline of it."
Dwayne Jones: Thirteen Rebounds
Update: Jones scored six points with 13 rebounds and five blocked shots Thursday night in Cleveland's preseason victory over Detroit, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports.
Analysis: The Cavs are a team looking for some inside help and Jones may be their guy. With Anderson Varejao holding out and Cedric Simmons (ankle) injured, Jones can give the Cavs a backup to Zydrunas Ilgauskas at center. "He was terrific," Cleveland head coach Mike Brown said. "That's what we're looking for from one of these bigs trying to make the team. We don't need any more scorers. We have plenty of scorers. I need someone that's going to be a physical presence and do all the little dirty things, hustle, run the floor, block shots and defend."
Cedric Simmons: Bone Bruise on Left Ankle
Update: Simmons is suffering from a bone bruise on his left ankle and will miss Friday night's preseason game against the SuperSonics, the Akron Beacon Journal reports.
Analysis: The club isn't saying how long he'll miss, but he is not expected to compete in the Cavaliers' two exhibition games next week in China. If healthy, Simmons is expected to get a chunk of the minutes previously allotted to the holding-out Anderson Varejao.
Devin Brown: Double-Double in Preseason Win
Update: Brown picked up a double-double Thursday night, scoring 10 points and grabbing 10 rebounds while playing three positions in Cleveland's preseason victory over Detroit.
Analysis: Brown will become an important player for Cleveland, if Sasha Pavlovic continues to hold out into the regular season.
Luis Scola: Impressing in the Preseason
Update: Scola, who had six points in his previous game against Panathinaikos, topped that in the third quarter alone Tuesday, scoring nine of his 17 points with increasing ease, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: "He was really active, and I know he really wanted to play against that team because he played them so many times in Europe," Rockets coach Rick Adleman said. "He's so active, and he's got good offensive skills. He's still trying to figure it out, too." Scola's a highly skilled big man, and could push Chuck Hayes for power forward minutes.
Yao Ming: In Shape and Physically Ready for the Season
Update: Yao said at least physically, he was ready to start the season, the Houston Chronicle reports.
"I think I'm ready now," Yao said before Thursday's game. "He added, however, that he could use more time with teammates and coaches, even if his game was ready.
Analysis: "I think I need a few more (games). We, of course, have a new coach, new assistant coaches, new teammates coming in. We need more time for practice, more time for games, to (increase) our chemistry. From my stand-point, I played 10 games in September with the Chinese national team. I'm in shape." Yao also scored 21 points in Tuesday's game, so it also looks like his touch is coming back quickly.
Tracy McGrady: Held Out as a Precaution
Update: McGrady was held out of Thursday's game with a bruised thigh, the Houston Chronicle reports. Rockets coach Rick Adelman said the decision was just a precaution, and he does not expect McGrady to miss significant time over the six days leading up to the Rockets' next game.
Analysis: "There's no reason to push it," Adelman said. "There's nothing they consider serious. I've got to look at so many people anyway, it just gives other people a chance to play." This doesn't sound like anything to worry about.
|
   |
||||||
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
