FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Chris Bosh: Knee Improving
Update: An exam of Bosh's left knee showed reduced swelling and discomfort, but he will likely miss Wednesday's preseason game, the Canadian Press reports.
Analysis: Bosh said he may play Friday when Toronto faces the Bulls. "I'm taking it day-by-day, I was able to exercise a bit today (Sunday)," Bosh said. "I'm trying to hurry up and get back so I can work hard in the pre-season, get a couple of games under my belt, get the rust out and then I'll be ready for the season."
Jerome James: Still Not Practicing
Update: James is still suffering from a severe case of knee tendinitis and is not expected to play Wednesday night against Boston, Newsday reports.
Analysis: James is not cleared for contact activities, but has been participating in non-contact shooting drills.
Eddy Curry: Cleared For Contact Drills
Update: Curry (shoulder) has been cleared to resume contact drills with a protective brace on his injured shoulder, Newsday reports.
Analysis: Curry returned to practice on Sunday and is looking to play Wednesday night against Boston.
Richard Hamilton: Sprains Left Ankle
Update: Hamilton left Sunday's preseason game with a sprained left ankle, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The Pistons are off until Wednesday, so we'll be tracking Hamilton's injury leading up to that game.
Samuel Dalembert: Misses Second Straight Preseason Game
Update: Dalembert missed his second straight preseason game because of a stress fracture in his left foot, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Sixers coach Maurice Cheeks said Dalembert will not travel to Utah for the team's next game on Wednesday.
Acie Law: To Undergo MRI on Left Wrist
Update: Law is expected to undergo an MRI on his left wrist, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Law hurt the wrist during Thursday night's preseason game against Charlotte and was unavailable for Sunday's loss to Portland.
Mo Williams: Returns and Scores 22 Points.
Update: Williams (shoulder) scored 22 points and had five assists during Saturday's exhibition loss.
Analysis: Williams missed a game and some practice time with a shoulder injury but looked fine on Saturday.
Jamaal Tinsley: Sore Right Shoulder
Update: Tinsley's sore right shoulder prevented him from lifting his arm high enough to shoot or throw the ball downcourt, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Tinsley suffered the injury in practice on Thursday. Travis Diener replaced Tinsley on Saturday night.
Travis Diener: Leads Pacers with Tinsley Out
Update: Diener scored 15 points in the Pacers' preseason win over the Sonics on Saturday, hitting on three of his four attempts from three-point range.
Analysis: The Pacers attempted a whopping 101 shots from the field, including 26 three-point attempts. Welcome to the new brand of Pacers basketball under coach Jim O'Brien.
Chris Bosh: Knee Improving
Update: Bosh (knee) said his knee is improving and he should return to practice this week.
Analysis: Apparently the pain in Bosh's sore left knee has decreased significantly, but his status will remain day-to-day.
Shaquille O'Neal: Leaves Saturday's Preseason Game
Update: O'Neal was forced to leave Saturday night's game against the Bobcats with a left quadriceps contusion, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports.
Analysis: O'Neal entered the game dealing with a sore left knee, so this just compounds his injury problems.
Andray Blatche: Strong Showing Thus Far
Update: Blatche continued his strong preseason play by leading the Wizards with 12 points and 10 rebounds in 25 minutes of action in Saturday's win over the Mavs.
Analysis: Blatche seems to be earning himself an important bench role with the Wizards, more so now that Etan Thomas is out indefinitely. With his size/skill combo, Blatche has some fantasy upside, especially if at some point down the road (in the event of a Brendan Haywood injury) he gets to log significant minutes at center.
Brendan Haywood: Will be Relied on With Thomas Out
Update: With Etan Thomas potentially out for the season after undergoing open-heart surgery on Thursday, the Wizards figure to rely heavily on Haywood at center going forward, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: Coach Eddie Jordan has been pleased with Haywood -- who finished with 10 points and three rebounds in 10 minutes Saturday -- thus far. "He played well in camp like he played well in camp last year, so we just want to see consistency and so far, I think he's done things a lot more consistent," Jordan said. "He's been a shot blocker, he's always talked well on defense and he's doing that even more and it just seems that he just looks different. He's playing bigger. All through camp he played big and he's continued that in games." Haywood's upside as a scorer remains limited, but at the very least it looks like he should receive steady minutes this season, with a committee of backups as opposed to a co-starter type in Thomas.
Gilbert Arenas: Scores Six in Second Game Back
Update: In his second game back since undergoing left knee surgery last April, Arenas scored six points (on 1-of-8 shooting) in 17 minutes of action in Saturday's preseason win over the Mavs.
Analysis: As per the plan to manage his recovery/workload, don't be surprised if Arenas sits out Sunday's game against the Sixers.
Darius Songaila: Ready for Key Bench Role
Update: Songaila said he is feeling only minor effects from a back injury that required surgery and forced him to miss the first 45 games of last season, the Washington Post reports.
Analysis: That's good news for the Wizards, as Songaila is being counted on to be a key contributor off the bench as a forward, and to a lesser degree a center, with Etan Thomas out indefinitely.
Orien Greene: Getting Better Daily
Update: Greene, who is competing for the backup point guard spot behind Mike Bibby, has steadily improved his chances of at least earning a roster spot, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "I think he's (Greene) headed down the right track -- I really do," Kings coach Reggie Theus said. "I don't need him to show me his offense. I need him to knock down the open shot, pass it, and drive and kick. I don't need him seeking out his offense. I need him to concentrate on defense and pushing that damn ball down the floor." The third-year player has developed a reputation as a defensive specialist, able to guard larger players and push the tempo if needed. That quality alone must intrigue Theus who has made defense priority one.
Manu Ginobili: Scores 15 in Win
Update: Ginobili had 15 points (5-of-9 FG, 2-of-4 3-PT, 3-of-3 FT), two rebounds, three assists and a steal in the Spurs' exhibition win over Panthinaikos on Saturday.
Analysis: Ginobili played point guard, as both Tony Parker and Jacque Vaughn were out. Fantasy owners should be encouraged at Ginobili's early success from the 3-point line increases his potential value in fantasy drafts.
Tim Duncan: Solid in Win
Update: Duncan had 20 points (6-of-9 FG, 8-of-10 FT), four rebounds and two assists in the Spurs' exhibition win over Panathinaikos on Saturday.
Analysis: The main focus for the Spurs is to keep Duncan healthy in the preseason. In fantasy terms, Duncan appears to be a solid mid-second round pick.
Mikki Moore: Mo(o)re Expectations, Less Results
Update: Moore, who signed a three-year, $17 million contract, has been unproductive in his first two preseason games, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: After leading the NBA in field goal percentage (60.9) last season, the Kings rewarded the 11-year journeyman with a fairly lucrative free agent deal considering he's averaged a little more than 16 minutes and five points for his career. It's early, but his slight production of seven points and five rebounds in 49 minutes of exhibition action won't warrant much applause.
Randy Foye: Knee Tendinitis
Update: Foye missed Saturday's practice with tendinitis in his left knee, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: This injury shouldn't be a worry for his availability for the start of the regular season, but he'll need some rest during the preseason to get back to full strength.
Sebastian Telfair: Sprains Ankle
Update: Telfair sprained his left ankle and was on crutches after Saturday's practice, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: While Telfair should be ready for the start of the regular season, any lost time during the preseason hurts his chances to win significant minutes at point guard. Head coach Randy Wittman continues to talk about playing Randy Foye at times at shooting guard, giving Telfair an opening to win a sizable role.
Brian Skinner: Makes Preseason Debut
Update: Skinner (knee) made his Suns' debut Saturday night, but played just four minutes in a loss to New Orleans, the East Valley Tribune reports.
Analysis: A healthy Skinner will be part of Phoenix' rotation as a backup at power forward and center.
Amar'e Stoudemire: Will Play Two Preseason Games
Update: Stoudemire (knee) will return to full-contact practices on Oct. 23 and will play in the Suns' final two preseason games, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Stoudemire has recently begun on-court activities.
Jamaal Tinsley: Sits Out Saturday's Preseason Game
Update: Tinsley sat out Saturday's victory over Seattle with a sore right shoulder, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: There's no sense in pushing an injured Tinsley during the preseason. The Pacers need to keep him as healthy as possible for the regular season. Travis Diener started at point guard in place of Tinsley.
Kareem Rush: Leave Preseason Game
Update: Rush didn't play in the second half of Saturday's preseason game against Seattle because of a sore right Achilles', the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: He's been bothered by the injury during most of preseason.
Chris Wilcox: Leaves Game with Knee Injury
Update: Wilcox suffered a strained right knee early in the fourth period Saturday and did not return.
Analysis: Wilcox finished with 10 points and seven rebounds. No word on the severity of the injury.
Damien Wilkins: Leaves Game with Injured Ankle
Update: Wilkins left Saturday's preseason game with a sprained right ankle.
Analysis: Wilkins injured the ankle while drawing a foul on a drive to the basket. He'll be evaluated Sunday.
Delonte West: Misses Saturday's Preseason Game
Update: West sat out Saturday's loss to Indiana with a lower back strain, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: The Sonics are off until Thursday, giving West plenty of time to recover.
Ron Artest: Took Last Season for Granted
Update: Artest, who has lost 15 pounds, is attempting to change his work habits and attitude, and admits he didn't perform up to his capabilities last year, the Sacramento Bee reports.
Analysis: "I have short-changed myself," Artest said. "It's time I really focus on basketball. We had talent last year and wasted it. We played like garbage, absolute garbage. I thought about that all summer when I was doing the charity work and getting into shape. I was just getting ready for the year, just making sure wherever I was I was running, running, running. I am really excited about Reggie and what he wants to do." He's running out of chances. Now the big question is, will he actually realize it?
Maurice Ager: Scores 19 in Preseason Loss
Update: Ager had 19 points, four rebounds and two assists, steals and blocks in the Mavs' 90-86 loss to the Wizards in Saturday night's preseason contest.
Analysis: Ager can score in bunches and we suspect he will see a bigger role off the bench this year, especially if one of the team's starters or sixth man Jerry Stackhouse becomes hurt.
Eddie Jones: Starts Preseason Game
Update: Jones (hamstring) started in his first preseason game of the year, a 90-86 loss to Washington. He scored four points in 14 minutes of play.
Analysis: Don't expect Jones to get many starts once the regular season begins, and we expect him to play 10-15 minutes per game off the bench.
Rafer Alston: A Perfect Fit for the Rockets System
Update: Alston's very much in the Rockets plans after picking up new coach Rick Adelman's offense very quickly and perfoming well in camp, the Houston Chronicle reports. In fact, Adelman even called Alston a "perfect fit" for his system.
Analysis: The Rockets still have Mike James, Steve Francis and Aaron Brooks in the mix, so there's no guarantee that Alston will see big minutes on a consistent basis, but his status with the team has improved a lot over the last couple weeks.
|
   |
||||||
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
