FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Andrew Bogut: Returns to Practice
Update: Bogut returned to practice Sunday for the first time since suffering a sprained left wrist last week, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Bogut practiced with the wrist taped, shooting primarily with his sound right hand. "Everything's all right," Bogut said after the workout. "It's still a little swollen, but as good as it can be. I'll probably get a good knock again." The Bucks open the regular season on Wednesday against Orlando.
Martell Webster: Will Start at Small Forward
Update: Webster will start at small forward Wednesday night when the Blazers open the season in San Antonio, The Oregonian reports/
Analysis: If you'd been watching Portland closely during training camp, you could have predicted this. Webster has been an offensive force, averaging 17.7 ppg on 58.4 percent shooting (45-for-77) from the field and 50 percent shooting (17-for-34) from 3-point range. That kind of consistency will be needed to prevent defensive pressure focusing on Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Jackie Butler: Will Be Waived by the Rockets
Update: Butler will be waived by the Rockets on Monday, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: For a time, before Dikembe Mutombo re-signed, Butler looked like the primary backup to Yao Ming. The Rockets will go with the two big men, and use a smaller lineup with Luis Scola as a third option.
John Lucas: Will Be Waived by the Rockets
Update: The Rockets will waive Lucas on Monday, the Houston Chronicle reports.
Analysis: There were just too many backcourt guys for Lucas to stick with the team this year.
Mike Wilks: Re-Signs with Denver
Update: Wilks, who was recently released by Denver, re-signed with the Nuggets on Sunday, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: Wilks was re-signed to help fill in for the injured Chucky Atkins, who is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks with a groin strain.
Keith Bogans: Starting at Shooting Guard
Update: Bogans has won the Magic's starting shooting guard spot, Florida Today reports.
Analysis: His main competition for the spot have been beset with injuries, but Bogans earned this spot based on his play during exhibition games. He shot 54.3 percent from the field, including 13-of-22 from 3-point range, but more importantly he played good defense on wing players like LeBron James, Joe Johnson and Jason Richardson. "He's our best perimeter defender, there's not much question about that," Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said. "He's a very good rebounder on a team that needs rebounding. And he has shot the ball unbelievably. He's done everything we could have hoped for. He's gotten himself in great shape and he's playing well."
Steve Francis: Odd Man Out
Update: Francis is apparently the odd man out in the Rockets' backcourt rotation, the Houston Chronicle reports. "That is going to be tough, that will be real tough for me," Francis said. "If that's the case, then I don't know. I definitely didn't come here not to play at all. Hopefully we can work something out."
Analysis: With Rafer Alston, Mike James and Luther Head in the mix as well as swingmen Bonzi Wells and Tracy McGrady, there aren't enough minutes to go around.
Adrian Griffin: Participated in a Full Practice for the First Time Saturday
Update: Griffin, who has been out with a sore back, participated in a full practice for the first time on Saturday, the Arlington Daily Herald reports
Analysis: Griffin's back bothered him late last season, and even when he is 100 percent healthy, his minutes will be limited due to the depth in front of him.
Joe Smith: Probable Starter at Power Forward in Season Opener Wednesday
Update: Smith (swollen right knee) appears to be the favorite to start at power forward in the season opener New Jersey Wednesday but coach Scott Skiles won't make a final decision until he sees Smith practice a few more times, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Smith, who missed the first three exhibitions with swelling in his right knee, scored 12 points on 5-for-8 shooting in the victory over the Bucks. Skiles is trying to strike the right balance between scoring and defense and youth and experience between the first and second units. If Smith is healthy and can move around without issue in his knee, look for him start, though the Arlington Daily Herald reports Smith suggested he'll start only if Wallace can't go. That could mean Tyrus Thomas would start at power forward against the Nets.
Ben Wallace: Slight Limp Due to Sprained Left Ankle. Should Play Wednesday.
Update: Wallace limped slightly on his sprained left ankle Friday and said he would be fine by Wednesday's season opener at New Jersey, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: With both Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas also nursing injuries from Thursday's game, look for Wallace to be suited up and play as usual against the Nets.
Joakim Noah: On Crutches for Sprained Right Ankle
Update: Noah, the only player to miss the Bulls' annual tipoff luncheon Friday, could walk without crutches on his sprained right ankle if he had to, though he will miss the season opener, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis: Noah's uneven preseason had him penciled in for spot duty, so even if his sprain - which coach Scott Skiles called "a little more than moderate" - sidelines him for a week or more, the Bulls should be OK up front. A better determination of the duration of Noah's absence will come once the swelling subsides. If Noah misses a few weeks, his playing time when he does return may depend on if the Bulls are in a groove and the team's rotation is fairly set.
Kyrylo Fesenko: Returns to Practice
Update: Fesenko (wrist) was back at practice Saturday after missing one workout, the Deseret News reports.
Analysis: Fesenko is likely headed to the D-League this season or lots of inactives if he remains with the Jazz.
Jason Hart: Returning to Practice
Update: Hart (elbow, tailbone, toe) returned to practice Saturday, the Deseret News reports.
Analysis: Hart missed some practices this week because of the injuries, but is expected to answer the call Tuesday when the Jazz open the season against the Warriors.
T.J. Ford: Maturing As a Floor General
Update: Ford, who finished the preseason with 53 assists against just 11 turnovers in seven games, credits a renewed commitment to film work for his quick adjustment to the Raptors' roster and lineup changes from last season, the Toronto Star reports.
Analysis: Ford isn't too concerned about the fact that the Raps will have a new starting center (Andrea Bargnani) and small forward (Jason Kapono), as well as new bench players like Carlos Delfino. "It doesn't matter that much," said Ford. "Each individual, I understand their game, I know what those guys' tendencies are and I just change up my style depending who's in the game. I watched so much film growing up as a kid and in college and I sort of got away from it in the NBA. Now (assistant) coach Mike (Evans) gets with me every day, after every game, we study the good decisions I make and the bad decisions." Ford is still developing as a point guard, so don't be surprised if he tops the career-best numbers he put up last season.
Paul Millsap: Returns to Practice
Update: Millsap (bruised knee) returned to practice on Saturday, the Deseret News reports.
Analysis: Millsap missed Utah's previous two practices, but looks like he's ready to start come Tuesday night in Golden State.
Morris Almond: Deep Bench Role
Update: Almond was the fourth shooting guard in the Jazz's final preseason game behind starter Ronnie Brewer, Gordan Giricek and C.J. Miles, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: The rookie will barely get off the bench this season and could find himself inactive on several occasions. "I would probably go pretty much in that direction at this point," Sloan said, "because experience will be a factor playing against a team that's going do a lot of different things. He's just got to be ready to play when we put him in the ballgame."
Matt Harpring: Full Practice
Update: Harpring (knee) scrimmaged on Thursday and took part in a full practice on Saturday, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: That's good news for Harpring, who has not been able to do much of anything during training camp and preseason. His status for the season opener Tuesday in Golden State. "I'm just kind of day by day figuring it out," Harpring said, adding, "I'm going to play when I'm ready to play, because otherwise, if I'm not ready to play, I'm going to hurt the team, and I don't want to do that."
Yakhouba Diawara: Expected to Start at Shooting Guard
Update: Diawara is expected to open the season as the Nugget's starting shooting guard, the Rocky Mountain News reports.
Analysis: Injuries to point guards Chucky Atkins and Anthony Carter, as well as J.R. Smith's three game suspension, have resulted in Diawara getting the call at SG. However, Smith will likely take over when he's eligible to return and even if he doesn't Diawara is still too raw and not a big enough part of this offense to be a consistent fantasy threat.
Allen Iverson: Likely to Start at Point Guard
Update: Iverson is expected to start at point guard now that Chucky Atkins has gone down for 6-8 weeks with a severely strained groin, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: With Atkins and back-up PG Anthony Carter hurt the club really has no choice but to plug Iverson in at point, at least until Carter returns around November 10th. We expect Iverson will see an increase in minutes (~40 a game) and an increase in his assist totals at least through the first two weeks of the season. Also, there has been no mention of the quadriceps injury Iverson apparently suffered on Wednesday and he played the final two preseason games so he looks good to go.
Chucky Atkins: Out 6-8 Weeks
Update: Atkins suffered a severe strain of his right groin and will be sidelined 6 to 8 weeks, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: It was the same side of his groin that he injured two weeks ago. His loss really puts the Nuggets in a bind as they've now lost two of their point guards (Anthony Carter being the other) before the season has even started. However, Atkins injury should be a good thing for Allen Iverson owners who will likely see A.I.'s minutes and assist totals rise.
Ruben Patterson: Will Play Through Pain
Update: Patterson (dislocated right pinkie finger) is expected to play through his injury once the regular season begins, the Daily Breeze reports.
Analysis: Patterson will come off the bench at both forward positions.
Boris Diaw: Sprained Ankle
Update: Diaw missed Friday night's preseason game with a sprained ankle, the Arizona Republic reports.
Analysis: Diaw, who will try to practice Sunday, is expected to play in Thursday's season opener.
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