FANTASY / PLAYER NEWS
Theo Ratliff: Seeks Third Opinion on Knee
Update: Ratliff missed Monday's win over New Orleans and will get a third opinion on his injured right knee. He will have arthroscopic surgery if the third opinion is also inconclusive, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports.
Analysis: Regardless of what the third doctor says, it doesn't sound like Ratliff will be back on the court any time soon.
Mehmet Okur: Another Bad Night
Update: Okur was 3-of-11 from the field and scored just eight points Monday night in Utah's loss to New York.
Analysis: Okur is 7-of-27 from the field in the last two games, while shooting just 38.9 percent for the season.
Stephon Marbury: Leads Knicks in Victory
Update: Marbury scored 28 points on 9-of-14 shooting with three 3-pointers, six assists, four turnovers, two steals and a block in 36 minutes in the Knicks' victory over Uta on Monday.
Analysis: The Knicks have won two straight and coach Isiah Thomas' job is safe for now. Thomas is wise enough to know that if the team wins, he remains employed. And he knows the team is given the best chance of winning with Marbury at point guard. It's an uneasy alliance, for sure, but Marbury will get his minutes as long as the Knicks are competitive.
Jorge Garbajosa: Will Have More Surgery
Update: After meeting with a specialist on Monday, Garbajosa (leg) has chosen to have more surgery on his left leg and ankle and will be out indefinitely, the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Garbajosa injured his leg in March and was forced to miss the remainder of his rookie season. He began the season with the Raptors but hasn't played since November 16 after doctors noticed "something unusual" in an MRI scan.
Jermaine O'Neal: Scheduled to Return Tuesday
Update: O'Neal (knee) is expected to return to the Pacers' lineup Tuesday against Denver, the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: O'Neal missed the team's last three games with swelling in his left knee as well as a slight calf tear. Expect the numbers of David Harrison, who has filled at center, to go back down when O'Neal returns.
Keyon Dooling: Questionable Monday With Flu
Update: Dooling (flu-like symptoms) is questionable for Monday's game against Portland, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Dooling began to feel ill Sunday, and will be a game-time decision. New addition Maurice Evans or J.J. Redick will fill Dooling's spot in the rotation if he doesn't play.
Kenyon Martin: MRI Reveals Bone Bruise
Update: An MRI Monday revealed a bone bruise in Martin's right knee, the Denver Post reports.
Analysis: If you felt a gust of wind on Monday afternoon it was probably just the collective sigh coming out of Denver, Colorado. It was the same knee on which Martin just had two consecutive micro-fracture surgeries. And with Nene out, the club was already perilously thin up front. Martin is not expected to be active for Tuesday's game against Indiana but it's likely he'll be listed as day-to-day after that. Expect Eduardo Najera to start and get the majority of Martin's minutes while he's out.
Desmond Mason: Should Play Tuesday
Update: Mason (ankle) missed practice Monday with an ankle sprain, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Mason suffered the injury Saturday against the Mavericks. He was held out of practice Monday to rest the ankle in hopes of playing in Tuesday's game against Philadelphia. Mason said the swelling went down since Saturday and expects to play Tuesday, although he is listed as questionable.
Mo Williams: Misses Practice Monday
Update: Williams (ankle) did not practice Monday, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.
Analysis: Williams suffered an ankle sprain Saturday against Dallas. He did not practice Monday in hopes to rest the ankle for Tuesday's game against Philadelphia. Williams, who has averaged 10.0 assists during the Bucks' five-game winning streak, is listed as questionable for Tuesday.
Wally Szczerbiak: Scores Game-High 27 Points in Loss
Update: Szczerbiak came off the bench to score a game-high 27 points in 28 minutes Sunday in a loss to San Antonio.
Analysis: Szczerbiak's playing time has really wavered this season. Through 14 games, he's played more than 20 minutes six times. He's played less than 15 minutes five times. If Szczerbiak gets time, he usually puts up good numbers. But the Sonics are far from settled on a consistent rotation, so expect unpredictable minutes for Szczerbiak in the near future at least.
Shareef Abdur-Rahim: Plagued By Knee Trouble
Update: Abdur-Rahim (sore right knee) did not practice on Sunday.
Analysis: Entering the season, there were concerns about the health of Abdur-Rahim's knees, and it does appear doubtful he will be productive. He may have reached the twilight of his career in Sacramento.
Kenny Thomas: Skips Practice With Illness
Update: Thomas (illness) did not practice on Sunday.
Analysis: He has logged more than 18 minutes in a game just twice this season, rendering him useless in any fantasy categories. Thomas is averaging 16.2 minutes, 2.6 points and 3.9 rebounds.
Brevin Knight: Should Play Monday
Update: Knight (groin) is probable for Monday's game against the Rockets, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Analysis: He has missed the last two games after suffering the injury on Nov. 21 versus Denver. Knight is averaging 19 minutes, 3.2 points and 4.2 assists while shooting a chilly 33.3% from the field. He has no fantasy appeal at this point.
Ray Allen: Has Struggled Shooting
Update: Allen, who converted 30 of 47 shots in his first four games this season, has shot just 45-128 since, a 35 percent clip. His shots per game are also down from 21 to 14.7, a 41 percent drop, according to the Boston Globe.
Analysis: We figured that Allen would be the C's third option this season, but his shooting inaccuracy recently has been surprising. However, look for more of the same, since this formula has the Celtics at 11-1 so far.
Trevor Ariza: Plays Seven Minutes Against Nets
Update: Ariza had two points and a rebound in seven minutes of play during the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: Ariza's fantasy value drops significantly with his trade to the Lakers. He performs the exact same functions as Luke Walton, who has been with the team longer and has a better grasp of the triangle offense. Moreover, backup forwards Vladimir Radmanovic and Ronny Turiaf have stepped up their play this season, leading to a crowded frontcourt and scarce minutes. Hold off on Ariza unless some of the other Laker forwards begin to struggle or get hurt.
Kobe Bryant: Scores 31 Against Nets
Update: Bryant had 31 points, seven assists, four steals and three rebounds in the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: Bryant started 3-16 from the field on Sunday, and went the entire second and third quarters without scoring a basket, and yet he still scored 31 points. Given those struggles, we expect Kobe's ceiling to be even higher in coming games.
Lamar Odom: Scores 16 Against Nets
Update: Odom had 16 points and three rebounds in the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: Odom took only six shots Sunday, least of any Lakers starter. Moreover, he's looked generally timid since returning from shoulder surgery, and it may be a few weeks before the real, aggressive Lamar Odom shows up.
Vladimir Radmanovic: Shoots 0-10 Against Nets
Update: Radmanovic had one point on 0-10 shooting in the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: On the positive end, Radmanovic received the start at power forward Sunday, though his miserable shooting night could make that stay in the starting lineup temporary.
Derek Fisher: Scores 20 Against Nets
Update: Fisher had 20 points, four rebounds and three assists in the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: Fisher seems to be assuming the scoring point guard role that was held last year by Smush Parker. However, with Jordan Farmar breathing down his neck, and Fisher's lack of assists, we would suggest Fisher only in deeper leagues, and for only a short term.
Andrew Bynum: Puts Up Double-Double Against Nets
Update: Bynum had 12 points, 13 rebounds, three steals and three blocks in the Lakers' 102-100 loss to the Nets on Sunday.
Analysis: Most importantly, Bynum played 36 minutes against the Nets, and seems to finally be getting the playing time his numbers deserve.
Manu Ginobili: Four 3-Pointers in Win
Update: Ginobili had 22 points (8-of-13 FG, 4-of-6 3-PT, 2-of-2 FT) and two assists in the Spurs' win over Seattle on Sunday.
Analysis: Ginobili did not have the all-around production that fantasy players are accustomed to, but did score, shoot well and hit four 3-pointers. Not bad for an off-night fantasy wise.
Tony Parker: Over 20 Again
Update: Parker had 22 points (8-of-20 FG, 0-of-1 3-PT, 6-of-6 FT), five rebounds, and seven assists in the Spurs' win over Seattle on Sunday.
Analysis: Parker continues to pace the Spurs in scoring and his assist totals of late have risen dramtically as Tim Duncan has begun to get it going offensively.
Tim Duncan: Scoring Continues to Increase
Update: Duncan had 26 points (11-of-18 FG, 4-of-4 FT), five rebounds, three assists, a steal and two blocks in the Spurs' win over Seattle on Sunday.
Analysis: Duncan's increased scoring is due in part to good matchups lately. Duncan's lack of rebounding was caused by Seattle's torrid shooting early and being away from the basket on his defensive assignments. Duncan's 72 percent from the line continues to be a bonus for fantasy players.
Ryan Hollins: Shoulder Still Sore
Update: Hollins (shoulder) is unlikely to play Tuesday night at Miami, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Hollins didn't participate in Sunday's practice, as the shoulder is still sore and there's stiffness in the joint. His absence means more minutes for Primoz Brezec and Jared Dudley when the Bobcats go small.
Gerald Wallace: To Return Tuesday
Update: Wallace (calf) said he'll be ready to go when the Bobcats face the Heat in Miami on Tuesday, the Charlotte Observer reports.
Analysis: Wallace didn't participate in Sunday's brief practice, but indicated he'd be ready Tuesday.
Mehmet Okur: Cold Starts
Update: Okur missed his first eight shots on his way to a 4-for-16 from the field in Sunday's victory over Detroit, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: Okur, who was 0-for-5 in the first quarter against New Orleans on Friday, has struggled with his shot this season, making just 38.9 percent. "He's forcing shots," coach Jerry Sloan said. "We'll get him shots in our offense, but if you catch the ball and hold it and just try to shoot, that's not much of a rhythm." Luckily for the Jazz, they've been getting scoring from others on the starting unit.
Ronnie Price: Move Up Depth Chart
Update: Jazz coach Jerry Sloan confirmed that Price has moved ahead of Gordan Giricek on the depth chart at shooting guard, the Salt Lake Tribune reports.
Analysis: Sloan made the move despite Price, who is 6-2, giving up some inches to the taller shooting guards in the league. On Sunday, Price was matched up with the long Tayshaun Prince. It becomes a matter of Price being able to handle the defensive assignments, a portion of the game that Giricek has never embraced.
|
   |
||||||
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
