 | Divorce Court? - 01/11/2010
BY Steve Alexander There are plenty of interesting things going on in fantasy hoops right now with some big-named players. So let's take a look at what to do about.
What to do about Tyrus Thomas? - Thomas has been just awful and borderline useless over the last four games, with no relief in sight. Owners are bailing on him, as this is the exact same pattern we've seen from Thomas his entire career.
Stage 1 - first date - Plays like a stallion for a few games, gets everybody worked up and becomes the hottest pickup in fantasy hoops.
Stage 2 - engagement - Plays well for you once you get him in your lineup, giving you a false sense of security and hope. You tell your wife "Honey, I don't think my team can lose with Ty throwing up 15-8 with 2 steals and 2 blocks every night!"
Stage 3 - wedding night - Nothing goes as planned, and his numb! ers disappear, but it's just one game. He'll bounce back in the next one, right?
Stage 4 - sleeping on the couch - Thomas' struggles last more than a game and cost you a loss because he basically did nothing for an entire week. He could even be in the doghouse for the Bulls, and is now complaining about his role.
Stage 5 - divorce - Unable to take it anymore a week later, frustrated owners curse me for telling them to pick him up in the first place, and then kick him to the curb to pick up the latest hot free agent - let's call him J.J. Redick.
Stage 6 - dating your best friend - Thomas automatically blows up in his next game and your best friend picks him up. You're livid for about four days, until the cycle starts over again.
So, we're in stage 4-5 range as of now, which means he's about ready to start going nuts for a new owner, making him! think his fantasy team is way better than it will be a week from now. While I do not trust him to play well this week, as his slump/doghouse stop could last another 10 days or so, I do think he's one of those guys who will go off when you least expect it. The Bulls play three times this week, and I would recommend benching him if possible. But if you do, don't be surprised if he goes off. Or completely falls out of the rotation.
What to do about Melo? - As far as I can tell, Melo is slated to play on Monday, according to the Denver Post. That doesn't make him a lock to go after missing five games with a bruised knee, but I am planning on starting him this week unless we get bad news in the afternoon. I thankfully played it safe and benched him last week, but all signs are pointing toward him playing tonight against the Timberwolves.
What to do about Kobe? - Kobe aggravated his already sore index finger on his shooting hand last Tuesday against the Rockets and the middle knuckle on that finger is actually in w! orse shape than the broken bone on the tip of it. He hit 4-of-21 shots (not a typo) Sunday (yet the Lakers still won?) and he's hit just 37-of-111 shots over his last four games, to go along with 5-of-19 from downtown. Yes his finger is banged up. Yes, he's due for a rest. Yes, he hurt your team more than helped it last night. But I doubt he's sitting against San Antonio or Dallas on Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Lakers might actually need him against the Clippers on Friday. If I own Kobe, I worry about the risks involved with him possibly missing a game, and then ignore them.
What to do about Pau Gasol? - Gasol's hamstring injury is a sticky situation and he and the Lakers are going to be verycautious with his return to action. He hasn't practiced yet and had to cut an elliptical machine workout short yesterday because things just didn't feel right. If I ow! n Gasol, I don't play him until I know for certain that he'll be on th e court for that night's game. And that probably means you can't play him until he's already got his first game under his belt. He's been incredible when healthy, but these hamstring issues have been very tough to handle. Bench him until you see him actually play in a game. My guess is he sits the whole week, or at least most of it.
What to do about Deeetroit Baaasketball!? - Talk about a train wreck, Detroit is on life support. Rodney Stuckey (knee) and Tayshaun Prince (knee) didn't finish their game on Saturday, while Ben Gordon apparently tweaked his hamstring at the end of the game. They've lost 12 straight, have no chemistry, are being coached by a rookie who doesn't seem to hav! e a clue as to what's wrong, and the players simply don't seem to care anymore. Stuckey and Gordon sound like they will play on Monday, while Prince is a game-time decision. Charlie Villanueva is showing signs of life and Austin Daye played well in his last game. At this point, the Pistons might as well shoot for the lottery and start playing the young guys. I don't think any Piston is a must-start player this week, although they do play four games. Start any of them at your own risk, but it does sound safe to go with Richard Hamilton, Stuckey, Gordon and Villanueva if you want to.
What to do about Anthony Randolph? - His ankle is not broken, after initial r eports said it was. And we still don't have a timetable on his return, although my guess is anywhere from two weeks to a month. I haven't cut him where I own him just yet, but I might later today. If there's a hot player you really want to pick up, chances are Randolph wasn't helping your team that much to begin with, as we were constantly waiting for him to break out. Cut him if you want, but don't be surprised if he only misses a couple weeks or so with the injury.
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Keep reading for What To Do's, as well as the Injury Report.
What to do about Danny Granger? - I am really not happy with Granger's approach right now and it would appear that this is just another thing to dislike about Jim O'Brien coaching the Pacers. Granger has been standing out ! at the 3-point line heaving bad shots with plenty of time on the clock like nobody's business, and Obie doesn't seem to have a problem with it. As weird as it sounds to say, O'Brien should learn something from Mike Woodson and simply ban Granger from shooting so many threes. It took Woody three years to figure it out with Josh Smith, and Granger's numbers would probably be so much better if he would work on driving to the rack instead of launching it from wherever he catches it. And this is not a new problem, as he was doing the same thing before his heel injury shut him down. The good news is that Granger's back, but owners have to expect his shooting percentage to stink until he changes his game. And with no one steering the ship in Indy (Larry Bird will not stop O'Brien from doing whatever he wants), I don't expect for much to change this year. Granger's too good to sit, but I'm! kind of glad I don't own him right now.
What to do about Brandon Jennings and Trevor Ariza? - Both of these guys' confidence and shot are so bad right now, they can be benched in all leagues. Of course, when we do it, they'll probably break out of their six-week comas and go on a tear, but it might be worth it just to break them out of this funk. Jennings has even been dropped in some leagues, although I do not endorse that. The Bucks play four games this week and I'm probably going to roll Jennings out there, as usual. I actually sat Ariza a couple weeks ago, simply because of the awful shooting, and it really hasn't gotten much better. But I still think both players are going to break out of the funk and still recommend starting both of them this week - especially with Michael Redd hurt again in Milwaukee.
What to do about Devin Harris? - Harris missed Sunday's game with a right wrist injury and is now questionable for Wednesday's game with the same issue. This guy is a pretty fun player to watch and own when healthy, but it seems like he's always hurt. It's hard to believe he only missed 13 games last season, as it feels like he was never moving at 100 percent. And he's already missed 11 games this year, and counting. Add in the fact he hasn't been consistent, and probably doesn't care a whole lot as the Nets embarrass themselves every time out, and it's not a pretty picture. He's 5-of-21 shooting in the last three games he's played in and with his status so iffy for Wednesday, I would bench him in weekly leagues - especially since the Nets only have two games this week.
What to do about! Vince Carter? - Carter missed Saturday's game with a shoulder injury and there are now rumors flying around Orlando that he's going to lose his job to J.J. Redick. The Magic have won just five of the 10 games Carter, Dwight Howard, Rashard Lewis and Jameer Nelson have started together this season, while they're 20-7 when one of the 'Big 4' is out. "We have been quite a bit better this season when we've had at least one of those four guys out," Stan Van Gundy said. "I don't know if that's something where we need to get some more complementary players in there with them." There sim! ply aren't enough basketballs to go around, and it wasn't all that tough to see this coming, although it was difficult to figure out who would take the hit. That's been Lewis, as he's been as disappointing as any fantasy player this season. But if Vince goes to the bench, you have to wonder what that does to his psyche, as well as production? Of greater concern right now is Carter's shoulder, which is listed as a sprain and mild separation. Unfortunately, we still don't know what his prognosis is for the week. But given his recent struggles (8-of-39 and hasn't scored more than eight points in four straight games), the injury and the three games this week, I'd get him on the bench for Week 12.
And if you're in a deep league and need threes, go ahead and grab Redick. I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I really believe it's a done deal that SVG is going to bench Vince for J.J., but I do think it's a real possibility.
Monday Morning Injury Report
Kevin Garnett - knee - Could return this week, but I don't expect it.
Marquis Daniels - wrist - Out until All-Star break.
Tyson Chandler - foot - Iffy for week again, I'd bench him.
Jamario Moon - abdomen - May miss another week or two.
Leon Powe - knee - Getting closer, but not this month.
Drew Gooden - finger - Hopeful for Wednesday, worth a look in most.
Josh Howard! - thigh - Late scratch Sat., iffy for Weds. Not playing great.
Erick Dampier - knee - He's back, but Gooden hurts him.
Ty Lawson - ankle - Expected to play tonight, but Billups is back.
Carmelo Anthony - knee - Hopeful to play Mon., a little risky, but I'd go w/ him.
Ben Gordon - hamstring - Practiced Sun., should play tonight.
Tayshaun Prince - knee - Iffy for Monday, probably not worth gamble.
R! odney Stuckey - knee - Practiced Sun., sound like he'll try it ton ight.
Will Bynum - ankles - Out on Monday, too risky for four-game week.
Chris Wilcox - back - Missed Saturday, not enough value to use.
Anthony Randolph - ankle - Will miss extended time. Bench or cut him.
Ronny Turiaf - knee - Still hurting, but could be sneaky play w/ no Randolph.
Tracy McGrady - personal - Won't play for Rockets while they try for trade.
Tyler Hansbrough - ear - Doesn't sound l! ikely this week, has missed 7 games.
Jeff Foster - back - Ditto. No hurry to rush him back.
T.J. Ford - healthy - Fourth-string point guard, inexplicably.
Sebastian Telfair - groin - No use in using when healthy.
Blake Griffin - knee - Still no target date, but closer. Keep him benched.
Ron Artest - foot - Says he'll play, but really struggling. I'd bench him.
Pau Gasol - Very iffy for week, too r! isky in weekly leagues.
Luke Walton - back - Could play this week, but won't do much.
Mike Conley - hamstring - Missed last one, says he'll play Tues. Struggling.
Sean Marks - leg - Out indefinitely, no value when healthy.
Al Harrington - calf - Should play tonight, play him with four games.
Michael Redd - knee - Season could be in jeopardy? Bench him, hello, C. Bell.
Joe Alexander - hamstring - Getting close, but no value.
Devin Harris - wrist - 2 games this week, struggling when healthy. Bench.
Etan Thomas - flu - May be out of the rotation and doesn't seem to care.
Vince Carter - shoulder - Iffy for Tues. Hasn't scored more than 8 in last 4.
Allen Iverson - knee - Game-time decision Mon. Very risky after missing Sat.
Steve Blake - pneumonia - Played seven minutes Sunday, zero points. Bench.
Rudy Fernandez - back - Could play this week, but too risky.
Travis Outlaw - foot - Not due back til late in year - hello, Martell Webster.
Donte' Greene - ankle - Iffy for next one, too risky to use.
Kevin Martin - wrist - MRI coming Tues., but too risky to play this week.
Francisco Garcia - wrist - Targeting return at All-Star break?
Matt Bonner - hand - Should be close, but still not ready to play.
Michael Finley - ankle - Still out with injury, not much value healthy.
Jose Calderon - hip - Back, but doesn't look great. Timeshare w/ Jarrett Jack.
Reggie Evans - foot - Could play soon, but not much value.
Ronnie Brewer - finger - Iffy for Monday, probably too risky to start.
Gilbert Arenas - suspended - Season over, as far as I'm concerned.
Mike Miller - calf - Aggravated injury, MRI coming. Play Nick Young instead. | | This e-mail is being sent at your request. To stop receiving these e-mails, click here. | |
