Down Goes Deron - 01/15/2010
BY Steve Alexander Quiet Riot?
With just two games on the docket for Thursday it figured to be a quiet evening, but Sundiata Gaines made sure we wouldn't forget it anytime soon. After LeBron James led the Cavaliers back from a big deficit late in the game, Gaines hit a 3-pointer in the face of Anthony Parker at the buzzer for the one-point win. The Jazz were down five near the end, but missed free throws from Parker and Zydrunas Ilgauskas left the door open for Gaines to hit his first NBA 3-pointer. The Cavs blitzed the Jazz for a 20-4 run late, with LeBron taking over and scoring 18 of those 20,! but it wasn't meant to be for the Cavs. My guess is LeBron is hopping mad at his mates for missing the free throws after he single-handedly brought them back from no man's land. Yeah, LeBron missed a late free throw too, but grabbed the offensive board and knocked down a ridiculous 3-pointer that appeared to win the game.
Despite the win, this was a tough night for the Jazz, as Deron Williams (right wrist aggravation) and Andrei Kirilenko (hyperextended knee) both left the game early and didn't return. I have no idea what the story is with Williams, but it is highly concerning, as this is the same wrist that kept him out of three games recently (not to mention the one he shoots with). And now that it's banged up again, owners have to worry about him shutting it down for a week in ! order to get fully healthy. That's not a prediction, but it is a possi bility. We should have more news this afternoon on Williams.
As for AK-47, hyperextended knees are not good news in fantasy hoops and my guess is he could miss a week. If that's the case, it's a shame, as he was just starting to come on and had been a hot pickup in fantasy leagues. We should also know more about AK this afternoon, but you can bet both players will probably be listed as 'day-to-day.' You know who else is day-to-day? Kevin Garnett, and pretty much has been since Dec. 28, but more on him later. If AK is out for long, C.J. Miles, Ronnie Brewer and possibly Wesley Matthews will all be w! orth a look.
While Gaines was the hero last night, it's important to remember that this was just his fifth NBA game and he played only nine minutes (scoring nine points). If Williams misses time, Ronnie Price is the guy you'll want to pick up, and not Gaines. Price had 13 points, two dimes, a steal and a 3-pointer last night in 20 minutes. He's not going to save your fantasy team, but owners in deep leagues might be able to plug him in for a few games if Williams is out. Just keep in mind that Price isn't a picture of health himself, suffering from a painful shoulder injury. If both Price and D-Will are out, then Gaines comes into play in fantasy action.
Mo Williams has scored 10 or less in three straight games and hit just 4-of-12 shots last night. I'm not sure what the! deal is, but it probably has something to do with the fact that LeBro n is setting the fantasy world on fire. He did it again last night with 36 points, nine boards, five assists, five steals and four 3-pointers on 12-of-20 shooting. I can't believe he didn't block a shot, but I actually feel guilty for even mentioning that, as his lines have simply been monstrous. My guess is the guy currently winning your league owns LeBron, and hopefully that's you.
Bullish In Beantown
The Bulls beat the Celtics in Boston, handing them their sixth loss of the year at home. That's significant, as the Celtics lost six times in the Garden in each of the last two seasons, and we're only half way home. Paul Pierce led the home team with 20 points and Kendrick Perkins' stellar play continued with 14 points, 10 boards and five blocks, but Doc Rivers and com! pany couldn't come up with an answer for Luol Deng.
That's right, the guy with the fractured thumb who was supposed to crawl under a rock and never be heard from again hit 8-of-13 shots and 9-of-10 free throws for 25 points, four boards, two steals and two blocks as the Bulls won their third straight game. Joakim Noah had his typical big line (15-11-4) and Kirk Hinrich played well, but the Bulls got nothing (once again) from Tyrus Thomas and John Salmons.
Thomas played just 17 minutes, but still ! managed four steals and seven rebounds. I have no idea what Vinny Del Negro is doing with him, but Thomas is still a freak despite the limited minutes. The guy has 10 steals in two games! As usual, I'm just keeping him benched and hanging around, waiting for VDN to turn him loose again, but I wish I had something else to say about him. I am guessing this is probably the 20th time in the last three years I've written the same paragraph about TT, and it's getting old.
Salmons is in no better shape after hitting 2-of-9 shots for five points and five rebounds. He also hit a 3-pointer, but didn't have a single assist, steal or block on the night, despite playing 33 MINUTES off the bench. Vinny, if Salmons doesn't care and isn't even going to try, please leave him on the bench and let Tyrus play. Thank you.
News and Notes
Gilly
Gilbert Arenas has been formally charged with a felony, has reached a plea agreement and is set to plead guilty today. He'll likely avoid jail time, but that doesn't mean he's back in the NBA's good graces. I'm not sure if the TNT boys suggested that Arenas could play again this season, or where that's coming from, but I simply can't see it happening. David Stern's indefinite suspension almost certainly includes the rest of this season, and I would be shocked and amazed if he plays again this year. Hold him if you have an IR to stash him on, but I would recommend cutting him for someone actually playing NBA basketball. Additionally, I see almost no way that Arenas will ever play another game for the Wizards, either.
Welcome Back
Pau Gasol is! expected to play tonight after missing six games and most of a sevent h with a hamstring injury. As an Andrew Bynum owner, I'll be watching closely. I'm going to just pretend like Bynum's last stint with Gasol never happened and hope that he can still produce and be effective playing alongside PG. We've seen him do it before, so hopefully we'll see it again.
Kobe Bryant missed Thursday's practice with his tweaked back, but it sounds like he's a go for tonight against the Clippers. Go ahead and put him down for Warrior of the Week when Kamla and 3D break it down on Monday. We knew he was iffy to play in all three games coming into the week, but I'm still a bit surprised he's actually going to pull it off. But it hasn't been pretty, despite the game-winner he hit in his last one. You know Kobe's hurting by looking at the numbers - 10, 16 and 12 points ! in his last three, hitting 49-of-132 shots in his last six, good for just 37 percent. If you somehow had the stones to bench him this week, it could have actually paid off, but you've got to give him credit for trying. Kevin Martin would be in the hospital right now and have a cast on his right hand.
Brandon Roy sounds very iffy tonight against Orlando with his hamstring injury, and this quote has me thinking he'll sit for a game or two. "I don't want to have to miss two weeks of basketball," said Roy. "After it got really tight, I told coach, 'This could be serious' ... I've strained it before, so I know the feeling, and it's like we are on the cusp again.'' Maybe he'll play, but I'm not expecting him.
Ben Gordon is iffy with a groin injury as th e Pistons (and Nets) continue to be a fantasy black hole. I'd be surprised if he goes against the Hornets tonight, but he hasn't been ruled out. Ditto for Tayshaun Prince and Will Bynum.
Monta Ellis is dealing with a sprained left ankle, but has been playing through it. And with only eight guys available tonight, he's going to have to have a big game against the Bucks. We posted a blurb about Anthony Morrow losing minutes to Cartier Martin, but I'm not sure we hit the intent of the information. Morrow is g! oing to play at both SG and SF, and had 24 points and four treys in his last game. Three of the healthy eight are Martin, Chris Hunter and Devean George. That's right - two D-League specialists and George, who has pretty much been MIA for the past two years. C.J. Watson (finger), Ronny Turiaf (ankle) and Vladimir Radmanovic (ankle) are all doubtful tonight, meaning Morrow, Ellis, Stephen Curry, Corey Mag gette and Andris Biedrins will likely start, with Martin, Hunter and George coming off the bench. If you're in a super-deep league, Martin's probably worth a look, while I think Morrow is a solid and sneaky fantasy play right now.
Allen Iverson (knee) practiced on Thursday and sounds like a go tonight against the Kings.
Kevin Martin is set to return to action tonight in Philly and is already plugged into the starting lineup with alongside Tyreke Evans, Omri Casspi, Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes. In short, I assume Evans will remain a valuable fantasy point guard, while Beno Udrih's run is likely over. Omri Casspi will take a hit with the return of Martin, but it's great news that he's starting. I also still think Hawes is going to bounce back soon, and recommend grabbing him if you have room. I guess Martin's a decent fantasy play tonight since he's starting, and I can't wait to see how things shake out for the Kings.
Ty Lawson (ankle) won't play again tonight and has limited potential as! long as Chauncey Billups is healthy.
Rasheed Wallace is targeting a Monday return from his foot injury, meaning this week was a lost cause for those of you who rolled the dice on him with no Kevin Garnett. And speaking of KG, Doc Rivers said there's an "outside chance" Garnett will return a week from today against the Blazers. That's obviously not a stone-cold lock, but there is at least some light at the end of the tunnel.
Tim Duncan will hopefully be back on the court tonight at Charlotte after a surprise DNP, but all eyes will be on DeJuan Blair, who had 28 point! s and 21 boards in his last one. My guess is he goes back to his old ways and puts up about eight points and seven boards in 18 minutes, but we'll have to see.
Josh Howard should start for the Mavs tonight against the Thunder, and should be picked up in all leagues now that he's back in the starting unit.
No word on whether Vince Carter will miss his fourth straight game tonight, as he's simply listed as day-to-day. Look for him to come off the bench upon his return from a shoulder injury. I'm guessing his availability will be determined after shootaround.
We also still don't know Chris Kaman's status for tonight, but the last we heard his MRI went well and he's going to! try to play through his back injury. Consider him a game-time decisio n.
Trading LeBron
I was asked on Twitter what a LeBron owner can expect in return for trading him, and my short answer is that I simply don't think it's even worth the time to look at trading LeBron. You would need to get a Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant or Chris Paul in return, as well as another Top 10-15 player like Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace or Carmelo Anthony. And given the fact that LeBron is healthy ! and some of those guys aren't, I wouldn't even think about it. LeBron was traded recently in one of my leagues for Vince Carter, Jason Thompson and Trevor Ariza. Yep, I'm serious. And the kicker is that I'm playing the new LeBron owner, who didn't even have to give up Andre Iguodala, Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Kendrick Perkins or! Corey Maggette. Yes, it's ridiculous and as you can probably imagine, things aren't going all that well for me in that league this week. Way to go, Mr. Seitz. So if you own LeBron, don't make a mistake and move him, unless you get Chris Paul and a true stud in return. And even then, it's probably not worth it. |
