Say It Say So, Rubio - 03/12/2012
BY Steve Alexander The Clippers, Suns, Jazz and Wizards all have five games in Week 12, while the Cavaliers, Mavericks, Nuggets, Grizzlies, Bucks and Sixers play just three games. Everyone else goes four times. Clips – Chris Paul and Blake Griffin are must-starts, while Randy Foye and Mo Williams both look like strong plays with five games. I’m benching DeAndre Jordan in a points league, as his minutes and scoring have been too wishy-washy lately. Caron Butler has also fallen into a deep slump, and he should also be benched in most cases, if you have options. Suns – I’m starting Grant Hill in a league or two, but am concerned that he’ll be held out of at least one game this week simply to rest. Steve Nash, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye and Marcin Gortat all look like must-starts. Jazz – Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap are your must-starts, while guys like Devin Harris (who was out on Saturday with the flu), Josh Howard, Gordon Hayward and Derrick Favors are all worth a look for the extra game. Wizards – John Wall, Trevor Booker and JaVale McGee look like must-starts in weekly leagues, while owners may also want to roll the dice on Jordan Crawford and Nick Young, although you truly never know what you’re going to get with those two. Bench Andray Blatche, as the minutes just haven’t been there while the Wizards continue desperately trying to move him. Injury Report For the full injury report, hit this link. Ricky Rubio PG Timberwolves – Rubio’s season is over thanks to a torn ACL in his knee. Luke Ridnour had 14 points and 10 assists on Saturday and looks like a must-own and must-start player with four games this week. Derrick Williams has been hit or miss, but should continue to see an increase in minutes going forward and is playing well enough for consideration in all leagues. Deron Williams PG Nets – Williams is dealing with a calf injury and missed Saturday’s game after suffering the injury on Friday. Jordan Farmar had 18 points, four boards, four assists and three 3-pointers in that game, and is a must-own, must-start player as long as Williams is out. We simply don’t know when Williams will return, but there’s obviously no need for the Nets to rush him back, and calf injuries are not to be taken lightly. Unless we get great news on Monday, I’m benching him. Kyle Lowry PG Rockets - Lowry is set to miss “2-to-4 weeks” with a bacterial infection/groin injury combo, but it sounds like he’s going to be out for at least a month. And if he is out for an entire month, the most games he’ll appear in the rest of the way would be the Rockets’ final eight in April. I don’t have the guts to drop him just yet, but will strongly consider it if we don’t get better news in the next 10 days. Goran Dragic is now a must-own, must-start fantasy option, and had 23 points, eight dimes and four treys on Saturday, with 20 points and eight assists on Sunday. Stephen Curry PG Warriors – Stephen Curry now has a right ankle sprain to go along with his left foot strain, and lasted just nine minutes on Sunday. Nate Robinson looks like the best guy to own in his absence, but hasn’t exactly been a model of consistency. Curry’s injury ride this year is officially into ‘ridiculous’ territory and he simply can’t be trusted for now. Keep him in your thoughts in daily leagues, but I don’t have the stomach to start him in weeklies. Rudy Gay SF Grizzlies – Gay appeared to be dealing with concussion symptoms after Sunday’s game and is now extremely risky in a three-game week. I moved him to my benches, while a guy like O.J. Mayo, who had 22 points, five boards and eight assists on Sunday, could really see a boost in minutes if Gay misses time. Don’t forget the Grizz have those back-to-back 5-game weeks coming up near the end of the season. On a related note, I expect to see Zach Randolph at some point this week. Jose Calderon PG Raptors – Calderon’s ankle sprain isn’t as bad as the Raptors initially feared, but I need to hear more than “hopefully he won’t be out that long” before putting him into my lineup. Jerryd Bayless looks like a must-start player for as long as JC is out, while Leandro Barbosa should also be a solid option. The Raps play Tuesday against Cleveland, and we simply don’t know Calderon’s status for that one at this time. Tony Parker PG Spurs – Parker sounds likely to return from his thigh injury on Monday against the Wizards, but Gregg Popovich reiterated recently that his goal is to go into the playoffs healthy. That means Parker, Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan are all fair game to be late scratches any time the Spurs have back-to-back games. They have three sets of back-to-backs remaining in March, including a Fri/Sat/Sun three-game run from the 23rd to the 25th, and then an incredible six back-to-backs in April, which includes another three-in-a-row April 16-18. Only three of their 16 April games aren’t part of a back-to-back stint, which is going to be a nightmare for Pop, and in turn, fantasy! owners of Spurs. Ty Lawson PG Nuggets – Lawson suffered a sprained right foot that required X-rays on Sunday, but they were negative. Unless we get more information, Lawson may have to be benched in his three-game week, which could end up being one or even zero games if his injury is at all serious. Andre Miller will pick up his slack if that’s the case. Joakim Noah C Bulls – Noah’s been out with an illness but it does sound like he should be back on Monday against the Knicks, so I’d roll the dice on him in most cases this week. Andrew Bynum C Lakers – Bynum fought through a bruised right knee on Sunday to finish with 20 points and 14 boards, so I’m starting him if I own him. Tyson Chandler C Knicks – Chandler returned from his hamstring injury on Sunday for eight points, 12 boards and a block, so I’m playing him, too. Joe Johnson G/F Hawks – Johnson made it back from a knee injury this weekend and started at SF Sunday, with Kirk Hinrich at the 2 and Marvin Williams off the bench. Hinrich is worth keeping an eye on, but I want to make sure the move sticks and that he’s productive before dropping a good player for him. Devin Harris PG Jazz – Harris missed Saturday’s game with a flu and has been dealing with a sore knee, but with five games, I’d start him this week in most cases. Luol Deng SF Bulls – Deng was out on Saturday and sounds doubtful on Monday as he rests his sore wrist. Kyle Korver blew up for 26 points and six treys on Saturday, but I just don’t trust him. Chris Paul PG Clippers – CP3 is sporting a mask after suffering a nasal fracture, but it appears he’ll power through it. With five games this week, he’s about as must-start as they come. Jason Richardson SG Magic – Richardson could easily miss his first two games this week with an ankle injury, clearing the way for J.J. Redick to keep starting. Redick is always a sneaky play when this happens, and had 18 points and three 3-pointers on Sunday. I like the idea of starting Redick this week. Chris Wilcox PF Celtics – Wilcox has a heart issue that I believe will shut him down for the season, meaning Brandon Bass should get all the minutes he can handle as long as he can stay healthy. Give him a look. Spencer Hawes C Sixers – Hawes could be back as soon as Wednesday from his lingering Achilles problem, but I’m not playing him until I see him in at least two or three games. And Nikola Vucevic has been too unreliable to use in Hawes’ place. Brendan Haywood C Mavericks – Haywood’s missed a couple games with a sprained ankle, but sounds close to returning. But with three games this week, you can surely find a better option. Jason Kidd PG Mavericks – Kidd rested on Saturday in the midst of a five-game week, but it sounds like he’s fine. If you can handle the lack of offense and the three-game schedule this week, feel free to roll him out there. Wilson Chandler G/F Unsigned – Chandler is supposedly in Denver and could sign with the team this week – or not. Even if they do sign him, things are going to be very crowded at the wing positions in Denver, so I’m not recommending going out of your way to sit on Chandler. Who’s Hot Evan Turner G/F Sixers – Turner has quickly turned into a beast and had 24 points and 15 rebounds on 9-of-14 shooting Sunday. He’s averaging more than 10 boards over his last three games and has played very well in his last two. I’m going all-in on him, but he’s not a must-start player with just three games this week. Weigh options carefully. Andrea Bargnani C Raptors – Bargnani returned to the starting lineup from his calf injury on Sunday and had 11 points and eight rebounds in 30 minutes. With four games this week, I’m putting him in there if I own him. MarShon Brooks G/F Nets – Brooks is heating up again with Brook Lopez and Deron out, and had 23 points, five boards and seven assists on Saturday. It’s time to put him back in your lineup. Rodney Stuckey G Pistons – Stuckey had 20 points and eight assists on Saturday and looks like a very solid four-game play. Ekpe Udoh C Warriors – Udoh had 14 points, six boards and two more blocks on Sunday and is a solid four-game option at center. Bismack Biyombo C Bobcats – Biyombo had 11 points, 11 boards and two blocks on Friday, followed up by six points, eight boards and a block on Saturday. He’s another four-game center and I’m starting him in a few leagues, along with Udoh. Mike Dunleavy G/F Bucks – Dunleavy is suddenly heating up off the Bucks bench, scoring 25 on Friday and 19 on Sunday, with plenty of other fantasy goodies. He’s averaging 13 points, five boards, three assists, a steal and 1.8 3-pointers in March, and is getting starter’s minutes, despite the job belonging to Tobias Harris. The Bucks only play three times this week, but it’s time to move on Dunleavy. Alonzo Gee G/F Cavaliers – Gee is averaging 13 points, 5.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and a 3-pointer in his eight starts this season, and he’s started four straight games for the Cavs. They only go three times this week, but Gee’s a guy worth owning in most leagues. Shelden Williams F/C Nets – Williams is the new starting center for the Nets (again) and is averaging 10 points and nine rebounds over his last three games. Dorell Wright F Warriors – Wright blew up for 20 points and four 3-pointers on Sunday, but 16 of those came in the first quarter. He’s not at all trustworthy, but could still end up getting it going at any time, despite most of this season being a full-blown disaster. Samuel Dalembert C Rockets – Sammy D had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five blocks on Sunday, has hit double digits in scoring in five straight, with double-doubles in three of those. He’s back (after many of us dropped him). Gerald Green G/F Nets – Green blew up for 26 points in 23 minutes on Saturday, hitting 10-of-15 shots, four 3-pointers and possibly the dunk of the year. I own him in my 30-team league, yet despite the four-game week, simply don’t have the guts to start him over James Johnson or Thaddeus Young. If he proves me wrong, it will likely cost me a trip to the final four in that league. I play CBS’ Jamey Eisenberg this week, H2H, 9 Categories, after barely getting by Mr. David Hoops Klyce last week. Me: Jeremy Lin, Dwyane Wade, James Johnson, Thaddeus Young (3), Greg Monroe & Marcus Thornton. Jamey: Roddy Beaubois (3), Jamal Crawford, LeBron James, Luis Scola, Marcin Gortat (5) & J.J. Redick. Who’s Not Kevin Martin SG Rockets – Martin has been awful for four straight games (again), while Chase Budinger and Chandler Parsons are heating up again. The bottom line is that I don’t trust any of these guys right now, but both Budinger and Parsons are probably worth a flier as well as they’ve played in the last few. Martin said after Sunday's disaster that he's dealing with a strained shoulder, but it doesn't sound too serious. Start him at your own risk, and keep in mind he's played less than 20 minutes per game in each of his last four. Andray Blatche F/C Wizards – Blatche had just two points and two boards in 14 minutes on Saturday, and even a five-game week isn’t enough to bring him into the fold. DeAndre Jordan C Clippers – Here’s another five-game week that could be a disaster, as he’s averaging just four points, seven rebounds and a block over his last five. He’s also played less than 20 minutes in three straight, making him a true risk-reward play this week. Roy Hibbert C Pacers – Hibbert is averaging just seven points, seven boards and two blocks over his last five, but the minutes have been there and this simply looks like a slump. I’m going to play him where I own him for four games. Caron Butler G/F Clippers – Butler’s back is bothering him and he’s been a disaster, scoring 1, 2 and 0 points in three of his last four games. This too looks like a slump, but he is truly a blind roll of the dice right now. Danilo Gallinari F Nuggets – Gallo was back in the starting five on Sunday but missed all five of his shots and failed to score. He’s been back for four games, hitting 5-of-25 shots over that stretch. He’s bound to heat up soon but with three games, I’d probably give him another week to get it figured out. | 
