| Marks will not play Sunday | Saturday 10/4, 5:56 PM CT |
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Sean Marks will not play in Sunday's preseason opener against the Warriors due to a strained right calf, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Our View: He is getting better, but the team is holding him out as a precaution to prevent the risk of the injury becoming more severe. The backup center only averages 3.1 points over his NBA career, and his fantasy stock will not improve in New Orleans. |
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| James injured | Saturday 10/4, 5:45 PM CT |
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Jerome James sustained a slight strain in his left quadriceps Saturday, according to the AP. He sat out the final 15 minutes of the team’s last scrimmage.
Our View: The team would like him to retire in order to clear the $12.8 million he is supposed to earn over the next two seasons, but he refuses to let that money go. The team did not speculate how much time he may miss due to the injury. |
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| D'Antoni praises Robinson | Saturday 10/4, 5:42 PM CT |
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Coach Mike D'Antoni praised Nate Robinson during his first week of practice with the Knicks, according to the AP. D'Antoni said, "I’m really surprised with him and how good he is. He can play a lot of systems, but I do think that the way we want to play an open court, that will benefit him as much or more than anybody."
Our View: Robinson set new career-highs in points (12.7), rebounds (3.1), and assists (2.9) last season, and the point guard is worth a late-round pick in deeper leagues after D'Antoni's comments, who likes to run a fast-paced offense. |
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| Johnson named starter | Saturday 10/4, 5:34 PM CT |
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As expected, Amir Johnson has been named the Pistons' starting power forward, according to the Detroit News. Coach Michael Curry said, "Amir does things without having to have the ball. He's able to pick up baskets through his activity, by running the floor and playing off the other four guys. He does all the intangible things, and through that he's able to create offensive opportunities for himself."
Our View: Johnson ranks as a favorable late-round pick as a sleeper following his designation as a starter with Detroit. He beat out Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown for the job. |
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| Butler to miss preseason opener | Saturday 10/4, 5:30 PM CT |
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Rasual Butler will miss Sunday's preseason opener due to a strained groin, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Our View: The team wants to be sure the ailment is completely healed before letting him return to the court, to prevent the risk of further injury. As a fantasy forward, Butler isn't productive enough to merit attention. |
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| Howard sits out | Saturday 10/4, 5:26 PM CT |
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Josh Howard sat out Saturday's practice while dealing with lower-back pain, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Our View: His ailment is believed to be minor, and he should not drop down draft boards, even though he only averages 70 games played over his five-year NBA career. |
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| Kidd misses practice | Saturday 10/4, 5:22 PM CT |
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Jason Kidd sat out Saturday's practice while nursing a minor injury, according to the Dallas Morning News.
Our View: The 35-year-old is dealing with a sore right hamstring, but is expected to be fine. His scoring per game has declined in each of the last five seasons. |
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| Livingston inks with Miami | Saturday 10/4, 4:11 PM CT |
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Shaun Livingston inked a two-year deal with the Heat, according to the Houston Chronicle. Financial details were not not disclosed.
Our View: He is hoping to make a successful comeback from a serious knee injury he sustained 19 months ago. It remains unclear when he will be ready for game action. |
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| Walsh released by Heat | Saturday 10/4, 4:06 PM CT |
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Matt Walsh has been released by the Heat, according to the Sun-Sentinel.
Our View: He spent the last two seasons in Europe, but didn't improve his game enough to nail down a spot on Miami's roster. |
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| Claxson injures hamstring | Saturday 10/4, 4:04 PM CT |
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Speedy Claxton pulled his hamstring during Friday's workout and could be out for a significant amount of time, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Coach Mike Woodson said, "He really could be out for a while. He’ll go on the trip with us this week. But as far as playing, I don’t know. We’ll just have to see how he responds."
Our View: Claxton has suffered an injury in three straight training camps. As a fantasy performer, he holds no value. |
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| Allen running with starters | Saturday 10/4, 11:55 AM CT |
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Malik Allen ran with a group of players that could represent the Bucks starting lineup during a scrimmage Friday, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Our View: It would be an upset if Allen takes the starting job away from Charlie Villanueva. He figures to play significant minutes but isn't worth a fantasy roster spot. |
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| Dalembert strains shoulder | Saturday 10/4, 11:50 AM CT |
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Samuel Dalembert strained his left shoulder during Friday night's open scrimmage, according to PhillyBurbs.com.
Our View: Dalembert is considered day-to-day. |
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| Tinsley could be dealt by Monday | Saturday 10/4, 11:47 AM CT |
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Jamaal Tinsley could still be traded to the Nuggets after all, according to the Indianapolis Star. It was erroneously reported Friday that Tinsley was dealt, but a person familiar with the situation said the point guard could be traded for real as early as Monday. Point guard Chucky Atkins and center Steven Hunter would go to the Pacers in the deal.
Our View: We're not going to speculate any more on this deal. We'll let you know when and if it happens. |
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| Marbury auditioning for sixth man role | Saturday 10/4, 11:39 AM CT |
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When asked about the point guard situation, Knicks president Donnie Walsh mentioned Chris Duhon, Nate Robinson and Mardy Collins without saying anything about Stephon Marbury, according to the NY Post. When someone called him on it, he said he's viewing Marbury as someone who can play three positions: point, shooting guard and small forward.
Our View: This is an indication that Starbury is auditioning for a sixth man role. He has looked great in camp thus far and still could be worth a late-round flyer. |
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| Curry back at hospital | Saturday 10/4, 11:35 AM CT |
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Eddy Curry, who is dealing with a bacterial infection, returned to Saratoga Hospital yesterday to receive IV fluids, according to the NY Post. His chances of playing in the first two preseason games are all but over. "We're really worried about him," president Donnie Walsh said.
Our View: With Curry's problems and Jared Jeffries' recovery from broken fibula, David Lee is now the favorite to start at center for the Knicks early in the season. |
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| Dragic looks capable | Saturday 10/4, 12:02 AM CT |
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The Arizona Republic reports that Terry Porter believes Goran Dragic can be Steve Nash's backup as a rookie this season. "Goran has probably got the inside track," Porter said of the backup point-guard job. "He has played well. He has a very good grasp of what we're trying to get done at both ends."
Our View: Dragic has been a pro player in Europe for four years, pitting him against older players. He has been on Slovenia's national team since 2006, facing off with NBA players. He does not figure to be fantasy worthy this season but he has the tools to make an impact in the league at some point. |
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