Well readers, the fantasy basketball playoffs are right around the corner. Everyone could use a little boost right now, and the crucial points needed for a boost in the standings should be occupying any successful GM's mind. There's someone in every league with an injured stud rotting on their bench, just waiting to come back and lead their team, urgh, I mean your team to a championship. Here's an update and a little advice on how these high profile injured NBA-ers fit in your fantasy plans for the rest of the season:
Comment: Bynum could be back on the court with a couple of games left in the season, according to coach Phil Jackson. Originally, Jackson said there was no chance of Bynum returning for the final stretch of the regular season (your NBA fantasy playoffs), but he's changed his mind. "I threw that out there [Tuesday] to kind of take everything off the table," Jackson said. "We're [now] saying it was three weeks as of [last] Sunday. It would give him a week — four games, three games." What to do, what to do. Bynum had a major injury and missed a LOT of time. His play might not be stellar, but if you're desperate, throw him in your lineup and see what happens. If you're desperate for production now, cut him and start scouring the waiver wire.
Comment: Arenas has been rehabbing and performing shooting drills pretty much constantly and at this point seems healthy. What does he have to say about it? "I'll be back way before the playoffs," Arenas said. "Hopefully, within this week I'll be playing or maybe on the that West Coast road trip." Gilbert has a huge mouth, but as we all know, he backs it up. Expect him to come back and post some decent games. But don't expect a 40-point performance any time soon. If he's truly healthy and not feeling any discomfort, the likelihood of him dropping a consistent 20 points isn't out of the question. And with the chance to move up in the standings, the Wizards will throw Arenas right into the mix.
Comment: O'Neal hasn't played since late Jan. due to leg problems (big shocker!), causing owners much grief and dismay. Should you leave him on your bench or drop him entirely? Odds are, he isn't coming back. Even if he does, he wasn't putting up the numbers to justify a triumphant return possibility. Insert sad face emoticon here.
Comment: It seems like every year this guy gets hit with a devastating injury; sad too, because his talent level is tremendous. Nene has missed time since Jan. after undergoing surgery to remove of a tumor. It was pretty much a freak thing, and he didn't do anything to throw himself in harms way this time. There's no word on whether he'll return, but even if he does, don't bother putting him in your lineup. Like O'Neal, he wasn't putting up the numbers anyway. The Nuggets are quickly fading from playoff contention; they'll want to make sure he's 100 percent for next season.
Comment: Brand, a top five forward in the NBA when healthy, missed all of this season with a ruptured achilles tendon. A couple of weeks ago, Brand expressed optimism in making a return to the Clippers this season, but in more recent interviews, he seems distraught. The overall opinion is that he'll finish out the season on the inactive list. Brand has been participating in half court activities and drills, but with the Clippers thinking about the NBA draft rather then the playoffs, it's unlikely that he'll return. Drop him or keep him on your bench and use him as an excuse to whine to your friends if you lose in the playoffs.
ANDREW BYNUM
Los Angeles Lakers, C Comment: Bynum could be back on the court with a couple of games left in the season, according to coach Phil Jackson. Originally, Jackson said there was no chance of Bynum returning for the final stretch of the regular season (your NBA fantasy playoffs), but he's changed his mind. "I threw that out there [Tuesday] to kind of take everything off the table," Jackson said. "We're [now] saying it was three weeks as of [last] Sunday. It would give him a week — four games, three games." What to do, what to do. Bynum had a major injury and missed a LOT of time. His play might not be stellar, but if you're desperate, throw him in your lineup and see what happens. If you're desperate for production now, cut him and start scouring the waiver wire.
GILBERT ARENAS
Washington Wizards, PG Comment: Arenas has been rehabbing and performing shooting drills pretty much constantly and at this point seems healthy. What does he have to say about it? "I'll be back way before the playoffs," Arenas said. "Hopefully, within this week I'll be playing or maybe on the that West Coast road trip." Gilbert has a huge mouth, but as we all know, he backs it up. Expect him to come back and post some decent games. But don't expect a 40-point performance any time soon. If he's truly healthy and not feeling any discomfort, the likelihood of him dropping a consistent 20 points isn't out of the question. And with the chance to move up in the standings, the Wizards will throw Arenas right into the mix.
JERMAINE O'NEAL
Indiana Pacers, F/C Comment: O'Neal hasn't played since late Jan. due to leg problems (big shocker!), causing owners much grief and dismay. Should you leave him on your bench or drop him entirely? Odds are, he isn't coming back. Even if he does, he wasn't putting up the numbers to justify a triumphant return possibility. Insert sad face emoticon here.
NENE HILLARIO
Denver Nuggets, C Comment: It seems like every year this guy gets hit with a devastating injury; sad too, because his talent level is tremendous. Nene has missed time since Jan. after undergoing surgery to remove of a tumor. It was pretty much a freak thing, and he didn't do anything to throw himself in harms way this time. There's no word on whether he'll return, but even if he does, don't bother putting him in your lineup. Like O'Neal, he wasn't putting up the numbers anyway. The Nuggets are quickly fading from playoff contention; they'll want to make sure he's 100 percent for next season.
ELTON BRAND
Los Angeles Clippers, PFComment: Brand, a top five forward in the NBA when healthy, missed all of this season with a ruptured achilles tendon. A couple of weeks ago, Brand expressed optimism in making a return to the Clippers this season, but in more recent interviews, he seems distraught. The overall opinion is that he'll finish out the season on the inactive list. Brand has been participating in half court activities and drills, but with the Clippers thinking about the NBA draft rather then the playoffs, it's unlikely that he'll return. Drop him or keep him on your bench and use him as an excuse to whine to your friends if you lose in the playoffs.
