Los Angeles Clippers PG Chauncey Billups(Achilles’) is out for the season due to a ruptured Achilles’ tendon. While Billups vows not to let this become a career-ending injury, he will be sidelined up to eight months while recovering. His
contract runs out after the current season, so his future is uncertain at best.
Mo Williams is in line for more playing time for the Clippers. Photo Credit: Keith Allison
The fact he won’t be back is great news for the Fantasy prospects of G Mo Williams, who will see increased playing time since he’ll no longer have to share playing time with Billups. For now, head coach Vinny Del Negro told the Los Angeles Times that Williams would come off the bench, with SG Randy Foye getting the start at shooting guard. If Foye is available in your Fantasy league, he is a must-add in all leagues of 12 or more teams. “Now they are going to need me more than ever,” Foye said. “I’m ready.”
That is the bad news from the injury front. The good news for Fantasy owners is that Chicago Bulls SF Luol Deng (wrist) is back from a wrist ailment, and he is averaging 20.0 ppg with 5.5 rpg and 1.5 spg in two games back from injury. If you had him reserved this week due to uncertainty, he is once again playing at a high level and a must-start heading into the new scoring period.
INJURIES
Toronto Raptors PF/C Andrea Bargnani (calf) continues to deal with a nagging calf injury, which has him sidelined indefinitely. While he has been able to move around without a limp lately, he has yet to test his injury on the hardwood. Walking is one thing, moving and cutting, especially in game action, is another. Keep Bargnani reserved in all Fantasy leagues, and consider PF/C Ed Davis and F Linas Kleiza as a short-term stopgap options until Bargnani can get back.
Charlotte Bobcats PG D.J. Augustin (toe) is dealing with a right big toe injury, which has forced him out of action since Jan. 22. He is showing some signs of improvement, and he might return Friday. Let him play through at least one full game before plugging him back into your active Fantasy lineup.
INJURY QUICK-HITTERS
We’ve added this to help out daily league players. If you normally start these guys, keep an eye on nagging injuries, which might keep them out a day or two, but not the entire week.
Philadelphia 76ers C Spencer Hawes (back, Achilles’) continues to deal with pain, and he missed another game Wednesday. He was performing at an All-Star caliber pace before a pair of nagging injuries. The good news is that he had MRIs for both his back and Achilles’ injuries, and the tests were negative. The bad news is that it is uncertain when exactly he will be able to return. … Oklahoma City Thunder swingman Thabo Sefolosha (foot) might be able to return as soon as Friday, but Fantasy owners will want to keep him reserved until he can prove his health in one full game. … Memphis Grizzlies swingman Tony Allen (hip, knee) has been dealing with some lower body soreness, and he missed a pair of games as a result. Wait to see him play in two full games without any setbacks before plugging him back into the active Fantasy lineup. … Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich told the San Antonio Express-News that PG T.J. Ford (hamstring) is still at least a couple of weeks from making his comeback. … Golden State Warriors SG Nate Robinson (groin) has been serviceable for Fantasy owners lately, but he is dealing with a nagging groin injury. If you need the roster space, feel free to cast him back onto the waiver wire scrap heap.
CATEGORY HELP
If you’re lagging in certain categories, we’re here to help. Try these guys on for size if you need a boost in specific areas. These Fantasy players are likely available in a majority of leagues:
Assists: Jeremy Lin, PG, NY (5.1 AST over his past five games)
Blocks: Brandan Wright, SF, DAL (1.7 BLK over his past six games)
Points: Jeremy Lin, PG, NY (13.6 PTS over his past five games)
Steals: Alonzo Gee, SG, CLE (2.0 STL over his past seven games)
Rebounds: Shelden Williams, PF, NJ (6.4 REB over his past eight games)
3-pointers: Matt Bonner, C, SA (22 3-pointers made over his past eight games)
JUMP SHOTS
There’s no doubt Knicks PG Jeremy Lin will be a hot pick-up off the waiver wire, if he isn’t already. The former Harvard standout has managed to set career-highs in points in two consecutive games (Feb. 4-6). However, lost in the hype were his eight turnovers Monday. In addition, the team is without its top two scoring options right now, and when PF/C Amar’e Stoudemire (personal) returns Monday, and SF Carmelo Anthony (groin) comes back in mid-February, Lin’s window of Fantasy usefulness will likely close, if not slam shut. Remember that. … I actually saw someone complain on a message board about Stoudemire’s absence. Yeah, the nerve of his brother passing away, and Amar’e taking less than a week to grieve. How about saying a prayer for his brother and putting this whole ‘game’ into perspective, shall we? … Wow, it’s a Knicks-dominated Jump Shots. C Tyson Chandler leads the NBA over the past 14 days with a .722 field goal percentage, hitting 39 of his past 54 shot attempts. The nearest competitor is Washington Wizards PF Lorenzo Booker, who is hitting at a .667 (34 of 51) clip. … Over the past two weeks, only New Jersey Nets swingman Anthony Morrow (22 of 22) and Orlando Magic SG J.J. Redick (15 of 15) have successfully made all of their free throw attempts. … Minnesota Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio is the only player in the NBA averaging double-digits in assists (10.3) over the past two weeks.
* Statistics from Jan. 25-Feb. 7
Relive some of the NFL season with NFL Rewind. With NFL Rewind you can go back and see any and everything that led to this point.
Daniel E. Dobish has won consecutive Fantasy championships in the UBC – Ultimate Basketball Challenge, an ultra-challenging fantasy league among experts in the industry. Email him for advice at danieledobish@rotoexperts.com or follow Dan at http://twitter.com/danieledobish. Follow RotoExperts on Twitter or check us out on our Facebook page.
