Jonathan Huang recaps the week's injuries with a fantasy focus.

Hope everyone had a restful and fun Christmas holiday.  Did you get what you wanted?  One of the things on my wish list was a roster of healthy players.  For the most part, I had that particular one granted.  I'll keep my fingers crossed though, especially in Dwyane Wade's (PG/SG, MIA) case.  Here's to a healthy 2009...  

As a reminder: For ease of use, this column is broken down into three 'tiers' of players: bruised, battered, or broken.  Players that are in the 'bruised' category are not limited to bruises but include minor injuries as well.  Some examples would include: sore body parts, headcolds, and minor sprains.  You'll find most players with very minor injuries here.  The 'battered' category profiles those injuries that are more serious and are likely recurring.  Some of these include, but are not limited to: more severe sprains and recurring long-term injuries.  And finally, the 'broken' section is obviously about shattered body parts and extremely serious ailments.

Jonathan Huang reviews the week's injuries with a fantasy focus.

The injury bug is rampant right now in the NBA.  It's not hard to see why many well-built fantasy teams are currently languishing at the bottom of the standings due to absences of key players.  Take Carlos Boozer (PF/C, UTA) as a prime example.  He's been out nursing an injury (and making stupid comments) while hurting his fantasy owners.   Of course, if they picked up Paul Millsap (PF/C, UTA), they're probably not panicking much at this point.  Regardless, for those who didn't get to Millsap in time, well, the frustration continues.

Resident injury expert Jonathan Huang recaps the week's banged up players with a fantasy focus.

Wow, 2008 has absolutely just flown by.  It's just mind boggling to me that I've been writing this column for a little over a month now.  It's even more unbelievable that it's almost time for Christmas.  I don't know about you, but I'm already developing a wish list to send out to everyone I know.  If I get just a few of those things, I'll be happy. 

For some of you, I'm sure that you want a nice healthy roster of fantasy players as a present.  That's on my wish list as well.  Believe me, I want more than anything to see Ron Artest (SF/PF, HOU) and Kevin Martin (SG, SAC) completely healthy and on the court again. 

As a reminder: For ease of use, this column is broken down into three 'tiers' of players: bruised, battered, or broken.  Players that are in the 'bruised' category are not limited to bruises but include minor injuries as well.  Some examples would include: sore body parts, headcolds, and minor sprains.  You'll find most players with very minor injuries here.  The 'battered' category profiles those injuries that are more serious and are likely recurring.  Some of these include, but are not limited to: more severe sprains and recurring long-term injuries.  And finally, the 'broken' section is obviously about shattered body parts and extremely serious ailments.

Here are this week's fantasy-relevant injuries with some analysis:

Jonathan Huang reviews the week's injuries with a fantasy focus

You know what I've always wondered?  Why NBA teams always have to list injuries with some fancy name.  For example, I remember once a player was listed as having a minor face laceration.  I looked at that report, stared blankly for a moment and thought: "What the heck is a laceration?"  If you know what that means, kudos to you.  Through context, I figured it was a fancy word for cut.  Why don't teams just say 'minor face cut'?  I guess the former just sounds more professional.  Anyways, you're here for the weekly injury update.  Let's do it.   

As a reminder: For ease of use, this column is broken down into three 'tiers' of players: bruised, battered, or broken.  Players that are in the 'bruised' category are not limited to bruises but include minor injuries as well.  Some examples would include: sore body parts, headcolds, and minor sprains.  You'll find most players with very minor injuries here.  The 'battered' category profiles those injuries that are more serious and are likely recurring.  Some of these include, but are not limited to: more severe sprains and recurring long-term injuries.  And finally, the 'broken' section is obviously about shattered body parts and extremely serious ailments.