Fantasy Notes: Injuries taking their toll

No matter the sport, injury rears its ugly head. However, the beauty of baseball and basketball is that injuries are easier to overcome thanks to the longevity of the seasons. On the other hand, in football with just 16 games of action, the loss of a key player for five games can completely ruin a fantasy season.

In the 2007-2008 NBA season, there has not been a shortage of injuries. It all began in the off-season when Elton Brand went down for the season only to return when Gilbert Arenas and Mike Bibby each suffered crucial injuries. In the last week, a handful of other NBA players have been set back by injury. Let’s take a look at the injured players, and the toll their losses took in fantasy hoops.

LUOL DENG, SF, CHICAGO BULLS
Just when the Bulls seem to find a groove, Luol Deng is forced to hit the pine thanks to soreness in his Achilles’. While an MRI showed no structural damage, the Bulls appear to be playing this one safe with Deng missing some time. The Bulls small forward saw his fantasy value spike in December (20 points, seven rebounds), particularly when Jim Boylan took over and had Ben Gordon coming off the bench. Though you won’t see the impact in minutes played, both Gordon and Deng now have greater fantasy value since the two scorers dominate the ball during different periods of the game, rather than attempting to share the ball between two scorers. Deng is now the focal point of the offense early on, while Gordon comes in to dominate the scoring amongst the reserves, and more often than not at the end of the game. Deng is expected to return to the Bulls within a matter of days. For each game that he is forced to miss, Andres Nocioni will get the start and enjoy plenty of fantasy value. In Saturday’s start against the Kings, he put up 26 points, one block, one steal, five rebounds, and five three-pointers.

ANDREI KIRLENKO, SF, UTAH JAZZ
Some additional playing time just opened up for a few Jazz players as Kirilenko was forced to the bench with a sore lower back. Young gunner C.J. Miles enjoyed a rare start on Saturday filling in for AK47. The 20-year old did not raise his game much. He scored just six points in 23 minutes of action. The Jazz appear to be too deep these days, a problem that the Memphis Grizzlies struggled with a few years ago when they had scorers Pau Gasol, James Posey, Jason Williams, Bonzi Wells, Stromile Swift, Mike Miller, Shane Battier, Lorenzo Wright, and Wesley Person all trying to share the rock. The plethora of scorers on the Jazz these days includes Deron Williams, Brewer, Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer, Kirilenko, Miles, Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring, and Paul Millsap. This spells disaster in fantasy circles. For that reason, Kirilenko’s injury does not open the door to any particular players. The only reason Kirilenko holds some fantasy value is his ability to bring a lot to the table other than scoring. 

RON ARTEST, SF, SACRAMENTO KINGS
Reggie Theus is not having it easy in his coaching debut. First of all, the man has to coach Ron Artest. Next, Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin suffered injuries that will keep them off the court for weeks. Now, Artest is recovering from elbow surgery and is not expected to return for a couple of weeks. All of these injuries have opened the doors of opportunity to several young talents. John Salmons has raised his game higher than any of his teammates. He is leading the team with 16.8 points per game, nearly double his next best season average. Beno Udrih has run the point guard extremely well, averaging 13.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 3.6 rebounds, while offering fantasy managers over a three-pointer per game. Artest’s injury has opened the door to third year player Francisco Garcia. He has more than doubled his previous high with 13.4 points per game. When spelling Artest in the starting lineup, he has done even better, averaging 17.6 points, 1.4 steals, 0.7 blocks, and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 46 percent from the field and 83percent from the line. Salmons, Udrih, and Garcia should all be in fantasy starting lineups as long as they are starting for the Kings. While their value will dwindle the moment the veteran starters return to the lineup, perhaps we can begin a petition for the Kings to trade their veterans and keep their young guns active in their lineup.

CHRIS WILCOX, PF, SEATTLE SONICS
For years Chris Wilcox was a talented and energetic young athlete who failed to earn the playing time needed to make a fantasy impact. He was limited to the Clippers bench for a solid four seasons before finally given a chance to strut his stuff for the Sonics after he was traded for Vladimir Radmanovic. In fact, his scoring average increased by 10 points and his rebounds nearly tripled the moment he was traded. These days, Wilcox offers fantasy owners some flexibility as a forward or center. He averages 13 points and seven rebounds all while shooting 52 percent from the field. Somehow, a dislocated pinkie will now keep the former Maryland Terrapins star sidelined for a week. This leads to more floor time for veterans Nick Collison and Kurt Thomas. In the last two games, Collison has stepped up his production to average 10.5 points, and 12.5 rebounds. During that same stretch, everyday starter Kurt Thomas has picked up his production to 12 points, one block, 1.5 steals, and 12.5 rebounds. In fact, Thomas has reached double-digit rebounds in the past five games, while offering nearly two blocks per game as well. As long as Wilcox is sidelined, Collison is a fine start. Thomas remains a fine start at center even when Wilcox does return.

Rob Shaw is the Lead Expert for FantasyFanatics.com, the premier fantasy sports community. Need help deciding who to sit and who to start? What about help with a big trade? Chat with the fantasy basketball experts on FantasyFanatics.com.

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