I wonder if it is possible to relate every one of my fantasy basketball articles this season to dating. Maybe that could be my shtick. After all, it worked for Thursday’s schedule article. I actually know very little about dating, which could be problematic, but since when has ignorance stopped anyone from writing something on the internet?
Tom Petty said the waiting is the hardest part, but I would argue not knowing is the hardest part. It is that whole “does she or doesn’t she?” question humans have struggled with dating all the way back to The Wonder Years.
The same is true of fantasy basketball injuries. Once we get a diagnosis for a player, we can decide how to act. It hurts to be without David Lee for at least the next two weeks, nevertheless we know we can leave him for a healthier facsimile and not have to worry about him showing up in somebody else’s lineup next week.
This week we had a lot of important players like Lee return from an injury only to aggravate said injury and miss more time. Most of those players should be considered day-to-day, though not knowing their status for certain makes things difficult. Fortunately I am here to dissect some of the most important injuries.
Perry Jones, OKC
Jones has not practiced or played since injuring his knee Tuesday. With Jones out, Jeremy Lamb started and scored 17 points Friday in his first game of the season. Even if he was healthy, Jones’s production was likely to fall off with Lamb and Anthony Morrow returning. Jones is droppable, even though we do not have a whole lot of information regarding his injury at this time. Jeremy Lamb is a nice replacement, and he is available in most leagues.
Marco Belinelli, SA Belinelli suffered a mild groin strain Wednesday and subsequently was ruled out Thursday and Saturday. Danny Green has been dropped in some leagues, but he is a good bet to break out while Belinelli sits, which could be just for one more game.
Terrence Jones, HOU
Jones will miss his third consecutive game Saturday with a bone bruise. He should not miss too many more games, though the 6-0 Rockets should be in no hurry to rush him back. Donatas Motiejunas started the first two games Jones missed, though Kostas Papanikolaou has gotten most of the playing time at the four, with Trevor Ariza playing heavier minutes at the three. With Jones out, Papanikolaou is a fantasy starter and Ariza is a good play in daily games.
Patrick Beverley, HOU
Beverley strained his hamstring October 29 and missed Houston’s wins Saturday and Monday. He returned Tuesday to score a season-high 15 points, but was ruled out Thursday and Saturday with the same injury. Isaiah Canaan has averaged 11.3 points, three assists and 1.7 steals in the three games Beverley missed, which is actually better than Beverley has been in the three games he has played. Beverley should improve as he puts this hamstring injury behind him, though it is possible Canaan has played well enough to cut into Beverley’s minutes. At the very least we know Canaan is a competent replacement for Beverley’s fantasy production if Beverley misses more games. Beverley’s fantasy owners should feel free to drop him if there is a good alternative on the waiver wire, though they should not be in a hurry to drop him. Beverley should return sometime next week, and it is entirely possible Isaiah Canaan will be an afterthought at that point.
Derrick Rose, CHI
Much like Patrick Beverley, Derrick Rose missed two games with a lower leg (ankle) injury, returned for one uninspiring fantasy performance, and then missed another game. Rose was listed as probable Friday, but the Bulls chose to hold him out against the hapless 76ers. He should return soon, if not Friday against the Celtics then Monday against Detroit. As he has been all season, Aaron Brooks is a nice fantasy play while Rose is out. Brooks tweaked his ankle Friday, but is hopeful he can play Saturday. If both players are out, E’Twaun Moore will back up Kirk Hinrich.
David Lee, GS
Lee missed three games with a hamstring injury and then aggravated the injury Wednesday in his first game of the season. Are you seeing a pattern? Lee will be out for at least two weeks before being re-evaluated. Draymond Green has played quite well in Lee’s absence, and he may not relinquish his spot in the starting lineup when Lee does return. It is safe to drop Lee at this point, as he is unlikely to match his 2013-14 productino when he does return. Green is still available in some shallow leagues, and he needs to be scooped up.
Rajon Rondo, BOS
Rondo had a screw removed from his hand, and is out Saturday. He is expected to return Wednesday, and should be just fine upon his return.
Marcus Smart, BOS
The Celtics Guard was carted off the court in the fourth quarter Friday after injuring his ankle. X-rays were negative, and an MRI was scheduled for Saturday. There are reports Smart sprained his ankle, but even a sprain could keep him out a few weeks. Feel free to drop Smart in 10 or 12-team leagues. Phil Pressey should play more with Rondo and Smart out, but Avery Bradley will probably get the overwhelming majority of point guard minutes. Pressey could be useful in daily games or deep leagues, but fantasy owners looking to replace Smart in standard leagues have better options.
Ricky Rubio, MIN
Rubio sprained his ankle Friday, and according to Flip Saunders it could be the dreaded high-ankle sprain. Mo Williams will start at point guard while Rubio is out, making him a top pickup. Rookie Zach LaVine will back up Williams at point guard. LaVine has a chance to be very good, though he is quite raw. He is worth a shot in deep leagues, but I wouldn’t expect much.
Rubio was averaging career highs with a .426 field goal percentage, 5.6 rebounds per game and 10.0 assists per game with Kevin Love gone. It is certainly possible his early-season performance is a fluke, but Rubio’s fantasy owners should stash him on their bench, at least until we have a clear timetable for his return.
Tiago Splitter, SAN
Splitter has played just once this season after reinjuring his calf. Splitter should be considered day-to-day. Boris Diaw gets a slight boost in fantasy value with Splitter out
For the most part I am not ready to break up with any of the players above, though there are a couple of situations where the potential reward is not worth wasting a roster spot. The good news is we should know more about many of these injuries in the coming days, just in time for more players to go down.