1-11-07
 

The injuries to top-name players are racking up this season.  We count roughly 15 injured players who are potentially top 50 fantasy contributers.  That's pretty significant.  With all these injuries, playing the wire is extremely important.  Find out what players to look for while the top dogs are on the shelf.
 

Atlanta Hawks

• Injuries:  Josh Smith (back surgery 4-6 weeks)
   
• Who to pick up:  Josh Childress is getting more minutes with Smith out and being relatively productive during that time.  6.5 rbpg, 2.3 spg in past week.

Boston Celtics

• Injuries: 
  Paul Pierce (out 2-3 weeks);
  Tony Allen (out for season);
  Wally Szczerbiak (out a week at least);
  Theo Ratliff (out for season)
   
• Who to pick up:  Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, or Delonte West could step things up.  West was playing well before he sat out against Indiana with a bruised lower back. Monitor these players closely in the next few games.

Charlotte Bobcats

• Injuries: 
  Melvin Ely (strained right calf);
  Gerald Wallace (out 7-10 days);
  Brevin Knight (out 4-6 weeks)
   
• Who to pick up:  Matt Carroll has been tearing it up of late, averaging 20.8 ppg, 4.0 rbpg, 3.8 threes per game, and has shot 25-27 free throws in the last five games.

Detroit Pistons 

• Injuries: 
  Chauncey Billups (out 2 weeks)
   
• Who to pick up:  Ron “Flip” Murray has averaged 16.0 ppg, 8.5 apg in the last two games while filling in for Billups. Just watch out for his spotty FG%.

Golden State Warriors

• Injuries: 
  Jason Richardson (out 2 months)
   
• Who to pick up:  Matt Barnes has been the one filling in the hole left by J-Rich’s absence. Unfortunately, Barnes will likely be gone in most of your leagues. If he’s not, pick him up quick! 

Houston Rockets

• Injuries: 
  Yao Ming (out 6-8 weeks);
  Bonzi Wells (out one week)
   
• Who to pick up:  Dikembe Mutombo has moved up in the all time shot blocking list in Yao’s absence.  Deke has also averaged 14.3 rbpg in the last eight, including two games of 19. Also, Juwan Howard has stepped up his scoring, averaging 19.3 ppg, 8.3 rbpg in the past three games.

Los Angeles Lakers

• Injuries: 
  Kwame Brown (out 3-4 weeks);
  Chris Mihm (out for season);
  Lamar Odom (out 3-6 weeks)
   
• Who to pick up:  Odom should be back soon, which means Luke Walton’s production should decline.  However, Andrew Bynum now is the sole starting center for that team, and he’s responded with 11.0 ppg, 9.5 rbpg in the last two games.

Miami Heat

• Injuries: 
  Shaquille O’Neal (may be back by Jan 15th); Antoine Walker (conditioning issue);
  James Posey (conditioning issue)
   
• Who to pick up:  Jason Kapono has averaged 15.7 ppg and 2.4 threes per game in the last ten games. In addition, Alonzo Mourning continues to be a blocking fiend, averaging 2.8 on the season with O’Neal out.

Milwaukee Bucks 

• Injuries: 
  Michael Redd (out 4-6 weeks);
  Charlie Villanueva (may need surgery);
  Bobby Simmons (out for season);
  Mo Williams (out 2-3 weeks)
   
• Who to pick up:  Earl Boykins, who played brilliantly in the absence of Carmelo Anthony and JR Smith while in Denver, was just traded to the Bucks.  With Redd and Williams out, and now Steve Blake traded away, Boykins should have the opportunity to put up big numbers in Milwaukee.  Also, Charlie Bell, Ruben Patterson and Andrew Bogut should all be looked upon to pick up the slack.

Minnesota Timberwolves

• Injuries –
  Eddie Griffin (out with the flu);
  Rashard McCants (out indefinitely)
   
• Who to pick up:  Mark Blount has been playing extremely well, averaging 21.4 ppg, 7.4 rbpg in the last five games.

New Jersey Nets 

• Injuries: 
  Nenad Krstic (out for season)
   
• Who to pick up:  Mikki Moore has averaged 15 ppg and 9 rbpg in the past two.

New Orleans Hornets 

• Injuries: 
  Chris Paul (out 4-6 weeks);
  Bobby Jackson (cracked ribs);
  Peja Stojakovic (out 2-3 months);
  David West (right elbow surgery)
   
• Who to pick up:  Rasual Butler is averaging 15.8 ppg, 4.1 rbpg, and 1.9 threes per game in the last eight games.  Keep an eye on Desmond Mason.  He had back-to-back games of 28 points before scoring just one point in 28 minutes against Atlanta.  Jannero Pargo is averaging 16.2 ppg, 1.8 spg and 2.2 threes per game in the last five games.

Seattle Super Sonics 

• Injuries – Rashard Lewis (out 2-3 months);
  Robert Swift (out for season)
   
• Who to pick up:  Earl Watson has been racking up the assists lately as Luke Ridnour’s been moved to the bench. Just be careful of Watson’s poor FG%.  Also, Nick Collison’s averaged 18.7 ppg, 13.3 rbpg in the last three games.  Chris Wilcox has averaged 16.8 ppg, 6.6 rbpg in the last five games.