The season is just one week old, and there are many injuries that have already happened. Injuries give other players a chance to step in, and provide short-term help for your fantasy rosters. Below is a list of some notable injuries that have occurred the past week.
Pau Gasol-Could miss 2 more weeks
Gasol owners aren't very pleased with the news of the Spaniard. The label "Gasoft" is slowly starting to come back. The Lakers will be fine without their big man, and will be in no rush to get him back until he's completely healthy. Lamar Odom is the beneficiary of Gasol's injury as he'll get minutes with the starters.
Michael Redd-Miss at least 2 weeks
Owners knew what they were getting themselves into when drafting Redd. They'll just have to hope that it's nothing serious and won't linger the entire season. Charlie Bell is likely to start in place of Redd, but I think Hakim Warrick will finally get more time as they'll need some scoring power out on the court.
Leandro Barbosa-Day-to-day
Some reports have Barbosa missing at least a week with a wrist injury. With the return of Jason Richardson from suspension, Barbosa's value already took a hit. It'll even take more of a hit with this news. I would drop him for someone worthy in the waiver wire as he'll likely see 20-25 minutes baring any injury to J-Rich or Steve Nash.
Devin Harris-Could miss a week or two
It's confirmed that Devin Harris has a strained right groin, and with the Nets not expecting to make the playoffs they won't rush their franchise player back. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Rafer Alston will take over Harris' minutes. I'd take CDR over Alston as he has more upside with his ability to score.
Yi Jianlian-Out 1-to-2 weeks
An MRI on Tuesday revealed that Yi Jianlian has a grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. Yi was a potential sleeper in my eyes, but I sure hope you didn't reach for him. Consider him droppable now that he's injured. Josh Boone and Sean Williams will eat him Yi's minutes, but neither are worthy of owning.
Blake Griffin-Targeting mid-December
This injury is "old news" now, but had to mention it. It seems as if the "Clipper curse" has struck again with their #1 overall pick. You know the Clippers won't rush their franchise player back until he's completely healthy, so it could be even longer than the original 6 weeks. He's also going to be coming off the bench when he returns, so I'd let another owner worry about this. Chris Kaman has been feeling up the box score and will continue to do so as long as Griffin is out.
Nate Robinson-Miss up to 2 weeks
Robinson owners aren't very thrilled with this news, especially after Lil' Nate was off to a slow start. He's still in the D'Antoni system, so I wouldn't drop him because of this news. His upside is very high as he'll work his way back to play for a big contract in the off-season. If he was dropped, consider picking him up in your leagues. In the meantime, Larry Hughes will pick up his minutes. Hughes is a nice short-term pickup.
Rip Hamilton-Out up to 2 weeks
The Pistons won't rush Rip back, now that they have super-sub, Ben Gordon, on their roster. Gordon will happily take over the starting spot, and Gordon owners should happily put him in their lineups with confidence. This could be the end of Rip in Detroit...just saying.
Tayshaun Prince-Out indefinitely
Prince will miss at least the next three games, and then some. We knew Detroit was getting up there in age, and it's definitely showing with Rip and Prince out. I guess that's why they spent their money to get Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.
Drew Gooden-Could miss this week
A rib injury will sideline Gooden a couple of games. So far, I've been disappointed in Gooden as Dampier has been the more consistent performer. I still expect Gooden to have some value at some point in the season, as he's still getting used to his new team. In the meantime, don't hang onto Gooden if you see someone you like out there in the free agent pool. Dampier might even be worthy of owning with Gooden missing some time.
Josh Howard-Out indefinitely
Howard has been participating in scrimmages, and that has to mean something. I believe he's close to returning, and expect him to see him in the lineup by next week. It'll be interesting to see if he'll come off the bench as Shawn Marion has been performing well.
Jeff Foster-Out up to 2 weeks
Foster will be out with a high ankle sprain. In steps Roy Hibbert. I truly expect Hibbert to go off during the time Foster is out as he'll have nothing to worry about. I doubt Foster was on many rosters, but if someone was impatient with Hibbert, go ahead and scoop him up for the next two weeks to see how he'll perform. It just might pay off in the end.
Pau Gasol-Could miss 2 more weeks
Gasol owners aren't very pleased with the news of the Spaniard. The label "Gasoft" is slowly starting to come back. The Lakers will be fine without their big man, and will be in no rush to get him back until he's completely healthy. Lamar Odom is the beneficiary of Gasol's injury as he'll get minutes with the starters.
Michael Redd-Miss at least 2 weeks
Owners knew what they were getting themselves into when drafting Redd. They'll just have to hope that it's nothing serious and won't linger the entire season. Charlie Bell is likely to start in place of Redd, but I think Hakim Warrick will finally get more time as they'll need some scoring power out on the court.
Leandro Barbosa-Day-to-day
Some reports have Barbosa missing at least a week with a wrist injury. With the return of Jason Richardson from suspension, Barbosa's value already took a hit. It'll even take more of a hit with this news. I would drop him for someone worthy in the waiver wire as he'll likely see 20-25 minutes baring any injury to J-Rich or Steve Nash.
Devin Harris-Could miss a week or two
It's confirmed that Devin Harris has a strained right groin, and with the Nets not expecting to make the playoffs they won't rush their franchise player back. Chris Douglas-Roberts and Rafer Alston will take over Harris' minutes. I'd take CDR over Alston as he has more upside with his ability to score.
Yi Jianlian-Out 1-to-2 weeks
An MRI on Tuesday revealed that Yi Jianlian has a grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee. Yi was a potential sleeper in my eyes, but I sure hope you didn't reach for him. Consider him droppable now that he's injured. Josh Boone and Sean Williams will eat him Yi's minutes, but neither are worthy of owning.
Blake Griffin-Targeting mid-December
This injury is "old news" now, but had to mention it. It seems as if the "Clipper curse" has struck again with their #1 overall pick. You know the Clippers won't rush their franchise player back until he's completely healthy, so it could be even longer than the original 6 weeks. He's also going to be coming off the bench when he returns, so I'd let another owner worry about this. Chris Kaman has been feeling up the box score and will continue to do so as long as Griffin is out.
Nate Robinson-Miss up to 2 weeks
Robinson owners aren't very thrilled with this news, especially after Lil' Nate was off to a slow start. He's still in the D'Antoni system, so I wouldn't drop him because of this news. His upside is very high as he'll work his way back to play for a big contract in the off-season. If he was dropped, consider picking him up in your leagues. In the meantime, Larry Hughes will pick up his minutes. Hughes is a nice short-term pickup.
Rip Hamilton-Out up to 2 weeks
The Pistons won't rush Rip back, now that they have super-sub, Ben Gordon, on their roster. Gordon will happily take over the starting spot, and Gordon owners should happily put him in their lineups with confidence. This could be the end of Rip in Detroit...just saying.
Tayshaun Prince-Out indefinitely
Prince will miss at least the next three games, and then some. We knew Detroit was getting up there in age, and it's definitely showing with Rip and Prince out. I guess that's why they spent their money to get Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.
Drew Gooden-Could miss this week
A rib injury will sideline Gooden a couple of games. So far, I've been disappointed in Gooden as Dampier has been the more consistent performer. I still expect Gooden to have some value at some point in the season, as he's still getting used to his new team. In the meantime, don't hang onto Gooden if you see someone you like out there in the free agent pool. Dampier might even be worthy of owning with Gooden missing some time.
Josh Howard-Out indefinitely
Howard has been participating in scrimmages, and that has to mean something. I believe he's close to returning, and expect him to see him in the lineup by next week. It'll be interesting to see if he'll come off the bench as Shawn Marion has been performing well.
Jeff Foster-Out up to 2 weeks
Foster will be out with a high ankle sprain. In steps Roy Hibbert. I truly expect Hibbert to go off during the time Foster is out as he'll have nothing to worry about. I doubt Foster was on many rosters, but if someone was impatient with Hibbert, go ahead and scoop him up for the next two weeks to see how he'll perform. It just might pay off in the end.
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