Occupational Hazard: To wait or cut bait?
This week, we are changing things up slightly. Gone is the Outpatient Clinic. With so little time left in the season, I am instead focusing on many of the bigger-name players who have had lingering issues (some for the entire season). This is the Chronic Cases section. You will recognize all the names. I will let you know whether it is time to cut bait or hold out.
Brandon Roy, SG, Trail Blazers: This is going to be hard to hear for Roy owners, but it might be time to dump and move on. The strained groin, injured on Tuesday, is proving so painful even working out in a pool is proving too daunting. According to Jason Quick's column in yesterday's Oregonian, "Brandon Roy says he wants to play again this season, but in all likelihood, the Trail Blazers guard said he will miss at least the next two weeks, and possibly the final 10 games of the season because of injuries suffered Tuesday night to his hip and groin." The best case scenario -- missing just two weeks -- would give Roy four games to play. Again, this is a best-case scenario. Don't hold out hope for this. Thank Roy for all he did for your team this year, then grab the best available talent and stay in the game.
Ron Artest, SF, Kings: We won't call it malingering but Artest made it clear to the Sacramento Bee's Sam Amick that his heart is not in the game right now and that this is contributing to his missed games. Check this quote from Amick's blog: " If it were playoff time, I'd be playing (every game)," Artest said, "(But) I can push through it." Amick then noted that Artest was frustrated by the modest goals of Reggie Theus (to reach .500) and quoted Artest again: "I set goals of winning a championship, and Reggie thought that was a little steep." Steep, as in attempting to scale Everest in a pair of flip flops. Clearly, Artest is able to play. The question is, does he want to? This is an agonizing situation for Artest owners and is a good reason to avoid him on draft day. For now, stick with him and hope that he straps the crampons on and scales the cliff each night the rest of the way.
Beno Udrih, Kings: In the same blog, Amick commented on Udrih's obvious frustration at missing time with a sore back. It does not appear that the injury is very serious, but like all back injuries, this is likely to linger. Udrih suffered back spasms on Monday against Houston and has been sidelined since. I would be surprised to see him back before the middle of next week. We knew he want to get back, if for no other reason than to showcase his talents for a new contract next season. Until he is able to play, Anthony Johnson will man the point. Those of you desperate for assists might look his way, but he won't get you much of anything else.
Richard Hamilton, SG, Pistons: Rip had been feeling a nagging pain in his hip all season. According to the Detroit Free-Press, this turned into something more serious when he felt it tweak on Sunday. Hamilton told the paper, "When I'm sitting or walking, it doesn't hurt at all," Hamilton said, "Just when I lift my legs up or cut, I feel a sharp pain. I want to be on the floor. If I feel I can play, I'm going to play." Standard stuff from an athlete questioned about his injury. This doesn't sound too serious and you should consider Hamilton day-to-day. Rodney Stuckey and Arron Afflalo will benefit the most with Rip sitting.
Mickael Pietrus, SG/SF, Warriors: According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Mickael Pietrus is not responding well to treatment on his strained groin. Coach Don Nelson told the paper that he expects Pietrus to miss at least one more game after missing last night's contest.
Mike Bibby, PG, Hawks: Despite injuring his left thumb on Wednesday, it looks like Bibby is going to make the start tonight. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, yesterday's MRI came back negative and Bibby is determined to play: "I'm playing, man. I don't miss games." Obviously, get him in your lineups but keep an eye on this. This is the same thumb that underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament at the start of the season. Acie Law will see more minutes should Bibby have issues with the thumb.
Gilbert Arenas, PG, Wizards: Tracking Arenas' return the past few weeks has been like tracking the stock market: it's up and down and up and then down again. It's mostly down now. The last word from the Wizards was that Arenas was not cleared to play in last Sunday's game against the Pistons. Arenas vented mightily about this in his blog. The key takeaway from his blog was this line attributed to the trainer: "There's going to be six games in nine days, I don't want that pounding to hurt you." So it wasn't that Arenas wasn't ready that night, it was looking ahead and seeing a compressed schedule that scared the Wizards brass and doctors. The Washington Post reported that Arenas was feeling pretty negative about his prospects: "Even if I'm cleared next week, that's not enough games for me to get my swagger. Plus, I'm going to play [fewer] minutes. When I do get back, I'll be playing 20 minutes [a game]. That's not enough for me to be me. I need games under my belt." In other words, you can hold out for Arenas, but you shouldn't expect much when he does get back, if he even does. H2H: Hold; Roto: Drop.
Elton Brand, PF, Clippers: We have a return date, people! Coach Mike Dunleavy told the L.A. Times he expected Brand back on the floor for the final five or six games of the season. This would put his return on Sunday, April 6 against Houston at the earliest, or Tuesday, April 8 to face the Nuggets at home. This would be the championship round in head-to-head leagues and if Brand comes back 100 percent as Dunleavy has maintained he must, he could actually see upwards of 30 minutes in these games. For roto leagues, this means little but for head-to-head players this could be a great boost. H2H: Hold; Roto: Drop.
Jermaine O'Neal, PF/C, Pacers: He is looking very close to returning. O'Neal has been practicing all week and while neither the Indianapolis Star nor the team has indicated a return date, the Associated Press reported that he may play tonight, but is more likely to return next week. If he is on my league's wire, I grab him. Upon his return, he'll probably get something like 20-25 minutes per game. H2H/Roto: Hold.
Shawn Marion, SF/PF, Heat: The back spasms are continuing and Marion told the Miami Herald that flying aggravates his injury. As a result, he stayed home while the rest of the team, such as it is, flew on to New York and Detroit. I would be shocked if Marion flew independently to Boston and/or Indiana to close out the road trip. In fact, at this point I would be shocked to see Marion back at all. The Miami D-Leaguers guarantee the Heat the worst record in the game, though I don't really see Marion getting them more W's just by returning, and the team really doesn't have to justify sitting Marion. It has been a lost season for some time. If you need blocks, check out recent call-up Stephane Lasme. He is a phenomenal defensive player. H2H/Roto: Drop.
Pau Gasol, PF/C, Lakers: Gasol's situation may be frustrating for owners but he should be back soon. Owners were hopeful of a return this week, but Gasol has been limited. He told the L.A. Times, "I haven't really tried to do anything. The days that we tried to do stuff, we took a step back and it got aggravated. So, right now, I haven't even tried to run on a treadmill or anything. I'm just doing very basic stuff and trying to calm the pain down and try to calm the swelling down and that's about it." The paper goes on to say that coach Phil Jackson thinks next Wednesday is a realistic return date. From Gasol's description above, it certainly doesn't sound realistic. Hasn't even run on a treadmill? Sounds like another week or more to me. Owners will have to wait this one out. H2H/Roto: Hold.
Jason Williams, PG, Heat: Williams is going to miss at least next week with an injured right thumb. Originally diagnosed as a sprain, an MRI on Tuesday revealed that Williams was suffering from a deep bone bruise. The Miami Herald reports that he is traveling with the team on its road trip but is doubtful to play. We could see Williams the middle of next week, but more likely is a week from today against Washington. Your decision to hold him depends on what you can get for next week. If you need help to win next week's playoff round, drop and move on. If you are confident of victory, then hold. H2H: Hold; Roto: Drop.
Chris Wilcox, PF/C, SuperSonics: This injury didn't seem too serious at first, but it never cleared up. Now the SuperSonics have declared that Wilcox will miss the rest of the season with a dislocated joint in his right pinkie finger. Nick Collison's rebounding has been ridiculous since Wilcox went out. If you need help in this area and Collison is available, you know what to do. H2H/Roto: Drop.
Guy Lake is a fantasy basketball analyst for ESPN.com. He can be reached at GuyLake@TalentedMrRoto.com.
