There’s nothing like an injury to rock your fantasy team, and when it’s the 14 points, 14 rebounds production of Anderson Varejao that goes by the wayside, you have to find a replacement. Tristan Thompson should continue to see the bulk of minutes. Here is some other news from the M*A*S*H unit, and see if you notice a pattern:
Lou Williams – After having a good season as a bench player, he tore a ligament in his right knee and he will miss the remainder of the season. With Atlanta dealing with all kinds of health problems, John Jenkins saw increased minutes and could work his way into a more prominent role.
Byron Mullens – Coach Mine Dunlap said Mullens is a “long way away,” which we will take to mean the end of February. There is no timetable for his return. Bismack Biyombo will continue to start at Center.
Derrick Rose – He looks to begin full contact practice next week. All this means is he is right on track.
Andrew Bogut – Ran full-court sprints which, as a Center, he rarely does during games, so this is good news. The bad news is, there is still no time table for his return.
Danny Granger – He participated in shooting drills the other day and is still expected back in mid-February.
Kevin Love – Rehabilitation began on his broken hand, but he won’t be back before around St. Patrick’s Day at best. I see some trade activity going around involving him, mostly for people planning for the playoffs in H2H leagues. It’s a high risk, high reward move.
Nikola Pekovic – Should be back next week. If someone dropped him, do not hesitate to make your move.
Brandon Roy – Will be out for another two weeks as he rehabs his knee, which he rehabbed already when he returned. Those 5 games he played in November seem like a dream, and not a great dream given his stats production.
Raymond Felton – Although he is targeting a January 26 return date, coach Mike Woodson said there is no timetable. How can there be no timetable if he expects to be back by the end of the week?
Andrew Bynum – I was in the Wells Fargo Center the other day, and the gift store was chock full of Bynum jerseys. I’m surprised Philly fans haven’t been buying them off the racks. Anyway, apparently he has shown serious progress by jogging and jumping on the court. If he plays this season, I’m sure people stashing him will jump, either from joy or from being startled. (Update: He says he is targeting around the All-Star Break for his return; good luck!)
Andrea Bargnani – He took jump shots on Saturday, but – get this – there is no timetable for his return. There’s no timetable for anything, is there? Time is nothing but an illusion.
Jonas Valanciunas – He began lifting weights while rehabbing his broken finger, but there is, as far as timetables go, none set for his return. Well, I don’t want to see him come back too soon, as Ed Davis and Amir Johnson are flourishing with him gone.
