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Alphabetical Listing
Position Listing
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Fantasy Updates
 Back still a thorn for Rose
Derrick Rose, PG CHI
News: Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau said G Derrick Rose (back) will not play in Tuesday's game against Sacramento, the Chicago Tribune reports. Rose, who has been dealing with lower back spasms, did not participate in the team's morning shootaround and will miss his third consecutive game. The 23-year-old was also sidelined for five outings with turf tie earlier this season, but he is still averaging 22.0 points per game.
Analysis: Rose was examined Monday by a specialist, and Bulls general manager Gar Forman said no structural damage was found. That’s good news for the Eastern Conference-leading Bulls, but Rose remains day to day with the persistent back issue. Rose, the league's reigning MVP, will attempt to return for Thursday's game against Boston. Fantasy owners should monitor his progress and consider him a must-start when active.
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 Gordon (knee) on the mend
Eric Gordon, SG NO
News: New Orleans G Eric Gordon had successful arthroscopic surgery on his ailing right knee, the team announced Tuesday. As expected, he will be sidelined for six weeks. Gordon sustained the injury during the first quarter of the Hornets' season-opener, but still managed 39 minutes. However, he missed the next four games before returning and logging another 39 minutes against Philadelphia -- his only two outings of the year.
Analysis: Gordon's first season with the Hornets has certainly been one to forget. Gordon, the key return in the Chris Paul deal with the Clippers, might not return to the court until April -- if at all this season. The 23-year-old netted a combined 42 points in his only two games and proved he remains a strong scorer, when he's healthy. Fantasy owners should keep him reserved in most formats, but consider cutting him if you need roster space.
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 Ginobili working on conditioning
Manu Ginobili, SG SA
News: After missing 22 games because of a broken hand, Spurs G Manu Ginobili admitted he is lagging with the physical part of his return. Ginobili returned to the court last Saturday against New Jersey for the first time since fracturing his fifth metacarpal on Jan. 2 at Minnesota. "Conditioning-wise, I’m behind. Basketball-wise, I’m behind," Ginobili told the San Antonio Express-News. "The only way to get back is to play."
Analysis: Ginobili logged 17 minutes in his first game back and reported no trouble with his surgically repaired hand as he finished with eight points and four assists. "I don’t know what to expect, but it’s good to have him back," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "As we get him back into his rhythm, it will help us." San Antonio plays three games during Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19) and Ginobili is considered a solid option in most formats.
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Peace-ful time reaching an end?
Metta World Peace, SF LAL
News: Lakers F Metta World Peace could be wearing out his welcome in Los Angeles, according to a report by FoxSportsWest.com. Several Lakers players have noticed World Peace "walking around all crazy-like" as he has struggled with lowly offensive production. He has not scored more than nine points in his past 10 games and is averaging just 4.0 points per game in February. "He's always talking about how he should be playing no matter how bad he's shooting, but he can't figure out that when he takes bad shots and misses eight in a row it puts us in a hole," said one teammate, who requested anonymity.
Analysis: World Peace, always the epicenter for controversy, has also seen a dip in playing time (career-low 22.4 minutes per game) as a rift with Mike Brown appears to be boiling over. Brown said he would consider trading Artest because of his poor play. "I let him coach and I play," World Peace told CBSSports.com on Friday. "I'm just trying to win, and ... coach is a stats guy. His background is video coordinator or whatever. So he's all stats. But Ron Artest is all feel." With a possible eruption nearing, Fantasy owners should steer away from World Peace in all formats for now.
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Nets part ways with Bogans
Keith Bogans, SG NJ
News: A day after having season-ending surgery, the New Jersey Nets released G Keith Bogans on Tuesday. Bogans had surgery Monday to repair his fractured left ankle, but is expected to be prepared for the start of training camp next year. The Nets signed F Andre Emmett to a 10-day contract.
Analysis: Bogans appeared in only five games for the Nets prior to the injury and was not an integral member of the rotation. He finished with averages of 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds per game during his first season with New Jersey. He should be left untouched in all Fantasy formats.
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Timberwolves recall Lee
Malcolm Lee, SG MIN
News: The Minnesota Timberwolves promoted G Malcolm Lee from Sioux Falls of the NBA Development League on Tuesday. Lee averaged 9.7 points and 6.0 assists in three games for the Skyforce while rehabbing his knee after having surgery last December.
Analysis: Lee is another guard for an already crowded Minnesota backcourt, but the rookie is not expected to receive much playing time at first, especially while he continues his recovery. The former UCLA standout could be useful later in the season, but should be ignored in all Fantasy formats for now.
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Bulls bring back James
Mike James, PG CHI
News: With G Derrick Rose missing more time with a back injury, the Bulls re-signed veteran G Mike James to a 10-day contract on Tuesday, according to the Chicago Tribune. James was released by the team in late January after averaging 4.0 points in three games with the Bulls.
Analysis: This isn't the first time James has been added to provide help at the guard position. He was also signed when both Rose and C.J. Watson were nursing injuries earlier this year and posted nine points and 10 assists on Jan. 21. Still, he should remain untouched in all Fantasy formats.
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Kobe open to adding Arenas
Gilbert Arenas, PG ORL
News: Lakers G Kobe Bryant said Monday he would support the possible addition of veteran G Gilbert Arenas to the team. "It surely wouldn't hurt," Bryant told the Los Angeles Times. Arenas recently held a workout for prospective NBA teams, including the Lakers, last Wednesday.
Analysis: Arenas played with Orlando last year before the Magic utilized the league's amnesty clause on him during the offseason. For his career, Arenas has averaged 21.2 points and 5.4 assists per game with Golden State, Washington and Orlando. He should remain on waivers in all Fantasy formats.
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Randolph cleared for non-contact drills
Zach Randolph, PF MEM
News: Grizzlies F Zach Randolph (knee) has been cleared to participate in non-contact basketball drills, reports the Memphis Commercial-Appeal. Randolph, who tore his MCL back in January, is expected to return sometime in March. He is expected to be cleared for full-contact drills sometime over the next two weeks.
Analysis: Randolph continues to make significant progress from his knee injury and is on schedule to return in March, barring any setbacks. Obviously, Fantasy owners should keep a close eye on his progress moving forward to see when he will be able to get back on the court. Randolph can be considered a high-end Fantasy F, when healthy, so continue to stash him moving forward.
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Irving possible for Wednesday
Kyrie Irving, PG CLE
News: Cleveland G Kyrie Irving (concussion) participated in all non-contract drills during Monday's practice, but has yet to be cleared to return to game action, according to the Akron Beacon Journal. Irving has missed the past two games after being diagnosed with a concussion last Wednesday. With the Cavaliers' next game on Wednesday, he could be cleared for the outing with a positive showing in Tuesday's practice. "To me, he seems normal," Cleveland F Antawn Jamison said. "He's not going to be on the court unless he is 100 percent."
Analysis: Irving has now completed two straight days of light workouts as he continues to nurse his head injury. It appears he could be poised for a return on Wednesday, the first of only three games for Cleveland during Fantasy Week 8 (Feb. 13-19). Irving leads all rookies with 18.0 points per game this season and is also averaging 5.1 assists through 23 games. With his status still uncertain, he is a risky Fantasy option this scoring period.
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More ankle trouble for Curry?
Stephen Curry, PG GS
News: Warriors G Stephen Curry may have tweaked his ankle during Monday night's contest against the Suns. Curry appeared to land awkwardly on his left ankle in the third quarter in the 102-96 win and looked to be favoring it as he went to the bench. However, Curry never went to the locker room and was back on the court for the final five minutes of the fourth quarter. He finished with nine points, seven rebounds and five assists in the victory, while logging 32 minutes of game action.
Analysis: Curry appears to have survived the injury scare, although with his history of ankle trouble, this is something Fantasy owners should keep an eye on over the next few days. He has already admitted that his ankle still isn't quite 100 percent, but hasn't has much trouble producing lately. As long as he is able to stay on the court, Curry can be considered a high-end Fantasy option.
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 Nowitzki looking like his old self
Dirk Nowitzki, PF DAL
News: Mavericks F Dirk Nowitzki turned in his sixth straight performance with 20-plus points on Monday night against the Clippers. He led Dallas with 22 points and hauled in seven rebounds in the 96-92 win. He went just 5 for 15 from the floor, including 1 for 3 from beyond the arc, but made 11 of 15 free throws. Nowitzki also chipped in with two assists and two steals while playing 32 minutes.
Analysis: Nowitzki has looked like his old self since returning from his team-imposed break and is regaining value in Fantasy. He is averaging 24.8 points with 7.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 48 percent over that span. He is slowing inching his way back to averaging 20 points on the year, and is also bringing his rebounding back to his career average. Owners that had been sour on the 33-year-old should get him active again as Nowitzki could just be heating up.
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Frye finding his scoring stroke
Channing Frye, C PHO
News: Suns F Channing Frye continued his recent scoring binge on Monday against the Warriors. He finished with 18 points and five rebounds in the 102-96 loss. He went 7 for 17 from the floor, including 1 for 8 from downtown, and converted all three of his free throws. Frye, who played 32 minutes, also chipped in with four assists, a steal and a block in the defeat.
Analysis: Frye scored in double figures for the fifth straight game on Monday and is starting to regain his scoring stroke. He is averaging 17.8 points with 5.8 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in those contests, and is shooting 47 percent over that span. He has shown over the past two seasons that he can score in double digits on a nightly basis so keep an eye on his progress going forward. But as long as he can keep up this pace, owners should consider getting Frye active again in larger formats.
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McGuire returns, sort of
Dominic McGuire, PF GS
News: Warriors F Dominic McGuire was able to get back on the court during Monday night's contest against the Suns. McGuire logged just three seconds in the 102-96 victory, which came right before halftime. It was the only time he saw on the court.
Analysis: McGurie is healthy enough to play, but coach Mark Jackson kept him sidelined for most of the contest due to matchups. The 26-year-old normally only gets on the court for his defense anyway, so leave him on the waiver wire at this point in the season.
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Morris picking up his scoring
Markieff Morris, PF PHO
News: Suns F Markieff Morris was able to score in double figures for the second straight contest on Monday night against the Warriors. He finished with 10 points and four rebounds in the 102-96 loss. He went 4 for 11 from the field, including 1 for 4 from downtown, and made 1 of 2 free throws. Morris also chipped in with an assist and a block while playing 21 minutes off the bench.
Analysis: Morris has been up-and-down during his rookie campaign but he is starting to see some more run of late, and is responding with increased production. He is averaging 7.8 points with 4.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 42 percent over that span. While he continues to come off the bench, the 22-year-old has been playing with the starters late in games and still has some solid upside in Fantasy. Keep an eye on his progress and consider Morris as more of a low-end Fantasy option at this point.
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Gortat notches season high, double-double
Marcin Gortat, PF PHO
News: Suns C Marcin Gortat was able to record his first double-double since Feb. 4 on Monday night against the Warriors. He scored a season-high 25 points and hauled in 12 rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, in the 102-96 loss. He went 11 for 17 from the floor and made 3 of 6 free throws while playing 37 minutes. Gortat also chipped in with two blocked shots in the defeat.
Analysis: Gortat is having a career campaign in his first full season with the Suns as he has been the perfect compliment for Steve Nash and the pick-and-roll offense. He is averaging 17 points with 9.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in his last five contests, and is shooting 58 percent over that span. There are few players that can average a double-double on a nightly basis like the 27-year-old does so continue to roll with Gortat as a must-start Fantasy C in all formats.
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