Varejao looking toward Olympics: Cavaliers center Anderson Varejao missed the final 41 games of the 2011-12 season with a wrist injury, however he appears to be passed that injury and ready to help Brazil in the 2012 Olympic Games in London in July. "This has been a longtime dream of mine," Varejao said. "I've played in a lot of competitions with Brazil, but playing in the Olympics is different. I'm very motivated. I think we have a group capable of fighting for a medal in London." (Updated 05/20/2012)
Injury Report
Wrist - Probable for start of 2012-13 season (Updated - 5/20/12)
Fantasy Analysis
Brazil has not appeared in the Olympics in 16 years, and after missing more than two months at the end of the NBA season, it will give Varejao a good chance to shake off the rust and show that he is over any lingering effects from the injury. For some players, there are concerns about conditioning and fatigue after playing in the Olympics, however given his extended layoff, Varejao should be in peak physical condition heading into the next season. Barring a setback over the summer, Varejao should be considered a high-end No. 2 Fantasy center, worth targeting with a mid-round pick on Draft Day. (Updated 05/20/2012).
04/15/2012 21:03 Magic top Cavs, clinch playoff berth
Jameer Nelson scored 21 points and the Orlando Magic clinched a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference with a 100-84 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night.
Anderson Varejao's 2010-11 campaign was a short one. He played in only 31 games after suffering a torn tendon in right ankle back in January. However, he was productive during his short time on the floor, averaging a career-best 9.1 points, 9.7 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per contest. He also shot better than 50 percent from the field (52.8) for the third straight season and saw more than 30 minutes a night for the first time in his career. While Cleveland is still in the process of remaking their roster, Varejao is expected to be a big part of the team's future. He is expected to once again be inserted in the starting lineup and should be able to at the very least retain his value from last year. The fact that the 29-year-old proved capable of posting a double-double on a nightly basis makes him an intriguing option heading into next season. However, he will be a slight injury risk after undergoing surgery to repair the tendon in his ankle. While he is expected to be ready by the start of the regular season, there is always a chance his recovery takes more time. Still, if he can return at 100 percent, Fantasy owners should view him as mid-round selection on Draft Day. He holds more value in formats that allow dual eligibility. (Updated 8/29/11)
