No Brand is Bad News for Clippers
It?s a strange thing when you take an injury and work hard to make a positive out of it, but that?s the way you have to look at things in fantasy basketball. The Achilles injury to Elton Brand is a prime example of that. Elton Brand?s injury and subsequent surgery could keep him out until February or longer and essentially ends the Los Angeles Clippers hopes of making the playoffs.
As painful as Elton Brand?s injury was to Los Angeles Clippers fans and fantasy owners, there could be a silver lining hovering just outside that dark cloud. If Elton Brand is out, someone else is going to have to be ?in? for the Clips. Someone will have to rebound and score in place of Elton Brand. It could be one guy or a couple who suddenly see their fantasy stat line improve markedly.
Even if Elton Brand does come back quickly, say early January, that?s two-plus months of solid numbers other Los Angeles Clippers will be putting up. Los Angeles is a good place to look for some bargain-type fantasy producers this season.
Let?s look at how Elton Brand?s injury could affect some of the Los Angeles Clippers over the season?s first two to three months.
Al Thornton, F: With Elton Brand in street clothes, the Los Angeles Clippers will feed their rookie horse plenty of playing time. Thornton?s development will be speeded up considerably if he is thrust into a starting role or a major role off the bench. It?s clear that, barring the Clips coming together in a unique way and playing out of their gourds, they?ll miss the playoffs this season. That may be the impetus the coaching staff and management need to feed Thornton big minutes even if/when Elton Brand comes back. In my mind, Thornton, who played with tremendous power and passion in the summer, is worth a late-round draft spot in most league formats right now.
Chris Kaman, Chris Kaman was a disaster last season, battling injury and ineffective play from start to finish. He?s rededicated himself to the game and worked hard this off-season for a chance to be an integral part of the team. With Elton Brand down, Chris Kaman must be the guy on the boards for the Los Angeles Clippers. He?ll get a little help from Thornton, Tim Thomas and Corey Maggette (we?ll get to him in a second), but Chris Kaman must and should be the man. I expect him to average close to double-figure rebounding totals while Elton Brand is out. Consequently, his scoring numbers should be solid as well.
Corey Maggette, F: Perhaps no one should benefit from Elton Brand?s absence like Corey Maggette -- if he?s still a Clipper when the season starts. A big-time target of trade rumors at the deadline last season, things have been quiet rumor-wise this off-season. He should inherit the No. 1 offensive option on the team with Elton Brand out and it?s easy to see him dialing in numbers of 20-plus points and 7-8 boards a night in Elton Brand?s absence. Even when Elton Brand comes back I could see him still being a much more consistent offensive force to the end of the season -- if he?s a happy camper.
Cuttino Mobley/Brevin Knight/ Sam Cassell/Tim Thomas: Some combination of these four should produce some sleeper numbers for fantasy owners. They?ll all be available late in most fantasy drafts so hitting the right one could be tough. Mobley has done little to endear himself to most fantasy owners the last couple years, but he?s shown he can be a scorer -- will he remember how? Sam Cassell is an old warrior who continues to show that he knows his way around a scoring column. But with Brevin Knight on board, Sam Cassell?s minutes could see some downturn. I think Knight is a nice little sleeper PG this season. He?s still quick as a wink, puts up scoring and assist totals when he can stay on the court, and could be a guy who offers up some offense on a consistent basis. Thomas will probably start at PF and if he?s focused, could end up being the best of the lot. As I said, though, there?s reason to love these four, but also reasons to be leery of them. They could prove to be potent waiver wire fodder after the draft as well.
That?s the beauty of the NBA and fantasy basketball -- when someone goes down there is always opportunity for another player or players to step into the void and fill the scoring, rebounding, assist, shooting and blocked shot columns. Elton Brand?s injury should be a good example of that. While Elton Brand is out, others will fill in his numbers. Take a long look at the preseason games -- see who?s getting minutes and who is producing. If I had to pick two guys right now who will step up and fill the statistical void it would be Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette. I think both are worth a late-round draft slot this season.
-- Quick hits --
I like what the Celtics are doing around Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. I liked the signing of Scot Pollard and Eddie House very much. They are exactly the kind of players you need around three superstars -- hard-working veteran types who will know their role and fill it. Pollard will do the dirty work and should be a help on the boards and in the paint. I could see him averaging 10-8 this season. House will be offense off the bench and I can see him dropping double-digits into the bank most evenings.
Speaking of the Celtics, I do not like the flirtation with Reggie Miller. The 43-year-old sharpshooter is not the kind of player the Celtics need as this stage of the game. I mean, if the man is having a mid-life crisis, don?t make it worse by trotting him out onto an NBA court again. You?re retired Reggie -- enjoy it.
I?d like to see the Cleveland Cavaliers and Troy Hudson come to some sort of deal. I think Hudson, a 10-year-veteran point guard, would be a good fit for the Cavs. He?s still borderline starter-quality, but is advanced enough in his career to not stunt the growth of second-year man Daniel Gibson. In short, he?d be a very nice bridge to the present and the future. I know the two sides have had some quiet discussions, but the Cavs seem to be waiting to see what happens later in the summer. That?s why there?s been so little movement in talks with Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao. I do think that Hudson on the Cavs as a starter becomes a 11-12 point/5-6 assist guy, which most fantasy rosters can use as depth.
You can read a lot into the Memphis Grizzlies? acquisition of Spanish guard Juan Navarro. Perhaps the biggest message is that F Pau Gasol would appear to be staying put. The Grizzlies obviously feel that by acquiring Gasol?s former Spanish teammate and friend, they can make their star big man feel a little more comfortable. Navarro is considered one of the best guards in Europe, but I?ll be interested to see how that translates to the NBA. I?m not sure I?d go out and push Navarro up my draft board just yet. This may be a guy we need to wait on and see where he ends up in the Grizzlies rotation -- and what position he plays best. It?s possible he could slide in behind SG Mike Miller and get 18-20 minutes a game, but I?m not sold on that notion.
Of all the old-timers who are talking about an NBA return -- Charles Oakley, Allen Houston, Reggie Miller, etc., I think the one guy who could be a fantasy impact player may be Penny Hardaway down in Miami. Of course you can?t mention Penny without mentioning injury and that will be key in this case. Still, the Heat were looking for backcourt help and Hardaway, in 20-25 minutes a night, could be that kind of help. He?s always been a guy who could create statistics when he plays and with less of a burden to bear, I think he?s a nice little sleeper fantasy pickup very late in the draft -- if he?s healthy. Always remember that phrase when talking about Penny Hardaway.
I liked Greg Oden?s decision to bypass Team USA camp and focus on health and getting ready for his upcoming NBA debut. The young man continues to impress with his maturity level, something I?m sure Portland fans will covet. He?ll have some bad games -- 3 points, 2 rebounds, 1-10 FG shooting -- but he?s going to be smart enough that his learning curve will be terrific. It will be interesting to watch his growth.
Keep an eye on Philly C Samuel Dalembert this season. He averaged 10.7 ppg and 8.9 rpg last season, but I?ve got a sneaking hunch that?s only the tip of the iceberg. Dalembert will play for Canada?s national team this summer, getting invaluable experience. I have little doubt he will report to camp a little tired, perhaps, but infinitely better. Look for 12-13 ppg and 9-10 rpg next season at a minimum. I think he takes that next step in his development. Bump him up a few slots on your C draft board. He?ll be a nice get this season.
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