Centers

Shaq does good deed, vows to play
In two separate news items, Cleveland Cavaliers C Shaquille O'Neal (shoulder) said "I'm playing" when asked about his status for Friday's game in Charlotte. He missed his sixth straight game on Wednesday. He also made news saying that he was touched by the story of five-year-old kidnapping/murder victim Shaniya Davis in North Carolina and the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports he will pay for the funeral.

Analysis: Too often in sports, we review the sophomoric behavior or bad deeds that professional athletes get involved in without putting a spotlight on the good. Good for Shaq. As far as his status for Fantasy Week 6 (Nov. 30-Dec. 6), get him active if he is able to return on Friday in Charlotte or Saturday against Dallas.

C Collison nursing knee injury
The Oklahoman is reporting that Thunder C Nick Collison is nursing a knee injury and he is not expected to play in Friday's game against the Bucks.

Analysis: Collison is only worth a look in the deepest of fantasy leagues at this point. It would likely take a long-term injury to Nenad Krstic to get him on the fantasy radar of owners in leagues of 12 or fewer teams. 


Forwards

Prince exercises in training room
The Detroit Free Press is reporting that Pistons F Tayshaun Prince (back) was able to exercise in the training room before Wednesday's game against Cleveland, but his return date is still uncertain.

Analysis: Prince appears to be making some progress, although there is no timetable on when to expect him to return to practice. Keep him reserved in all fantasy leagues until further notice.
 

Korver has setback in rehab
The Salt Lake Deseret News is reporting that Utah Jazz swingman Kyle Korver (knee surgery) had a setback in his rehab from arthroscopic knee surgery and he is expected to be sidelined at least one more week.

Analysis: Korver will not have any more "courtwork" and will "just focus on strengthening." He is worth using in deeper rotisserie leagues, especially for his help in the 3-pointer category, but avoid him in all formats until he can officially return and prove his health.


Ryan Bowen looking for work
The Oklahoma City Thunder waived F Ryan Bowen on Wednesday, as they needed a roster spot to sign G Mike Wilks to help out their injury-depleted guard corps.

Analysis: Bowen appeared in just one game, so even if he latches on with another organization or is brought back by the Thunder at some point, he has no fantasy appeal at this time.

 

Guards

A.I. reportedly set to retire
10-time All-Star and former MVP G Allen Iverson is reportedly set to retire, according to commentator Stephen A. Smith's web site. It has spurred plenty of talk from around the league. Iverson left the Memphis Grizzlies after just three games due to personal reasons and the two sides decided to part ways shortly thereafter.

Analysis: Interest in Iverson has been lukewarm at best and he has said in the past that he isn't willing to accept a reserve role such as he had in Detroit and Memphis. Right now, it might take an injury or two to open up a roster spot somewhere for A.I. to be lured off of his couch. Drop him from all fantasy rosters now, as he isn't going to be employed any time soon.

Lou Williams out eight weeks
Philadelphia 76ers G Louis Williams is expected to miss the next two months after having surgery on Thursday morning to repair his broken jaw. He suffered the injury in Tuesday's loss against the Wizards.

Analysis: Williams' loss is a big one for the Sixers and fantasy owners, as he was averaging 17.4 ppg and 5.1 apg. Rookie Jrue Holiday is expected to take over as the team's point guard. He was starting in Wednesday's loss in Boston

Time to shop for Holiday
Philadelphia 76ers rookie G Jrue Holiday made the start at point guard in Wednesday's game at Boston in place of the injured Louis Williams, who will miss eight weeks after surgery to repair a broken jaw.

Analysis: Holiday hit 4-of-13 field goals and ended up with 10 points, six assists and three rebounds in 34 minutes in Wednesday's start. He is worth adding as a No. 4 or 5 fantasy guard in all leagues while in the starting five.


Ben Gordon nursing ankle sprain
The Detroit News is reporting that Pistons G Ben Gordon suffered a sprained left ankle in the second quarter of Wednesday's game against the Cavaliers and he was helped to the locker room at halftime.

Analysis: Gordon's status is uncertain for Friday's game against the Clippers and beyond. Rookie Austin Daye started the second half of Wednesday's game at shooting guard in Gordon's absence. Both Daye and Will Bynum would stand to benefit the most if Gordon is out for any length of time.


Monta Ellis on a hot streak
Golden State G Monta Ellis has picked up the slack for the injury-deleted Warriors over the past three games. He has averaged 37.7 ppg during the stretch, including a season-high 42 points on 16-of-25 shooting in Wednesday's loss at San Antonio.

Analysis: Ellis has knocked down at least 13 field goals during the run, hitting 44-of-72 (.611) during the impressive stretch. Must-start in all fantasy leagues? Like former Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin would say, "You betcha!"


Wilks catches on with OKC
The Oklahoma City Thunder signed G Mike Wilks on Thursday. The team has two backup Gs Shaun Livingston (knee) and Kevin Ollie (knee) dealing with knee ailments and Kyle Weaver (shoulder) is also sidelined.

Analysis: With career averages of 2.5 ppg and 1.2 apg, Wilks is not someone to bother with in fantasy basketball.


A.C. back for the Nuggs
Denver Nuggets G Anthony Carter (hip) was able to return to the lineup for Wednesday's win at Minnesota. Carter had two points, two assists and a rebound in 12 minutes off of the bench.

Analysis: Carter, who had missed the past five games due to his injury, is only worth a look in deeper fantasy leagues unless a long-term injury opens up a more prominent role.


Chalmers back for the Heat
Miami Heat second-year G Mario Chalmers (back) returned to action in Wednesday's game in Orlando, but he misfired on his three field goal attempts and ended up with four points and two assists in 26 minutes.

Analysis: Chalmers is in the starting five, but that's not saying much. He has been extremely erratic in his play and is best left to fantasy owners in leagues of 12 or more teams as a No. 4 or 5 fantasy guard.


Udrih dealing with an illness
Sacramento Kings G Beno Udrih was unable to play in Wednesday's game against the Knicks due to an illness. He is questionable for Friday's game against the hapless Nets.

Analysis: Donte' Greene got a start with Beno sidelined and he went for a career-high 24 points, including six 3-pointers. The move also slid rookie Tyreke Evans over to the point and he responded with 19 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists.


C.J. Watson back from H1N1
Golden State Warriors G C.J. Watson (swine flu) returned from his battle with swine flu on Wednesday in San Antonio. He missed his two field goal attempts and went scoreless in 16 minutes off of the bench.

Analysis: Watson should be kept reserved in all larger fantasy leagues until he can produce a little better than this.


Courtney Lee goes scoreless
New Jersey Nets G Courtney Lee (groin) was scoreless in his second game back from a groin injury, misfiring on his only field goal attempt in Wednesday's game in Portland.

Analysis: Lee has managed seven points, six steals, five rebounds and two assists in two games since returning from his seven-game absence. Reserve him in all fantasy leagues until he starts producing more consistently.

Ollie goes for an MRI
The Oklahoman is reporting that Thunder veteran G Kevin Ollie had an MRI on his left knee and the tests did not reveal any structural damage.

Analysis: It's uncertain how much time Ollie will miss, but fantasy owners won't care much. The team signed Mike Wilks with Kyle Weaver (shoulder) and Shaun Livingston (knee) also out.


G Weaver nursing shoulder ailment
The Oklahoman is reporting that Thunder G Kyle Weaver was forced to leave practice on Wednesday due to a shoulder injury.

Analysis: Weaver would have had a chance to earn some run with a spate of injuries to the guards in OKC, but now he joins them in street clothes instead.

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