Fantasy related but good info....
Time for Tyrus?
As we wind down the backstretch of the season, category hunting becomes more and more crucial. If you are in a nine-cat head-to-head league, you should be sorting out which five categories you'll be going after in the playoffs. If you are in a beastly roto-style league with no playoffs, you should know which categories you have upward mobility in.
Often times, the easiest category to target in both formats is blocks. Considering how few are accumulated each night/week, a player with big blocks upside can make a real difference. Enter Tyrus Thomas.
Thomas, who has been out since late January due to a meniscus tear, finally returned to practice Thursday. He was held out of contact drills, but reportedly looked good and could be cleared to play as soon as Wednesday. In case you forgot, Thomas is blocking 2.7 shots per 36 minutes this season and 2.5 per 36 minutes in his career.
So will he get 36 minutes? Obviously not. But the landscape in Charlotte certainly has changed. Gerald Wallace is gone, Kwame Brown is struggling, Stephen Jackson's hamstring is a real concern and Gerald Henderson is an unknown. There is room here for Thomas to ramp up to 25-29 minutes quickly and produce those blocks and steals most teams need.
NEWS OF THE DAY #2
Owners of fantasy's No. 1 player can breathe a sigh of relief. Although Kevin Durant (sprained ankle) is doubtful for Friday's game against the Hawks, his injury is not serious. The swelling was not severe and he will travel to Atlanta before officially being ruled out. Look for it to be a one-game absence, two at most.
Coach Scott Brooks already stated that he will start James Harden if Durant can't go. Harden was averaging 17.0 points on 47.5 percent shooting over his last five games, so the extra minutes will make him a high-upside spot-star. Look for something around 30-33 minutes out of Harden.
NEWS OF THE DAY #3
Baron Davis (knee) estimated his knee is only at 65-70 percent, but still plans on making his Cavs debut against the Knicks Friday. He will come off the bench behind Ramon Sessions. That makes sense, but what doesn't make much sense is that coach Byron Scott continues to insist that Davis will eventually start.
No matter how well Sessions plays, no one seems to give him a chance. The fans in Cleveland are clamoring for Duke stud PG Kyrie Irving and Scott refuses to stick with Sessions. All owners of Sessions can do is keep trotting him out there while he's starting and then hold him until Davis gets hurt again. It shouldn't be too long.
DEPTH CHART FAST BREAK
* Following Wednesday's game, coach Paul Westphal said he would consider putting DeMarcus Cousins back in the starting lineup. It's only a matter of time, Cousins is just too good.
* Interestingly enough, the Blazers plan on running a starting five of Andre Miller, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, Gerald Wallace and LaMarcus Aldridge going forward. Downgrade Marcus Camby, upgrade everyone else.
* Roddy Beaubois will have to earn his minutes, according to coach Rick Carlisle. Despite all kinds of talent, Roddy B is fighting too many guys to be a fantasy asset.
* Brendan Haywood will start for at least two games while Tyson Chandler (ankle) sits. Only add if you are really desperate for blocks.
* The Mavs made it official, signing Corey Brewer to a three-year deal. However, the defensive stopper will struggle to reach 25 minutes in Dallas' crowded rotation.
* Josh Howard remains on a minute limit, capping any upside he has with Rashard Lewis (knee) out.
* Richard Hamilton will remain with the second unit and there are no signs that Tracy McGrady will get out of the doghouse. Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon is the Pistons' starting backcourt for now.
INJURIES FAST BREAK
* Deron Williams is going to play through his dual wrist injuries this weekend, but the Nets say they will sit down and re-evaluate the situation next week. Owners should add Jordan Farmar to protect themselves.
* Josh Smith's MRI came back clean and he is just has a sprain. He will likely sit out Friday, but the Hawks are not showing much real concern. Smoove is listed as day-to-day.
* The Bobcats are reportedly "seriously concerned" about Stephen Jackson's left hamstring, but he is expected to play Friday.
* Chauncey Billups (thigh) is listed as doubtful for Friday. Toney Douglas makes for a high-end spot start again.
* Tyreke Evans was in Los Angeles on Tuesday to get shock-wave treatment on his plantar fasciitis. He is scheduled for another round of treatment next week. That does not sound like a guy that will play again this season to me.
* Chris Paul claims that his surgically repaired knee feels great and it is not to blame for his recent struggles. Hard to believe that, but he is a good bet to turn it around soon.
* Elton Brand practiced with a big wrap on his dislocated pinkie but is ready to go.
* Rashard Lewis is contemplating season-ending surgery on his sore knee. There isn't much reason for him to keep fighting through it.
* Glen Davis (knee) is out up to a week, opening up a chance for Jeff Green and Troy Murphy to get 20-plus minutes off the bench.
* Daniel Gibson (quad) is out Friday and questionable for Sunday.
* Danilo Gallinari (toe) is not expected back until March 10. Wilson Chandler has some rope until he goes back to the sixth man role.
THURSDAY NIGHT GAME TAKEAWAYS
Magic 99, Heat 96
* Mike Bibby's Miami debut went about as expected. He came off the bench and took four shots -- all 3-pointers. He will eventually start and play around 28-30 minutes, but is only an option for owners in extremely desperate need of 3-pointers. Even then, you can probably do better.
* Gilbert Arenas got off for three 3-pointers, but don't chase those stats. He is still hobbled out there and Jameer Nelson looks really sharp.
* Ryan Anderson's minutes were limited a little because of how much time LeBron James spent at the power forward spot.
Nuggets 103, Jazz 101
* Coach George Karl is using Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton together a ton. Until Gallinari gets back, look for around 28-32 minutes for both point guards.
* Arron Afflalo's ankle sprain was a non-issue. Meanwhile, his value has surprisingly held firm through the trade as one of Karl's favorite players.
* Al Jefferson went off for six blocks -- and didn't appear to get off the ground for any of them. He may have tweaked an ankle late.
