Follow Us!
Initial reports from ESPN say the NBA is planning for a 66-game season in 2011-2012! BIG name players have gone overseas already. Even NBA announcers made plans to work in college basketball this year! Regardless of the repeated BAD news, the point is that WE have some hope that looks like an agreement is coming to works, therefore you don’t want to be the guy scrambling to get your rosters together in hasty preparation for a fantasy draft that has come quicker than expected.
So over the next few weeks, we’ll be analyzing each NBA team from a fantasy basketball perspective and review the “injury status” of key players and address fantasy player value. This is a bit difficult to do, given players are NOT allowed to consult with Team athletic staff/or personnel until the lockout ends (and/ or Dec. 9th, 2011, when training camp is scheduled to begin). But we intend for this to be a handy resource for FYI and forge ahead, even taking note of key players who are either free agents, or have already signed overseas contracts.
Up first is the Atlanta Hawks, who made an interesting move last season with the addition of Kirk Hinrich at the (PG) position, but what makes the acquisition of Hinrich so interesting? What made this an interesting move was Jeff Teague’s (PG) memorable playoff performance against the Chicago Bulls, when Hinrich became injured. Teague’s regular season numbers suggested a potential arsenal in Atlanta’s back court and/ or at Hinrich’s trade value, let alone question, “Who’s going to be the Atlanta Hawk’s starting PG for the 2011-2012 NBA season”?
So, let’s begin and take a closer look at the Hawk’s injuries!
Player: Kirk Hinrich, PG
Height/Weight: 6-4/190
Birthdate: 01/02/1981
Age: 30
Injury: Right Hamstring
Date Injured: April 2011
Injury: cyst removal and left shoulder labrum repair
Date Injured: Dec. 2011
Things to Consider:
Hamstrings are really a tricky thing, Hinrich added, “i felt a pop”. A player can have all the confidence in the world that the injury is healing well, because it “feels good”, but out of nowhere the injury can come back without warning. Time for a hammy to heal normally takes about 4-6 weeks, therefore plenty of rest is prescribed and with the NBA lockout going one, such is a “convenient” thing in Hinrich’s case, hence more time for him to heal. Hinrich was unable to walk, therefore it’s suspected this is a Grade C muscle tear, where immediate burning or stabbing pain happens and an athlete is unable to walk without pain. The muscle was completely torn.
In more Hinrich news, Hawks GM, Rick Sund, announced Hinrich will miss “at least the first month of the regular season” after surgery to remove a cyst and repair the labrum in his left shoulder. More than likely, Hinrich won’t be back for at least another 8-12 weeks after arthroscopic surgery, which doesn’t translate into a ton of Fantasy value. Hinrich is a late-round option, but you should monitor Teague’s progress, since he should be starting now for the Hawks.
Player: Jeff Teague, PG
Height/Weight: 6-2/180
Birthdate: 06/10/1988
Age: 23
Injury: Wrist Injury
Date Injured: May 2011
Things to Consider:
There is a lot of excitement in Atlanta surrounding Teague’s playoff performance against the Chicago Bulls last season. Teague’s wrist injury, was a ugly, but reports from the Atlanta Tribune hinted at the MRI scan, as a precautionary measure, but they didn’t anticipate any ligament damage. That’s a good thing! Teague’s play has him leaning as a probable starter for 2011-2012, and Hinrich as a back-up PG, at least until his numbers stay consistent during the regular season. The playoff performance has definitely left a hopeful impression, with a lot of eyes anticipating. Teague’s wrist should NOT be an issue concerning his minute play or stats at this point. Teague is a sleeper on this team, but should be a serious boost in fantasy value.
Bonus Video Here!
Watch this! Jeff Teague gets “CROSSED-UP” by the future NBA Hall of Famer, Allen Iverson, in a charity league sponsored recently!
