All sorts of fantasy relevant training camp news came out yesterday and today:
- Kobe Bryant will be with the Lakers this season, and is happy that they tried to make a trade over the summer even though they were not succesful. If the Lakers don't get something done by next summer things might be different, but for right now Kobe is in the purple and gold armor and will be a fantasy monster once again.
- Dwyane Wade has no timetable for his return. While the optimistic opinion says that he will only miss the first two weeks of the season, there are rumors that he won't be back on the court until December. Pat Riley swears that the timetable for him to return is mid-November, but also says that they are going to be cautious with the injury. Wade's current top 15 draft position may end up being a little too high.
- Amare Stoudemire is having knee surgery...again. No, it's not a joke. Amare had successful arthroscopic surgery on his left knee (not the microfracture one). Fortunately in this day and age the kind of surgery he is getting only takes a few weeks to recover from and really isn't too big of a deal. Kobe Bryant did the same thing last year and was his typical self. Don't let this scare you out of drafting the big man in the first round.
- Ben Wallace gets to wear his headband again. He got pulled from two games last season for wearing it because the Bulls have a ban on the band. However, they decided that this season they will make an exception for Big Ben's band. There was a time when Ben was a late second or early third round pick, but even his headband isn't going to bring him back to those levels again.
- Stephen Jackson got a new tattoo on his chest...of praying hands holding a gun (see picture above). Yes, the same Stephen Jackson who is suspended for the first 7 games of the season as a result of an incident stemming from him firing a gun into the air outside a strip club in Indy. He said, "I pray I never have to use it again". A little on the nose don't you think? As for his fantasy value, Jackson should have a solid season with the Warriors and is worthy of a late pick, but just remember that he will miss those first 7 games.
- Sean May is missing training camp to see an orthopedic surgeon about his right knee. He is seeing Dr. James Andrews, who is the best in the business at treating athletes. If his knee continues to be an issue it could mean an increase in playing time for Walter Hermann, as he could see minutes backing up both Emeka Okafor at the PF spot and Primoz Brezec at C.
- Stephon Marbury has been steadily descending into strange territory with his behavior. He has given several interviews over the summer that can only be described as bizarre. The Isiah Thomas trial (Isiah and MSG were found guilty, in case you didn't already know) could have a big impact on Marbury in particular since it was revealed during the trial that he had sex with an MSG intern in the back of his truck in 05. One can only wonder if we are watching a former superstar self destruct on a level that we are usually accustomed to only seeing Brittney, Lohan, Paris at. Hopefully Starbury pulls through this rough patch, but make sure you have a backup option ready at PG this season.
- Shawn Marion still wants out of Phoenix. However, he isn't going to talk about it anymore. Busting out his trademark double negative, Marion said, "I don't want to be bothered by this no more,"It sounds like the Suns aren't willing to let the Matrix out though, so he should still have plenty of value this year.
- Bellinelli may start at SG for the Warriors. This could potentially have a big impact on Monta Ellis' value this season. Of course, this could just be a motivational tactic that Nellie is using on Ellis, but you have to bump Monta down a round or two regardless. While doing so, Bellinelli should be moved up a round. He is still a rookie and may falter (remember Devin Harris started the first few games over JET Terry his rookie season) but if the minutes are there Bellinelli has the potential to be a solid contributor.
-unposs
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