NBA training camps have all wrapped up, and the preseason unofficially began with the Three Miami Musketeers stepping on the court together for their first official game as teammates Tuesday.
Where the end result of preseason games matters very little, the details of the games can be an excellent source of incite for the fantasy season. Without putting too much weight on the first round of preseason games, let's take a look at the important injuries and performances we've already been cursed and blessed by this preseason.
Injuries
Dwyane Wade: Wade tweaked his right hamstring in Tuesday's game against the Pistons and will be sidelined for at least a week. He'll sit now so that he's ready for the regular season. Continue to draft him as if he were 100 percent healthy.
Jonas Jerebko: Thor tore his right Achilles' tendon in Tuesday's game against the Heat. He's expected to miss five-to-six months. Charlie Vilanueva and Greg Monroe should be the primary benefactors from Jerebko's absence
Terrico White: The Pistons' injury woes from last season seem to have followed them directly into the new season. White suffered a broken right foot in his preseason debut, and he's scheduled to undergo surgery to repair the foot Friday. A timetable for his return will be established after surgery.
Thaddeus Young: Young suffered a corneal abrasion of his left eye in Tuesday's game that forced him to leave the contest early. The injury sounds worse than it is. He was available to play in Wednesday's game against the Celtics
Notable Preseason Performances
Kevin Love: 17 points, 14 rebounds, and a three-pointer. Most importantly, Love has started at power forward in the Wolves' first two preseason games.
Martell Webster: 17 points, five rebounds, two assists, and two three-pointers in 29 minutes.
Wesley Johnson: 12 points, five rebounds, three assists, three steals, and three three-pointers in 23 minutes.
Semih Erden: 13 points, five rebounds, an assists, and two blocks in 24 minutes.
Serge Ibaka: 12 points, 11 rebounds, an assist, and a block in 27 minutes. Sir Chewblocka started at center, but it may have been merely an injury-replacement start for Nenad Krstic.
Jeff Green: 25 points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and five three-pointers. Green showed his vast array of skills while Kevin Durant rested Wednesday.
James Harden: 16 points, three rebounds, four assists, five steals, and a three-pointer in 29 minutes. Harden started at shooting guard for the absent Thabo Sefolosha. Sefolosha is essentially used only for his defense, so a strong showing on the defensive side (five steals) may make the Thunders' coaching staff consider adding Harden to the starting lineup. It's unlikely but fun to think about for the fantasy ramifications.
Tyrus Thomas: 16 points and seven rebounds. Thomas has put up two solid lines in a row off the bench, but there's little hope for him entering the starting lineup unless the team finds a way to trade Boris Diaw.
Roy Hibbert: 18 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, and two blocks in 31 minutes. Hibbert's effectiveness this season will hinge on his ability to stay on the floor. He has a knack for picking up tick-tack fouls. If he can avoid incidental fouls and stay on the floor, he should be a quality source of points, rebounds, and blocks all season.
Josh McRoberts: Who? Exactly. McRoberts put up 14 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, one block, and two three-pointers in 25 minutes Wednesday. You may want to go back and read that line one more time. If he is capable of putting up those kind of lines throughout the season, McRoberts will be the biggest steal of the drafts this year. In fact, he's so unassuming that he probably won't even be drafted in many leagues. If he goes undrafted in your league and gets off to a steady start, don't hesitate to pick him up. He has the skills, all he needs is the minutes.
Linas Kleiza: 20 points, five rebounds, two steals, and four three-pointers. Kleiza is the projected starting small forward for the Raptors this season. Everyone is hedging their bets on Andrea Bargnani breaking out this year, but Kleiza could be the true most improved player on the Raptors this season. Don't sleep on this guy.
DeMar DeRozan: 16 points, two rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a three-pointer. DeRozan is poised to have a solid season. The Raptors should start him at shooting guard all year. He has Kobe Bryant upside and Willie Green down side. With so few weapons on the Raptors this season and uncertainty at point guard, we could see him breakout in his sophomore season.