DeMarcus Cousins: Starting Center.Samuel Dalembert will miss the next four-to-six weeks with a groin injury, and Cousins will have an opportunity to stake his claim to the starting-center job while Dalembert is out. Cousins believes he can play as many minutes as the Kings need him to, but coach Paul Westphal said that he can't envision Cousins playing more than 25 minutes on a regular basis. While that's disappointing news after we've seen Cousins excel through the Kings' first three preseason games, it's important to note that he's averaged 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, and 0.8 blocks in 25 minutes during those games. Cousins can be remarkably productive in limited action.
Jrue Holiday: Getting it Together. After struggling through the Sixers' first two preseason games, Holiday has found his groove in coach Doug Collins' new offense. In the Sixers' last two games, Holiday is averaging 15 points, nine rebounds, 9.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 three-pointers. The Raptors beat the Sixers in a double-overtime game Wednesday, but Holiday used the extra minutes to put up a triple-double.
Evan Turner: Turner-ing into Starter. With Hawes struggling to return from a back injury, the Sixers inserted Turner into the starting lineup at shooting guard and pushed Elton Brand to center, Thaddeus Young to power forward, and Andre Iguodala to small forward. Turner has played well, and the Sixers have been more competitive since he moved into the starting lineup. He's done a good job of raising his fantasy value over the last week, and his production should be watched closely over the Sixers' final preseason games.
Craig Brackins: No Doze. The Sixers acquired Brackins and Darius Songailia from the Hornets last month for Willie Green and Jason Smith. President Rod Thorn is big on Brackins' talent as a shooting big man, and Collins has been impressed by the rookie's play. Brackins is a stretch power forward and isn't likely to play a lot of minutes this season, but he could carve out a role as the season progresses. Collins has been severely underwhelmed by the play of his starting bigs so far this preseason.
Josh McRoberts: Returns with Rebounds. McRoberts missed a game-and-a-half with a neck injury after receiving a well placed elbow from Dwight Howard. He's projected to start at power forward this season. The vertigo-free ghost of Tyler Hansbrough could push McRoberts for the starting gig at some point this season, but McRoberts' production this preseason has turned him into one of the most promising sleeper picks in the later rounds of drafts. In 25 minutes Wednesday, McRoberts had eight points, 11 rebounds, two assists, and three steals.
Terrence Williams and the Nets' rotation: Doing it Off the Bench. Coach Avery Johnson said earlier this preseason that he would be using his projected regular season rotation by the time the Nets played their third game of the preseason. Williams played 34 minutes off the bench Wednesday, in the Nets' third preseason game, and had 20 points (9-of-20 FG, 0-of-1 3pt, 2-of-2 FT), eight rebounds, an assist, and a block. Starting for the Nets were: Devin Harris and Brook Lopez playing 36 minutes, Travis Outlaw playing 33 minutes, Anthony Morrow playing 20 minutes, and Derek Favors playing 23 minutes. Until Troy Murphy returns or the lineup undergoes a significant reconfiguring, fantasy players should consider this distribution of minutes a reflection of how Johnson plans on doling out minutes this season. If you haven't bought your tickets already, it's time to jump on the train to T-Will-ville. Woot! Woot!
Linas Kleiza: Returns in Limited Minutes. Kleiza is fighting through knee tendinitis. He returned to the starting lineup Wednesday but only played 17 minutes. He's a breakout sleeper this season, but a prolonged absence from the starting lineup could open the door for DeMar DeRozan to cut into his minutes at small forward as the team concordantly (ergo, vis a vis) tries to find more minutes for Leandro Barbosa in the back court.
Spencer Hawes: Back Keeping Him Grounded. Hawes continues to have trouble with his back. He's already missed the Sixers' last three games, and he's expected to be out for another week or two with the injury. Evan Turner moved into the starting lineup at shooting guard when Hawes went down, and he's rebounded better from the wing than Elton Brand and Thaddeus Young have in the front court. Turner has likely solidified his spot in the starting lineup, so it'll take Young or Brand losing their job for Hawes to move back into the starting lineup when he returns.
Austin Daye: Value Rising, Cooked in a Pot Like Gumbo. Tayshaun Prince might hail from Compton, but Daye has been the true Piston gangsta' on the court this preseason. Through four games, Daye is averaging 15.8 points, five rebounds, 1.5 assists, 2.5 three-pointers, 0.8 steals, and a block in 23 minutes per game.
David West: Sits With Wrist Injury. West sat out the Hornets' win over the Heat Wednesday with a sprained wrist. Jason Smith received the spot start in his stead. West has missed two games with the injury, but it is not believed to be terribly serious.
Luke Harangody: Harangaudy Off the Bench.Troy Murphy Jr. played 21 minutes off the bench Wednesday and put up 16 points (4-of-9 FG, 2-of-5 3pt, 6-of-9 FT), 12 rebounds, and two steals.
Anthony Randolph: Sinking Ship. The reviews on Randolph this preseason have been lukewarm; the Knicks have said they will not ask Amare Stoudemire to play lots of minutes at center; and Danilo Gallinari is locked in as the team's starting small forward. Coach Mike D'Anotoni seems committed to playing Randolph off the bench. He's a freak athletically and will find ways to contribute in fantasy, but the obtuse optimism fantasy sites fired from rainbow bazookas when Randolph was traded to the Knicks this summer should be tempered. Don't reach for Randolph too early; his future is a bit foggy at the moment.
Roy Hibbert: Block Party on Center Street. Hibbert swatted seven shots to go with 16 points (4-of-12 FG, 8-of-10 FT), 14 rebounds, four assists, and a steal in 30 minutes Wednesday. He's primed for a huge season, and he's staying out of foul trouble. Target him in the mid-to-late rounds of your drafts.
DeAndre Jordan: Moon Over My Hammy. Jordan has a right hamstring strain that could keep him out a few days.
Marreese Speights: Canadian Bacon. Speights left Wednesday's game against the Raptors with a right hamstring strain and was unable to return. The extent of the injury is unknown at this point, but coach Doug Collins said he didn't think it was serious when questioned after the game.
Eddy Curry: Fishing in an Empty Bucket. The Knicks have brought in former forward Anthony Mason to work with Curry, motivate him, and try to get him in some semblance of basketball shape.
Andrew Bogut: Life's a Garden. Bogut hopes to return to action Saturday. He's expected to play about 10 minutes in his return.
Marco Belinelli: Pollo! Belinelli has started the Hornets' first three preseason games at shooting guard, and he had a minor breakout in Wednesday's game against the Heat. In 32 minutes, Belinelli had 19 points (7-of-10 FG, 3-of-4 3pt, 2-of-4 FT), four rebounds, and four assists. Even with the starting gig, he'll be pushed by Marcus Thornton and Willie Green for minutes at the two. Temper your expectations at draft time.
Maurice Williams: We Talkin' 'Bout Practice. Williams participated in a full practice Wednesday for the first time this preseason. He's still not 100 percent, and he won't play Thursday. However, he's still expected to be ready for the regular-season opener.