Super-Important News
Ryan Anderson and Brandon Bass: More Minutes, Possibly. Magic coach Stan Van Gundy said Monday that both Anderson and Bass will be part of the Magic's rotation at the beginning of the season. This is interesting news: both players could be potentially valuable with minutes. Anderson, in particular, owing to his ability to hit threes AND block shots, could have value in the Channing Frye mold.
Rodrigue Beaubois: Will Miss Beginning of Regular Season. Beaubois (foot) remains in a walking boot and will miss the beginning of the regular season. Though we haven't confirmed it with the Guadeloupe native, this apparently has nothing to do with the widespread strikes currently unfolding in France.
Shaun Livingston: Maybe Healthier. Livingston, who's been resting recently with fluid in his surgically repaired left knee, did some work in practice Tuesday but did not participate in any contact drills. The general sense is that coach Larry Brown and the Bobcats are being particularly cautious, but that doesn't make Livingston and less of a fantasy risk.
Corey Maggette: Will Miss Opener with Ankle Thing. Maggette, still recovering from surgery on something called his "peroneal tendons," acknowledged Tuesday that he isn't close to being ready to play and may miss the start of the regular season. From his mouth: "Right now, it's not even 80 percent. I'm still going half-speed; I can't go full throttle yet." What this means is, is Carlos Delfino will begin the season as the Bucks' starting small forward.
John Salmons: Practices for First Time. Salmons, who's been dealing with a sprained right knee, practiced Tuesday for the first time since camp opened. Despite the layoff, coach Scott Skiles expects the shooting guard to be fine for the beginning of the season.
Notable Performances
Arron Afflalo, DEN (vs OKC): 38:51 min, 22 pts (7-11 FG, 1-3 3Pts, 7-7 FT). Arron Afflalo isn't messing around, people.
Toney Douglas, NY (vs. NJ): 29:40 min, 24 pts (7-12 FG, 3-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), 6 stl. That makes two consecutive strong performances from Douglas.
Jordan Farmar, NJ (at NY): 28:08 min, 21 pts (7-16 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 2-2 FT), 7 reb, 5 ast, 3 stl. Farmar's not projected to have a significant role with the Nets, but that's a crazy line.
Paul George, IND (at MIN): 26:04 min, 17 pts (6-11 FG, 5-9 3Pt, 0-2 FT), 5 reb. Coach Jim O'Brien has indicated that George will be part of the Pacer rotation.
Roy Hibbert, IND (at MIN): 36:22 min, 27 pts (10-19 FG, 7-10 FT), 16 reb, 6 ast. Booyakasha, is about all you can see as far as that goes.
J.J. Hickson, CHI (vs. PHI): 32:15 min, 22 pts (11-16 FG, 0-1 3Pt), 11 reb. Our man Chris Liss is on record as saying Hickson is "going to be a beast." Of course, he's said that about, like, 30|PERCENT| of the NBA so far.
Kirk Hinrich, WAS (at DET): 28:15 min, 17 pts (6-11 FG, 4-6 3Pt, 1-2 FT), 4 reb, 2 ast, 3 stl. Most fantasy owners probably have an idea about Hinrich's skillset. What's less clear is his role with the Wizards. Tonight, with Gilbert Arenas out, it was as a two guard. He's also played quite a few minutes at the three.