Weekly Report: Awards and Injury Updates
More Bad News for the Lakeshow
When pressed about Pau Gasol’s injury status with a wink and a smile coach Phil Jackson replied, “Christmas”. Whether he was being mischievously coy or brutally honest remains to be seen. Nevertheless, the Spaniard continues to dress only in street clothes for the time being. Gasol said that he wanted to experience at least two days of being pain-free in his hamstring. Ultimately it appears that he is most likely going to miss another 1-2 weeks but don’t be surprised if the Lakers keep the big man out even longer. As they play 17 of their first 21 regular season games at home in the Staples Center, they are in absolutely no rush to get their starting center back.
Another Freak Injury
For the second time this year a freak injury in the weight room has taken another basketball casualty. Last weekend, Tyrus Thomas was on the receiving end of a weight room injury that will have him sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a fractured arm. This is a big blow to Thomas as he was beginning to pick up his production a bit with the ball club. Ironically this injury punctuated a week that ended without Thomas and the Bulls reaching an agreement to an extension beyond the end of the current season. As it stands, Thomas will become a restricted free agent this summer. You have to believe that he will be playing motivated basketball upon his return. Not only does he have a very able back-up in rookie post Taj Gibson out of Southern Cal but he also is playing for his next contract.
Dropping Like Flies
Yesterday was Friday the thirteenth but the bad luck didn’t wait until yesterday to take its toll on the New Jersey Nets. To say the Nets have been hit with the injury bug would be a grossly inaccurate understatement. Going into this season it was already expected to be a rocky season as the team put its sights on reloading with another solid draft pick in addition to one or potentially even two high level FAs this summer. In freeing up the cap space to absorb new contracts, the Nets effectively gutted their line-up. From the remaining players only one bona fide rotation player remains healthy (Brook Lopez). The mounting injuries for the rest of the team are as follows: Devin Harris (groin), Yi Jianlian (MCL), Courtney Lee (groin), Jarvis Hayes (hamstring), Tony Battie (knee), Keyon Dooling (hip), Chris Douglas-Roberts (swine flu).
TP and TD
The Spurs have been without All-Stars Tim Duncan and Tony Parker during both contests this week. After dropping three of their last four the Spurs have rattled off two huge victories over an underrated Toronto squad and a loaded Mavericks team. The Spurs have gotten clutch performances from both Manu Ginobili as well as Richard Jefferson during that time. Other role players such as Matt Bonner as well as Ketih Bogans have stepped up in their absence. The two remain listed as day-to-day.
Friday the Thirteenth
With Byron Scott departing as head coach earlier in the week, the drama was not yet over for the Hornets for the week. Last night Chris Paul went down with a nasty ankle injury. Paul was unable to get up and leave the court on his own and was helped back to the locker room. The team will have x-rays and further evaluation early on today. As it stands, he has officially been ruled out of tonight’s match-up against the red hot Atlanta Hawks. And now for a look at the weekly awards….
Last Week
Individual Stat of the Week: Gilbert Arenas 12 Turnovers Wednesday vs. Miami
Game of the Week: Nuggets vs. Bulls
This battle came down to the last second—literally.
Individual Performance of the Week: Steve Nash 37 assists in two nights (Sunday/Monday)
Nash, that crazy Canadian, is looking like the Nash of old with putting up 17 assists Sunday followed by another 20 Monday evening.
Statline of the Week: Manu Ginobili vs. Toronto Raptors (Monday)
36 points, 14-16 FT, 6-8 3PT, 4 rebounds, 8 assists, 1 steal, 4 blocks, 1 turnover in 32 minutes
Ginobili had an MVP caliber performance as the shorthanded Spurs defeated a Chris Bosh –led Raptors team.
Best Video of the Week
The Week Ahead
Best Game No One is Talking About: Chicago Bulls vs. Sacramento Kings (Tuesday)
Jason Thompson is really coming into his own as the Kings are fairing surprisingly well with leading scorer Kevin Martin shelved for 6-8 weeks with wrist surgery. Their youth and length match-up favorably against the Bulls.
One-on-one Match-up of the Week: Chris Paul vs. Steve Nash (Thursday)
Dime deliverer heir apparent Chris Paul will be taking on the original in Steve Nash.
Upset Alert: Dallas Mavericks vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Monday)
When considering all of their road records of the past decade, an anomaly within the numbers has the Mavericks having the lowest road win percentage against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Offensive Struggle: New Jersey Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks (Wednesday)
Two of the very worst offensive outputting teams will square off Wednesday.
Offensive Horse Race: Phoenix Suns vs. Toronto Raptors (Sunday)
Two Bryan Colangelo-sculpted rosters—need I say more?
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