10/29 Roster Highlights By: 2K Insider | Friday October 30 2009 Latest News – Since this is the first Living Roster that reflects injuries and the rotations as a result of coaches shuffling their lineups, we will focus on who is out to start the season. Probably the biggest injury news broke just prior to opening day and it involves the first overall pick of the 2009 NBA Draft. Blake Griffin originally hurt his knee in a preseason game vs the Hornets. What was thought to be a bone bruise turned out to be a stress fracture in his left kneecap, which will force him to miss about 6 weeks. Ironically, chronically injured Marcus Camby is healthy and steps into the starting lineup for now.
Josh Howard is still recovering from ankle and wrist surgery, but is hopeful he can return for the Mavs in a few weeks despite being listed as “out indefinitely”. The Wizards were primed for a comeback season but their bad luck resurfaced when it was learned that Antawn Jamison’s shoulder will cause him to miss 3 to 5 weeks. They still managed an opening day road victory in Dallas which is very encouraging for their fans.
The Utah Jazz are without forwards C.J. Miles (torn ligament in thumb) and Kyle Korver (bone spurs in knee) for an extended time and are listed as “out indefinitely”. Miles now wears a cast and Kyle Korver recently underwent arthroscopic knee surgery to remove the bone spurs. Andrei Kirilenko should play heavy minutes at the small forward slot until his teammates return.
Defensive specialist, Raja Bell, has a torn ligament in his wrist and is contemplating surgery. There’s talk that he may try to play through the pain and return in a week or so. If he opts for surgery, he could miss anywhere between 4 weeks to 4 months. In the meantime, new addition Stephen Graham is starting in the Charlotte backcourt with rookie Gerald Henderson coming off the bench.
Minnesota’s Kevin Love had surgery on his broken hand and is thought to be out 6 to 8 weeks. Corey Brewer and Al Jefferson are back for the Timberwolves after missing significant time last season. Therefore Ryan Gomes will slide over to the power forward slot until Love returns to the court.
Portland’s Nicolas Batum has a torn labrum and will have surgery on his shoulder, forcing him out for 3 to 5 months. Martell Webster, who missed all of the 2008-09 season, regains his starter status on a deep Blazer squad.
Of course, injuries are not the only reasons why some guys are out for their respective teams. Glen Davis, fresh off a new contract, has been suspended indefinitely by the Celtics for an off-the-court incident in which he broke his thumb. Big Baby had a strong playoff run last spring, but he’s had his fair share of negative press for various bouts with immaturity. Fortunately for Boston, Rasheed Wallace is more than capable of filling the void off the bench.
Another head-case making headlines in the NBA is Cleveland’s Delonte West. Said to suffer from a bipolar mental disorder, West was arrested in September for carrying three loaded guns on his motorcycle, missed a couple practices with no excuse, and most recently was involved in a domestic violence report filed by his wife. There’s no current timetable for his return to the court, so in the meantime Anthony Parker gets the start at shooting guard.
Also Sy, if you need to decrease some players ratings on the Rockets to boost the ratings of the guys I mentioned( AB, Trevor, Chase Budinger, etc.) then decrease Jermaine Taylor's offensive awareness and Joey Dorsey's post defense cause they're a bit overrated.
G-1X, still dont think Hibbert is the real deal? Tonights game 12 PTS (5 of 9 shooting, 2-2 FT), 11 REBS (6 OREBs), 5 BLKS, 2 ASTS while playing 28 minutes. After tonights game, Hibbert will mathmatically be tied for 2nd or 3rd (its dependent on Cambys BLKS tonight) BPG in the league and potentionally Top 5 in OREB/GM overall and # 1 among centers. It takes a lot of hustle to get offensive rebounds in a small-ball lineup (Ford, Rush, Jones, Granger, Hibbert). As a side note, Granger got 4 steals which will increase his average to 2.4 SPG which will make him 2nd among SF. Unfortunely, hes still shooting an ungodly percentage of 3s, but Ill take his on-the-ball defense and steals anyday.
G-1X, still dont think Hibbert is the real deal? Tonights game 12 PTS (5 of 9 shooting, 2-2 FT), 11 REBS (6 OREBs), 5 BLKS, 2 ASTS while playing 28 minutes. After tonights game, Hibbert will mathmatically be tied for 2nd or 3rd (its dependent on Cambys BLKS tonight) BPG in the league and potentionally Top 5 in OREB/GM overall and # 1 among centers. It takes a lot of hustle to get offensive rebounds in a small-ball lineup (Ford, Rush, Jones, Granger, Hibbert). As a side note, Granger got 4 steals which will increase his average to 2.4 SPG which will make him 2nd among SF. Unfortunely, hes still shooting an ungodly percentage of 3s, but Ill take his on-the-ball defense and steals anyday.
Blake Griffin has a stress fracture in his kneecap and is out up to 6 weeks. Clipper fans will have to wait until December to see their prized rookie play.
Boston Celtics - Glen Davis
Big Baby is "out indefinitely" with an injured thumb suffered in a fight. Newcomers Rasheed Wallace and Shelden Williams will fill-in for Davis.
Cleveland Cavaliers - Delonte West
Delonte is listed as "out indefinitely" due to personal issues. His troubles stem from an arrest, unexcused absences and a domestic violence report.
Portland Blazers - Nicolas Batum
Batum has a torn labrum in his shoulder and will miss 3-5 months. Fortunately, Martell Webster is healthy again and is playing well.
Dallas Mavericks - Josh Howard
Howard is still recovering from off-season surgery to his ankle and wrist. The latest has him returning to action in the next week or so.
Washington Wizards - Antawn Jamison
Jamison has an injured shoulder which limits his range of motion. The initial diagnosis has him out 3-5 weeks but he could return much sooner.
Charlotte Bobcats - Raja Bell
Bell has a torn ligament in his wrist, but will try playing this week. His alternative is to have surgery and miss up to 4 months.
Minnesota T'Wolves - Kevin Love
Kevin Love is out 6-8 weeks with a broken hand. On the flip side, both Brewer and Jefferson are back from their injuries.
Utah Jazz - C.J. Miles
Miles is out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his thumb. Kirilenko starts at small forward for the Jazz who are also without Kyle Korver.
Sacramento Kings - Francisco Garcia
Francisco Garcia will miss about 4 months after having surgery on his wrist. The injury occurred while he was lifting weights.
Los Angeles Clippers - Blake Griffin
Blake Griffin has a stress fracture in his kneecap and is out up to 6 weeks. 
Boston Celtics - Glen Davis
Big Baby is "out indefinitely" with an injured thumb suffered in a fight. 
Cleveland Cavaliers - Delonte West
Delonte is listed as "out indefinitely" due to personal issues. 
Portland Blazers - Nicolas Batum
Batum has a torn labrum in his shoulder and will miss 3-5 months. 
Dallas Mavericks - Josh Howard
Howard is still recovering from off-season surgery to his ankle and wrist. 
Washington Wizards - Antawn Jamison
Jamison has an injured shoulder which limits his range of motion. 
Charlotte Bobcats - Raja Bell
Bell has a torn ligament in his wrist, but will try playing this week. 
Minnesota T'Wolves - Kevin Love
Kevin Love is out 6-8 weeks with a broken hand. 
Utah Jazz - C.J. Miles
Miles is out indefinitely with a torn ligament in his thumb. 
Sacramento Kings - Francisco Garcia
Francisco Garcia will miss about 4 months after having surgery on his wrist. 
