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In Street Clothes
Bosh and Bogut
April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
By Jeff Stotts • April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
Ugly injuries mar the final weeks of the season

The final weeks of the season have been marred by several scary incidents after Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut and Toronto's Chris Bosh were shelved for the remainder of the year with gruesome injuries. New Orleans point guard Chris Paul also saw his season end prematurely after he tore a ligament in his middle finger. With fantasy championships concluding on Wednesday, let's take one last look around the league at players nursing injuries.

Andrew Bogut
Bogut's frightening fall against the Suns was enough to make even the toughest stomach queasy.  Bogut suffered multiple injuries on the dunk including a dislocated elbow, broken hand, and sprained wrist.  A dislocated wrist occurs when the bones of the lower arm (the ulna and radius) become displaced from the upper arm bone (the humerus) and are generally accompanied by tearing of the surrounding ligaments. While the injury was nasty, it could have been much worse as Bogut avoided arterial and nerve damage as well as damage to the bony process known as the olecranon.  The Australian center underwent successful surgery to repair the fracture in his right hand and is expected to miss at least six weeks with the myriad of injuries.

The injury was extremely disappointing considering Bogut was in the midst of a breakout season, averaging 15.9 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks per game. Veteran Kurt Thomas has started in Bogut's place and produced solid numbers of his own, averaging 8.0 points, 12.0 rebounds, and 1.0 block over that span. Fantasy owners in need or rebounds and blocks should scoop Thomas up for the final games of the year.

Chris Bosh
Like Bogut, Bosh will be sidelined indefinitely after the All-Star suffered maxilla and nasal fractures to the right side of his face when he took an inadvertent elbow from Cleveland's Antawn Jamison. The maxilla is the upper jawbone and conjoins with the zygomatic to form the cheek.  It also articulates with the nasal bone at the frotal process. It is likely this is the area where Bosh's fractures occurred. Fractures of the maxilla and nasal bones can be problematic as they make common activities like chewing and nasal breathing difficult. Athletes who have suffered maxilla or nasal fractures may also suffer from double vision, nosebleeds, and numbness in their lips and cheek. 

While his Raptors teammate Hedo Turkoglu and Dallas' Jason Terry have both returned from facial fractures, the injury that Bosh suffered was different. Both Terry and Turkoglu suffered non-displaced fractures, meaning the bone did not deviate from its anatomical position.  While Bosh's maxilla fracture was non-displaced, the nasal fracture was displaced and required surgery to return its normal position.  Bosh will be reevaluated in 10 days but it is hard to imagine him suiting up for any of the Raptors' remaining four games.  Reggie Evans joined the starting lineup in their first game without their leading scorer but was less than impressive.

Chris Paul
After missing 25 games recouping from arthroscopic knee surgery, a torn ligament in his right middle finger will ultimately end Paul's season.  He suffered the injury in first game back from the knee injury and has continued to play in pain. However he aggravated the injury in a recent practice and after an MRI revealed a tear, the Hornets elected to shut down their franchise player.  Fortunately for Paul the injury will not require surgery and the point guard will be ready for next season. CP3 has been successful when healthy, averaging 18.7 points and 10.7 assist but a sprained left ankles and a torn meniscus in his knee have forced him to miss 33 games.  Despite the multitude of injuries Paul remains a top pick entering the 2010-2011 season. In the meantime, rookie point guard Darren Collison returns to the starting role and remains a must-add, if available, in all formats.

Shawn Marion
The Dallas Mavericks hosted Memphis on Wednesday without their best defender, as Marion watched from the bench nursing a strained oblique muscle.  The injury occurred when he attempted a layup against in a recent loss to the Thunder. While oblique injuries are not as common in basketball as they are in other sports, like baseball, strains to the muscles surrounding the abdominal walls remain complicated and painful. The oblique muscles are classified into two groups, the internal and external obliques. The external obliques are the larger of the two and helps pull the chest downward during breathing.  Lying underneath the external obliques is the internal obliques, responsible for compressing the abdomen during exhalation.  Together the two groups work synergistically with the muscles on the opposite side to achieve rotation of the trunk. For example, if Marion wants to move his left shoulder across his body toward his right hip, he would have to fire his right internal oblique and his left external oblique. Marion's strain is located on his left side making rotational movements difficult, which can be particularly limiting for a player nicknamed the Matrix. 

With the playoffs on the horizon, don't expect the Mavericks to risk Marion and will likely take it easy with their starting small forward for the remainder of the year. Deshawn Stevenson has replaced Marion in the starting lineup but is not fantasy relevant. The injury did help Caron Butler breakout of his recent slump as he slid over to his more comfortable small forward position.
 
 Joe Johnson
The Atlanta Hawks have played their last three games without Johnson who suffered a sprained right thumb in a recent game against the Lakers. While the sprain is considered minor, thumb injuries are hard to play with and slow to heal. The digit is openly exposed and prone to getting hit by defending players and incoming passes. Players will often adjust their game to avoid contact, limiting their effectiveness on both ends of the court. Atlanta will show extreme caution with their All-Star but has hinted he could be available for Friday's home finale against the Raptors. However fantasy owners should scale back their expectations and must remember that the normally productive Johnson may be a precarious play.


The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

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Shutting Down
April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
By Jeff Stotts • April 2, 2010 • 4:23 PM
Many teams are preparing for next season; you should be too.

We have reached the point in the season when much to the chagrin of fantasy owners, teams around the league begun shutting down players and preparing for next year.  Owners still in the quest for a fantasy championship must keep a close eye on depth charts to take advantage of suddenly productive backups while those in keeper leagues should start evaluating rookies and other sleepers in anticipation for next year's draft.

Kevin Martin
A sprained left shoulder has left Rockets guard Kevin Martin a spectator for Houston's last four games. Martin injured the shoulder on March 19 against the Celtics and it was originally believed to be a bruised shoulder. However the diagnosis changed as it became clear the injury was more significant than a bruise. The ligaments surrounding the shoulder joint, the glenohumeral complex, stabilizes the joint while allowing for multiaxial movement.  When sprained, shoulder motion becomes painful and the stability of the joint is compromised.  Increased laxity is a considerable issue for a joint that is the most commonly dislocated one in the body. Unfortunately the Rockets playoff hopes have diminished and they aren't likely to take any risks with their prized midseason acquisition.  Martin could return but his productivity may take a slight hit. Injuries have plagued Martin all season and make him a gamble for the remainder of the fantasy season.

Kenyon Martin
Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin continues to battle patellar tendinitis that has forced him out of Denver's last 14 games. The plasma-rich plasma therapy Martin underwent three weeks ago appears to have helped and he recently began light running. Martin has indicated he would like to see some action before the playoffs begin but fantasy owners still clinging onto the forward would be wise to finally let K-Mart go.

Marc Gasol
The 2009-2010 season is officially over for sophomore sensation Marc Gasol. The Grizzlies have elected to shut down the center to allow him to rehabilitate his partially torn neck muscle. The specifics have not been released but based on reports it sounds like the tear occurred to Gasol's sternocleidomastoid muscle.  This muscle originates in the middle of the clavicle and inserts just below the ear at a point of the skull known as the mastoid process. It allows for neck rotation and tilting while playing a role in raising the sternum. The tear will take time to heal and Gasol should be ready for next season. In the meantime, rookie Hasheem Thabeet will start the remainder of the season and should be a decent source of blocks while he attempts to build his stock for next year.

Randy Foye
The Wizards have already lost Josh Howard for the year after the former Maverick tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) just four games after joining the squad. Unfortunately it now appears Randy Foye will be joining Howard on the bench after a recent MRI revealed a significant sprained left wrist. He is also dealing with strained tendons and a cyst in the wrist and his season is likely over. While the combination of injuries may sound surprising, they are actually pretty common. Sprains are often accompanied by strains and synovial cysts can slowly develop following an initial injury at the wrist. These cysts are filled with a clear mucus-like fluid and usually must be surgically excised.  Shaun Livingston will continue to start in Foye's absence and is coming off what is arguably his best game of the year, scoring 18 points to go with eight assists in Wednesday's win over the Hornets. While he remains a dicey addition, Livingston could be worth the risk for fantasy owners desperate for assists.

Jermaine O'Neal
Miami starting center Jermaine O'Neal continues to nurse a hyperextended right knee. Knee extension occurs when the leg is straightened. When the knee is forced past its normal end point it has been hyperextended and can result in damage to ligaments, cartilage, and tendons. While it appears O'Neal avoided any serious damage, the knee continues to cause him pain and swelling.  The injury was a disappointing setback for O'Neal who is averaging 13.9 points and 7.1 rebounds this year while shooting a career-high 53.3 percent from the field. Joel Anthony has entered the starting lineup but has failed to produce. Fantasy owners who are able to show patience with O'Neal should while those struggling to closeout a playoff win should look elsewhere.

Chris Andersen
Despite playing recent games with knee tendinitis and a broken ring finger, it appears a sprained ankle could finally ground the Birdman. The Denver center limped off the court on Thursday night after turning his ankle on a block attempt.  Andersen has been a sold source of blocks all year long but could miss some time as a result of the injury. However with Denver struggling in the tightly contested Western conference, it would not be surprising if he Andersen gutted out the remaining games on the Nuggets schedule. Even if he plays the sprained ankle will limit his effectiveness and make elevating for blocks much more difficult.

Kirk Hinrich, Rip Hamilton
Two guards in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference are also battling sprained ankles, as Chicago's Kirk Hinrich and Detroit's Rip Hamilton are question marks heading into the weekend. Sprained ankles are difficult to play with especially when the body is fatigued from a long grueling season.  Fatigue negatively affects a body's postural control and ability to recover so ankle sprains late in the season can be much harder to overcome than those sustained early in the year. Hinrich turned his left ankle in the first half of a recent loss to Phoenix and was seen wearing a walking boot the next day. Hinrich has returned to practice but consider looking elsewhere if healthier options are available. Hamilton sprained his ankle late in a game against the Bulls and missed Detroit's next contest against Miami. Hamilton has limped his way through most of the season and has played in only 46 games in what has easily been his worst season since his rookie year. Consider Hamilton's ankle injury a good excuse to finally cut him loose.


The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

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The End Game
April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
By Jeff Stotts • March 26, 2010 • 5:10 PM
Don't be afraid to bench a big name in favor of someone that's actually playing.

The long grind of the NBA season is nearing its conclusion. With teams battling for playoff positioning and in some cases out right playoff berths, injured players will be more inclined to play through pain. Unfortunately this puts fantasy owners in a tough spot as they try to field a team that is going to put them in the best position to win.  Evaluate a player’s recent numbers and don’t be afraid to bench a big name player if his numbers are suffering as a result of a lingering injury.

Tyreke Evans
A rogue elbow has done what most defenses around the league have failed to do, stop rookie guard Tyreke Evans. Evans took an inadvertent elbow to the face that left him with a concussion, lacerated gums, and a chipped tooth.  The Kings have played three games already without their star and have already ruled him out of Sacramento’s remaining two games this week. Evans attempted to practice on Thursday but was forced to stop after experiencing headaches.

While normally a hot topic in the NFL, concussions are on the rise among NBA players.  A list of players to suffer concussions in recent seasons includes Charlotte’s Gerald Wallace, Houston’s Trevor Ariza, and Indiana’s Danny Granger. A concussion occurs when a blow to the head or face temporary disrupts basic neurological functions such as vision, balance, and memory.  Unfortunately grading the severity of a concussion has become difficult as multiple systems are utilized by various medical organizations. The most widely accepted grading systems are based on the athlete’s loss of consciousness and degree of symptoms.  Since Evans did not lose consciousness, his concussion would be considered a Grade I or Grade II concussion. Exertional headaches, like the one Evans experienced on Thursday, are a common symptom following a Grade I or II concussion. The headaches should be considered a minor setback, as the majority of concussion protocols require an athlete to be symptom free for 24 hours before they are allowed to return to play.

Rest is the best treatment and while Evans will not be a participant this week, he could return for the Kings’ three games next week. Cross your fingers that the headaches resolve themselves and Evans is able to return.

Stephen Jackson
Already dealing with a bruised right heel, Bobcats guard Stephen Jackson recently revealed he is also dealing with an injury to his left index finger.  While the finger is not fractured, Captain Jack has called the injury a bruised ligament at the top of the knuckle.  The injury site and description suggest the injury is to the palmar ligament of the third metacarpophalangeal joint. This ligament is very thick and intertwined with the transverse metacarpal ligament stabilizing the joint and anchoring the flexor tendons of the finger. An injury to this area would cause pain in flexion like when shooting or palming a basketball. Jackson said he has been dealing with this issue for over a month, which would explain his subpar shooting in March. Since the calendar changed, Jackson has shot just above 40 percent from the field in Charlotte’s 14 games. While he emerged from his slump on Wednesday, scoring 37 points on 15-of-24 shooting, expect Jackson’s shot to be erratic as he plays through the finger injury.

Lou Williams
Philadelphia guard Lou Williams continues to miss time with a sore back and has now missed three of the Sixers’ last six games. When the muscles of the lower back are strained, the tissue becomes inflamed. The resulting inflammation leads to pain and spasm, entering the affected player into a vicious cycle. Spasms lead to pain which results in more spasms and subsequently more pain. Until the cycle is broken, low back injuries tend to linger giving the athlete problems for an extended period of time. Modalities such as electrical stimulation and heat are often utilized to loosen the lower muscles of the back and control the spasm and limit pain.  Unfortunately for fantasy owners now is not the time for patience and given the uncertainty surrounding Williams other, more reliable options should be considered for the remainder of the season.

Marc Gasol
Marc Gasol has been a spectator for Memphis’ last five games as he nurses a strained neck. Strains to the neck usually involve the upper trapezius, strenocleidomastoid, scalenes, splenius capitis, and/or the splenius cervicus.  Neck strains can act similarly to lower back strains becoming spasmodic and painful. Strains to this area are often complicated by muscle guarding that limits the afflicted person’s ability to rotate their head.  Obviously an inability to turn your head would greatly impact one’s ability to play basketball.  Gasol has received extended treatment and is optimistic he will able to return on Sunday when the Grizzlies travel to Milwaukee. Rookie Hasheem Thabeet has filled in admirably for his injured teammate and may be worth a look for teams in keeper leagues.

Shane Battier
The Rockets have been without their defensive ace for the last three games as Shane Battier is dealing with a sprained medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his left knee. He suffered the injury after he collided with teammate Kyle Lowry while battling for an offensive rebound. An MRI confirmed the minor sprain and Battier has since begun treatment and rehabilitation. The MCL is a primary stabilizer of the knee and prevents excessive valgus or inward forces applied to the knee. Following a sprain at this site, the stability and range of motion of the knee is compromised and may be limited making lateral movement difficult. A decrease in lateral stability is particularly damaging to a defensive stalwart like Battier who makes a living on staying in front of his man on the defensive end. With the fantasy playoffs underway, owners cannot afford to keep a hobbled Battier on their rosters. Battier’s absence and minor injuries to teammates Jared Jeffries and Jordan Hill have resulted in an increase in minutes for rookie Chase Budinger but his fantasy value remains low.


The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

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Fantasy Playoffs Mean Tough Decisions
April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
By Jeff Stotts • March 19, 2010 • 4:25 PM
The fantasy playoffs are upon us and that means fantasy owners may face several difficult roster decisions.

While a player may have been an integral part of your squad making the playoffs, owners cannot afford to lose games to injuries in a tightly contested matchup. If a player isn't capable of suiting up for you, remember he can't suit up for anyone else either. Don't hesitate to drop a player that is scheduled to miss several games or is on the verge of being shutdown for the remainder of the season.

Andrei Kirilenko and Luol Deng
Both Chicago's Luol Deng and Utah's Andrei Kirilenko experienced setbacks in their respective battles with calf injuries. Deng has missed four games with a strained left calf and is expected to miss the next several games as well after aggravating the injury when he attempted to test out the leg on Wednesday. Kirilenko also attempted a comeback on Wednesday, but like Deng he aggravated his injury in Utah game against Minnesota.

Calf injuries have been a common injury this season with Deng and Kirilenko joining the likes of Mike Miller and Dwyane Wade as players to miss time with calf strains. As discussed in last week's column, the calf consists of two muscles known as the gastrocnemius and the soleus. These muscles conjoin in the Achilles' tendon and attach to the heel of the foot. Primarily responsible for pointing the foot (plantar flexion), the calf is also utilized in lower leg flexion. The calf is vital in accelerating and jumping, leaving it very susceptible to irritation and aggravation. While Kirilenko and Deng have each had resurgent seasons, the uncertainty surrounding the pair makes them a risky play going forward. Owners fortunate to secure a first-round bye may be able to wait things out but for everyone else it may be time to look elsewhere.

Joe Johnson
Atlanta Hawks All Star Joe Johnson is also dealing with a calf ailment. However unlike Deng and Kirilenko, Johnson's injury is to his Achilles' tendon and not the muscle itself.  Muscle strains can occur within the muscle belly but also in the tendon or neighboring fascia. Regardless of the location, Achilles' strains and tears limit plantar flexion and cause pain that worsens with weight-bearing and running. Johnson's injury is being called soreness, which means it is likely a minor strain. The guard has missed the Hawks' last two contests and is questionable for Friday's contest against the Bobcats. However with Johnson's ability to produce extremely valuable fantasy numbers, he is worth hanging onto and fantasy owners should show patience.

Stephen Jackson
Charlotte guard Stephen Jackson missed a recent practice nursing a bruised right heel. Heel contusions are commonplace in basketball due to the constant stop-and-go action and jumping that occurs within the sport.  Fortunately for Jackson, heel contusions are easy to manage. A protective heel cup or shock-absorbent insert can be utilized to limit pain and allow the athlete to participate in activity. Jackson plans on playing Friday but keep an eye on reports out of Charlotte if the condition worsens.

Danny Granger
Injuries continue to pile up for Indiana's franchise player, as Danny Granger will be sidelined indefinitely with a facial injury. Granger sustained the injury when he was inadvertently elbowed in the cheek. Fortunately a CT scan was negative for any serious head or neck injuries but the Pacers will be cautious with their young All-Star. The Indiana athletic training staff will monitor Granger for signs and symptoms of a concussion. A concussion occurs when trauma to the head or face results in a temporary disruption of basic neurological functions such as vision, balance, and memory. Most standard concussion protocols require an athlete to be symptom free for 24 hours before they are allowed to return to play.  Injuries and suspensions have forced Granger to miss 22 games already and it appears he will miss at least a few more.  Dahntay Jones started in Granger's place on Wednesday but is not a solid fantasy replacement.

Wilson Chandler
New York is considering shutting down Wilson Chandler with a nagging left groin injury. With the Knicks long out of contention, it appears the team will likely avoid taking any risks with the forward. The groin is responsible for adduction and is prime component of lateral movement. Strains of this area can be particularly painful and limiting and often require extended rest. Recently acquired Bill Walker started New York's first game without Chandler, scoring eight points in 23 minutes. While Walker's initial outing was disappointing, he was plagued by foul trouble and has shown a propensity to score. He has scored over 20 points in four games this month, including a 23-point performance against the Mavericks. At this point, Chandler is expendable and Walker is worth consideration.

Stephen Curry
Golden State rookie Stephen Curry received good news on Thursday when an MRI showed no evidence of a fracture in his ailing left ankle. Instead the team is calling it a mild sprain and do not consider the injury significant. Curry initially turned the ankle in pre-game warmups prior to Wednesday's game against New Orleans.  On a team marred by injuries, Curry's absence was surprisingly the first game missed for the sharp-shooting rookie.  Fantasy owners can breath easy as Curry will travel with the team on its two-game road trip to San Antonio and Memphis.  C.J. Watson started in place of Curry but has entered a mini-slump. The veteran has failed to score in double-digits in his last three outings and is too inconsistent to be considered as a suitable replacement.

Thaddeus Young
Just as he was entering a groove, Sixers forward Thaddeus Young will miss an extended period of time with a fractured right thumb and is currently wearing a removable cast on his hand. Fortunately the fracture occurred to his non-shooting hand making a late season return possible.  Immobilization and inflammation management is key for a quick return. In the meantime, Andre Iguodala will shift over to the forward spot vacated by Young while Willie Green and Louis Williams will see action at the open guard position. 


The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.

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Snake-Bitten
April 9, 2010 • 11:12 AM
By Jeff Stotts • March 12, 2010 • 5:22 PM
A long season is beginning to take its toll on players across the league as the injury bug continues to rear its ugly head.

Some teams -- like the Portland Trailblazers and Chicago Bulls -- seem snake-bitten with a long injury list, while some teams remain unscathed.  Hopefully your fantasy roster does not mirror one of these afflicted teams and you remain in the playoff picture in your league.

The Chicago Bulls
As mentioned the Bulls remain an injury-riddled team. To begin, center Joakim Noah remains sidelined with plantar fasciitis. The Bulls elected to shut down their top rebounder for three weeks to rest the inflamed connective tissue in his feet. While he continues to progress and is no longer wearing a protective walking boot, he remains at least two weeks away.  Plantar fasciitis can be extremely painful and is easily irritated. Continued irritation on the inside of the foot can lead to the development of a heel spur at the attachment site of the plantar fascia, an issue best addressed with surgical intervention. Fantasy owners would be wise to explore other options with the Bulls struggling and the fantasy playoffs on the horizon. Noah isn't the only Bull dealing with plantar fasciitis as rookie Taj Gibson continues to play with the condition in both feet.

Bulls forward Luol Deng remains shelved with a strained right calf muscle.  Calf strains have bothered several players this season including Mike Miller and Elton Brand, forcing them to miss extended time. However the strain of Deng's gastrocnemius muscle does not appear to be quite as serious and is likely a Grade I strain.  Despite a pessimistic outlook by Head Coach Vinny Del Negro, Deng hopes to play on March 16 when the Bulls travel to Memphis. James Johnson has replaced Deng in the starting lineup but has not done enough to warrant fantasy consideration.

Center Brad Miller is playing with a thumb injury that limited him to two points on Thursday in a loss to the Magic. Thumb injuries have been discussed in detail in the past weeks with veterans Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce and remain extremely problematic for NBA players.  However Miller's injury is not considered as severe as those of Pierce and O'Neal and should not require him to miss an extended period of time. Instead, the veteran will continue to play and could be a solid fantasy addition as he remains the lone big in the depleted Chicago frontcourt.

Unfortunately All-Star point guard Derrick Rose has now joined his teammates in the training room with an injury of his own. Rose suffered a sprained left wrist after colliding with Magic center Dwight Howard for the second time in a month. Rose limped away from the first collision with a bruised hip that nearly forced him from the All-Star game. While X-rays were negative, Rose will undergo a MRI later on Friday to determine the severity of the sprain. The wrist is made up of eight tiny carpal bones that rely on numerous ligaments to connect each one. Unfortunately this makeup leaves it very susceptible to injury. Rose owners will have to wait patiently on the MRI results and should keep their fingers crossed that it is a minor sprain.  While Rose could potentially play with a wrist sprain it would negatively affect his shooting and dribbling ability. Jannero Pargo replaced Rose in the second half of the game against the Magic and will likely fill in again on Friday if Rose remains sidelined.

Kenyon Martin
Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin continues to battle patellar tendinitis as well as a small tear in his patellar tendon. The patellar tendon attaches the quadriceps muscle to the lower leg and the patella actually is embedded within the tendon.  Basketball players are highly prone to developing tendinitis in this area and the condition is commonly referred to as Jumper's Knee.  However the partial tear is bit more serious and is likely causing Martin a great deal of pain and resulting in significant inflammation. Martin is aggressively rehabbing and is undergoing a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) infusion in attempt to speed up the healing process. Remember Portland guard Brandon Roy underwent the same procedure to recover quicker from a strained hamstring. In the procedure a sample of the athlete's blood is taken and broken down in a centrifuge.  The protein-concentrated sample is filled with platelets, the component of blood responsible for clotting and injected into the injury site. By increasing the platelet count, the body's natural healing response is accelerated and can work more efficiently. The PPR infusion may allow for Martin to return in time for a playoff run, it is unlikely he will hold much fantasy value for the remainder of the season.

Andris Biedrins
The Warriors will be without their tallest player as center Andris Biedrins is out for the remainder of the season after undergoing successful surgery to repair a tear in his abdominal wall. Biedrins was suffering from athletic pubalgia, a condition that affects the cartilage that conjoins the pubic bones known as the pubic symphysis. As repetitive forces are forced through the pubic symphysis they are redirected through the groin and abdominal muscles resulting in microtears. These tears lead to weakness and instability in the abdominal wall and inguinal canal and can result in a hernia. In the process the athlete suffers from localized pain in groin and abdominals and has difficulty carrying out basic hip function. In surgery, the herniated protrusion is re-established and the weakened area is reinforced with a surgical mesh to prevent reoccurrence. Golden State is calling the surgery a success but Biedrins will miss the rest of the year.  With teammate Ronny Turiaf nursing a knee injury, Anthony Tolliver has taken over the center position in Head Coach Don Nelson's small-ball lineup.  Tolliver has performed well averaging 11.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks over the last five games. Fantasy owners should quickly cut Biedrins loose and should take a look at Tolliver to fill the void.


The views expressed by RotoWire.com represent only the views of  the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA  team.




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