Special - January 14, 2007
Fantasy Basketball
Each month I make mention of the importance of avoiding injury prone players such Chris Webber, Tracy McGrady, and Baron Davis. However, this year the injury bug has hit the most unlikely of players. Players not often hurt have been lost for weeks as well as months. When one finally comes back, another one goes down. Worse, yet, for fantasy teams are that many of these injuries have taken place simultaneously, or so it seems. If the number of players hurt was not bad enough consider that many of them are of star caliber. Looking at an injury list is almost like looking at the All-Star ballot. It is enough to make anyone want to cry.    
Now is not the time, however, to adopt the “woe is me” attitude. While it is true that these injuries make winning difficult, it is not impossible. Depending how decimated your team is, the goal should be to hold serve until your players return.

The first thing you need to do is look at your roster. How many players are hurt? How many of these injured players are expected back in less than a month? Going by the standard fantasy rules which allow three bench spots, holding on to anymore than two inactive players is ludicrous especially if at least two of them are out for more than a month. You may make an exception for players such as Chauncey Billups and Shaq, both of whom may have returned before this article was posted.

Now that you have made the decision that one or more players must go how do you decide which ones? An easy answer would be to get rid of the worst ones first. It makes sense but is it not the correct way to look at the situation. While no one wants to give up a Chris Paul, trading a player of this level (injured or not) will allow you to get solid players back in return. On the other hand one dimensional players like Peja Stojakovic are near impossible to move when banged up.

Making trades many times is the best way to go. However, from my experiences I have found it near impossible in many leagues to make a deal. Many times you either have inactive owners who fail to check their teams on a regular basis or you have guys that demand far too much for their players. The alternative is to try to find temporary help though the waiver wire. While it is true that by this time of the year most decent players have already been taken, there are still some out there. Many players are receiving considerably more playing time in the absence of their comrades. If you are in need of rebounding Dikembe Mutombo would do just fine. He also is a solid option for blocks. The absence of Yao Ming has also led to good production from Mutombo’s front court mate, Juwan Howard. Howard has been a double-double machine over the past few weeks. If you are in need of assists you may want to keep your eye on Damon Stoudamire whose production has improved since Memphis fired Coach Mike Fratello.

Players not worth hanging on to would be those whose injuries will keep them out of action for more then a few months; this excludes franchise players. You have to remember that the most important weeks in the fantasy world (fantasy playoffs) are the least important for NBA teams (final weeks of the season). This means teams that are not going anywhere will be reluctant to bring back some of their players. Also, teams that have clinched a playoff birth are likely to rest their banged up people during this period.

Now that you have a plan “B” there should be no more moaning and groaning over bumps and bruises. If you find yourself needing a plan “C”, all I can say is enjoy the extra time on your hands because you’re not making the playoffs. I also promise that no matter who gets hurt, next month I will not discuss injuries.                  
-Matt Amitrano

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