Manu Ginobli will sit out the rest of the season.

Well, folks, I have torn myself away from my passion project—the musicalization of Sir Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene set against the radical backdrop of Harlem during the 1970s while incorporating “Across 110^th Street” as a recurring musical motif and electing to glorify Pam Grier circa 1976 rather than Queen Elizabeth I—to write this final entry of Where the West Is Best, wherein I give you the key by which you win your league and the ensuing billions of dollars that go to the winner of your league.  Or not. 

 

(As was the case last week) if there is little to report coming from one of these teams, there will be little reported, as there are fewer of you who need this column than usual.  Yeah, I’m discriminating against all of you losers.  If you wanted to still have me write to you, well, you can go see my musical when it blows up. 

 

Southwest Division

 

Dallas Mavericks

Josh Howard is simply going to have to be monitored on a day-to-day basis, as he missed action Friday night after having played two straight upon returning from an 11-game absence.  He played Sunday, though.

 

Houston Rockets

Chuck Hayes has grabbed ten rebounds in two of his past four games.  Unfortunately, in the other two games, he corralled a total of three in 15 minutes of play.  It is a risk to be sure, but he could help if you find yourself in a tight rebounding race. 

 

Memphis Grizzlies

Not that it really matters for your fantasy team, but the Grizzlies have won four straight.  Weird.

 

New Orleans Hornets

James Posey is still expected to miss the next three Hornets games, but Peja Stojakovic has returned after a 15-game absence.  This means Julian Wright’s brief spike in value can be expected to take an immediate hit. 

 

Tyson Chandler is no longer using the walking boot and may make a return before the playoffs commence. 

 

San Antonio Spurs

Closing out what can only be deemed a complete and utter disappointment of a season, Manu Ginobli has shut it down for the rest of this season after the condition of his right ankle that has plagued him all season worsened.  This compounds the issues that San Antonio already has with Tim Duncan having needed rest on the second half of back-to-back days down the stretch here.  What this means for fantasy owners who are trying to capitalize on value down the stretch by streaming as many players as possible is that role players on the Spurs are going to be called upon more and more over the past week-plus.  Look for Roger Mason, Jr., Drew Gooden, Matt Bonner, and Michael Finley to get more minutes and looks on the offensive side of things.    

 

 

Northwest Division 

 

Denver Nuggets

Kenyon Martin is taking his time coming back from a left rib strain.  Owners feign outrage at the once relevant fantasy option.  As long as K-Mart sits, Renaldo Balkman gets more playing time. 

 

Minnesota Timberwolves

Don’t look now, but Shelden Williams (yes, that Shelden Williams) has not just managed to get into back-to-back games, but he has scored double-digits in two straight.  Sunday saw him put up a double-double.  His increased playing time may only be the result of Craig Smith being out with a strained calf and Kevin Love missing action with flu like symptoms, but these are dire straits, dude, and Williams is your love-struck Romeo, Juliet.  Go get him, sweetheart.       

 

Oklahoma City Thunder

The underwhelming play of the Thunder has led Sen. John Cornyn (R – Tex) to introduce a bill urging for Puerto Rico to usurp Oklahoma as the 50^th state.  Under terms of the bill, Oklahoma reverts to territorial status.

 

Portland Trail Blazers

The youths of Portland have gathered with tear-stained cheeks to throw their Greg Oden into a pile next to an awaiting manure truck.

 

Utah Jazz

Jerry Sloan is considering moving Carlos Boozer to the bench in favor of Paul Millsap.  Millsap has been playing more fluidly than Boozer, and doesn’t have the knock against him of having gone to Duke.  Boozer, the consummate team-first player, stated that he absolutely wanted to start, even after having stunk up the joint in losses at Denver and to Minnesota, shooting a putrid .250 from the field in 32 attempts.    

 

 

Pacific Division

 

Golden State Warriors

Corey Maggette is sitting with post concussion syndrome.  Monta Ellis has missed two straight with a sore left ankle.  Marco Belinelli has now missed 11 straight with a right ankle injury.  Andris Biedrins may not return this season.  Stephen Jackson is out for the season. 

 

All of this means you can finally feel safe about relying on guys like Kelenna Azubuike (30 points and 15 boards Sunday), Anthony Randolph (double-digit rebounds in five straight games), and Anthony Morrow (19.0 PPG and 19 threes made in his past six games).   

 

Los Angeles Clippers

Marcus Camby looks to be done for the season.  Feel free to drop him anytime.

 

Zach Randolph was arrested for drunken driving. 

 

Brian Skinner will be getting quite a bit of playing time.

 

Good stuff…

 

Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Bynum could return as early as Thursday.  Having been out since January 31^st, Bynum is available in nearly half of Yahoo! leagues and one-third of ESPN leagues.  Even in a limited role, he could be a difference-maker if you’re in need of some quick blocks or rebounds.

 

Phoenix Suns

Leandro Barbosa has now played in two straight games.  Owners tentatively insert him into their lineups waiting for the Suns guard to screw them with another injury upon having been reinserted into their lineup. 

 

Sacramento Kings

The Kings have six remaining games.  Bum rush all available Kings if you’ve got some ground to make up.  It can’t hurt.

 

Oh, and by all available Kings, I mean the ones who actually play.  Andres Nocioni, Jason Thompson, Spencer Hawes, Francisco Garcia, Beno Udrih, Donte Green, Bobby Jackson, and *gulp* even Rashad McCants.  I guess… 

 

 

Josh Duggan welcomes your comments at mister.josh.duggan@gmail.com.  If you are going to heave insults in his direction, at least be funny and creative.  He is also the author of a Kansas City Royals blog, Royalscentricity, and a pop culture blog, Inconsiderate Prick.