Kevin Garnett, Rashard Lewis, Ray Allen and Zach Randolph are all in the Eastern Conference now, which has many NBA fans wondering: Has the balance of power shifted from West to East? Things have definitely evened out a bit for next season, but what about the long-term outlook? I explore these questions in my latest column.
Author: John Paulsen (Page 775 of 937)
Los Angeles Clippers forward Elton Brand ruptured his left Achilles tendon during his usual workout routine.
Achilles tendon injuries typically sideline NBA players for at least a year, which would theoretically threaten Brand’s availability for all of the 2007-08 season.
But ESPN.com’s Marc Stein reports that the Clippers have received a preliminary medical indication that Brand will be sidelined only six months. If so, Brand would be in line for a comeback in February.
The Clippers are already a bubble playoff team in the West, and this injury all but ruins the team’s season. Without their best player, they don’t have much of a chance to stay afloat until his potential comeback in February. It’s a shame when this happens to anyone, but it’s especially tough when it happens to a class act such as Brand. The league will miss his competitiveness and hustle this season.
What happens when you draft a player who doesn’t want to play for your team? Ask Bucks GM Larry Harris, who finds himself engaged in a standoff with draft pick Yi Jianlian, the Chinese import who apparently wants nothing to do with Milwaukee. In my latest column, I discuss who’s to blame for the continuing standoff.
The blockbuster trade that we discussed yesterday is now in the books:
The Celtics acquired Garnett, a 10-time All-Star and the NBA MVP in 2004, from Minnesota in exchange for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, a 2009 first-round draft pick and a return of Minnesota’s conditional first-round pick previously obtained in the Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade.
The Celtics, now with three hungry vets looking for rings (Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen), quickly become a legimate contender in the East. Minnesota will add Al Jefferson (as well as Gerald Green and Ryan Gomes) to a core group that also includes Randy Foye and Corey Brewer. The ‘Wolves are clearly in full rebuilding mode.
But back to the C’s, who definitely got the better end of the deal in the short term. As part of the trade, KG agreed to a three-year extension which will keep him in Boston through the 2011-12 season.
Garnett in green? This is going to be fun to watch.
(Kobe has to be pissed.)
Frank Gore broke a bone in his right hand during a non-contact ball-handling drill, and may not play in the preseason. HC Mike Nolan said that he will be ready to go by the end of the preseason.
Chester Taylor was carted off the practice field this morning with a shoulder/arm injury. The specifics of the injury are still unknown.
Fantasy impact: I wouldn’t worry too much about Gore’s injury. If he’s ready for the regular season, he should be OK. However, he may not be in the best of shape come September, so you may want to ratchet down his projections a bit. If Taylor’s injury turns out to be serious, this is obviously a huge boost for Adrian Peterson. If Taylor is out, Peterson suddenly becomes a second or third round pick.
8/1 Update: Taylor’s X-rays were negative and the injury was diagnosed as a forearm bruise, which is good news for Taylor and bad news for Peterson’s draft stock.
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