Give Me The Rock
this is fantasy basketball
Pau Gasol will miss at least the next three games for the Lakers with a sprained left ankle. According to the AFP:
He [Gasol] is to undergo further medical evaluation in the next few days to determine how long he might be sidelined. The Lakers return home next Friday to face Seattle. Lakers coach Phil Jackson sounded an ominous note by saying after Friday’s game that “I would be ecstatic if he only missed the next three (games).”
The way the injury has been described, I’d also be surprised if Gasol only missed three games. According to the LA Times, “Gasol missed about two weeks after sustaining a sprained ankle in training camp that produced ‘similar pain, a similar reaction.’”
If previous history is any indication, then Ronny Turiaf will be starting at center for the Lakers while Gasol is out. The 6-10 Turiaf started in 12 games this season, averaging 9.8 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.7 blocks in about 26 minutes a game. Throwing those numbers into the GMTR player rater and Turiaf would be ranked 168th on the year, just behind Eduardo Najera. So, I wouldn’t be rushing out to grab Turiaf.
Instead of Turiaf, I’m going to recommend you check out my irrational man crush, Luke Walton, who pulled down a 6/6/7 with 2 steals and 1 block in only 20 minutes in the Lakers last game. He’s had trouble both staying healthy and getting minutes, but the Lakers are running out of options at this point in the season and Walton will get his minutes. Also, Vladimir Radmanovic (the bastard who hurt Gasol – point all hate mail here) got 33 minutes of play in the Lakers last game and finished with 13 points, 6 boards, and 2 steals. Expect a good amount of points and threes from Vlad Rad going forward over the next couple weeks.
Of course, the guy who really benefits from the Gasol injury (in fantasy only, of course) is Kobe Bryant. In the two games between the original Gasol trade and when he actually suited up for the Lakers, Kobe scored 76 points. So, I’d expect him to average 38 points a game from here to the end of the season, right?
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