Wednesday, September 3, 2008

Manu Ginobili down, etc.

So this is the first-ever post on "The Pulse", and I'm happy/excited to get going. You'll find our writers posting every so often about the craziness of working at fantasybasketball.com, or simply some stats they found intriguing. Before I start up, I should mention that our draft guide will be available VERY soon! September 1 was the original release date, but now it's looking like later this week is more realistic. You probably know about Manu Ginobili's Olympic-sized ankle injury/surgery, but we're going to cover it in greater detail today.

He's been diagnosed with a posterior impingement in his left ankle, and is scheduled
 to undergo arthroscopic surgery this week. From what I've read on this injury, it's caused by numerous ankle sprains that eventually lead to a "blocking" feeling when you try to flex your foot. Things like jumping and cutting are the most affected activities. Running, I'm sure, is the same way - especially the start/stop sprinting that happens in the NBA. 

The Spurs will set a timetable for his return after a (hopefully) successful surgery, but the normal recovery time is four-to-six weeks in most athletes. It'd be smart not to expect Ginobili to play at 100% until mid-to-late November, which doesn't destroy his draft position despite an obvious deflation. Drop Ginobili to a late-fifth/sixth-round pick if you're a risk taker. 

The guy to target in his wake: 

Ime Udoka: As a decent three-point shooter and solid defender, Udoka is sure to see extended playing time through the first few weeks of the season. Michael Finley will cut into his ceiling stats, but if Udoka produces, the feeling here is that the team would be fine with letting Finley ride the pine.

In other news... The Heat gave Jamaal Magloire new life in Miami. I like him because of his name, but I have no idea how he convinced Pat Riley to sign him. Blackmail? I say yes... Donyell Marshall signed with the 76ers, which solidifies their no. 6 forward spot... Russia trying to poach Ben Gordon? More on this tomorrow.

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