This article is part of our NBA Injury Analysis series.
Joakim Noah
In last week's column I cautioned fantasy owners about the risk associated with Noah's still healing shoulder. Sadly, those concerns appear warranted as Noah reinjured his left shoulder just four games into his return from a previous sprain. The Bulls center suffered a left shoulder dislocation early in the second quarter of the team's loss to the Mavericks and left the court in pain. There was some initial confusion about what area of the shoulder was injured but a MRI taken the following day revealed the dislocation.
The damaged associated with the injury is significant and Noah is scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming days. While the Bulls have not confirmed specifics, it is likely Noah tore his labrum, creating a significant instability in the shoulder.
When a shoulder is dislocated, the joint involved is the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder, medically known to as the glenohumeral (GH) joint. The GH joint is formed where the humerus and the shoulder blade unite and loosely resembles a golf ball and tee. The rounded head of the humerus serves as the golf ball with a groove in the shoulder blade known as the glenoid acting as the tee. By design, the ball (head of the humerus) can freely pivot on the tee (glenoid) allowing for a large degree of motion in the joint. However, the extra mobility comes at the cost of stability, making the GH joint vulnerable to subluxations and dislocations. To reinforce the area, the GH joint
Joakim Noah
In last week's column I cautioned fantasy owners about the risk associated with Noah's still healing shoulder. Sadly, those concerns appear warranted as Noah reinjured his left shoulder just four games into his return from a previous sprain. The Bulls center suffered a left shoulder dislocation early in the second quarter of the team's loss to the Mavericks and left the court in pain. There was some initial confusion about what area of the shoulder was injured but a MRI taken the following day revealed the dislocation.
The damaged associated with the injury is significant and Noah is scheduled to undergo surgery in the coming days. While the Bulls have not confirmed specifics, it is likely Noah tore his labrum, creating a significant instability in the shoulder.
When a shoulder is dislocated, the joint involved is the ball-and-socket joint of the shoulder, medically known to as the glenohumeral (GH) joint. The GH joint is formed where the humerus and the shoulder blade unite and loosely resembles a golf ball and tee. The rounded head of the humerus serves as the golf ball with a groove in the shoulder blade known as the glenoid acting as the tee. By design, the ball (head of the humerus) can freely pivot on the tee (glenoid) allowing for a large degree of motion in the joint. However, the extra mobility comes at the cost of stability, making the GH joint vulnerable to subluxations and dislocations. To reinforce the area, the GH joint is equipped with the cartilaginous labrum. The labrum deepens the glenoid and provides more surface area and security. Furthermore, surrounding muscles, connective tissue and soft tissue add additional stability to the area.
However, all of these structures can be damaged when the humerus is forced out of alignment with repetitive or excessive force. The labrum can tear in a variety of patterns and in an assortment of locations. Based on Noah's previous comments, he may have very well disrupted the labrum following his first injury while his latest incident exacerbated the damage. The Bulls expect him to be out four-to-six months following surgery, effectively ending his season. A return next season is possible, though where that will be remains unclear for the impending free agent. In the meantime, Chicago will rely on Taj Gibson and rookie Bobby Portis to fill the minutes left by Noah's absence. Both are worth consideration in all formats.
DeAndre Jordan
The Clippers center has missed two straight games battling pneumonia. The forced absence ended Jordan's streak of 360 consecutive games played. Oddly enough, the streak started following a two-game absence for pneumonia during the 2010-11 season.
Pneumonia is a condition that directly affects the lungs, specifically the tiny sacs involved in gas exchange. A bacteria or virus is the most common cause of pneumonia, with bacterial pneumonia being the most likely form. In most cases, the condition resolves with rest and antibiotics, though the effects of the inflammation can linger in athletes, negatively impacting their conditioning. As a result, Jordan owners may want to give him time to work his way back into shape even after he is cleared to return. Following his last bout with pneumonia, Jordan averaged 5.0 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in his first week (four games) back before improving those numbers to 9.3 points and 9.5 rebounds per game in the subsequent six.
Fast Breaks
Kobe Bryant
Lingering soreness in his surgically repaired shoulder and Achilles continues to limit the Black Mamba in his farewell season. After piecing together a respectable stretch of play in December, Bryant has yo-yoed in and out of the lineup, missing four of the last 10 games. He's failed to score in double-figures in four of those six games and is no longer a trustworthy fantasy option.
Mike Conley
The Memphis point guard is considered questionable for Memphis' annual MLK Day game. Conley has missed six straight games due to soreness in his left Achilles. The specifics regarding the situation remain limited, making it difficult to pinpoint a concrete return date. Look for Mario Chalmers to continue to see extra minutes, as it is likely Conley will be eased back into the rotation upon his return.
Derrick Favors
Utah continues to play without its starting power forward as back spasms have forced Favors out of 13 consecutive games. He has begun traveling with team though an exact return date remains up in the air. As frustrating as the situation is, fantasy owners must continue to exhibit patience and keep him on the bench until Favors has proven he can play heavy minutes without the issue flaring up. Rookie Trey Lyles continues to start in his place and has played well of late. Lyles is worth consideration in daily leagues and may have some long-term value in keeper formats.
Brandon Jennings
The Pistons guard hurt his left ankle over the weekend and his status for Monday's game is in doubt. Normally a "jammed" ankle with a clean MRI wouldn't be a cause for serious concern but don't be surprised if the Pistons opt to conservatively manage the situation, given that the injury occurred on the same side as Jennings' previously torn Achilles. Any instability in the area could put undue stress on the calf and Achilles and that's simply a risk not worth taking.
Victor Oladipo
Oladipo suffered a sprained knee in Orlando's lone game last week and will not be available to start the upcoming week. An MRI taken of the knee revealed a mild sprain though the exact ligament affected was not revealed. The team is optimistic he could return Wednesday against the 76ers but will continue to evaluate the injury over the next few days. The timing is unfortunate as Oladipo was in the midst of his best basketball of the season, taking advantage of an ankle injury to teammate Elfrid Payton. Payton is expected to return to the starting lineup Monday in place of the injured Oladipo.
