Well yeah sometimes. Here’s a look at some significant injuries to big time players and the subsequent fantasy aftermath. Many H2H leagues enter the playoffs this week, and managers in roto leagues are doing whatever they can to make up points in any category to edge out the competition. Either way, if you’re in the mix you gotta be paying attention right now. Yes, I know your fantasy baseball draft is tomorrow, American Idol is heating up, and there’s some celebrities dancing or something, but… FOCUS!

Ray Allen: Out for the season.
You might expect #2 option Rashard Lewis to benefit from Jesus Shuttlesworth throwing in the towel, but opposing defenses will be honing in on the sharpshooter, hampering his shooting percentage (36.3% in his last 3 games). Damien Wilkins has been starting in Allen’s place and is a decent pickup.  He’ll score and tally some thefts, but not much else. Other beneficiaries include Chris Wilcox (averaging 21 and 13 in his last four), Luke Ridnour (expect an uptick across the board), and Earl Watson (particularly from behind the arc).

Paul Pierce: Being re-evaluated and considering shutting it down.
“I want to see what’s going to be better for me in the long run,” Pierce said. “I feel like I have five or six more good years. That’s what’s important to me right now.” –Boston Globe
The Truth has certainly endured a rough year and he is understandably more concerned about his career than playing out the rest of the 2006-07 season.
If/when P-Dub calls it quits, you’ll see the usual suspects (West, Rondo, Green) pick up the slack, but Gerald Green is definitely the guy you should preemptively target. We’ve thoroughly discussed the talented G-Money this year, so you know all about the upside. There is no reason to hold the youngster back any longer, so he is definitely primed for a breakout final month.  Pick him up now and he could help seal the deal on your fantasy hoops championship.

Mike Miller: Out indefinitely.
White Mike is sitting out with knee tendonitis, so don’t expect him back anytime soon.  Who benefits? Dahntay Jones and Tarence Kinsey, of course. Huh? Well it’s not like the Grizzlies are actually trying to win any more games this year.  I’d like to think that Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick would be the ones to finish the year strong, but they’ve both been kinda sketchy lately. Nobody really stood out in last night’s game at Phoenix, so we might have to wait and see on this one.

Brad Miller: Out indefinitely.
DM predicted Miller would suck this year, and now to add injury to insult Sactown’s center is capping off his lost season with a nifty case of plantar fasciitis. With both Kenny Thomas and Miller sidelined there are big minutes to be had upfront, but don’t hold your breath for a late season breakout from either Shareef or Corliss Williamson.  SAR is in the starting lineup and can be a decent #2 center down the stretch.  Other than that, I suspect Mike Bibby will continue on his recent tear to make up for his own disappointing season.