Kobe’s injury is being called an avulsion fracture, which is basically the best type of fracture since it only involves a small bone fragment. Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Kobe battled his way to 20 points, five rebounds and five assists despite dealing with the broken finger.

Further good news for Kobe’s fantasy basketball owners is that he has experience playing with injured fingers. An injured pinkie has bothered him in recent years — although he hasn’t let it affect his performance.

On the season, Kobe is playing very well. He’s averaging 28.8 points and is shooting a career-high 49.3% from the field. He’s also grabbing 5.6 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.30 steals. At 31, Kobe shows no signs of slowing down and his Lakers are the favorites to take home the franchise’s 17th championship.

Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers (Image: Zuma Press)

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While Gasol is out, the fantasy basketball value of many of his teammates will be high. Andrew Bynum will get more touches in the low block with Gasol out, which makes him a better fantasy player. Lamar Odom will also get more playing time.

Once Gasol is able to get back on the court, he’ll continue to be a valuable fantasy basketball player. He’s a very efficient player who can help you in a variety of categories. While his minutes could be done this year, the big Spaniard won’t hurt your fantasy team at all.

Last season, Gasol played 81 out of 82 games and averaged nearly 19 points to go along with 9.6 rebounds and 3.5 assists.

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In the fantasy basketball world, this is a unique situation in that it’d be good for his fantasy value to go elsewhere. On the Lakers, he’s destined for a sixth man role. As Andrew Bynum grows as a player, Odom will see his time dip more and more.

However, if Odom signs elsewhere (or is traded), he would likely start and play a significant role. On the Lakers, he’s the third or fourth best player. On most every other team, he’d be the second best player.

If you want Odom to maximize his fantasy basketball value, you should be hoping that his argument with the Lakers causes a divorce.

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In 30 minutes, Griffin had 27 points and 12 rebounds, while hitting 11-of-15 shots from the field. Riding Griffin, the Clippers were able to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers summer league team by a final score of 93-82.

While Griffin had a successful debut, it wasn’t perfect. The first pick of the 2009 NBA Draft hit only half of his eight free throws and committed five turnovers.

For those considering adding Griffin to their fantasy basketball team, this debut had to be very encouraging. While it’s very unlikely he could be a 20-point, 10-rebound player as a rookie, he definitely showed that potential in his first summer league game.

Keep an eye on Blake Griffin to see how he performs over the next week in summer league action.

Here is a video of Blake Griffin’s debut:

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Jameer Nelson - Could he return against the Lakers (Image: Zuma Press)

If you are hooping it up in playoff fantasy basketball, Jameer Nelson’s injury update could have a lot of impact. Named to the All-Star team, Nelson was having an amazing season prior to his shoulder injury. He was averaging 16.7 points, 5.4 assists and 3.5 rebounds, while shooting 50.3% from the floor and 45.3% from beyond the three-point arc.

However, even if he is able to return, it’s all but certain that he’d come off the bench. Rafer Alston hasn’t been amazing but he’s been good enough to retain the job for the rest of the way.

Nelson’s return would most likely result in replacing Anthony Johnson in the rotation. He would also cut into Alston’s minutes if he plays well.

For fantasy purposes, take a wait and see approach with Nelson. If he returns and then looks decent on the court, that’s when you start considering him for your fantasy basketball team. Prior to that point, he’s more of a tease than a sure thing.

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Who’s hot and who’s not?

HOT

Kobe Bryant
In Game 6 against the Nuggets, Bryant had arguably his best game of the 2009 NBA playoffs. He shot the ball well, passed the ball well, rebounded with authority and avoided turnovers. Next to LeBron James, Bryant is the best thing going in the fantasy basketball world.

Pau Gasol
Next to Bryant, Gasol is the best player on the Lakers. He’s extremely talented and he can rack up fantasy stats in a hurry. While he’s not quite Kobe, he could very well be the best fantasy power forward still alive in the postseason.

Lamar Odom
About a week ago, Odom appeared as if he were stuck in a funk. Now, Odom is playing very well. He just completed his second straight positive outing and should be primed for a big finals.

Trevor Ariza
These playoffs have introduced Ariza to the world. The starting small forward for the Lakers is a good shooter who can stuff the stat sheet in multiple categories.

Shannon Brown
If you want to located a sleeper on these Lakers, look no further than Brown. In his spot minutes, he’s played well more often than not. His energy is helping Los Angeles in their march to a championship.

NOT

Andrew Bynum
He’ll have a good game here and there but Bynum just isn’t a very dependable option in these playoffs. He’s definitely oozing with talent and has a bright future — but that future doesn’t appear to be now.

Derek Fisher
The ol’ gunslinger for the Lakers appears to be running about of bullets. He’s not shooting accurately at all and isn’t doing much else to impact the stats.

Sasha Vujacic
Last year, Vujacic was a decent fantasy basketball option in the playoffs. This year? Not so much. He’s basically a shooter that can’t find his range at this point.

Luke Walton
Bill’s son is having a tough time in these playoffs. He’s dealt with injuries and inconsistent minutes. Can he turn it up in the 2009 NBA Finals? Don’t hold your breath.

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If you are playing playoff fantasy basketball, these two games could hold a lot of meaning for you. Which players could shine in their Game 7 contest?

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
After the Magic lost Game 5, Dwight Howard had a meltdown. He basically blamed the loss on not getting the ball enough. Howard got the ball a lot in Game 6 and expect him to get the ball a lot in Game 7.

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
When it comes to big times and big moments, Paul Pierce is usually the Celtics player who steps up. He has had some bad moments in this series but expect him to go off in Game 7.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Is there any doubt who the Lakers will go to in Game 7? Kobe Bryant could very likely end up with 40 or more points as the Lakers battle for their playoff lives against the Rockets.

Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Without both Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, Luis Scola is now arguably the best player on the Rockets. In Game 6, he dominated the action early on in the ballgame and helped the Rockets force a Game 7.

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During the 2009 playoffs, Yao has averaged 17.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, 1.2 blocks and 1.0 assists per game in 35.8 minutes. Earlier in the season, the Rockets lost Tracy McGrady due to microfracture knee surgery. Earlier in these playoffs, center Dikembe Mutombo was lost for the rest of the playoffs due to a knee injury.

If you have Yao on your fantasy basketball team, this is obviously devastating news. He was playing well and was undoubtedly helping your team.

For those looking for a sleeper to emerge due to this Yao injury news, the most likely player is Carl Landry. In the last two games against the Lakers, Landry has scored in double figures — including a 21-point and 10-rebound performance in Game 2. Pick up Landry off the waiver wire if he’s available and hope he can put up Yao-like numbers the rest of the way.

Yao Ming Injury Update - Fantasy Basketball (Image: Newscom)

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In the fantasy basketball world, Fisher hasn’t been much of an asset in the 2009 NBA playoffs. In seven postseason games, the point guard is averaging 9.6 points, 2.9 assists and 2.3 rebounds while shooting 42.9% from the floor and 26.1% from beyond the arc.

The aspect that has hurt Fisher’s fantasy production the most is his three-point shooting. In the regular season, he drained 120 threes and shot 39.7% from downtown. Until he starts hitting from behind the three-point line, his fantasy value will remain limited.

In Game 3, expect the Lakers to play Shannon Brown and Jordan Farmar at point guard. Brown is the player with a higher ceiling. So far in the playoffs, he’s averaging 6.4 points in only 16.1 minutes per game while shooting 51.7% from the field. Farmer is only shooting 36.4% in the postseason and is averaging 2.5 points in seven minutes per game.

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According to Lakers coach Phil Jackson, Bynum looked strong in practice and was moving well. Jackson even called Bynum a “dominant force”.

With less than two weeks remaining prior to the beginning of the NBA playoffs, the Lakers need Bynum to get on the court as quickly as possible. It’d be tough to integrate him back into their system after the playoffs begin.

For fantasy basketball purposes, Bynum would be a high risk play at any point. However, he’s definitely capable of producing a big reward. There’s a possibility that the Lakers could give him extended minutes so that he can accelerate his acclimation back into their system.

Here’s an Andrew Bynum highlight video to remind you of what the bigman can do when he’s healthy:

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