Le Basketbawl

They say that each cloud has a silver lining; for the New Jersey Nets who are now without guard Chris Douglas-Roberts for at least the next few days New York Vinnie has found their silver lining. Since the team currently has an 0-7 record they can’t possibly be any worse without Douglas-Roberts than they were with him. The “Associated Press” has reported that the guard now in his second season with New Jersey as well as in the NBA has contracted the H1-N1Virus otherwise known as the “Swine-Flu.”

The shooting guard had been in the starting line-up for New Jersey for their first five games. He missed his first game Friday night when the Nets lost to the Sixers. Team President Rod Thorn verified that the former Memphis player had tested positive for the virus. New Jersey head coach Lawrence Frank said that although it is believed that Douglas-Roberts is no longer contagious the team has no idea of a timetable for his return to playing. Frank told reporters “He doesn’t sound very good. All the measures are taken, now it’s a matter of when he feels better.”

Douglas-Roberts had averaged 15.6 points and 4.8 rebounds per game this season before getting sick. The team is scrambling for healthy bodies and could only have the NBA minimum of eight players dressed on the bench for the Nets’ loss to Boston Saturday night. New Jersey lost guard Courtney Lee on Saturday as he is now day to day with strained left groin.