The Crossover is our weekly column that gives you expert analysis on the latest and most intriguing topics in Fantasy Basketball. Each Wednesday, we'll help you cross over and apply your knowledge of basketball to the Fantasy game.

Injuries. They are the downfall of many a Fantasy team. Without a good bench, the slightest injury can ruin your entire Fantasy season. Owners that had Grant Hill, Alonzo Mourning and Theo Ratliff during the past few seasons know all too well how injuries can ravage a Fantasy squad. While no one can predict an injury, it is always good to be as informed as possible. Knowing which players are dealing with offseason injuries and the injury history of other players can sometimes help you avoid having your team depleted.

To aid you in the process of composing your Fantasy team, we'll examine some players that are currently injured or have battled injuries in the past. We will break down the seriousness of the injuries and provide some insight as to what you can expect in the future.

Terrell Brandon, PG, Minnesota: Brandon missed most of last season because of torn cartilage in his left knee. He is now questionable for the start of this season because of chronic pain in both knees and might very well be headed for retirement. Brandon is not a recommended Fantasy player, but backup point guard Troy Hudson should put up quality numbers in his absence.

Marcus Camby, C, Denver: Camby is a quality No. 1 center, capable of averaging double figures in points and rebounds while also being a force in the blocked-shots category. However, injuries have kept Camby from ever playing a full season. He even missed four games during the strike-shortened 1998-99 season and has never played more than 63 games. Camby missed most of the 2001-02 campaign because of foot and hip injuries. He should be completely healthy at the start of this season, but maintain a good backup for insurance.

Vince Carter, SG, Toronto: Damaged knee cartilage cut short his 2001-02 season. Carter has been given a clean bill of health for the upcoming season, but might never be the same again. Knee surgery of any kind is generally not good for any athlete, especially one that uses his legs to elevate as much as Carter. He should remain a top guard for the next few seasons, but don't be surprised if he misses games occasionally because of soreness in his knee or knees. His condition will likely get worse with time.

Tom Gugliotta, F, Phoenix: Reconstructive knee surgery held Gugliotta to under 60 games in 1999-2000 and 2000-01. His ailments seemed to limit his jumping ability and subsequently hindered his Fantasy production when he finally did return. A stress fracture in his right foot limited him to 44 games last season. Gugliottta should be healthy for the upcoming season, but these injuries have taken their toll on his body and have diminished his effectiveness in the low-post. Don't be surprised if Gugliotta loses his starting job at power forward and is replaced by rookie Amare Stoudamire, Shawn Marion or Bo Outlaw.

Anfernee Hardaway, G, Phoenix: "Penny" was once one of the best players in the NBA, but chronic conditions in both knees might force the 31-year-old to retire earlier than anyone expects. He managed to play in 80 games last season, but Hardaway had yet another knee operation in April. He played in only four games in the previous season and 60 games in 1999-2000. The former All-Star should be fine for the start of this season, but selecting Hardaway is not advised. The Suns will likely rely on younger players like Joe Johnson and Casey Jacobsen this season.

Grant Hill, F, Orlando: Reports before training camp said that Hill's ankle is completely healed. It better be, because Fantasy owners can't afford to get another unproductive season from him. Hill has only played a total of 18 games over the past two seasons, and another injury to his surgically-repaired left ankle will likely end his career. Despite his recent history, Hill is worth taking a chance on in the middle rounds of a draft. However, Fantasy leaguers should have good depth at the forward position as insurance.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, Cleveland: With his minutes reduced for precautionary measures and his condition constantly being monitored by the coaching staff, Ilgauskas managed to play in 62 games last season. He was very effective and re-emerged as a quality No. 1 Fantasy center. However, it is safer to use him as a No. 2 center this season. Ilgauskas' ugly foot injuries didn't resurface last season, but there is still a chance that they might reoccur. Like Bill Walton and Rik Smits before him, Ilgauskas will probably be plagued by foot injuries for the rest of his career. He has already suffered broken feet four times in the past seven years, breaking each foot twice. Because of the lack of depth at center, Ilgauskas is certainly worth drafting in the middle rounds, but add another center for insurance.

Jamal Mashburn, F, New Orleans: He might be in a different city, but he is still the same old injury-prone player. Mashburn has missed at least 20 games in three of his previous nine seasons. He was limited to 40 games last season because of an abdominal injury and was felled by a virus during the playoffs. Mashburn is expected to be at full strength for the start of the season, but owners should pay special attention to his health status. He should be a solid second or third forward if he stays healthy.

Antonio McDyess, F, New York: McDyess been given a clean bill of health for the upcoming season, but Fantasy leaguers should still be wary of his surgically-repaired left knee. McDyess won't be nearly as productive as he was in previous seasons if his injury affects his best asset, which is his jumping ability. Nevertheless, McDyess is still worth using as a second or third forward.

Alonzo Mourning, C, Miami: His outlook is bleak at this point. Mourning is expected to miss the entire season because of his kidney disease and might never play professional basketball again. Don't expect him to be too productive even if he does manage to return later in the season. Drafting Mourning is not recommended.

Lamar Odom, F, L.A. Clippers: Odom reinjured his fractured right ankle during the summer and will likely miss most of the first month of the season. The ankle injury and a sprained ligament in his right wrist limited Odom to 29 games last season. At age 22, Odom should not be considered injury-prone just yet. However, watch him closely because another season of multiple injuries will earn him the classification of being brittle. When healthy, Odom is one of the most talented players in the NBA. Selecting him in the third or fourth round is reasonable. Get an adequate replacement for him during his early-season absence and maintain some depth at the forward position for insurance.

Hakeem Olajuwon, C, Toronto: It appears that a serious back injury will force "The Dream" to join his contemporary Patrick Ewing in retirement. Olajuwon shouldn't receive much Fantasy consideration even if he does play. He averaged career lows in points (7.1) and rebounds (6.0) last season, and Olajuwon hasn't played more than 65 games since the 1996-1997 season.

Shaquille O'Neal, C, L.A. Lakers: It remains to be seen how his surgically-repaired right big toe will respond to offseason surgery. O'Neal appeared to be fine during the first day of training camp on Oct. 1, and was seen walking around without a limp. O'Neal is expected to miss most of the first month of the season, but he should be his normal dominant self once he returns. Although it seems like a minor injury, the constant pressure and force that a 7-foot-1, 330-pound behemoth like Shaq puts on his feet when running and jumping can be overwhelming for that little toe. In fact, O'Neal's injury isn't all that different from that of Ilgauskas. Fortunately for O'Neal, the source of the pain is located in part of the foot that enables him to still function when the specified area is dysfunctional. O'Neal will likely miss games occasionally because of the toe, but will still be the best player at the weakest position in Fantasy basketball. He remains a top-three pick despite his injury.

Theo Ratliff, C, Atlanta: Ratliff has become extremely injury prone since his breakthrough performance during the 2000-01 season. Ratliff missed the second half of that season with a broken wrist and sat out all but three games last season because of a hip injury. His latest ailment has been traced to an abnormality in his pelvis and is career-threatening. Ratliff will try to play on the hip after extensive rehabilitation, but surgery is not out of the question. Hold off on selecting Ratliff until the later rounds. He will be best used as a No. 2 center.

Eddie Robinson, G/F, Chicago: An old toe injury resurfaced last season and presented Robinson with new problems, limiting him to 29 games. This is the first major injury for Robinson, but it can be likened to turf toe, which has ended many a football player's career. If healthy, Robinson is not even worth starting in Fantasy leagues. He will be used mostly to back up the shooting guard and small forward positions in Chicago, and won't play enough to be a productive Fantasy player.

David Robinson, C, San Antonio: "The Admiral" has already announced that the upcoming season will be his last, so Fantasy leaguers must hope that he will be able to get through it without missing a plethora of games. Except for the 1996-97 season, when a broken foot limited him to six games, Robinson has been relatively durable. Nagging injuries and his bad back might hinder his ability at times, but there is a good chance that he won't miss many games this season. Expect him to average at least 12 points per game and approach double figures in rebounding. Look for Robinson to have an admirable final season from a Fantasy aspect and be a quality No. 1 center.

Latrell Sprewell, G/F, New York: A broken bone in his right hand was discovered just before the start of training camp. Sprewell will likely miss most of the first month of the season, but should be his old fiery self once he returns. Don't expect him to miss many games once he returns. While he is an intense player, Sprewell has also been very durable and often plays hurt. Obtain a solid replacement for his early-season absence, but look for him to be a solid second or third forward when he returns.