2008-09 NBA Draft Kit: All-NBA Sleepers Teams
As we get into the real meaty, fleshy part of the 2008-09 RotoRob NBA Draft Kit, Alex treats us with a kick ass list of sleepers for the upcoming season. Cheat Sheets are coming soon, by the way!
Each year, the NBA names a first, second and third All-NBA team. Continuing with that theme, here are the All-NBA Sleeper Squads for the upcoming 2008-2009 season. For dramatic purposes, we’ll count down, starting with the third team.
Third Team
PG: Antonio Daniels, Washington Wizards – I am not sold on Gilbert Arenas returning in January. AD is solid and smart with the ball.
SG: Mickael Pietrus, Orlando Magic– Penciled in as starting SG in Orlando, he is very talented and should get enough run.
SF: Francisco Garcia, Sacramento Kings – With Ron Artest gone, Garcia will finally get starter-type minutes. He has shown he can put up solid numbers when he plays, but note that he may miss some time with a calf strain at the outset.
PF: Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks – Yi Jianlian getting dealt to New Jersey leaves Charlie V. as the starting PF on the Bucks, and he’ll get a chance to prove his worth.
C: Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls – After showing improvement late last season, he could earn more minutes.
Second Team
PG: Marcus Williams, Golden State Warriors – Run ‘N Gun with this tubby point guard may result in big numbers. Also, Monta Ellis is out for at least three months, further enhancing Williams’s chances of breaking out.
SG: Mike Miller, Minnesota Timberwolves – I think Miller will get plenty of shots in Minnesota. He has a deadly stroke from outside. Who likes threes?
SF: Yi Jianlian, New Jersey Nets – Yi gets his wish to move to a bigger market. I think he’ll make strides and puts up good numbers.
PF: Al Harrington, Golden State Warriors – Should get more minutes this year in Nelly’s system, and that usually translates into big numbers.
C: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves – Love will be a solid contributor on the front line from Day One. The dude eats rebounds.
First Team
PG: Chris Duhon, New York Knicks – A likely starting point guard in a Mike D’Antoni offense? Sign me up.
SG: Rudy Fernandez, Portland Trailblazers – Coach Nate McMillan is going to have a tough time keeping Fernandez off the court. Did you watch the Olympics? This is a great late steal in my opinion.
SF: Ricky Davis, Los Angeles Clippers – Davis will replace Corey Maggette on the Clip Show. I think he could average 15 to 17 points a game, easy. Throw in four to five assists and boards a game and you are in business.
PF: Michael Beasley, Miami Heat – I don’t know if you can call him a sleeper, but people should not overlook him because he is a rook. I think Beasley has a legitimate shot to be an All-Star this year even with Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade.
C: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies – Don’t sleep on Pau’s younger brother. He is a skilled big man who can fill up the paint, and quite possibly the stat sheet. Who else is going to use up the centre minutes on the Grizz?
