The 2009-10 RotoRob NBA Draft Kit is back with yet another team preview. While Cleveland’s sports heroes slug it out amongst themselves, let’s take a look at the Boston Celtics, who will look to bounce back and return to the NBA Finals for the second time in three seasons.

Most of the team is back, with the exception of Leon Powe, Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury (plus a couple of bit players). Marquis Daniels has joined the team and should provide a breather for Ray Allen and Paul Pierce when needed. Kevin Garnett is another year older and coming off another injury, but I am not one of the haters.

Kendrick Perkins will have to share minutes with newcomer Rasheed Wallace, but that just means there is more depth in a title run. Tony Allen will do the same job as Daniels, and Eddie House treats every game like a 3-point contest. Glen Davis can score some points, but he needs to work on his inside game this season. Doc Rivers has the team that could win it all this year if they don’t get bitten by the injury bug.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Rajon Rondo
SG: Ray Allen
SF: Paul Pierce
PF: Kevin Garnett
C: Kendrick Perkins

Key Bench Players

Wallace, Daniels, Tony Allen, Davis, House

Position Battles

Perkins is going to have to muster all his skills to hold off Wallace from starting at centre. Sheed isn’t what he once was and he can’t better Perkins at rebounding or shot blocking, but he brings toughness and a sweet shot to the table. In the end I think Perkins will start and Wallace will play a big role off the bench, so draft accordingly.

Stud

Uh, the Boston Celtics! The team is filled with them, so picking just one is next to impossible. Many are predicting a decline from Garnett and Allen this year, but I think that is not the case. Allen will put up plenty of threes as he always does and Garnett is hungry to win another title. I think Garnett is a comeback stud that many people will let slip further than he should.

Dud

I think the addition of Wallace cancels out any value Davis could have had this season. Remember, NBA value isn’t the same thing as Fantasy value and many owners are going to remember Big Baby from last season when KG was out and Davis was looking solid. Garnett is back and the Celtics have added Wallace to the frontcourt.

Sleeper

Daniels did well in Indianapolis when given the chance. He will be the primary guy off the bench when Allen and Pierce need a breather, so he could pad his stats late in the game for Fantasy owners willing to draft him. Don’t expect him to put up starter numbers for your team, but as a utility guy, he could do solid for 14-team leagues.

Rookies to Watch

Lester Hudson is the only rookie, but a reserve role is in store for him. He has a good basketball IQ and a solid shot, but Rondo and House are in front of him on the depth chart.

Fantasy Stories to Watch

The biggest question for me is will The Big Ticket be the same? Is Garnett on the decline or does he have some gas left in the tank? Can Wallace be a force off the bench or will hitting 35 be the end of his Fantasy use? Does this team have enough left to beat out younger teams like Cleveland and Orlando?

Fantasy Value

Rojan Rondo: Rondo showed last season that he can be the captain of the Celtic ship as he averaged 11.9 points, 8.2 assists, 5.2 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game. Word is the team is working on a contract extension with him, so perhaps when the deal is done his attention can be all on the game. I could see taking Rondo in the fourth or fifth round, right after Derrick Rose and Monta Ellis.

Ray Allen: Allen is entering the final year of his contract, so there is added incentive for him to continue with his 18 points a night and 200 3-pointers per season. He turned 34 this summer, but I don’t see any reason to think he can’t put up 17 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists per game, while nailing around 200 3-pointers this year.

Paul Pierce: Pierce has been a staple in Boston his whole career, but this season he will get some help from veteran Daniels. What that means for The Truth is some much needed rest from time to time, allowing him to hit the fourth quarter with energy left instead of feeling tired and struggling down the stretch. Pierce could easily match his 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1.5 3s per-game from last season and would be worth taking at the end of the third round.

Kevin Garnett: Garnett is still a monster on the court and even though he was hurt last season, he heads into this season looking to win a second title in Boston. He has a lifetime average of 20.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks a night, but recent injuries and age could mean he finally falls out of the top three to five PFs drafted if owners get too nervous. I see a lot of sites telling people to take him in the second or even third round, but I would have to put him in the mid to high second round category myself.

Kendrick Perkins: Perkins will split minutes with Wallace at centre. What that means for Perkins is a dip in stats, thus a lower ADP (average draft position). As a centre, what we want to see most of all is rebounds, blocks, and as many points as they can score…and Perkins does that better than people think. Last season he finished the regular season with 8.1 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 8.5 points per game, but he punched that up in the playoffs and ended that run with an average of 11.6 rebounds, 11.9 points and 2.6 blocks. I wouldn’t be mad if I had him as my back-up Fantasy centre.

Rasheed Wallace: Wallace isn’t the best rebounder or shot blocker on the floor, but he brings a toughness that is hard to match and depth at centre. Sheed is 35 now and his numbers are on the decline, but he can be a valuable asset to Fantasy owners since quality centres are hard to come by. I would expect to see his minutes go down in Boston, but he is a very good guy to have on your bench. Garnett owners will want to try to also own Wallace if at all possible. Don’t jump too high to take him, but the latter end of the middle rounds sound about right.

Marquis Daniels: Daniels was brought in to fill the defensive stopper role that the team has been missing since losing James Posey. While I envision solid minutes off the bench for him, I don’t see him finding enough shots to make him someone worth targeting on draft day. Remember, Fantasy basketball is all about stats, and defensive players only get you steals and blocks, so their value is somewhat limited. Should an injury occur to Ray Allen or Pierce, Daniels is most likely the fill-in starter, but don’t get him until something happens. Tony Allen and Daniels will more than likely cancel each other out more than they will stand out.

Tony Allen: Tony Allen provides depth off the bench to Ray Allen, but his minutes are limited and his role is uncertain with Daniels in town now. Stay tuned during the preseason to see how Coach Rivers views Tony Allen’s role in relation to Daniels’ role. Tony Allen’s value will be similar to that of Daniels.

Glen Davis: The major concern with him has been his weight, but the Celtics put an incentive in his new contract to keep that under control. Davis has a below-the-rim style of play and the addition of Wallace means his minutes are going to be limited unless someone gets injured. He doesn’t block shots or grab a lot of rebounds, but he can offer points to those in deeper leagues.

Eddie House: Those owners that play in leagues where 3-pointers are counted know who House is. Last season he found the bottom of the net 44 per cent of the time from beyond the arc and I would expect more of the same this season. House is basically a 3-point specialist, but one of the best in the NBA if you need to bulk up on them. If you are looking for a waiver wire 3-point guy, House is your man.

After House, you get into guys that provide solid depth in the NBA, but shouldn’t be counted on for Fantasy production. One of the phrases I preach to people all the time is “NBA value doesn’t equal Fantasy value.” I watched J.R. Giddens play at UNM, but both Bill Walker and Giddens seem to be destined for a bench role or the NBDL. Brian Scalabrine and Shelden Williams are stuck behind Wallace and Davis in the frontcourt.

The Celtics are a team that could very well compete for another league title this season, meaning that any of their top six to seven players are worth playing. Heck, even House is worth playing at the flex spot should your league count threes. The centre situation is one to keep an eye on during training camp, but I expect to see Wallace come off the bench as of right now. Daniels will steal some minutes from Ray Allen and Pierce, but I believe it will help keep them fresh as opposed to cutting into their stats. And remember, if you draft Garnett, handcuff him with Wallace.

The 2009-10 RotoRob NBA Draft Kit keeps chugging along with another team preview today. Kevin Love’s big night Sunday helped the Kurt Rambis era get off to a fine start, but can the T-Wolves improve their defense enough to make any serious progress this season?

The Timberwolves are in full blown rebuilding mode and that is hard for fans to hear. We all want our team to compete for titles, and we all want to see them win game after game, but in order to become a winner you first have to build a winner, and that is what President of Basketball Operations David Kahn is trying to do.

The Wolves signed perpetual sleeper Ramon Sessions to help man the PG spot now that top draft pick Ricky Rubio is staying in Europe. Sessions has shown that he can be an exciting Fantasy PG when given the chance, but that chance is all up to new coach Kurt Rambis. Corey Brewer and Al Jefferson are coming back from knee surgeries, but both should be on the floor for opening night. Love didn’t like how he was used last year, but a new coach and the loss of 20 pounds should mean plenty of double-double nights for him this season. Jonny Flynn is still in the starting PG mix, but I don’t think the team gave Sessions $16 million to back up a rookie. The Timberwolves have asked big man Mark Blount to stay home for training camp and for his agent to seek a trade. Wayne Ellington has enough skills to push Brewer for minutes right away, but will he?

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: Ramon Sessions
SG: Corey Brewer
SF: Ryan Gomes
PF: Al Jefferson
C: Kevin Love

Key Bench Players

Flynn, Ellington, Ryan Hollins, Damien Wilkins

Position Battles

Brewer and Ellington will battle it out in the preseason to see who starts at SG. Even when one wins the battle, the other should see enough minutes to be useful as a utility option in 14-team or deeper leagues.

Stud

Jefferson is returning from ACL surgery, but he had enough time that he should start the season ready to make an impact for those smart enough to not let him slide too far. Jefferson is going to be the go-to guy when the T-Wolves need points, so don’t be gun shy when drafting.

Dud

Flynn has skills, we all know this. But, so does Sessions and I think he will cancel any value that Flynn could have had when Rubio decided to stay overseas. You could handcuff Sessions with Flynn in deeper leagues, but it is a risk since Sessions has shown he is healthy and can put up stats when given the minutes.

Sleeper

Sessions is my sleeper pick. Can you tell I am high on this guy yet? When he has got the minutes, Sessions has put up good Fantasy numbers and that is why the Wolves paid him the money they did. I would have no problems sticking him in my guard flex slot this season.

Rookies to Watch

Flynn, of course, is the key freshman here. I don’t think he gets the starting PG gig, but if Sessions struggles you have to wonder how quickly Coach Rambis puts the rookie in. Keep an eye on the minutes played and be ready to make the swap if the Wolves make it first. Ellington, in the mix for the starting two-guard job, also deserves very close scrutiny.

Fantasy Stories to Watch

Love wants to be more involved in the offense, but will the new coach give him the chance to really step up and shine? Is Jefferson over the knee injury? Is Sessions the man to make everyone forget about Rubio? Did the Wolves burn a draft pick by taking Rubio and Flynn, then going out and signing Sessions? The team is trying to fix what went wrong last season, so stay tuned to see what twist fate has in store for the Timberwolves this season.

Draft Value

Ramon Sessions: Sessions is a sleeper at the PG spot that could easily start for any Fantasy team if the Wolves give him the time on the floor. I would have no problems taking Sessions in the middle rounds as my sleeper PG pick.

Corey Brewer: More of a defensive stopper than a scorer in my opinion. He should get the call over rookie Ellington, but the two will split minutes with Brewer playing the Bruce Bowen role and Ellington being more of a scorer.

Ryan Gomes: Gomes is going to lock down the starting SF job and he should put up between 13 and 15 points with 5-6 rebounds per game, but that is about it. He doesn’t have a lot of competition so target him towards the later rounds of your draft.

Al Jefferson: Jefferson is the first, second, and third option for the Wolves’ offense. I could easily see Big Al being a top five PF pick this season and I have no worries about drafting him on my team.

Kevin Love: Love is determined to become more involved in the offense, which will add to his value. If he can get the minutes he wanted last year (30+ MPG), you could see him average a double-double every night. If that happens, I put Love in the top 10 among Fantasy centres.

Jonny Flynn: Flynn will see time at PG, but Sessions should be the starter. Flynn has the ability to be a quality NBA starter, but the addition of Sessions means he is little more than a handcuff at this point.

Wayne Ellington: I already laid out Ellington’s value, but let me say something else here. I think he could emerge as the Wolves’ sixth man this season. The team is rebuilding and with many things uncertain, Ellington will get every chance to play solid enough minutes to be worthy of being drafted late and stashed on your bench.

Antonio Daniels: Daniels doesn’t fit into the Timberwolves’ plans and could be traded at some point. He’s not worth owning.

Ryan Hollins: Kahn was impressed with Hollins, saying “Ryan’s athleticism is almost shocking, how off-the-chart it is.” If Jefferson or Love should go down, Hollins could offer some short-term value, but only if someone is injured.

Look, I won’t lie to you, the Wolves have some questions for Fantasy owners that will only be answered by pre-season games. The team has some size to it now, but I don’t see guys like Brian Cardinal, Oleksiy Pecherov, Sasha Pavlovic, or Damien Wilkins being anything more than NBA depth players that won’t have Fantasy value. NBA value doesn’t always mean Fantasy value and that is the case here. Wilkins could see some time at either wing spot, and he could be in the mix for the starting two guard slot, but don’t expect much.

The simple truth is the jewels of the Timberwolves are Jefferson, Love, Gomes, and probably Sessions, but don’t expect a ton of Fantasy value from the bench. Maybe Ellington will become valuable if Brewer goes down, but wait until that happens before jumping on him. You can always email me with your Fantasy basketball questions.

We’re back with another team preview as part of the 2009-10 RotoRob NBA Draft Kit. While Warrior fans bemoan Brandan Wright’s latest shoulder injury, let’s check in on the Indiana Pacers, who need to tighten up their D if they hope to make progress this season.

The Pacers failed to make the playoffs last season and Mike Dunleavy went down with a serious knee injury that threatened his career. The team was able to add Tyler Hansbrough and A.J. Price via the draft, along with Dahntay Jones, Solomon Jones and Earl Watson through free agency. The addition is not without subtraction as Marquis Daniels and Jarrett Jack decided to play elsewhere.

Playing in a conference that features Boston, Cleveland, Orlando, Atlanta, and Miami will test this young team and perhaps push them to grow faster than people think.

There were a few key changes in Indiana this summer, and some will have some interesting Fantasy implications this season. Danny Granger, of course, is becoming a household name for Fantasy owners. If you’re a Fantasy owner who is also a Pacer fan, it is time to love Granger with all your heart. Jack left the Pacers and headed north to Toronto, which means veteran PG Watson should see some solid minutes backing up T.J. Ford, and with the team adding Price to the mix, that means Travis Diener could be looking for minutes near the end of games.

Dahntay Jones will shore up the defense at SG, but Fantasy owners have to be rooting for the club to play Brandon Rush and rotate Jones in the game. Hansbrough will have to battle for minutes, meaning he won’t have any real value unless Troy Murphy gets injured. Solomon Jones is going to battle Roy Hibbert and Jeff Foster for the starting job in the preseason, but I fully expect Hibbert to head into the season as the starter.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG: T.J. Ford
SG: Brandon Rush
SF: Danny Granger
PF: Troy Murphy
C: Roy Hibbert

Key Bench Players

Dunleavy, Hansbrough, D. Jones, S. Jones, Watson, Foster

Position Battles

Hibbert, Foster and to a lesser extent, Solomon Jones, are going to battle it out to see who starts at centre this season. Hibbert clearly has youth and skills on his side, but foul trouble will keep Foster in the minutes even if Hibbert does win the job. Another battle is at SG where Rush and Dahntay Jones will share minutes. From a Fantasy standpoint, Rush is the man you want because Jones is more akin to Bruce Bowen, and defensive stoppers don’t get Fantasy points.

Stud

Granger is the easy call here. I have Granger ranked as the No. 2 overall Fantasy SF right behind LeBron James. Granger does everything from scoring to steals to 3-pointers. I would have no problems whatsoever drafting Granger in the middle or bottom end of the first round. He could even go as high as fourth overall depending on your format.

Dud

I think Murphy is going to disappoint a lot of people because of the season he had last year. I don’t honestly think he can match those numbers again and I would look for something more in the range of 13 points, 10 rebounds, and around 130 3-pointers this season. Still, these are not bad stats at all, but nobody is sleeping on him anymore and that means people will grab him a little earlier than they should.

Sleeper

If Rush can hold off Dahntay Jones and get the minutes at SG, he will be a big time sleeper in Indiana this year. With Dunleavy out for who knows how long, Rush could easily take over his role and score upwards of 12-13 points a night and grab 4-5 rebounds to go with a steal and a block here and there.

Rookies to Watch

Hansbrough could become a sixth man for the Pacers with his scoring and rebounding ability off the bench. I think double-double is too lofty, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see 8 points and 6 rebounds a night from him.

Fantasy Stories to Watch

The story in Indiana is how Dunleavy’s knee will hold up after surgery. He has proven he can be a viable starting player for almost any Fantasy team, but will he ever be the same after this last injury? When he does return, what will that mean to guys like Rush and Dahntay Jones? Will the Pacers slide Granger over to PF and let Dunleavy play SF for some small ball? Will the Pacers let Hibbert hold down the middle and figure his foul troubles out or will Foster continue to keep him on the bench?

Draft Value

T.J. Ford: Ford has always had the skills to be a starting Fantasy PG, but injuries have plagued him his whole career and jaded many Fantasy owners in the process. With the departure of Jack comes an increase in value for Ford and I would have no problems taking him as my starting PG; just make sure you handcuff him with a good second PG.

Brandon Rush: In 19 starts last season, Rush averaged 15.9 points on 47 per cent shooting, including 41 per cent from beyond the arc. That kind of production would be nice if the Pacers didn’t also have Dunleavy coming back from injury and Dahntay Jones playing the defensive specialist role at SG. Rush’s value is closely tied into Dunleavy’s knee problems, but I think he will start over Dahntay Jones as the season kicks off. Because of their depth at SG, Rush should be looked at as a flex option that can score and hit the three-pointer.

Danny Granger: Here is the crown jewel of the organization, Mr. Handyman. Granger is a legitimate All-Star small forward that should be in the top three when looking at SF Fantasy rankings. With Dunleavy being out, Granger will continue to be a Fantasy beast and I don’t mind taking him right around No. 5 overall. That’s right, I said No. 5 overall.

Troy Murphy: Murphy is a double-double machine, last season averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds, while shooting 45 per cent from 3-point land and 82 per cent from the free-throw line. There are questions about him possibly peaking last season, but since he will qualify at both PF and C, I like him as a starter.

Roy Hibbert: The problem with Hibbert has always been foul trouble, but the kid has a ton of upside. If he can keep his name out of referees’ mouths, I think he can put up double-double stats with multiple blocks per game. I don’t think he is a starting Fantasy centre yet, but if you miss out on the bigger names, Hibbert is a real option. Look at taking him after you see Tyson Chandler or Marc Gasol go.

Tyler Hansbrough: The big kid from the University of North Carolina looked better than expected in the Summer League and it appears as if the Pacers will give him a solid 20-25 minutes a night. Minutes translate into value, so as long as he plays he is worth looking at. Give Hansbrough a peek near the end of the draft.

Dahntay Jones: Jones is an example of NBA value not translating into Fantasy value. He should be all defense when he is in the game, so those comparisons to Bowen might be right on track. Look elsewhere for SG depth in your draft.

Earl Watson: Watson will only have real value if Ford goes down, so he’s a handcuff at best. However, given Ford’s injury history, his owners would be wise to draft Watson just in case.

A. J. Price: Price should not be owned unless Ford goes down and he is to split minutes with Watson.

Mike Dunleavy: With the uncertainty of his knee and how it will hold up under game pressure, Dunleavy should be avoided on draft day. Even when he does return, he will have to battle Rush and Dahntay Jones for minutes.

Solomon Jones: There is talk about him battling Hibbert and Foster for the starting centre job, but that is more likely just a case of competition breeds stronger play. Jones simply doesn’t block enough shots to be considered as a viable starting centre. Pass on him on draft day.

Jeff Foster: The big man that just never seems to go away is back yet again. I will give him praise because he could always snatch 20 rebounds on any given night, but he had 15 or more just twice last season and injuries are wearing him down. Only take Foster if you are looking to shore up rebounds in the final rounds.

In the end, Granger, Ford, Murphy, and possibly Rush are the guys to watch out for in Indiana. Rush could be in a committee role with Dahntay Jones. Feel free to email me with any questions about your Fantasy basketball drafts.

Every year, the NBA season comes and goes, and with it arrives the NBA Draft. College students and players from abroad declare their eligibility for the draft and NBA scouts and front offices set up their “war room” to rank the players on their own draft board. Here, I am going to rank the top 10 as I see them, leaving out their probable or possible NBA teams because until the May 19th Draft Lottery, we don’t know who is picking where.

1. Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma Sooners: When you look at which player in this draft is the most NBA ready, Griffin’s name has to be No. 1 on that list. You see, you have to take a closer look at his stats to truly appreciate how good this kid looks on paper: Griffin had the most in-the-paint baskets per game at 7.9, he shot 75.5 per cent on those short range attempts and he was fouled 18 per cent of the time when he touched the ball in the low post. Griffin is a strong and athletic PF that should go No. 1 overall regardless of who gets the pick.

2. Hasheem Thabeet, C, Connecticut: At 7’3”, this kid is a monster around the basket. He finished with 10.8 rebounds and 4.2 blocks per game last season, but the 13.6 PPG is a little disappointing considering his low-post presence. He compares to Dikembe Mutombo because of his rebounding/shot blocking and lack of offensive ability. Guys with his size and defensive abilities are hard to find, so going No. 2 is not a bad call.

3. Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona: Hill has developed nicely throughout his college career and his ideal size and wing span make him an interesting pick at No. 3. He has a very good jumping ability, which only enhances his athleticism. The problem with Hill is his substandard free-throw shooting (65.4 per cent), his 2.9 turnovers per game this past season and the way he seems to try to power his way to scoring as if he was Shaquille O’Neal instead of Jordan Hill.

4. James Harden, SG, Arizona State: When people talk about Harden, you would think you were listening to someone describe a point guard, but Harden plays the two-guard instead. His strengths are his ability to shoot, pass and handle the ball, but at just 6’5”, he is a bit small for an NBA SG. Harden also could be a liability on defense as he didn’t stand out in college and will be facing better competition once he reaches the pros. Look for more of a Manu Ginobili type of player…think sixth man.

5. Ricky Rubio, PG, DKV Joventut (Spain): Rubio is an 18-year-old PG out of El Masnou, Spain. The knock on him has been his inability to create his own shot, his accuracy when shooting and when he does manage to create contact he expects to get the “Jordan treatment” from the refs. The reason I rank him at No. 5 is because at his young age he is already playing against more mature and much better competition overseas and should be able to improve his skills with time in the NBA. I foresee another Darko Milicic, to be honest.

6. DeMar DeRozan, SG, USC: A lot of mocks have Brandon Jennings going here, but why? The kid went to Europe out of HS and managed just 19 minutes and 7.6 PPG, hardly worth getting excited over. DeRozan will be a project because he still needs to become more consistent in all facets of his game. His greatest attribute is his athletic ability which has been compared to that of Vince Carter.

7. Brandon Jennings, PG, Lottomatica Roma (Italy): Even though I said I wouldn’t rank players with their prospective team, Jennings is one that gets his rank because of the two teams most likely to pick here (Memphis and Golden State). Being that he played in Europe last season, teams will take a chance on him even though he shot just 38.7 per cent from the field and turned the ball over 1.2 times a night while playing under 20 minutes. Jennings is better suited for the And 1 tour than he is the NBA tour.

8. Tyreke Evans, SG, Memphis: Evans was hyped up quite a bit in high school and that causes many players to lose focus. The good thing about him is his natural basketball skills and ability to score almost at will. But, Evans is one of those people whose greatest attribute is also his downfall in that since basketball comes so easy to him, he seems to take a lazy attitude at times on the floor. He is a solid combo guard that can become a star if he works on improving his game and not relying on his athletic ability to overpower the competition.

9. Ty Lawson, PG, North Carolina: Lawson lead the Tar Heels to a national championship, which means someone is bound to take this quick PG in the top 10. He has amazing speed and quickness to go with his court vision, but standing just 6’0” tall will hamper him in the NBA. He can’t create his own shots and will have a problem defensively against bigger NBA players, but he can shoot the longball, averages 2.1 steals and doesn’t turn the ball over a lot for a PG.

10. Stephen Curry, SG/PG, Davidson: I don’t really care for Curry as a player (I am thinking he’s the next Steve Kerr), but his 28.6 PPG average will raise some eyebrows. He makes smart decisions and can find his own shot, but at 6’2”, he is as tall as a small PG and trying to play the SG role. He will be a problem on defense and will have trouble finding that shot that made him so fearless in college, so he better get used to coming off the bench and being a situational player. I would much rather see someone like Earl Clark or Gerald Henderson go here.

Others of Note

Earl Clark, SF, Louisville: Athletic and strong, but struggles with his jump shot.
James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest: Sophomore big man logged heavy minutes for the Demon Deacons.
Johnny Flynn, PG, Syracuse: He’s small, but man, can he fly.
Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke: Tremendous mid-range game, but is not a primary scoring option.
Eric Maynor, PG, VCU: Perhaps the best true PG in draft, but may get overlooked because he toiled in non power conference.

As most fantasy owners know, the most important part of any fantasy season is the draft. Right now, NBA fantasy drafts are in full swing. And, finding free and accurate rankings, with sound reasoning, is next to impossible. I am going to break down the top 10 players at each position with a little information about why the player is ranked where he is. Enjoy!

Point Guards

Point guard might be the most important position in fantasy basketball. We see teams moving towards “small ball,” and Chris Paul led the way last season.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets: Paul is hands down the best fantasy PG in the game right now, and an argument can be made to take CP3 first overall in a draft. The Hornets have all the same faces back, plus have added James Posey.

2. Deron Williams, Utah Jazz: From what I’ve seen around the Internet, the popular pick at No. 3 is either Chauncey Billups or Steve Nash. Personally, I will take Williams over both. D-Willy signed a big contract over the summer and playing on the Olympic Team only helped him mature. If he can cut down on the turnovers, he will earn this ranking this season.

3. Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons: Billups is consistent, trustworthy and reliable. The main thing with him is his 17 point/seven assist average last season. Not much has changed in Detroit this offseason, so expect more of the same from Mr. Big Shot.

4. Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns: The problem with Nash is that the team is talking about limiting his minutes and games played this season. GM Steve Kerr said he would like Nash to play just 70 games, and that is not a good thing from your first round pick. Nash already has a hole in steals and free-throws attempts for a fantasy PG, so limiting his minutes and games means his value is dropping.

5. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors: T.J. Ford is out, Jermaine O’Neal is in, and Calderon is locked into the starting PG role in Toronto. Calderon didn’t exactly impress in the Olympics, which means he could come a little cheaper, but make no mistake about his top six fantasy ranking.

6. Baron Davis, Los Angeles Clippers: Davis is always an injury waiting to happen. But, he has lost nearly 20 pounds this offseason and playing alongside the likes of Al Thornton, Marcus Camby, Chris Kaman and Eric Gordon means another huge year is in the works. The reason he drops out of the top five is the Clippers managed just 94.3 PPG last season as a team. Slower offense means less fantasy stats to go around.

7. Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets: Some might want Jason Kidd here, but I like Harris as my fantasy PG sleeper. Yes, we all know who he is, but I think he is going to be better than people think this season. I can easily see Harris breaking the 16 point/7 assist barrier, moving him above Kidd.

8. Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks: Kidd’s days of major fantasy value are over. He is still the starting PG in Dallas, but his FG percentage is atrocious at best, his points-per-game total is going to drop below double digits and the turnovers went up last season. The assists and rebounds are the only things keeping him in the top 10.

9. Andre Miller, Philadelphia 76ers: Miller gets in the top 10 because of one man, Elton Brand. Miller’s PPG average will go down, but the assists will go up for certain. If you miss the big boys, give Miller a look as he is sure to slip.

10. Randy Foye, Minnesota Timberwolves: Okay, I am a homer…so what? Foye is healthy, Mike Miller is starting at SG, and Sebastian Telfair is Foye’s only backup. Foye lit it up over his final 10 games last season (18.4 points, 3.0 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 1.1 steals and 2.2 3-pointers per game) and if he can continue that into this season, we’ve got a sleeper on our hands.

Shooting Guards

Shooting guards are a dime a dozen. They are typically known for their high FT percentage and they get you solid totals in 3-point shooting and steals. But, they will typically drag down your FG percentage.

1. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: Bryant is easily one of the top three to five fantasy players in the NBA, so what more do I need to say? If your league has FG percentage, take Kobe over LeBron James. If FG percentage isn’t counted, go with James first.

2. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat: Miami now has Shawn Marion (for a full season) and Michael Beasley to play with Wade, and he is finally healthy, to boot. Add in Mario Chalmers and James Jones, and Flash makes for a viable pick at No. 4 overall in just about any fantasy format.

3. Jason Richardson, Charlotte Bobcats: Richardson’s 3-point shooting helps jump him over guys like Andre Iguodala and Allen Iverson. The only problem I have with Richardson is Coach Larry Brown and how they will interact with each other. Richardson was simply awesome last season and I expect that to carry over to this season.

4. Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers: The addition of Brand will help take the double-teams off Iggy this year. Signing a six-year, $80 million dollar contract this summer will give him added motivation as well. Expect Iguodala, who also qualifies at F, to get a few more assists and better looks patrolling the paint with Brand in town.

5. Kevin Martin, Sacramento Kings: There is nobody on the Kings better equipped to score. And, with Ron Artest gone, Martin is the only sure thing in Sacramento. Expect more points, more 3s, more free-throw chances, at the expense of added turnovers and a slightly lower FG percentage.

6. Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets: The Answer has learned to be more of a team player in recent seasons. The Nuggets lost Camby this offseason, but that means Nene has a chance to really emerge. I would venture to bet that Iverson puts up very similar stats to last season’s totals.

7. Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: Losing Josh Childress won’t change the fact that Johnson is the MVP of the Hawks. A slight increase in PPG and TOs can be expected, but other than that, more of the same.

8. Stephen Jackson, Golden State Warriors: The Warriors lost Davis and Monta Ellis will miss a good chunk the season. Jackson (who will also qualify at F) should see a jump in PPG and FG percentage, so feel good about snagging him in the fourth round of your draft.

9. Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers: Vince Carter should be here on most lists, but he tweaked his hamstring (although he seems okay right now) and the Nets will lose more than they win. Roy has a great, young team surrounding him and Greg Oden will dominate the Rookie of the Year voting. The Blazers lost Martell Webster for two months, but Roy has enough around him to justify this ranking.

10. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Yes, I left Carter out of the top 10 altogether. Durant showed signs last season of being an amazing talent and I fully expect him to score more, shoot more accurately and even snag an extra rebound per game. Jeff Green should mature, making Durant a viable top 10 fantasy SG.

Small Forwards

If two guards are a dime a dozen, small forwards are a baker’s dozen. James is the name here, but I could count 25 or so SFs worth taking in the draft.

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: Again, James can be selected anywhere in the top three and you could easily justify the pick. Other than adding Mo Williams, not much has changed in Cleveland, so expect James to do what he has done since his rookie season — dominate.

2. Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns: I saw one ranking with Marion above James and I wanted to upload a virus to their server! I have a feeling that Marion isn’t going to do what he is supposed to do because of a healthy Wade and new additions Beasley, Chalmers and Jones. The Matrix is still the second best SF, but don’t be surprised if he disappoints.

3. Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers: I think Granger will really explode this season. He wants a contract extension and that is normally motivation enough for a career year. Add the fact that Jermaine O’Neal is gone and Jamaal Tinsley will not stealing shots, and you have a shot at fantasy stardom from Granger.

4. Caron Butler, Washington Wizards: Butler is without Gilbert Arenas yet again this season, so he will be a very valuable fantasy SF. Antawn Jamison is there, but Butler should see stats very similar to the ones he put up last season.

5. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic: The Magic lost Kenyon Dooling and Maurice Evans (nothing important), but brought in Mickael Pietrus to go with Dwight Howard and Hedo Turkoglu. Expect Lewis to be a big 3-point threat and help out a little in rebounds, steals and FG percentage, but know that his nightly stats can be erratic at times.

6. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: Anthony goes below Lewis because Lewis will get you the long ball on top of the regular stats. Melo will lead the Nuggets with 28 to 30 points each night, while snatching eight or so rebounds and a steal, so don’t worry if you miss on Granger or Butler, Anthony is still available to score in bunches.

7. Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics: People want to rank Pierce in their top five and he just isn’t that player anymore with Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo in town. The Truth was dealing with a laundry list on injuries last season and losing Posey might be more of a problem than people think, although once he returns from his drug suspension, Darius Miles should help out if he can be consistent. Rookie J.R. Giddens may be a headache, but because of his presence Pierce might see a slight dip in his overall stats this season.

8. Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies: His dunks aside, Gay has the skills to be huge in fantasy leagues this season. He is locked into a starting job with nobody to push him for minutes, and he made the most of his PT last season by putting up 20 points, six rebounds and a steal per game. Expect more of the same with a possible slight bump in points and boards.

9. Corey Maggette, Golden State Warriors: Some might want Turkoglu or Josh Howard here, but I like Maggette’s scoring ability over that pair. Maggette signed a big deal with the Warriors this offseason, but his injury concerns are always present. With Davis gone and Ellis hurting, Maggette and Jackson will be asked to carry a big role with the team.

10. Josh Howard, Dallas Mavericks: I would rather put Turkoglu here, but only because Howard has made some ignorant comments about players and their drug habits. Howard could easily put up 20 points and seven boards per game as he did last year, if he could keep the sticky icky out of his body long enough to play his game on the court.

Power Forwards

At power forward you want scoring, FG percentage and rebounding. Some even provide solid blocks and FT percentage too. A lot of the top PFs also qualify at centre, so they provide a multi-position bonus.

1. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns: Any PF that logs 24 PPG, 10 RPG, one SPG and two BPG is worthy of the top slot in the rankings. I’ve heard crazy talk of people taking Stoudemire No. 1 overall, but that is overdoing it in my opinion. Top five? Yes. Top three? No.

2. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics: Garnett got the monkey off his back last season by winning the title, but the days of taking KG No. 1 overall are long gone. Garnett can easily put up a double-double each night, while adding a steal and block. The Big Ticket is great for a fantasy team, just don’t jump too high to draft him.

3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: Disco Dirk is rock solid and he offers stats good enough to justify a late first round pick or an early second rounder. His 3-pointers have gone down in recent seasons and his defense is lacking at best. But, bad defense aside, Nowitzki offers 24 points and eight boards a game.

4. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers: Moving to the East will be a huge boost for Brand. I’d say we could see 20 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks a game, with a steal and a few assists thrown in. Simply put, Brand signed a huge deal and the East isn’t exactly a powerhouse.

5. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs: Duncan would have once been the top overall PF pick, but those days are finished and he is too nice of a player. Coach Gregg Popovich likes to play Duncan no more than 34 minutes per game, he is now 32 years old and his free-throw percentage is iffy at best. Add all that up and Duncan is not worthy of a first round pick.

6. Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves: The only thing that kept me from putting Jefferson above Duncan is The Big Fundamental’s blocking ability. Since Jefferson qualifies at both forward and centre, he is a high second round pick. Simply put, Jefferson is a fantasy stud!

7. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz: With Williams in line for a big season, Boozer too should enjoy a great year. Did I mention Boozer is in a contract year? Not to put too fine a point on it, but Boozer should put up huge numbers in order to secure a max deal next season.

8. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors: The addition of O’Neal knocked Bosh down the rankings a bit. Calderon is coming into his own and J.O. demonstrated in Indiana that he demands his fair share of shots per game. O’Neal is an upgrade over Rasho Nesterovic, which means Bosh’s scoring will take a hit.

9. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards: With Arenas gone for most of the season, Jamison should enjoy those 21-point, 10-rebound nights again this season. Nothing has changed from last year for the Wizards, Arenas is injured again and nobody has left or been added worth mentioning. So, more of the same is in line for Jamison.

10. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks: Smith signed an offer sheet with the Grizzlies, but had it matched by the Hawks, so he should step up his numbers knowing that he’s coveted in Atlanta. Childress is gone and Smoov is logging nearly 17 points, three blocks, eight rebounds and three assists per game these days. Look for all the same with an addition point or two a game.

Centres

This is by far the hardest position to find quality fantasy options. Once you get outside the top 10 fantasy centres, you officially waited too long to draft one!

1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: Howard was a fantasy monster last season, making him an easy pick as the No. 1 fantasy centre this season. Getting 21 points, 14 rebounds and two blocks a game is what I see for Howard. Just be prepared to pretty much punt FT percentage and turnovers in your rotisserie league.

2. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets: The main problem with drafting Ming is you know he will miss about a quarter of the season with some kind of injury. I’m kind of getting tired of being burned by Ming and his fragile body, so I am not drafting him unless he is available in round three and the PFs that qualify at C and Howard are all gone.

3. Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers: Cotton Camby has been surprisingly healthy the last two seasons. The Nuggets gave the Cambyman to the Clippers for nothing more than salary cap relief, so he may have a chip on his shoulder. Camby is going to see a drop in rebounds playing next to Kaman, and that is one of the two categories he contributes in. Now, expect 10 boards and three blocks a game with sporadic scoring.

4. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks: Bogut signed one of the biggest contracts in franchise history, so you know he will be the starting centre for years to come. If he can keep up last season’s impressive block jump, he should post 15 points, 10 boards and one to two blocks per game this season too.

5. Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers: It is very risky for me to give a true rookie this high of a ranking. But, Robert Parish, Oden (separated at birth?) is set to put up 10 points, 12 rebounds and two or more blocks per game. Get that kind of production from a centre and you’ve got a fantasy stud!

6. Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors: Ronny Turiaf is now a Warrior, but he is little more than a breather when your real centre is tired. Biedrins should offer a double-double with a block or so per game, so you could do worse. Just don’t wait much longer to get your starting centre.

7. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers: Bynum really emerged last year before an injury ended his breakout season. He remains a huge injury concern with that gimpy knee, but he is turning 21 this month and with Kobe, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom on the roster, Bynum can sit back and let the game come to him.

8. Samuel Dalembert, Philadephia 76ers: It is hard to see how the addition of Brand will affect Dalembert’s numbers too much. Sammy-D averaged a double-double with two blocks last year, so take off a point per game and a rebound per game and that is what to expect from him this season.

9. Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz: Nothing has changed in Utah, so look for Okur to put up 15 points and seven boards per game again this season. The real added beauty in Okur is that he can hit the 3-pointer, which is a rare feat to see in a true centre. Now if Okur could only get his blocks up, we’d be in business.

10. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets: I am going to pick the Hornets to win the title this season, so I wish I could rank Chandler higher than this. I’m giving Chandler around 11 points, 12 rebounds and one to two blocks per game this season. The FG percentage is awesome at 60 per cent, but having a matching FT percentage is what is holding him back here.

Busts

Here’s my list of proven players that I don’t think will live up to the expectations this season.

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: I know, I know, but the Lakers are a very good team with Bynum back. Very good teams tend to have a lot of blowout games, and that means Kobe will sit more in the fourth quarter. His finger is all messed up, his legs have run more than a Kentucky Derby horse. Bryant is no longer a one-man fantasy league winner.

Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers: Cotton Camby has moved to the Clippers from the Nuggets, and that means he goes from the 102.3 PPG offense in Denver down to the 94.3 PPG offense in Los Angeles. Camby will also have to battle Kaman for rebounds and he is always one breath away from a long injury absence. Don’t take Camby as your No. 1 centre; look at some of those PF/C guys first.

Andre Miller, Philadelphia 76ers: I know I ranked him in the top 10 for PGs, but it was more because of Brand than Miller. I am giving him a bust ranking too because Miller is going to be 33 years old in March, history has shown that he’s not a very good shooter, and the offense is sure to run more through Brand than him. The assists will jump a bit, but everything else will go down.

Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers: Here is the one I feel good about. Williams moves to Cleveland to play alongside LeBron and everyone assumes that means fantasy greatness. Wrong! The offense starts and ends with King James and Williams is a shoot-first type of player, so don’t expect him to bring it up court and dish it off to anyone. Williams is going to be someone’s No. 1 PG, just make sure he isn’t yours.

Sleepers

Here are some names that will be ranked at a level lower than I expect them to perform.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder: Yes, Durant has the low FG percentage/high TO rate that makes him shaky in a lot of leagues. But, Durant is the LeBron James of Oklahoma City and he looked better in the second half of last year than he did in the first. He has no off-court problems and the emergence of Green will help take some of the pressure off him. Don’t aim too high, but expect more than last year.

J.R. Smith, Denver Nuggets: Now, this is the ultimate sleeper pick. Problem is, Smith could easily slip into a fantasy comma. Look, his stats increased each month from February to April in MPG, FT percentage and defensive rebounding, while his 3-point shooting percentage took a hit. If Smith can keep his flaky personality in check, his playing time should spike and that means this sharp-shooter could be a great late round pick for you.

Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies: I wanted to find a way to rank Conley in the PG top 10, but I am not going to get crazy with him. Last season he missed big chunks of time with injuries, he had a high turnover rate, and being 20 years old in the NBA is hardly ever a good thing. Any time a team burns a high pick on you, they are certain to give you more than enough chances to prove yourself. His main problems are Kyle Lowry and that Shaq-esk FT percentage he brings to the table.

Earl Watson, Oklahoma City Thunder: What will scare most fantasy players away from Watson is that he has never truly lived up to his hype and the Thunder took Russell Westbrook in the draft. But, Westbrook isn’t a true PG and I like the fact Luke Ridnour is finally out of the way. I don’t think Westbrook is going to make a viable starting PG in the NBA, so the job is Watson’s to lose.

I know the top 10 players at each position can be a bit of an obvious call for those seasoned fantasy veterans. But, some of you tend to overthink your picks and hopefully this cleared up a lot of those questions. Should you have more, feel free to e-mail me and I will answer your question.

I have never been a baseball prospect, nor I have never been addicted to drugs. But, the way Josh Hamilton recounts both parts of his life in his new book Beyond Belief, made me want to reach out to the child in the early years and shake the adult in the later years. The story of Hamilton and what he went through to get back into baseball, is discussed in sports circles like the man is a myth. Hamilton’s autobiography is told with a passion and brutal honesty that is rarely seen in pro athletes today.

The book grabbed me from the opening page as Hamilton recalled his childhood in Raleigh, N.C. — living in the country, playing baseball every day, growing up with sports being what you did rather than what you wanted to do. The book even made me laugh as Hamilton told of chasing foul balls at baseball games to get a free hotdog from the concession stand. While Hamilton grew up in North Carolina, and I grew up in Trenton, Texas, our stories could have been told by the same person and been pretty accurate in both cases.

From the time Hamilton was six years old, he was always a step above his peers. He could throw harder, hit farther and make plays in the field that made the Tar Heel Little League move him up a level. He didn’t know it at the time, but he would be the first player they ever bestowed with such an honour. Hamilton’s childhood was filled with fond memories of playing the game he loved and spending time with the ones he loved — his family.

In the opening chapter, Hamilton tells a story about pitching to a kid in the Tar Heel League. During the first at bat, he threw behind the kid on accident. The next time up the opposing boy was mortified and cried outside the batter’s box until a coach convinced him that Hamilton wouldn’t hit him. What do you think happened? Hamilton dotted him right between the shoulder blades. The kid dropped, screaming “He hit me! He hit me!” and “I can’t move!” Years later Hamilton’s dad met the kid on a job site, and the now grown man, said “Tell your son I never played past little league after he hit me. That boy scared me to death.”

Hamilton even recounts an episode on the field when he was in Class-A ball in the Tampa Bay organization when he saw the face of a demon in the clouds during a game and after the game saw the image of Jesus Christ on a television in his hotel room. Some may think Hambone (the nickname his grandmother gave him) is crazy, but I tend to side with him in believing that there was a connection between the two events and a message was being prophesied to him. He didn’t know it at the time, but a tough road was ahead for the bright eyed 18-year-old that had his parents traveling with him full time.

Hamilton and his family were involved in an automobile accident with a dump truck that left his father with a fractured skull, his mother with whiplash and Hamilton with a back pain that could not be explained. The team ran him through every test imaginable and it wasn’t until a season later and a trip to a back specialist that the source of the pain was discovered. While a small pocket of fluid caused the pain in his back, the pain in his soul could be attributed to his family not being near him, loneliness that manifested itself in regular trips to a tattoo shop where he would sit for an entire day and get two or three tattoos per day, leaving a permanent reminder of the pain.

It was at that very shop where Hamilton met the individuals that would lead him to try cocaine for the first time. He later said “they weren’t bad people, they just did bad things.” Sometimes we know what we are doing is wrong, but our desire to drown our pain or fit in with others is so great that we ignore the red flags thrown in our faces. Twenty-plus tattoos covered his body and with cocaine coursing through his veins, Hamilton’s once bright aspirations of playing pro ball were quickly fading.

Something had to happen or this person, with God-given talent, would be lost to the world forever. That saviour would come in the form of a woman in her seventies who was barely five feet tall. Hamilton went to his grandmother’s house — the one place he always knew he could go when he felt he needed to escape — at a time when he had nowhere else to turn. His family was leery of helping him because of all he had put them through up to this point, but his grandmother would never turn him away, or so he hoped. At her house, after using drugs in her house and seeing the hurt in her eyes, Hamilton reached out to Jesus and asked him to do with his life what he wanted. From that day on Hamilton was drug free.

Hamilton went on to get selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 draft and sold to the Reds that same day; he made the Cincy big league roster out of Spring Training, and enjoyed rookie season. In the offseason, he was dealt to Texas, and this year enjoyed an even finer campaign, highlighted by his incredible show at the Home Run derby, when he smacked a record of 28 long balls in the first round.

Hamilton’s career is still young and the future is bright. What could have been has been replaced with what is now and the Rays have to be wishing they never left him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft.

Whether it is a sad story with a happy ending, a story of what not to do in life, or just a story of how life can deal you many obstacles and it is up to you to work around them, the tale of Josh Hamilton is a story that could make a grown man cry. What he had to overcome in order to claim his rightful spot on a major league roster is miraculous. Hamilton’s story is one of an individual trying to rein in something that was out of control. It wasn’t until he turned his life over to God that all things became possible.

Check out the Fantasy Forecast, which is updated every Monday morning.

Dear RotoRob.com,

In a Roto keeper league that uses OBP instead of BA, who would you rather have - Jhonny Peralta or Stephen Drew?

Steve

Steve,

Drew projects out at around .260/.332/.418, whereas Peralta should be close to .275/.350/.445. So, based on that and taking into account everything else, I take Peralta over Drew next season. Beyond 2008, however, I would likely lean towards Drew, poised for a serious breakout very soon.

Dear RotoRob.com,

How are you doing? I recently traded away Drew Gooden for Yi Jianlian in my 12-team H2H league, and it seems as if I’m the only person who thinks that was a good idea.

Here are my reasons:

1. Drew probably has peaked. And Anderson Varejao takes the majority of the minutes anyways.

2. Yi is a rookie. He has ebbs and flows, but my timing for the trade was alright because I caught him at a time when he was in a funk. He has better long-term potential for me than Gooden (note: not a keeper league).

3. The Bucks have a much better schedule ahead. Including the five-game week ahead, the Bucks also have one of the best fantasy playoff schedules. The Cavs have one of the worst.

So do you see what I saw? Or was trading Gooden really a bad idea?

Thanks!

Albert
New York, NY

Albert,

I think if you are looking at the season overall, Jianlian should do better than Gooden. Varejao looks like a season-ending injury waiting to happen, but the Bucks seem more committed to getting Yi more involved in the offense than the Cavs are about Gooden. I think it will end up being closer than people think, but Yi should do slightly better since he doesn’t have to fight for shots with LeBron James.

You know, not every week is a good week to pick up a free agent. But, lucky for you, this isn’t one of those weeks. This is actually a fairly good week to be trolling the waiver wire to help replace those players who are doing next to nothing.

Anthony Carter: Any time you are the only point guard on a team’s roster, it is safe to say your starting job is safe! Carter is all Denver has since Chucky Atkins is done for a minimum of two months following hernia surgery. Carter had 21 points and 11 assists on Friday night, plus he has had three double-digit assist performances in his last four games. I feel very good about picking up Carter off the waiver wire and I think he should be owned in all formats. Denver will likely try to make a move to add a PG, but for now, Carter’s the man.

Martell Webster: Webster has been averaging about 26 minutes per game so far this year and over the past week, he’s been on fire with 21 points, four rebounds and two assists per game. Webster is available in almost all my leagues and I think he could be a solid short-term option capable of providing points off the bench with a small amount of rebounds as well. Although Webster struggled against the Raptors today, he had managed at least 16 points in back-to-back games prior to Sunday.

Nate Robinson: The Mighty Midget is one person who is benefiting from the Knicks’ line-up change. Robinson is averaging 2.5 threes, 18 points, four rebounds, five assists, and one steal per game over the past week. The Knicks have played six games in January so far and Robinson has averaged 32 minutes per game. Everyone has a chance to shine on the Knicks, so Robinson is as good of a bet right now as Zach Randolph is! Robinson looked fantastic on Friday, pouring in 24 points off the bench against Toronto.

Dear RotoRob.com,
 
Everything is good here; I’m just a bit disappointed about how my team has performed so far. I am currently No. 4 out of eight in our H2H League. Here is my team:
 
PG: Mike Conley, Maurice Williams, Mike Bibby
SG: Ray Allen, Joe Johnson, Jason Richardson
SF: John Salmon, LeBron James
PF: Zach Randolph, Carlos Boozer, LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Chris Kaman, Tyson Chandler

I recently dropped Ben Wallace for Bibby, and am considering picking him back up.

Anything I need?
 
Please advise.
 
Thanks.
 
Ace

Ace,

Bibby is going to be back here in a day or so, so I would keep him. I would look to drop or trade Salmons and pick up someone else to occupy your SF spot. Martell Webster is a possibility, as he has been hot lately. But, since your league is so small, I would want to see a list of the available SFs before telling you to grab him. In eight-team leagues, there can be some very good starters on the wire for no reason other than nobody has room for them.

I would like to ask for your advice on my team, where I’m dead last and trailing by almost 10 points in a Rotissiere league of 10 teams (nine-cat league, has O-Reb and D-Reb).

I have T.J. Ford and Gilbert Arenas (unfortunately, he was my first pick) who are both injured. Should I drop them considering that they might not be playing until the middle of February? My players include: Mo Williams, Sebastian Telfair, Mike Miller, Ricky Davis, Udonis Haslem, Travis Outlaw, Amare Stoudamire, Danny Granger, Michael Finley and Anthony Carter. What can be done to salvage my team from ending in last place?
 
Thanks.
 
Lloyd, Philippines

When Arenas comes back he will be huge. But, Ford is dead weight and should be cut as soon as possible.

Entering the Energy Solutions Arena for the first time was a bit overwhelming for me. Although the arena has been here since 1991, this was my first time in the home of the Jazz, being that I live out of state. I can honestly say that I don’t see a bad seat in the house. [Editorial note: Believe me, James...I've sat in a bad seat there.]

This is the same floor that John Stockton and Karl Malone made magic happen. This is the same place where Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams are forging a new dynamic duo of their own. I had a sudden urge to break out my pen and run down to the floor to see if I could pry up a piece of that hallowed wood for my collection. But, alas, I am here not only as a fan, I am here as a writer covering the game.

Now, there are a few things you need to know about going to a game as a member of the media.

The Bad things

1. You can’t get any autographs. The teams are very clear about that from the time you get your credentials.

2. No pictures. No matter how bad you want to snap off a few shots, there is a difference between a fan and the media. And, the line is very finely drawn.

3. You still aren’t allowed in practices. They don’t like anyone in on the practices. I got kicked out.

The Good Things

1. They have food. I found my way to the media room where they had some good lasagna, breadsticks, and a dessert bar that would make a kid fall in love.

2. You got one of the best seats in the house. I had a media seat right above the visiting team tunnel. I could see the game perfectly.

3. You get to go down after the game and talk with the players. Sure, you still have to be professional, but you can ask them questions like “So, Mr. Tinsley, why did you pass those fans up after warm-ups without giving them an autograph? Everyone else signed for them.”

Being a fan myself, it was really hard not to ask the players for autographs or pictures. But, when you take the whole night into account, it was an experience that I am glad to have had. The Jazz organization is about as classy as they come. The arena was incredible, the entertainment for the fans was well worth the money they paid for the tickets, and the game itself was 48 minutes of sheer good times.

If you ever get the chance to get a press pass or even a special access pass, I suggest you take advantage of it. The stuff you get to do just crushes what you get to do as a normal fan with a normal ticket. I got to see every player sign stuff for fans except Jamaal Tinsley (which almost made me cut him from my team); I got to stand next to Andrei Kirilenko and see how tall he really is; and I figured out that since I am 6′2″, I am positive that Deron Williams is not 6′3″ as listed. The night ended with me getting the cold shoulder in the locker room after I asked some of the questions Rob suggested I ask. Needless to say, I can’t post them here since I work for both teams and they almost kicked me out the first time.

Dear RotoRob.com,
 
Happy New Year. How have you been?
 
I recently picked up Francisco Garcia from the Kings, but am considering dropping him for Mike Conley since I only have Joe Johnson and Mo Williams as my other point guards. Meanwhile, I do have John Salmon on the team, and he’s been playing nuts for me. 
 
Considering the situation at Sacramento right now, should I drop Garcia for Conley?

Please advise.
 
Thanks,
 
Ace

Ace,

If you cut Garcia for Conley, I want in on your league! Garcia has tons of value with Ron Artest out, and even though Conley is now startring, rookies play like rookies.

Devin Harris: His minutes the last few games have been low, anything going on there?

Doug

Doug,

The problem there is a guy named Jason Terry. Terry and Harris are going to split minutes until one either gets traded or dies. The important thing is that Harris is making the most of the time he is on the court. Over the past week, he has averaged 18 points, three rebounds, 4.5 assists and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 47.4 per cent from the field. That’s pretty good for a platooner.

Thanks for the articles — we appreciate the daily advice.

Can you help with a trade? I’m in an eight-team, non-keeper, Yahoo Roto league and the stats are basic except no TOs or FG%. We have one PG, one SG, one G, one SF, one PF, one F, two Cs, three UT and six bench spots. My current roster is Baron Davis, Deron Williams, Dwyane Wade, Andre Iguadalo, Ricky Davis, Rashard Lewis, Antawn Jamison, LaMarcus Aldridge, Brad Miller, Yao Ming. My bench is Devin Harris, Francisco Garcia, Raja Bell, Stephon Marbury, Louis Williams, Elton Brand.

I am currently weak in FT% — last, but very close to two others, and in 3PTM — middle of the pack. I just traded Emeka Okafor and Al Horford for Lewis, which helped me in both areas. I offered B. Davis and Marbury to improve my FT (and because I fear injury to Baron) for D. West and Kevin Durant. He countered with Baron and R. Davis for those two. 

I like improving my FT%, and will gain a few blocks, which may help, but lose big on threes, steals, and assists, and fear I am overpaying with the best player in the trade. I know Durant is more valuable in this format, and could help offset the threes a little.

I also have an offer out there of Wade for Chris Paul (again, FT% and injury concerns, though Paul has a history as well). Do you like either trade, or should I hold out for more?

Thanks.

Pat

Patrick,

I like Paul more than D-Wade this year. CP3 is the No. 1 player in all of fantasy basketball now, so if this owner is dumb enough to deal you Paul for Wade, then take it and run!

Durant has improved him FG%, but his shot selection is iffy. If you deal for him, you will take a step down from Baron Davis. I don’t think you are getting enough in your deals.

Dear RotoRob.com,

I was wondering if you could help me with some keeper league decisions. I currently play in a highly competitive league with 16 teams. The salary cap is $300 and we draft both NL and AL players and we can protect seven players. It’s a 5×5 league.

Each league team will purchase an “Active Roster” of 24 players broken down by position as follows:

1. Nine pitchers.
2. One first baseman, one third baseman, one first OR third
baseman.
3. One second baseman, one shortstop, one second baseman OR
shortstop.
4. Five outfielders.
5. Two catchers.
6. Two utility players.

Below are the players that I can protect along with the 2008 dollar value. Which seven would you keep?

Carlos Ruiz, C, PHI $6
Brian Schneider, C, NYM $6
Prince Fielder, 1B, MIL $13
Derrek Lee, 1B, CHC $36
Chase Utley, 2B, PHI $17
Jose B. Reyes, SS, NYM $21
Bobby Abreu, RF, NYY $39
Vladimir Guerrero, RF, LAA $43
Kenny Lofton, CF, CLE $13
Chris B. Young, CF, ARI $17
Delmon Young, RF, MIN $18
Bronson Arroyo, SP, CIN $13
Francisco Cordero, RP, CIN $21
Felix Hernandez, SP, SEA $13
Brandon Morrow, SP, SEA $5
Javier Vazquez, SP, CHW $14
Billy Wagner, RP, NYM $42
Kazuo Matsui, 2B, HOU $6
Garrett Atkins, 3B, COL $19
Coco Crisp, CF, BOS $25
Cliff Floyd, LF, TB $5
Joe Blanton, SP, OAK $5
Pedro Martinez, SP, NYM $5
Jake Peavy, SP, SD $34
Ben Sheets, SP, MIL $31

Thanks!

Mitch

Mitch,

The seven that I keep are:

Fielder, Utley, Reyes, Vladdy, Hernandez, Peavy and Pedro.

The reason I go Pedro over Sheets is because of Pedro’s salary compared to Sheets. Pedro can still dominate and Sheets is just as much of an injury risk anyway.

Now that I have Jamaal Tinsley banged up also, should I pick up Chucky Atkins or Marquis Daniels and dump T.J. Ford or just tough it out and wait for Mike Bibby to come back?

My team: Bibby, Baron Davis, Andris Biedrins, Beno Udrih, Antonio McDyess, Ford, Emeka Okafor, Tinsley, Al Jefferson, Lamar Odom, Tayshaun Prince, Carlos Boozer, Stephen Jackson.

Rusty

Rusty,

I’d cut Ford loose and pick up someone like Jarrett Jack or Roger Mason.

Tinsley is nursing a sore hammy which tends to linger, but Daniels isn’t going to be the Pacers’ saviour. Andre Owens, Kareem Rush, and Daniels are combining in a hodge-podge of guards filling in for Tinsley, and none of them have very much fantasy value.

Erick Dampier: Dampier is the self-proclaimed second best centre in the NBA. Didn’t you know that? Well, no, neither did I! But, over the past week, Dampier has been playing well enough to post 12.5 points per game, 8.5 rebounds per game, and three blocks per game. For a Fantasy centre, that is actually fairly good. Dampier is prone to go into a cold spell where he is worth next to nothing, so pick him up now and keep a very close eye on his minutes and stats. Of course, Dampier has missed the past two games with a knee injury, so you’ll want to check his status before picking him up.

Antonio Daniels: Gilbert Arenas is out for at least six more weeks and now that Daniels has returned from injury and is in the starting lineup, he is worth being owned in all league formats. I’d pick him up today if you need a PG before someone else figures the same thing out. Certainly, after his double-double today, Daniels will gain even more traction.

Mike Conley, Jr.: Conley has taken over the starting PG spot for the Grizzlies and is a viable option if you need assists and steals. You are not going to get very much offense out of him, so don’t drop anyone terribly important to get him, but if you need assists to pick up lost ground in your roto league, give Conley a look. If Memphis deals Damon Stoudamire as rumoured, Conley’s role will be solidified even moreso.

Dear RotoRob.com,

I have a fantasy basketball question for you. I am in a 10-team, eight-category rotisserie keeper league with 15-man rosters. We start nine players daily. My question is if I should drop Corey Brewer for J.R. Smith as I am wondering who will be the more valuable player in a keeper league? Also, who helps me the most in the stat areas that I am struggling in?
 
Here is my current roster:
 
PG - Steve Nash, Raymond Felton, Mike Conley Jr.
SG – Ben Gordon, Ricky Davis, Bonzi Wells
SF – Josh Howard, Marquis Daniels, Corey Brewer
PF – Chris Bosh, Charlie Villanueva, Sean May
C – Emeka Okafor, Andrea Bargnani, Greg Oden

Here are my current standings in the league (fifth place):

Points – sixth
Rebounds – sixth
Assists – fourth
Blocks – Tied for eighth
Steals – seventh
FG% – 10th
FT% – fifth
3PM – third
 
Any help would be appreciated.

Jordan

Jordan,

I’d easily give Brewer the long-term edge over Smith. Smith can’t seem to find his way into the Nuggets’ lineup and looks to be dead weight.

Anderson Varejao is a better bet than Villaneuva. Outside of that, I think you have a pretty good keeper team. I mean I like Ike Diogu more than Daniels, but being a writer for the Pacers too, I see Diogu as their sixth man and Daniels going back to being a 10-to-15 minute guy. I’d say you are weak at PF depth, but Okafor is really a PF with Oden hopefully taking over your C spot for years to come.

But, the first sign that I see Oden’s micro-fracture not healing right, I’d see if I can deal him before his value goes to nil.

Well, another week has passed and we’ve got another T.J. Ford injury which has put his career in jeopardy; Anderson Varejao is back to playing solid games, and Chucky Atkins has been the talk of the town in most leagues’ FA pool. So, where does that leave you and what you should do? Well, listen to me, follow my advice and you will live long and prosper!

Charlie Bell/Bobby Simmons: Desmond Mason is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks, so that means either Bell or Simmons will step into the starting role with the other one seeing a boost in minutes. I am going to bet more on Bell becoming the starter (and he did do just that Saturday) with Simmons, the former NBDLer, coming off the bench. I wouldn’t go dumping someone that is doing well, but Bell might be a good gamble if you are holding a Charlie Villanueva.

Nazr Mohammed: Mohammed is now with the Bobcats and has been one of the top FA signings in the leagues I am in. I think he is able to get a double-double on any given night, therefore, I would snatch him now! Keep him or offer him for trade to someone that needs a centre. You can’t ever have too many double-double centres. Mohammed continued his fine scoring run last night with 14 points.

Eric Dampier: If you need a centre really, really, really badly, Dampier is out there in most leagues. He will only get you about five points a game, but he will also grab around seven boards and two blocks per game. If Mohammed is already gone and you need a big man, give Dampier a try. Just don’t expect too much, although his line on Wednesday — 10 boards, two steals and five blocks — sure was sweet.

Anderson Varejao: He is playing okay, but not well enough to start him right now. I would say you can pick him up and stash him on the bench, but I wouldn’t give up too much to get him. Sideshow Bob enjoyed a big night Thursday, scoring 11 points and pulling down a game-high 15 boards.

Dear RotoRob.com,

I’m starting to get the feeling that we’re all getting stiffed on Elton Brand-related updates. First, his re-evaluation was moved from December 3 to December 11. Now, we’re a couple days past the appointment and there’s not a word anywhere about the results or whether he even went to see his doctor. I don’t get it. 

The thought crossed my mind that the Clips/Brand may be holding back because the report is not good. But this doesn’t make much sense either. Any thoughts? 

Thanks.

Greg B.

Greg,

The fact that the eval was postponed isn’t a good sign. I mean they must know something isn’t right to avoid finding out how the injury is healing. I had Brand on my ‘Do Not Draft’ list and laughed every time I saw someone take him either in the draft or off waivers. We now that Brand will begin working out on Monday, but the best-case scenario for Brand’s return would be February, so what do you think you are going to get from him?

Maybe 75 per cent when he hits the court with a possible jump to 85 per cent to 90 per cent by the end of the season.

Brand is dead weight and even when he returns he will have cost his owners far more points than he will give you.

Dear RotoRob.com,

Daniel Gibson is on my waiver wire. Should I drop anyone below for Gibson? How long will Gibson be out? I also picked up Mike Bibby yesterday off waivers. Was that a smart move?

Mike Bibby
Baron Davis
Andris Biedrins
Beno Udrih
Marko Jaric
T.J. Ford
Emeka Okafor
Jamaal Tinsley
Al Jefferson
Lamar Odom
Tayshaun Prince
Carlos Boozer
Stephen Jackson 

Rusty

Rusty,

Gibson only had his wisdom tooth pulled and a cyst repaired, so he will be back on the court soon. That being said, I wouldn’t have picked up Bibby just yet. He is still four-to-six weeks away from returning to the court. I would cut Bibby for Gibson tonight.

T.J. Ford went down with a pretty scary injury that turned out to be nothing, Kevin Martin is out four-to-six weeks with a strained groin, Jeff Foster’s back is ailing, and Tim Duncan is missing time with a gimpy knee. Had enough injuries yet? Hey, I’m scrambling just like you to find replacements for my injured guys, but the key to your success could be whether or not you read The Wire Troll!

John Salmons: He will lose some time with Francisco Garcia around, but he is the main starter while K-Mart is out. Salmons has the ability to fill in adequately, just don’t hope for the same points that you got with Martin. Still, he’s been in double digits in points in six straight games and he’s even enjoyed back-to-back two-block games, the later of which is not an area he tends to contribute in.

Udonis Haslem: He is available in a lot of leagues still, but he has been putting up 15.8 PPG to go along with his 8.8 RPG over the past week. He won’t get you many blocks or steals, but he also doesn’t turn the ball over much either. Haslem has a solid shooting percentage, a solid free-throw percentage, and is just a solid overall player when talking about power forwards. On Monday, he went off for a season-best 21 points while pulling down a dozen boards. He’s playing more than ever before, and is responding with better numbers.

Matt Barnes: Barnes seems to come and go when looking at the starting lineup, which is typical of a Don Nelson-coached team. But, when he plays he is very capable of putting up good numbers in a wide open Warriors’ offense. Over the past week, he has been averaging 11.0 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 1.8 SPG, and only 0.8 turnovers per game. I’d pick him up and play him while he is on his game. But, keep an eye for when his minutes start to slip. Barnes took a hard fall Tuesday, but it obviously didn’t hurt his game last night. Damn, he’s even been dishing some dimes of late, with seven in the past two games.

Dear RotoRob.com,

I went with A-Ram over V-Mart for his superior OPS. Cole Hamels and Erik Bedard are still on the board with 10 picks to go before I pick. One more question – would you still go with a SP over Travis Hafner, Hunter Pence or Russell Martin?

Steve

Steve,

I think if you can get a clear cut ace right now, you have to look at it. I would be pretty tempted to take Martin or Hafner, but if you can snag a Hamels or Bedard to anchor the staff, you have to consider that.