 Brandon Knight (credits below) Not since the 1998-1999 season has there been a heavier reliance on the young legs, high energy, and exuberance rookies bring to NBA teams. In just one week the league has seen rookies like New Jersey’s Marshon Brooks, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, and Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio fill significant voids for their teams in an effort to survive the 66 games sprint to April. This 2012 rookie class doesn’t appear to contain a John Wall or Blake Griffin, a headline force that steps into stardom, but instead we may see a bevy of role players who, in time, will develop into quality pieces for the future.
At 24.3 years of age, the Minnesota Timberwolves have the youngest aggregate age of any team in the NBA and their youth movement is sure to find a handful of pieces that will stick. Among those pieces in Spanish import and Houdini point guard Ricky Rubio. In his first three games Rubio has seen an average of 28 minutes per contest and dished out a remarkable 7.3 assists in limited action. Tempering expectations for the 21 year old has been a high turnover rate. In a December 30th contest against Miami, Rubio flashed a brilliant 12 assist effort but his 5 turnovers hurt his T’Wolves down the stretch in a 101-103 loss.
Alongside Rubio, Minnesota’s #2 overall selection, Derrick Williams, has given Kevin Love and company a spark off the bench while creating matchup issues for opponents. At 6’8’’, 241 pounds, Williams possess the physical skills of a power forward while showcasing the abilities of a much more nimble forward. Few teams can match up with the rookie who hasn’t been shy about showing off his long distance game (2.7 attempted three’s/game) as well as displaying his skills putting the ball on the floor at finishing (at least one trip to the free throw line/game). With limitless potential paired with resolute work ethic, Minnesota has a duo in Williams and Rubio that they can finally put in place around centerpiece Kevin Love.
Detroit too may be a year or two away from competing for a playoff spot but that hasn’t stopped a young Pistons team from looking towards a 2012 playoff birth. With the loss of veteran leader Richard Hamilton, Detroit has inserted rookie Brandon Knight as the offensive sparkplug they’ll need to compete in the ever-powerful Eastern Conference. In just his second game as a pro Knight turned heads with his 23 points and 6 assists in a December 28th contest versus Cleveland. Moving forward Knight should continue to see a steady stream of playing time come his way as the primary backup option to Rodney Stuckey and Ben Gordon.
The New Jersey Nets didn’t have the luxury of a lottery selection in last summer’s draft but that didn’t stop head coach Avery Johnson from finding a diamond in the rough in rookie Marshon Brooks. The youngster out of Providence has yet to crack the starting rotation but the lanky swingman has found a niche in the scoring column to the tune of 15.3 points per game. In addition to his offensive flare, Brooks has been a defensive asset for the developing Nets who are desperate for a solid defender (21st in team defense, allowing 97.3 PPG).Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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(December 27, 2011 - Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America)
 see credits below For those who aren’t die-hard hoops fans, processing all sixty of the new faces to christen the NBA on draft night is like dumping the pieces to a puzzle out on the floor, then, piece by piece, figuring where everything fits.
Determining the winners and losers of the draft is an inexact science considering players’ stocks are in constant flux, but some players, namely a large portion of the European crop selected, will be unlikely candidates make an impact in the league however labeling such selections as “projects” injects hope that one day the next Dirk, Pau Gasol, or Tony Parker will emerge.
Here we process through the busiest night of the hoops calendar in an effort to better understand which players we’ll still be talking about over the next decade.
Sure things
Kyrie Irving (#1-Cleveland) - Irving will step in immediately for the Cavaliers although trouble looms ahead since veteran Baron Davis isn’t likely to step aside for the draft’s top player. Irving is a “sure thing” in that he’s guaranteed playing time, different from previous number one selections that were transitioned into the starting role prior to being named featured stars (2006’s Andrea Bargnani started just 2 games as a rookie and 2001’s Kwame Brown started a mere 3).
Given a full 35:00-37:00 minutes of floor time it’s not unreasonable to expect John Wall-esc statistics (15.5 PPG, 8.0 APG, 2.5 SPG) although his game is better suited for the halfcourt offense. Cleveland walks away from Thursday night’s draft knowing they selected the top player in the pool, an important win for a team that experienced a 42 game swing from last season.
Enes Kanter (#3-Utah) - Cleveland salivated at the thought of attaining both Irving and Kanter but Utah selected the Turkish star at number three and will place him into a situation where he’ll have time to grow behind fellow Turk Mehmet Okur and big man Paul Millsap.
Coming off the bench Kanter can expect a fair amount of floor time but newly appointed head coach Tyrone Corbin will be in no rush to push the young Kanter into a high impact role. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the big, bruising forward earn a key role come time for a playoff push. The self proclaimed “best player in the draft” will have his opportunity to prove himself, an unknown entity thus far, having played in just a handful of high exposure venues.
Kemba Walker (#9-Charlotte) - A proven winner and team leader, Walker will bring instant credibility to a team that desperately needs direction. Headed by Michael Jordan, the Bobcats Front Office loved Walker’s work ethic in combine workouts and dispelled any notions of Walker as a shoot-first point guard.
Should the former Connecticut Husky beat out incumbent guard D.J. Augustine, K-Walk could be on his way to establishing himself as an effective asset in Charlotte’s backcourt for years to come. Questions of his passing ability have come to the surface considering his role as a scorer during Uconn’s title run. Walker worked as a distributor during his freshman and sophomore seasons, creating for eventual pros like A.J. Price, Hasheem Thabeet, Jeff Adrien, and Stanley Robinson which should aid his case as a potential scorer and distributor.
Jimmer Fredette (#10-Sacramento) - A fan favorite wherever he goes, Fredette will land in a city desperate for a player who can escort fans through the turnstiles while also running the floor with Tyreke Evans. The phrase “unlimited range” has been used so often around the former BYU Cougar he may actually think he can hoist 35’ jumpers without a hook from the coaching staff. The Kings won’t give Jimmer the freedom he saw during his four years at BYU but the 6’1’’ combo guard will certainly have a chance to succeed for the Kings who now have the young talent necessary to rejuvenate Sacramento.
Potential…engulfed in skepticismDerrick Williams (#2- Minnesota) - Williams led NCAA in free throw attempts during the 2010-2011 season, in large part due to his size and overwhelming athleticism to draw fouls from weaker and slower defenders. Williams will be hard pressed to overmatch NBA forwards and earn points from the charity stripe which only adds to the uncertainty surrounding his future as a pro.
Williams believes he’s a small forward, at 6’9’’ he would be ideal for the position, but scouts like his wide body and his potential playing on the block at a power forward. The conflict of interest has raised red flags in NBA front offices but the Timberwolves have overlooked these flaws and will stash him among the ranks of Wes Johnson, Michael Beasley, Anthony Randolph, Martell Webster, and Lazar Hayward. Sounds like a logjam to me.
Bismack Biyombo (#7-Charlotte) - Compared to a young, unpolished Ben Wallace, Biyombo offers the Bobcats zero offense however, his defensive ability and tenacity make up for his limited offensive abilities. Uncertainty about his age, reports stating he could be anywhere from 18-26 have surfaced, make Biyombo a giant question mark.
With four international players in the top ten selections, Byimbo isn’t alone as an unknown entering the 2011 season. Players like Toronto’s Jonas Valanciunas and Washington’s Jan Vesely too will be question marks in the future but certainly one of these unknowns will develop into a serviceable starter.
Brandon Knight (#8-Detroit) - Unlike the former Calapari guards of previous drafts (Rose and Wall), Knight doesn’t posses NBA-ready playmaking ability, but his combination of shooting ability and intelligence (4.3 GPA as a HS senior) make him a candidate to succeed at the next level.
The only caveat for Knight will be the uncertainty regarding his role as a rookie. Barring an offseason trade, Knight will have to bypass Will Bynum, Rodney Stuckey, Rip Hamilton, and Ben Gordon for floor time. A tall task for the 19-year old Knight.
Nikola Vucevic (#16- Philadelphia) - One of the few big men in the 2011 draft, Vucevic pieced together a noteworthy career at USC and came on strong this spring en route to climbing into the first round on many front office draft boards. Vucevic will be road-blocked by a more physical Spencer Hawes and Marreese Speights making it a near guarantee that it will be a year or two before he actually makes an impact. Plenty of potential here from a 6’10’’ forward/center with a functional mid-range jump shot.
Good fitsKawhi Leonard (# 15 San Antonio) - Leonard was San Diego State’s go-to man both offensively and defensively but the Spurs love his length which is why they dealt George Hill in exchange for the rights to Leonard. This move appears to be in an effort to rebuild while still maintaining success. San Antonio will still rely on Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan, but Leonard gives his veteran club a more secure future. The Spurs will be glad they have an athlete of his level come playoff time when it’s time to defend Kevin Durant.
Iman Shumpert (# 17 New York) - In order for the Knicks to advance deep into the playoff picture next spring, they’ll need the services of an elite defender who can contain the likes of Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. Shumpert, at 6’4’’ gives New York a top-flight perimeter defender who can bring energy off the bench. The Knicks have plenty of offensive weapons but it was defense that needed to be addressed this summer.
Shelvin Mack (# 34 Washington) - The perfect complement to John Wall off the Wizards bench, Mack won’t force any offense and is a level head that brings a veteran presence to a young squad. The former Butler Bulldog is a proven winner and will bring that same pedigree to Flip Saunders bench. A solid 2nd round selection.
Low Risk-High RewardTyler Honeycutt (# 35 Sacramento) - Honeycutt can score (12.8 PPG, including a 33 point performance against Kansas) rebound, (a team leading 7.2 RPG), and defend (a 6’8’’ frame and 7’0’’ wingspan makes him the perfect assignment for quicker guards. The Kings are a bit wary about his 188 lbs. frame but he’ll have time to mature and fill out before he’s expected to contribute.
Jordan Williams (#36 New Jersey) - The former Maryland Terrapin slid to the 2nd round and the Nets were the beneficiary for the services of the 6’8’’ power forward. Without the likes of Derrick Favors to compete with for minutes, Williams could turn out to be a steal. His relentless attack of the glass combined with low post scoring ability, it may be sooner than later that the young forward makes a name for himself playing for coach Avery Johnson.
Josh Selby (#49 Memphis) - The #1 rated high school senior entering last season according to Rivals.com recruiting services, Selby’s plummet from the college hoops pinnacle allowed the Grizzlies to scoop up the one-and-done Jayhawk. Could Selby return to form and work his way into the Memphis rotation? The talent is certainly there to make Selby a factor at the NBA level.
What were they thinking?Reggie Jackson (#24 Oklahoma City Thunder) - Few people can skip a job interview, fail to return phone calls from potential employers, and still claim millions in the job market. Jackson did exactly this and was able to parlay his exposure (or lack of exposure in pre-draft workouts) into a role with the Thunder. Jackson can score but his career 34% 3-PT rate raises some eyebrows for a perimeter player. Factor in his size at 6’3’’, it’s difficult to project Jackson as either a point guard or a shooting guard.
Corey Joseph (#29 San Antonio) - After applauding their 1st round selection of Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs took a chance with freshman Corey Joseph who was a top 20 recruit last season although more college seasoning could have greatly benefitted the young perimeter scorer. Unless Joseph (10.3 PPG in 10’-11’) is destined for the developmental league, it’s hard to envision a scenario where he can develop in the NBA.
Josh Harrellson (#45 New Orleans) - The 2nd round is often a time for stretch picks, selections that give promise to the future without much risk. Had Enes Kanter been eligible to suit up for Kentucky this season, Harrellson is entering any other profession beside professional basketball. With players like Josh Selby, David Lighty, and E’Twaun Moore still available, the Hornets chose the route of the dreadfully un-athletic, offensively challenged big man (7.6 PPG last season, 1.3 PPG in 4 MPG during the 2009-2010 season). Can’t quite figure this one out. Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, 2011 NBA Draft
 The adage that history repeats itself will prove once again true as we’re just days shy (May 17th) of the NBA draft lottery where the league’s non-playoff teams will learn their drafting fate. This year’s crop of (exceptionally) young talent is a cast of characters we’ve seen before—16 years ago to be exact. This year’s draft resembles that of 1994 so closely that the players seem almost the same just their names have changed.
Derrick Williams: Glenn Robinson
The consensus number one pick for next month’s draft (June 23rd) is Arizona’s Derrick Williams who has been compared to the number one pick in 1994’s draft: Glen Robinson. Williams was on display during this year’s NCAA tournament where he carried the Wildcats to the Elite Eight where they were knocked off by eventual national champs Connecticut.
At 6’8’’ Williams has a similar body type to that of Glenn “Big Dog” Robinson who the Bucks selected first in 1994. The differences between the two may lie in Williams’ elite level athleticism which has sometimes hurt the young forward who found himself in foul trouble too often (2.8 FPG in 30 MPG). Staying out of foul trouble and remaining on the floor will be one of the few knocks on Williams who has scouts drooling now that the 20 year old has developed a dependable jump shot (42-74 3PT FG).
With Minnesota, Toronto, Cleveland, and Washington as the leading candidates for the first pick, general managers who fail to snag Williams won’t be apoplectic considering there’s a bevy of top flight draft options behind Derrick Williams who will be a building block of one lucky franchise.
Kyrie Irving: Jason Kidd
Duke’s Kyrie Irving has the uncanny playmaking skills only matched by another great point guard, the #2 pick in 1994 Jason Kidd. Like Kidd, Irving hasn’t doesn’t posses the jump shot threat that will stretch defenses but scouts hope that the young Irving will develop a perimeter jumper much the way that Kidd has as his career has progressed(18-39 3PT FG in ’10-’11).
In just one brief season at Duke, Irving gained the exposure and the hype necessary to make his speed and orchestrating ability the top attributes for the draft’s top guard. Cleveland appears to be the ideal fit for Irving considering teams like Minnesota and Washington already have young point guards in place with Johnny Flynn and John Wall respectively.
Enes Kanter: Brian Grant
Kanter missed out this year on an opportunity to show off his low post ability after being ruled ineligible to play for Kentucky. Kanter has done enough in draft combines to prove that he can be a productive interior presence at the next level but also possesses the size to match up against any NBA forward.
Kanter will be 19 this summer, just old enough to be eligible beyond the league’s age restriction, but the Turkish big man’s age isn’t perceived to be a factor considering his 6’11’’, 261 pound frame will make him an immediate force on both the offensive and defensive glass. Like Brian Grant in ’94, Kanter may begin his NBA career coming off the bench but by midseason the youngster will surely be a mainstay on the block for an NBA franchise.
Jordan Hamilton: Donyell Marshall
Hamilton’s offensive ability is near the top on any GM’s draft board but on the only chip on the former Texas Longhorn forward is his inability to commit on the defensive end. Akin the Uconn’s Donyell Marshall in ’94, Hamilton will undoubtedly find significant minutes at the NBA level but the length of his role as a starter will remain dependent on Hamilton’s willingness to develop his all-round game.
An above average shooter paired with upper level athletic ability, Hamilton will have no trouble getting his shots (39% 3PT) over smaller forwards and at 6’7’’ it wouldn’t be difficult to see him develop as a rebounder too (7.7 RPG as a sophomore).
Tristan Thompson: Juwan Howard
Hamilton’s teammate at Texas, Thompson at only 20 is a shadow of Juwan Howard, but during his freshmen season in Austin the young forward showed off his 7’2’’ wingspan and his energy attack much the way Howard did during his tenure at Michigan.
Scouts have raved about the youngster’s soft hands and quick feet that will give hope that Thompson is merely scratching the surface of what he will become at the next level. Consistency will be the focus point come draft day for Thompson who was seemingly absent from numerous games this season including the 70-69 loss in the Sweet Sixteen to Arizona where Thompson contributed a meager 4 points in 36 minutes. Scouts hope that they’re drafting the Tristan Thompson who posted 16 double-doubles in ’10-’11 and not the occasionally lapse inclined youngster scouts look to avoid.
At 13.1 PPG as a freshman, there’s little reason to doubt that he’ll be a presence for years to come should he put all the pieces together at the pro level.
Alec Burks: Jalen Rose
Burks may not have the size of Rose or the lefty jumper, but Burks combination of scoring and playmaking ability make Burks a legitimate top 10 pick. Burks considered leaving Colorado after his freshman year, but decided another season would help to polish his skill set. For a back court player, Burks rebounds the ball as well as Rose (5.0 RPG as a frosh, 6.5 RPG as a soph.) and has a first round worthy mid-range to three point shot.
Burks won’t be the panacea for the NBA team that drafts him as he will likely be an immediate number two or three offensive option but not a top offensive option right away. There’s little doubt though the Burks will be a scorer eventually at the pro level considering outputs like his 36 points against Missouri and his 33 point effort against Texas.
One of the few negatives of Burks game is he occasionally takes on too much responsibility with the ball which results in a high turnover total (19 games in 2010-2011 with 3 or more turnovers). Scouts in the green room on draft day will look carefully at the talented guard out of Colorado but don’t expect Burks to make a resounding impact immediately at the professional level.
Kyle Singler: Bill Curley
Both Singler (Duke) and Curley (B.C.) enjoyed four year rides at their schools where this pair of forwards did nothing but produce. Singler leaves Duke with a national title and a handful of ACC-1st team hardware while Curley similarly carried Boston College through the rigors of the Big East throughout the early 90’s.
The sharp-shooting forward lacks the rebounding ability to solidify himself as an starting power forward but he’ll create mismatches with his 6’8’’ frame at the small forward position (6.8 RPG/34.8 MPG). Teams may be sheepish come draft day considering Singler’s limited experience handling the ball and creating shots for himself(.86 assist to turnover ratio).
Kemba Walker: Khalid Reeves
Both legendary New York City players in their own right, Walker at Rice and Reeves at Christ the King, as both of these point guards demonstrated their scoring abilities at the college ranks (Walker 23.5 PPG his final season at UCONN and Reeves 24.2 PPG at Arizona).
Walker’s pro fortunes look a bit brighter following an unprecedented 11 straight wins en route to the NCAA national championship and his ability to conform to nearly any role. As a freshman Walker functioned as the 6th man while playing a reserve role to current Indiana Pacer A.J. Price and then as a sophomore Walker acted as the lead distributor (5.1 APG) to Jerome Dyson and Stanley Robinson all before taking on a leadership role in ’10-’11.
Depending on where the NCAA tournament MVP lands, Walker could be a building block for many NBA teams who lack a floor leader entering ’11-’12. Walker fans will hope that his professional career will outshine Reeves who disappointed many after surfacing on the periphery of only six NBA season.
Jimmer Fredette: Eric Piatkowski
Perimeter shooting has come at a premium in an age where transition offense has become the de rigueur and teams look to spread defenses across all 50’ of the floor. Much like Fredette, Piatkowski made a living from long range, converting 63 three pointers during his senior year at Nebraska all in a 21.2 PPG effort which placed the sharpshooter on the 1994 Big 12 First Team.
Fredette collected his own accolades by reeling in the Wooden Award as the National Player of the Year but scouts have their doubts about where Jimmer will fit on an NBA roster considering his 6’2’’frame which makes him too small to play shooting guard. Fredette’s 28.9 PPG his senior season gives a glimpse at what he may be able to accomplish at the next level should be find an opportunity to play more of shoot-first point guard rather than an off-the-ball shooter.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, 2011 NBA Draft
 The summer of 2004 greeted a pair of impact players into the league without much fanfare behind names like Dwight Howard, Emeka Okafor, and Ben Gordon but now, nearly seven years later Kevin Martin and Tony Allen are two of the hottest names in hoops.
The Boston Celtics selected Tony Allen with the 25th pick and Kevin Martin out of Western Carolina one pick later at 26th overall. A lot has changed since that same summer that was fresh of the first Detroit Pistons championship in nearly 14 years, while also seeing Shaquille O’Neal depart Los Angles in favor of the greener pastures of Miami. Since then players like Kevin Martin and Tony Allen have quietly rose to the top of league, catapulted by impressive second half surges that will surely carry into 2012.
Tony Allen’s Grizzlies will enjoy a chance at a playoff run while Kevin Martin and his young Rockets team will not. The Rockets absence from playoff basketball won’t come as a fault of Martin whose March and April scoring levels were the highest since Tracy McGrady delivered Houston a postseason birth in 2005.
Allen’s 2011 will be remembered for his ability to fill in for injured star Rudy Gay and right the ship for a Memphis team that was searching for leaders following Gay’s injury. “Tony plays with a lot of emotion,” forward Zack Randolph told the AP last week. “Tony’s been great all year. Tireless on defense. Our leader on the defensive end. Guys feed off his energy.”
Allen did much more than provide the defensive spark necessary to ignite a Grizzlies team that secured a playoff birth with Houston and Utah just games behind their pace. The veteran guard from Oklahoma State averaged over double figure scoring totals in every month after January and led the team in numerous defensive categories (2.4 SPG in March).
Despite the augmented production and the praise that accompanies Allen’s impressive spring, the veteran remains humble and acknowledges that he’s not the star, just merely an interim in place of his team’s fallen star. “I ain’t trying to fulfill Rudy’s shoes,” Allen told the AP following Memphis’ playoff clinching win against Sacramento. “I’m not trying to be Rudy. They pay Rudy those X amount of dollars to do what he do, and I just do what I do.”
Tony Allen and his teammates will match up against number one seeded San Antonio this weekend in a first round playoff matchup. While the focus will likely be on the Spurs’ Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, it will be Tony Allen who may make the difference come crutch time.
Behind Allen’s Grizzlies was Kevin Martin and his Houston Rockets whose season was crushed following yet another debilitating injury to star center Yao Ming. Yao represents the focal point for Houston both at the turnstiles and on the floor but Rocket fans can feel confident with the emergence of their newest star Kevin Martin.
Martin’s 2010-2011 season leaves the young guard as one of the best up and coming scorers in the NBA. At a collective 23.4 PPG this season and a 26.9 PPG rate in April, Martin has left a lasting impression on western conference coaches who will have this summer to devise a way to stop Houston’s new leader.
So much of Martin’s offensive game is his propensity to slash to the hoop and then convert on his 8.3 attempts at the free throw line. Shooting a near automatic 90% from the line after the All-Star break, Martin’s overall shooting numbers continued to climb as the season wore on including a near-season high of 44.1 FG% in April.
Unlike Martin who’s now mentioned as one of the NBA’s top scorers, Jared Bayless’ deceptively quick, intensely formulated offensive style draws comparisons to some of the best combination guards since Golden State’s Monta Ellis and in time Bayless too will be among the league leaders. At only 6’3’’, Bayless lacks the size to match up against the league’s larger shooting guards and the distribution skills of a franchise point guard. These detractions may be the reason the Raptors were able to acquire him in the first place.
A first round draft pick in 2008 by Indiana who was later dealt to Portland, Bayless failed to receive the playing time needed to flourish, road-blocked by Brandon Roy and Rudy Fernandez. As a mere cast off, the Raptors have given Bayless his first sustained opportunity to preserve his worth after electrifying the college ranks during his one season at Arizona.
Bayless’ game, predicated on precision shooting and a quick first step, have in synergy allowed the now 22-year-old a label as one of basketball’s top up and coming scorers. During the month of April Bayless averaged 22.5 PPG over an eight game stretch that has seemingly cemented him as a building block for Toronto’s future.
Raptors’ Head Coach Jay Triano has seen incremental growth with his young squad but believes fans should curb expectations considering how much growing Bayless and this young Toronto team has left to do. “I mean a lot of [the struggle] was the growing with these young people and teaching and stopping and showing and learning, showing it on videotape again and going through it in practice,” Triano told Y! Sports following their final game versus Miami, “ I think that our guys have gotten better; it’s been a growth but we’re still very, very young.”
Alongside Bayless is power forward Ed Davis who gives star forward Andrea Bargnani support within Toronto’s interior. Only a rookie, Davis began the year in the developmental league before being called up on December 1st. Since his promotion Davis has done nothing but produce when given minutes to justify his lottery selection in last summer’s draft.
Jerryd Bayless wasn’t the only Raptor to post an impressive April considering Davis’ near double-double outputs throughout the month (12.9 PPG/ 9.0 RPG in April). Davis will gel nicely with the young Raptors core that will look to the former UNC Tar Heel to anchor the middle of the defense for years to come but it’s the offensive production that has Toronto fans giddy for the future.
The era of steel-curtain defense has long gone by the wayside, cast aside by electrifying scoring athletes like Martin, Allen, Davis and Bayless that will surely draw added attention entering 2012.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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(January 1, 2011 - Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Tony Allen, Kevin Martin, Jerryd Bayless, Ed Davis
 20th century poet T.S. Elliot once wrote that "April is the cruelest month," and April, a time where the NBA recedes to the backburner, pushed aside by the collegiate ranks and baseball's spring rebirth. All meanwhile the NBA continues its long, churning grind towards April playoffs.
Cruelest of all is this spring’s injury bug, an epidemic that has claimed the fortunes of some of the league's elite players. Sidelined are the likes of megastars such as Memphis’ Rudy Gay, New Orleans’ David West, and Cleveland’s Antawn Jamison. Not to mention the long stretches of time missed by players like Brandon Roy, Chauncey Billups, and Tyreke Evans.
While the city of Sacramento clings to their Kings who teeter on the brink of relocation from California's capital, the team itself has its fate tied to the success of their star Tyreke Evans. Injuries have limited the second year guard to only four games since the All-Star break.
The 2010-2011 season has been a disappointment for the former rookie first-teamer whose production is a mere shell of a rookie campaign that drew comparisons to LeBron James' 2003 rookie season. The comparison to James came with justification since Evans’ rookie season placed him among Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James as the only first year players to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists per contest.
The Kings 21-54 record, currently good for 2nd worst in the West, has the team preparing the final weeks of the season as a tryout for 2012. Allocating minutes to Sacramento’s youngsters appears to be the requisite path considering the Kings have been playing the role of spoiler since February. This may mean that Evans will be given abundant opportunities to rest during the team’s remaining two weeks of games and in turn players like Francisco Garcia, Marcus Thorton, and Beno Udrih will all see added floor time.
On the opposite coast Chauncey Billups missed a handful of games in March, leaving Uconn's Kemba Walker as the only point guard to light up Madison Square Garden in Billups absence. Billups has been an integral piece of New York's offense since joining the team nearly a month ago. As Billups goes, so does his team although the Knicks are 5-15 with him suiting up; a statistic that could be attributed to running an entirely new offensive system.
Knicks head Coach Mike D’Antoni will continue to ride Billups as his marquee floor general despite the strong play of late by young Toney Douglas who averaged a career best 13.6 PPG in March. Billups has long been a scoring point guard who can distribute at an efficient level but his 5.3 APG last month ranked as one of his least productive months all season. With the Knicks jockeying for playoff position it seems that the big apple will rest in the hands of the veteran Billups.
Like Billups, Portland’s Brandon Roy has seen his role change since the ’10-’11 season commenced. A perennial all star, Roy has carved out a niche as one of the game’s elite but lingering knee issues have slowed Portland’s star guard to a reserve role. Roy hasn’t appeared in the Trail Blazers’ starting lineup since December 15th and his eight shot attempts per game is a stark contrast to the 20.7 he attempted early in the year.
Just ahead of Memphis and New Orleans, Portland has little margin for error if they want to avoid playing the Lakers or the Spurs in the opening round. The Trail Blazers have come to the realization that their franchise guard may never return to his original form but Portland is in desperate need of whatever Roy has left.
Memphis’ Rudy Gay seemed on track for a career season before ultimately shutting it down officially on February 15th due shoulder problems in his non-shooting arm. Gay’s injury affected more than just his playoff bound Grizzlies however as Celtics General Manager Danny Ainge looked to re-acquire former high-energy guard Tony Allen. But because of Gay being shelved, the Grizzlies then claimed Tony Allen untouchable at the trade deadline.
Tony Allen’s availability would have left the Celtics content to hold onto center Kendrick Perkins and thus rendered their trade for Oklahoma City’s Jeff Green unnecessary. Tony Allen has proved as an indispensable piece to Memphis’ playoff success as for the first time in the veteran guards career has Allen been able to fully exhibit his full multitude of talents.
A career 7.5 PPG player, Tony Allen had a career month in March averaging 14 PPG in just under 29 MPG. April has been even sweeter thus far for Allen who is fresh off back to back double digit scoring performances and shot a combined 12-25. Since being inserted into the starting rotation on February 22nd, Allen has six 20+ scoring performances including a 9-10 shooting night that saw him total 23 in a win over the first place Spurs.
Allen’s red hot Spring will put Memphis in a position to make a decision about his role going forward but a strong playoff performance will certainly bode well for Tony Allen’s future as a Grizzly.
Battling against the resurgent Grizzlies are the New Orleans’ Hornets who hold just a three game lead over the Houston Rockets and are on the outside looking in on the current playoff picture. Should the Hornets hold on and receive a birth in this year’s playoffs, the achievement will come as a testament to the team’s survival without star forward David West who was lost to a season-ending ACL tear on March 24th.
Since West’s injury the Hornets have pieced together an offense that has produced a 2-2 record entering the final full week of the season. Without their star forward New Orleans has relied heavily on Carl Landry and Trevor Ariza to pick up much of the scoring load.
West’s 18.9 PPG has left a gaping void in the Hornet offense but since the injury reserve forward Carl Landry has averaged 20.5 PPG and six RPG as a starter. Landry’s presence on the glass will never force Hornets fans to forget about West but Landry’s gaudy scoring output gives New Orleans hope that they can inflict some damage come playoff time.
(November 4, 2010 - Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images North America)Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Tyreke Evans, Chauncy Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Tony Allen
 Veterans Mike Bibby and Troy Murphy have joined a pair of the Eastern Conference’s elite when the veteran duo accepted buyouts and signed on with the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics respectively. Both players will have immediate opportunities to covet a title but the opportunity will came at a steep price. Bibby was dealt from playoff hopeful Atlanta to 16-45 Washington at the trade deadline in exchange for a package highlighted by Kirk Hinrich. Rather than endure the remainder of the ’10-’11 season as well as next, Bibby agreed to a buyout which forfeits the veteran over $6MM.
Bibby and Murphy have accepted reserve roles for their respective clubs at the veteran’s minimum salary in exchange for a chance at a ring. “He’ll miss shots, he’ll be streaky.” Celtics Coach Doc Rivers told the Boston Herald shortly after hearing the news of Murphy’s acquisition. “When you haven’t played an NBA game in a while, it just tough to get that speed down. But it will come. As long as it’s here by playoffs, I’ll be happy.”
Murphy leaves a New Jersey Nets team who at 19-43, and in rebuilding mode had little use for the veteran forward but the Celtics however will look to utilize Murphy as another offensive weapon for a dangerous Boston team. “I just tell him to keep shooting,” Rivers said following a mid-week practice. “With Troy, I don’t think I’ll have to say that too much, anyway. But I will because that’s what he does.”
In just three games thus far with Boston, Murphy has seen more minutes with the Celtics than he did in the previous two months for New Jersey. The former Notre Dame star will serve as a key reserve who can play both forward positions and contribute at center with his above average rebounding ability (career 8.5 RPG in 29 MPG).
South Beach won’t give Mike Bibby the same opportunities Atlanta afforded but the Heat are desperate for a floor leader following their recent four game slide. Bibby has seen a dip in playing time since joining Miami (24 MPG) but as a one-time elite point guard, Bibby will relieve young Mario Chalmers of fourth quarter ball handling duties and will bring a savvy veteran voice to a team in need of a stabilizing force.
At the south end of the Eastern Conference is a continually struggling Cavaliers team who lost leading scorer Antawn Jamison (18.0 PPG) last week due to a hand injury. The Cavs will scramble to find a replacement to burden the scoring load but in the meantime Baron Davis will prove how much he has left in the tank, a role the soon-to-be 32 year old star will relish as Davis will hope to boost his trade value for this summer’s player movement.
J.J. Hickson will flourish with the additional offensive touches now that Jamison is sidelined. Hickson is one of the few building blocks for Byron Scott who will begin preparing for year two at the helm in Cleveland. Hickson is averaging nearly 16 PPG in March compared to his 12.5 for the year which is one of the few positive signals for a team who has set the bar for futility.
Written exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com by Conor Gereg
(March 2, 2011 - Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Waiver Wire, Mike Bibby, Troy Murphy, Baron Davis, J.J. Hickson, Antwan Jamison
 We can thank Knicks’ General Manager Donnie Walsh for bringing closure to a Carmelo Anthony saga that dragged on through a revolution in the Middle East, the Cavaliers’ 26 game losing steak, and one of the worst winters in recorded history. The move proved to trigger a flurry of movement to follow which rerouted the fortunes of several contending teams and will continue to reshape the NBA landscape for years to come.
One of the most noteworthy transactions was the Grizzlies sending a pair of youngsters in Hasheem Thabeet and former University of Missouri star DeMarre Carroll to Houston for Shane Battier and Aaron Brooks who was then moved to Phoenix. The move gives the Grizzlies a short term solution for replacing star forward Rudy Gay who may be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season.
Battier’s return to Memphis will give the playoff hopeful Grizzlies a veteran wing man whose commitment on the defensive end will be a refreshing change for a franchise that ranks in the middle of the pack in point allowed (98.3, good for 14th in the league).
The Rockets targeted young Hasheem Thabeet as a potential long-term replacement for Yao Ming in the post, bringing a defense-first big man to Houston. At 7’3’’ Thabeet has seen limited opportunities to prove himself in Memphis (an average of 11.1 minutes per game during his two years as a Grizzlie.)
"When we drafted Hasheem, my guys told me point blank that we needed to play him a lot," Grizzlies owner Michael Heisley said. "He needed to be on the floor. I don't think we've been able to do our part."
Houston will do their part to ensure that the young Thabeet is given the necessary time to grow while in a Rockets uniform.
In Thabeet’s debut with Houston the Tanzania native logged just two minutes of action for head coach Rick Adelman. Adelman has been public with his displeasure about losing star forward Shane Battier in exchange for Thabeet and when asked what he knew about his newly minted center, Adelman said, “He’s tall. He hasn’t been playing for them [in Memphis]. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with him.”
At 29-31 and still amid the playoff hunt, it may be some time before Houston experiments with Thabeet as their featured center.
In Cleveland, the Cavaliers swapped hefty point guard contracts with the Los Angeles Clippers who sent Baron Davis (owed $34MM through 2012-2013) as well as a first round pick to Cleveland in exchange for Mo Williams who will receive another $8.5MM next season under his current contract.
The Clippers come away as the winners considering Baron Davis joins a Cavs team who at 11-47, have already begun to make summer vacation plans. Davis will be 32 in April and won’t take kindly to enduring two more seasons of dismal Cleveland basketball. Don’t be surprised to see an Eddy Curry-esc dysfunctional relationship where a struggling team is saddled with a paralyzing contract and a callous relationship between the newly acquired Davis and Cleveland brass. Perhaps the last memorable basketball image of Davis will be from the sunroof in a parked KIA throwing alley-oops to Blake Griffin.
New Jersey will face a similar dilemma where the Nets will work hard to appease Deron Williams who sojourns to a dismal squad who once again finds themselves in the Atlantic division cellar. Williams will surely see more scoring opportunities, a career 13.3 shot attempts per night will spike to something closer to 15 or 16 nightly attempts under Head Coach Avery Johnson.
Utah will plug Devin Harris into Williams vacated role and will boast another secondary scoring threat to Al Jefferson, but it is Williams 9.7 assists per game that the Jazz will miss. Harris is amidst his least productive scoring season since his time in Dallas in 2007 but the former Wisconsin Badger will be relied upon for continuous scoring production.
The Jazz also acquired young Derrick Favors who will be given time to develop while playing under veterans Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. Favors (5.2 PPG, 19:30 MPG in February) will certainly take a hit in playing time but the tutelage will surely benefit the game’s youngest player long-term.
Other notable transactions include Troy Murphy’s departure from New Jersey to Golden State where the former Irishman will be given new life now that the 6’10’’ forward is out from under Avery Johnson’s system which kept Murphy on the bench (3.6 PPG & 4.2 RPG in 19 appearances).
Adversely, the Nets acquire young Brandan Wright who has seen a progressive drop in playing opportunities (a career low 9.3 MPG). A former top-ten pick, Wright hasn’t matured into the player Golden State once hoped following an impressive stint as a Carolina Tar Heel.
The Atlanta Hawks feel that Kirk Hinrich is the missing piece to a talented roster that has made multiple deep runs in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Hinrich will see plenty of action right away during the final stretch run as the Hawks jockey for playoff seeding. In addition to Hinrich the Hawks bolstered their frontline with Hilton Armstrong who will bring another rebounding and shot blocking presence to Hotlanta.
In exchange for Hinrich and Armstrong the Wizards receive veteran point guard Mike Bibby who will help in the development of John Wall. Washington may have a blue-collar point guard in Hinrich but team president Ernie Grunfeld came away pleased with the Wizards trade deadline haul. “We were able to acquire a proven, clutch leader in Mike, a hard-nosed veteran in Maurice [Evans], and an intriguing prospect in Jordan [Crawford], as well as a first-round draft choice to add our own first-round pick this summer.”
Grunfeld currently sees his 15-43 Wizards as a work in progress, shedding lofty contracts like Hinrich in an effort to improve for the future. “This trade continues our plan to build with draft picks and prospects,” Grunfeld said, “To develop our young players and stay financially flexible.”
Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams may have dominated the trade deadline headlines but it’s little wonder why many of the game’s basement dwellers come away sanguine following one of the busiest weeks in basketball.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, NBA Trade Deadline, Carmelo Anthony, Deron Williams, Chauncy Billups, Hasheem Thabeet, Baron Davis, Kirk Hinrich, Troy Murphy, Brandan Wright
 David Lee entered the 2010-2011 season as a consensus top-20 statistical performer before a series of setbacks including an infected elbow laceration that landed the Golden State forward in a Stanford, Connecticut hospital have all amounted to what has been a disappointing first half.
Entering the tail end of February, Lee has his Warriors on the outside and looking in on a playoff seeding, but a second half surge from the talented big man would go a long way to ensuring Lee and co. catch a glimpse of postseason action.
Over the previous two seasons David Lee has lauded himself as one of the game’s premier rebounders following consecutive years of 11.7 rebounds per contest. The 10’-11’ season is playing to a different tune as opponents have seen Lee’s tenacious rebounding ability take a hit as he’s pulling about 9.5 boards nightly as well as shooting a career low 49 percent from the field.
Prior to the afore mentioned elbow injury in November, Lee’s year has been marred by a slow start that saw him struggle to post double figure scoring outputs in October (10.7 PPG) but he closed out the 1st half of the season strong by compiling 18 consecutive double-digit scoring performances.
Lee will continue to anchor Golden State’s interior game which promises to foster a return to dominance for one of the NBA’s most dominant low post players.
 Like David Lee, Portland’s newly acquired Gerald Wallace has struggled to meet the expectations following a dominant ’09-’10 season while playing for Charlotte. Wallace has seen a dip in every statistical category which has been a large factor in his team’s disappointing season following a year that witnessed the Bobcats making the franchise’s inaugural playoff appearance.
A year ago Wallace was lauded as one of the game’s top all-around contributors as he was among Charlotte’s leaders in almost every category ranging from his 18.2 PPG to his 1.5 steals per night. A deep statistical analysis of Wallace shows that his year-long slump can be illustrated in his struggling PER (Player Efficiency Rating) which hovers at 14.8 contrasted by his 18.3 last season (League average at 15).
The change of scenery will likely spark an impressive stretch run for the veteran forward who can expect substantial playing time for a Trail Blazer team that needs a short-term replacement should Brandon Roy’s surgically repaired knees slow Portland’s star shooting guard. At the opposite end of the west coast is Ron Artest, who like Wallace, will be relied upon to deliver in March and April.
 This spring will be a vital turning point in the career of Lakers’ veteran forward Ron Artest. As Artest’s alma mater St. John’s climbs back into basketball relevance it seems that he is amidst a meteoric fall from the upper tier of small forwards. The Los Angeles wing man is scoring at a career low rate (7.9 PPG, 15 PPG career) and his shooting percentages are a far cry from where we’re accustomed.
At 39.7 percent from the floor, Artest isn’t even considered a scoring option for the Lakers which leads fans to believes that the 31-year-old will either fade into the bowels of coach Phil Jackson’s bench or make one last push as a capable shooter. There isn’t much promise following five games where Artest posted five points or less as a starter but March will serve as the most telling chapter in the roller coaster career of Ron Artest.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, David Lee, Gerald Wallace, Ron Artest, Golden State Warriors, Portland Trailblazers, Los Angeles Lakers
 Changing Carmelo Anthony’s mailing address from Denver to New York was a long, painstaking process for the Nuggets, Knicks, and hoop fans alike. While Melo is the focal point of a long, deliberated trade that began in November, there are however ancillary pieces that will have a resonating impact on the remainder of the season.
Chauncey Billups will look to play out the remainder of his pricey ($27.5 MM) contract under Knicks’ coach Mike D’Antoni and his fast paced offense. Under this same system Billups will be replacing Raymond Felton who is amidst a career season, which can be attributed to the extra possessions allotted within New York’s system. Expect “Mr. Big Shot” to run the floor and rack up healthy scoring totals much like former D’Antoni point guards Steve Nash and Ray Felton.
Billups will have additional looks at outside shots with Amare Stoudemire drawing attention in the post and at 34 Billups still offers upper echelon production from the lead guard spot. Shooting a red hot 44 percent from 3PT makes Billups deadly threat from the perimeter which will only help in opening up shots for teammates.
And then there is of course Carmelo Anthony who won’t be bashful in maintaining his gaudy stat line, although the marquee forward is shooting an average of three less shots in ’10-’11. Melo is finally content now that he’ll be playing his home games at Madison Square Garden which should light a fire under the 26-year-old All-Star. Expect a return to his 2009-2010 form which saw Carmelo produce a nightly 28.2 PPG.
The remainder of the parts headed to New York will see limited opportunities to contribute although Corey Brewer will get plenty of fast break look akin to the way athletic forwards like Shawn Marion did within D’Antonti’s system in the mid 2000’s. Similarly the Minnesota could catch lightning in a bottle in Anthony Randolph who could see new life playing alongside a new group of young wing players in Wes Johnson and Michael Beasley.
Headed west are a trio of prominent names which highlight a multi-player package put together by Knicks General Manger Donnie Walsh. Wilson Chandler, Danilo Gallinari, and Ray Felton will all settle into similar roles with Denver and Nuggets’ head coach George Karl. Expect each player to take some measurable hit to their statistical production as Denver will see fewer offensive possessions when compared to New York and the Nuggets will look to platoon several of their remaining incumbent scoring options like Aaron Afflalo and J.R. Smith.
The final 28 games of the season should bring forth the best in Carmelo Anthony as he adjusts to a new offensive scheme that seems catered to his style of play. The focus may be on the Big Apple this spring but in the Rocky Mountains George Karl and company continue to stockpile young, promising players who are sure to develop into the next wave of talented Denver Nuggets.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.Leave a comment and let us know, or hit us up on Twitter @TheFantasyFix. Don't forget to use our Quick Fix for any questions about your fantasy lineups or trades
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks, Raymond Felton
 Ray Allen’s record breaking three pointer to bypass Reggie Miller as the all-time leader in 3PT field goals casts the veteran shooting guard as one of the game’s greatest marksmen and at 35, he continues to fill up the nightly box score.
Allen’s shelf life has outlasted just about all of his counterparts taken beside him in the 1996 draft. In case you forgot that draft included names like Allen Iverson, Stephon Marbury, Antoine Walker, Shareef Abdur-Rahim, and Kerry Kittles–all players who have failed to measure up to Allen’s remarkable longevity.
The former UConn Husky netted his 2561th three pointer to bypass Pacers’ legend Reggie Miller last week against the L.A. Lakers, but while Miller’s production trailed off in his final seasons, Allen has continued to produce at an unprecedented level.
Throughout his career Allen has fit into a variety of roles whether as a young budding guard in Milwaukee playing alongside Glenn Robinson and Vin Baker, or as the lone focal point as a Seattle Supersonic posting gaudy scoring lines (26.4 PPG in 06’-07’).
Today Allen has assimilated into his role as just one of many consistent contributors for a team-oriented perennial winner as a Boston Celtic but that unselfish role took a backseat last week, at least momentarily.
“My whole career I’ve been such a team-oriented guy,” Allen said after breaking Miller’s record. “But now it’s somewhat a moment for me to stand up and say this is something that’s important in my career.”
Efficiency has been the modus operandi for Allen who has seen his shot attempts drop dramatically since joining Boston in the summer of 2007. The veteran guard sees just 12.7 shots per contest, a modest output compared to the 21 nightly attempts he was able to hoist as a Sonic.
In order for Allen to maintain his high level scoring and still distribute the ball to the rest of Boston’s star studded lineup, he has had to convert shots at an exceptionally high rate.
The 2010-2011 season has seen the Celtics marksman shoot a career high 46 percent from 3PT range while knocking down a staggering 50.5 percent of shots from the floor. Ray Allen isn’t the only NBA veteran who continues to climb the statistical ladder among the league elites. Heralded active stars like Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki continue to write legendary scripts that are sure to adorn the plaques of Springfield some day.
Vince Carter’s relocation to the desert following a late December deal has been the jolt that the Phoenix Suns needed to push an aging group of stars towards a playoff seed.
The 2010-11 season has seen Carter pass the 20,000 point mark, a demarcation that usually signifies one as Hall of Fame criterion but Vince has proven to be an integral contributor to a talented Suns team.
At 34-years-old, Carter still brings nightly value by converting nearly 40 percent of his 3PT attempts while chipping in an average of 15 PPG. It seems that the former slam dunk champion doesn’t have many productive seasons left, but Suns coach Alvin Gentry will continue to feed his veteran guard minutes for as long as Carter continues to contribute.
Had the NBA’s collegiate rule prohibiting players from entering the league directly from high school been imposed in the mid-90’s, perhaps Kobe Bryant would have played against Vince Carter at the NCAA level.
It’s believed that Bryant and Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski had mutual interest which would have brought the high school phenom to Durham, but instead Bryant made the jump directly to the pro ranks and began carving out a legendary career in Los Angeles at just 17-year-old.
This season Kobe hasn’t lost a step following the Lakers championship run last spring. Bryant has seen a drop of five minutes of action per game this season which has dropped his scoring output to just over 25 PPG, while the Lakers star guard continues to shoot the ball just as effectively as ever (46.5 percent FG).
This season Kobe looks to pass Moses Malone for 6th on the NBA all-time scoring list at 27,409 career points and he has shown no signs of slowing down. Next on Bryant’s radar is Shaquille O’Neal, a moving target who currently sits at 28,590.
The 1998 draft saw eight teams pass on Nowitzki even after then Celtic’s coach Rick Pitino compared the German import to Larry Bird during a pre-draft workout.
Pitino promised the young German that he would be selected if he fell to Boston at the 10th pick but instead the Milwaukee Bucks selected Dirk before promptly sending him to Dallas in a deal involving Michigan Wolverine Robert “Tractor” Traylor and Notre Dame sharp shooter Pat Garrity.
Fast forward to 2011 and Nowitzki is preparing to suit up for his 10th All Star game and leads his Mavericks team who are again in pursuit of a return trip to the NBA finals. Currently, the Deutschland native sits at 22,108 career points, 24th all-time and on the heels of Clyde Drexler for 23rd.
Similar to Bryant, Dirk hasn’t let up as one of the NBA’s best. This season Nowitzki has shot the ball at a career best rate (52 percent) and his efforts have catapulted his Mavericks into the current three seed in the West.
Vince Carter may not make his way to Los Angles for the All Star game this February but he’s likely to join Ray Allen, Kobe Bryant, and Dirk Nowitzki for eternity in Springfield. In the meantime, expect these icons to continue to build on what has already been legendary careers… careers that make this a group of living legends.
Written by Conor Gereg exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
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Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Boston Celtics, Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki
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