 Chris Paul (credits below) A lot has happened since we last spoke, with teams ramping up both training camps and free agency deals in this short offseason. Let's get right into it without wasting a second.
The CP3 Trade
Chris Paul has finally been traded to Los Angeles but its the Clippers that pulled off the deal that sent Eric Gordon, Chris Kaman, Al-Farouq Aminu, and Minnesota's unprotected 2012 first-round pick to the Hornets. After this trade, Paul is joining a team that may struggle to score early outside of himself and Blake Griffin. Paul is a top-4 pick currently according to ESPN.com's Live Draft Results page, and he'll likely stay right there even with the news. He'll put out his usual 20 ppg and 9 apg to start, but if you miss out on him, keep tabs on his owner. With the season about to start in just a week, it's possible he gets off to a slower start and may not live up to expectations of a crazed owner. He could be a buy-low option after a couple weeks of the year.
Around Paul, the two guys with the biggest jump in value are Caron Butler and DeAndre Jordan. Butler went from being potentially a bench scorer to being needed as the primary wing scorer. He'll still be third in scoring behind Paul and Griffin, but his ceiling on points goes way up. Previously a stay away, I'd say he's a nice value pick in the middle to late rounds and should be owned in all leagues. Jordan went from the backup center to the primary center, being looked at to offensive rebound and block shots on defense. He could be a very sneaky pick as a potential double-double machine with 1.5-2 blocks a game. If he stays healthy, I love DeAndre Jordan this year.
As far as the Hornets side of this trade, Eric Gordon will get to take as many shots as he wants now. He averaged 22.3 ppg on 16.9 attempts per game, and I could see both of those numbers rise this upcoming season. 26-27 points a game out of Gordon wouldn't be too surprising, but I wouldn't see him going much higher than that. Jarrett Jack will also get a nice bump in assists likely becoming the starting point guard. He'll be looked on to score as well, and a stat line like 15 and 7 assists a game seems likely. Jack will be a nice backup fantasy PG for any team.
Dallas's Busy In Free Agency
The Mavericks have been the most active of all teams this offseason, allowing championship pieces from last year to go elsewhere and acquiring new pieces in hopes of repeat performance. Caron Butler, J.J. Barea, Corey Brewer, DeShawn Stevenson, and Tyson Chandler were all pieces of the championship team that were allowed to leave thus far in free agency leaving holes in their lineup.
The sign-and-trade deal of Tyson Chandler made the biggest impact of all giving the Mavs a huge trade exception allowing them to acquire Lamar Odom from the Lakers for basically nothing. Expect very similar numbers from him this upcoming year with the potential of him as the starting SF increasing minutes and impact.
With J.J. Barea leaving town to sign with the Timberwolves, the Mavericks reacted by signing a pair of free agent guards in Delonte West and Vince Carter. West will likely be given minutes at both the PG and SG spots to start the season with those minutes being largely based on Rodrique Beaubois' ability to be an effective backup PG. West doesn't have much fantasy value yet because of the uncertainty of his role with the team at this time. On the other hand, Carter will likely start at the SG spot allowing Jason Terry to be a sparkplug off the bench. Carter is still able to put up points and should be owned in most leagues at least at draft day.
In Tyson Chandler's absence, Brendan Haywood will likely get the big bump in rebounds and blocks in moving to the starting lineup. He's not a big scoring threat, but I still like his rebounding ability enough to make him worth rostering. Ian Mahinmi could be worth a flier in deep leagues as his backup for the moment, but they have also signed Brendan Wright who could get time at the PF and C spots as needed.
The Bigger Stuff
On a more serious note, Jeff Green will be out the entire year after finding out he has an aortic aneurysm and will require surgery in January. Doctors have told him that he should be able to resume playing in the NBA by the start of the 2012-13 season. We hope Jeff has an easy recovery and that he's able to return to the league next season.
Memphis has resigned both of their big guns in Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol to 4-year contracts in hopes of continuing last season's success into the future. Randolph is currently going in the 3rd round on average after a 20 ppg and 12 rpg season, but I could see that going down pretty easily. Expect more like 17 and 9.5 out of Randolph now that he's financially set for a while. If he falls beyond his average draft position, go ahead and snag him up; just don't go out on a limb and grab him early. However, I see Gasol taking a step up this year and like him to improve on last year's 12 ppg and 7 rpg stat line. The younger Gasol seems more like a 15 and 9 guy this year. Be aware, though, that Gasol did not play in the the Grizzlies first preseason game with a sprained ankle, and if his ankle continues to bother him, he could miss some regular season games at the start of the year.
Nene decided to return to Denver after being courted by many of the best teams in the league. We all know what Nene can do, but in their first full year without Carmelo Anthony he will be needed to shoulder even more of the scoring load. Nene has huge upside potential on a team that has very little returning for scoring and is currently going in the late 6th round of drafts. I will be taking him in many of my leagues before other teams will have a chance to scoop him up.
Jamal Crawford was the 2nd most sought-after guard this offseason outside of Chris Paul, and he decided to sign a long-term deal with the Portland Trailblazers. The combo guard is joining a Blazers team with a logjam at the SG/SF positions. Between himself, Wesley Matthews, Nicolas Batum, and Gerald Wallace, there is a lot of scoring on that team that could be exploited with some abnormal lineups. Crawford will be playing the same role he had in Atlanta as the first guard off the bench and will likely see some time at both PG and SG. The Blazers are light at PG with Raymond Felton as the only true PG on their roster. Look for similar numbers coming from the 31-year-old, at least to start the season until roles have become more clear.
David West has signed a 2-year deal with the Indiana Pacers in a move that benefits all parties involved. West is primarily a scorer (18.9 ppg last season) with only average rebounding stats for a power forward (7.5 rpg). The rebounding numbers could potentially go up but his knee is still an issue. West did not play in the Pacers' preseason opener against the Bulls Friday night, and won't see action until he has a better handle of the system there. The addition of David West means the subtraction of some of Tyler Hansbrough's fantasy value with a likely move to the bench for him. Less minutes means less of everything out of Hansbrough, but if that knee acts up on West, Hansbrough could be thrust back into a starting role once again. Regardless, I'll be staying away from both of them for the time being.
Thaddeus Young signed a big contract to return to the Philadelphia 76ers and return to his sixth man role off their bench. He is a streaky scorer and will get plenty of chances to score in this offense. His rebounding has also gone up slightly every year and getting 5-6 rpg from your SF is always a nice perk. He's a nice value later on in drafts.
The scoring machine that is Marcus Thornton has resigned with the Sacramento Kings, a team that has no lack of scoring already. Thornton joins a team with Tyreke Evans and rookie sharpshooter Jimmer Fredette in the backcourt and DeMarcus Cousins and J.J. Hickson in the frontcourt. This Sacramento team will be a high scoring team and will struggle on defense at times. Someone is not going to get enough minutes to make a big impact and at this point it's likely Fredette will be the odd man out until he can play better defense than he did at BYU. I'm interested in seeing Saturday night's preseason game against the Warriors to see who gets what minutes to start the season. If you're drafting now and you need points, Thornton can fill it up and is a nice late round sleeper.
The FYIs
J.J. Barea has signed a 4-year deal with the Timberwolves to compete in a backup role with Luke Ridnour. Ricky Rubio will almost surely start for the time being, making either Ridnour or Barea out of luck for minutes. Either way both Barea and Ridnour are unownable.
After being waived earlier this offseason by the Pistons, Rip Hamilton has joined the Bulls resulting in the release of Keith Bogans. Hamilton will likely start most games alongside Luol Deng and give them the extra scoring they're looking for there. Ronnie Brewer and Kyle Korver will be the two subs at the SG/SF just like they were last year.
Mario Chalmers resigned with the Heat to retain his starting PG spot on that team. If he gets his act together there, he could be a decent source of assists in deep leagues. Until that point, feel free to ignore him just like James, Wade, and Bosh do.
Grant Hill signed a 1-year deal with the Suns this offseason to likely end his career there. He's been a decent scorer and rebounder and has value in deep leagues.Written by Jim Dingeman (@gentleman_jim) exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(December 18, 2011 - Photo by Harry How/Getty Images North America)
 Tyson Chandler We sat for weeks and weeks hoping and praying for an NBA season and it didn't look good. The two sides sat and argued and couldn't come to an agreement. It looked bleek. But the magic of Christmas stepped in, and voila! We have an NBA season, and now we have very little time to prepare for our fantasy NBA drafts just like the NBA. It's just like the real thing! Well maybe not, but we're here to help you prepare.
The Fantasy Fix's Free Agency Blog will be breaking down all the fantasy relevant information as free agency goes nuts and the money starts flying around. I will only cover actual transactions (signings and trades) to help save my sanity, so you will not see 85 "Dwight Howard to the ________" rumors in this space. I'll go through the much more important items in more detail, and then at the bottom, all the smaller items will be addressed. Signings and trades can begin happening at 2 pm Eastern time Friday, so the next entry in the Blog will come Saturday or Sunday. Let's get after it.
The Bigger Stuff
According to ESPN.com, Houston PF/C Chuck Hayes is close to becoming a Sacramento King after being offered the full Mid-Level Exception for four years. Hayes had a breakout season on the boards averaging just over 8 rebounds a game for Houston in 74 games played, ranking him 31st in the league. However, he only averaged 8 ppg as the 6th scoring option on his team, limiting his usefulness to fantasy teams. Look for the points per game to be very similar now that he's joining a team that already had Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins and is adding Jimmer Fredette to the mix. He's simply a rebounds guy with upside in points and assists (2.7 per game last year), look for him in the later rounds as you're looking to strenghten single categories.
Tyson Chandler will be leaving the Mavericks for the bright lights of New York City and will sign a 4-year, $60 million contract to patrol the paint for the Knicks. Chandler was a nice source of rebounds and blocks next season for fantasy teams and the fast-paced system of coach Mike D'Antoni will mean more shots up and more chances at rebounds for the big fella. I could see his 10.1 ppg and 9.4 rpg going up somewhere in the area of 12 and 10.5 this year making him an underrated value.
Caron Butler turned down more money with the Nets to sign with the Clippers and play alongside Blake Griffin in LA this year. He's previously been a very good scorer for Washington and Dallas in recent years, but he's a stay away for me for fantasy purposes. The last two years in Washington and Dallas he averaged about 14 shots and only produced about 16 ppg. With the Clippers, there won't be that many shots there for him to take, especially if he's coming off the bench at SG behind Eric Gordon. Gordon and Griffin are the focal points of that offense, and Butler will likely be 5th or 6th option there. If you simply need points, he's worth a later round pick, but don't expect any other contributions out of him.
The other interesting piece of news right now involves Shane Battier announcing he will be signing with the Heat. Looking at the way that team was constructed last year, it seems like he'll likely be coming in off the bench which definitely hurts his value, both in fantasy and in real life. Last season, he did a little bit of everything averaging 8.6 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, and 1.2 bpg in a starting role with the Rockets. After the trade to the Grizzlies, his numbers in every category dropped and he was basically unrosterable. His value is all in the potential upside of him starting at a wing spot alongside LeBron and Wade as a defensive stopper and outside shooter a la Bruce Bowen in the good old days of the Spurs. He's a safer flier, if there is such a thing, in the late rounds of deeper leagues.
The FYIS
Tayshaun Prince will resign with the Pistons for a 4-year contract after it was widely believed he would leave for greener pastures. He has been Mr. Consistency throughout his career there, always about 15 ppg, 5 rpg, and 3 apg. The points make him worth owning and the rebounds and assists make a nice value in the later rounds in any format.
Jonas Jerebko will also sign a contract for 4 years with the Pistons despite being out all of last year with an Achilles injury. Jerebko was a nice player his rookie year and will continue to be a role player off the Detroit bench.
With Aaron Brooks out of Phoenix, the Suns have tabbed two guys to take a shot at the backup point in Sebastian Telfair and Shannon Brown. Brown has a bit of an advantage having played more of a combo guard role for the Lakers in the past. Telfair has simply been a point everywhere he's gone and not a good one at that. Whichever comes out of the battle on top should get plenty of chances; that Suns offense likes to play a 10-man rotation, giving the backup more minutes than many other places. If Brown would come out of this on top, he would gain PG eligibility in ESPN leagues after a couple weeks to go with SG eligiblity. I like Brown better than Telfair in this position battle.
Tracy McGrady will sign a 1-year, veteran-minimum deal with the Hawks according to ESPN.com. He will most likely be the 4th guard behind Joe Johnson, Jeff Teague, and Kirk Hinrich, and I guess could have some value scoring. Hinrich was the 4th guard last year and had 10.2 ppg there so its possible, just don't get your hopes up.
Mike Dunleavy Jr. will sign a 2-year deal with the Bucks to stand in the corner and shoot threes. In formats that include three-pointers made, he's a nice piece to add at the end of a draft.
HoopsWorld.com reports T.J. Ford will likely sign with the Spurs, but who knows how much run he'll get behind their own 4 guards. His best chance would be to overtake Gary Neal, and even then his role would be as a 4th guard that doesn't get much run in a Gregg Popovich system.
Jason Kapono is likely to sign with the Lakers to fill the hole left after they amnesty Luke Walton. If they don't amnesty Walton, they will for sure become best bros.
Roger Mason Jr. and his Twitter feed is moving on to the Wizards where he can potentially be the 3rd guard behind John Wall and Jordan Crawford. Crawford will need rests in between jacking up 60 shots a game and not playing defense.
Finally, Jamaal Magloire is moving to Canada to theoretically play for the Raptors, but more likely to hold a bench seat. He could get some run just because they were awful on the boards last year after Reggie Evans got hurt.
Written by Jim Dingeman (@gentleman_jim) exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
 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
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(June 22, 2011 - Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)
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
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, 2011 NBA Draft
 Mike Conley The second round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs started off with some interesting openers. The Atlanta Hawks upended the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat stood their ground against the Boston Celtics, the Memphis Grizzlies abused the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Dallas Mavericks squeaked one out against the defending champion Los Angeles Lakers.
How’s that for a descriptive-laden run-on sentence to get you ready for an intense second round of NBA/fantasy basketball action? In seriousness, let’s get right to it. If you want to find success in any kind of playoff fantasy basketball format, keep in the know with injuries and player value (especially in salary cap games/leagues).
Read on for five guys to trust in and five guys to stay away from for this week in fantasy basketball:
StartMike Conley, PG, Memphis Grizzlies Conley has really stepped his game up during the playoffs, as he’s averaging over 15 points and 6.5 assists per game. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves, but Conley is consistent and reliable, so use him if you need a point guard on the cheaper side.Jeff Teague, PG, Atlanta Hawks With Kirk Hinrich down and possibly out with a bad hamstring, look for Teague to continue to start at the point and get solid grind. His value could rise with Derrick Rose’s ankle injury, as well, but you can probably bank on 10-12 points and 5-6 assists per game.
Luol Deng, SF, Chicago Bulls Quick, how is Deng doing in the playoffs? The answer is quietly awesome. When you think Chicago, you think Rose, Rose, Rose, and then maybe Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah. But one look at Deng’s numbers and you need to start asking why you don’t use this guy in fantasy basketball more. The dude has topped 16 points and 6 boards in five of his last six games in the 2011 playoffs, easily showcasing his solid value and consistency. Translation: use him.
Al Horford, F/C, Atlanta Hawks Horford is quietly having a solid playoff appearance. He’s not averaging the points you want, but he deserves a mulligan after going to battle with Dwight Howard for six games. Look for him to get back on track offensively against the Chicago Bulls, and to remain a consistent double-double threat at the very least.
Marc Gasol, C, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol has been somewhat of a beast in these playoffs, but even more importantly, he’s been super consistent. While everyone’s attention is focused on stopping Zach Randolph, the “other” Gasol just keeps doing his thing. Have confidence with him in your lineups going forward.
SitDerrick Rose, PG, Chicago Bulls Bold statement, I know, but I’m not actually telling you to positively keep away from Rose. However, he’s going to be dealing with a bad ankle for the entire series (most likely), and if he doesn’t, it might mean missing a game or two. Rose is the league’s MVP and may go on a tear, but he’s not 100% so he is a risky play.
Kirk Hinrich, PG, Atlanta Hawks I was excited to see Hinrich vs. Rose in this series, the battle between old Bulls teammates. Unfortunately, Hinrich is ailing with a bad hamstring. Don’t expect to see him in action this week, while there’s a very good chance he misses the entire series.Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks I don’t mean to hate on Smith, mostly because he can be a stud with his versatility on any night, but he’s just not getting it done. In three of his last four games, he’s shot under 40% and has scored nine or less points. He’s just not a consistent option until he gets back into a groove.
Ron Artest, SF, Los Angeles Lakers Not that you needed more than one reason to not use Artest, he’s scored six total points in his last two games combined, and didn’t really look the same against Dallas in Game One. Artest riding two bad games doesn’t usually equate to a great third one, so stay away until he gets it going again.
Jeff Green, F, Boston Celtics Were you expecting Green to enter the playoffs and suddenly be a huge part of Boston’s offense? Nope, still hasn’t found his spot. Green hasn’t even scored 10 points in a game in these playoffs. Look elsewhere.
(April 22, 2011 - Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images North America) Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs
 We nailed it on the head for the most part last week to get our fantasy basketball playoff advice rolling. Now we’re back for week two to assess which players are the best guys to roll with in online playoff games and leagues, and which we should leave out for the competition to filter through.
Check out five guys to feel comfortable using this week, along with five you should think about crossing off your list:
StartBrandon Roy, G/F, Portland Trail BlazersAfter just two total points in Portland’s first two playoff losses, Roy has put up 16 and 24 points in back-to-back wins for the Blazers. He’s taking on the role of closer and excelling right now, so there’s no reason to think Portland will take that role from him. In a very competitive series, look for Roy to keep bringing it.Jamal Crawford, G, Atlanta Hawks
Crawford may only have one game this week (Hawks are up 3-1 on Magic), but it could be a beauty. With at least 23 points in each game against the Magic in this series, Crawford has been one of the most consistent fantasy performers in these playoffs. Look for his strong play to continue.
Manu Ginobili, G/F, San Antonio Spurs
Ginobili has been back for the Spurs’ last two playoff games and has looked solid. With 20 points per game in over 30 minutes of action on the floor, Ginobili looks to be healed from his previous injury and can be relied on in fantasy.Danny Granger, G/F, Indiana Pacers
This may be close to a “duh” pick, but with the Pacers losing three out of the first four games against the Bulls, some of you may be forgetting about Granger. It feels like he’s been quiet, but he’s actually averaging 22 points per game. His next game could be his last game, but it should be worthy of fantasy use.
Pau Gasol, PF, Los Angeles Lakers
Gasol was a major sit candidate after posting two straight games just 8 points to start the series with the Hornets. However, since then he’s averaged 16.5 points per game. Gasol doesn’t like being called soft, so look for him to continue his surge as the Lakers return home for Game Five.
Sit Darren Collison, PG, Indiana Pacers
Collison kicked off the series with everyone thinking he could compete with Rose, scoring 17 points in a close Game One loss. However, since then Collison has played through injury, while scoring under nine points in three straight games. His other numbers across the board are pretty weak too, so look to avoid using him this week.
Tony Allen, SG, Memphis Grizzlies
If he can stay out of trouble, he can be a solid fantasy performer. However, his intense defense can affect his overall play in terms of fantasy numbers. He’s a good player, no doubt, but he’s not a guy you want on your team in fantasy basketball right now.
Gary Neal, SG, San Antonio Spurs
Neal was a solid utility option for most of the year, scoring a reliable 9.8 points per game. However, he hasn’t been getting the minutes during the playoffs and his production has dropped. Avoid using him in salary cap games and leagues.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers
Hansbrough got everyone excited after starting hot with 22 points in Game One. He’s scored a combined 20 in his last three games. Chicago has been doing a better job at closing out on his jumper and have been stronger inside. Needless to say, Hansbrough won’t be getting it done for your fantasy basketball roster.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
He’s a solid name, but the numbers don’t match the hype. Perkins is usually focused on defense when he’s on the court, but his minutes have been sporadic lately. Look elsewhere for your inside help this week.
The Wild Card: Orlando Magic Shooters
The Orlando Magic have been shooting poorly from the field, while Jameer Nelson has posted the only fantasy-friendly stat-line in all four contests. Jason Richardson’s shot is off and his decisions have been poor, while Hedo Turkoglu still can’t find a groove. Avoid all Orlando players not name Dwight Howard, as they’ve collectively been invisible.
(April 22, 2011 - Photo by Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images North America)Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs
 The NBA Playoffs have arrived in full force, and we’re here to assist you in playing in any fantasy basketball playoff leagues.
The biggest concern when taking on the task of forming a playoff roster is trying to figure out how some player’s statuses will change from game to game. This isn’t a long haul with different matchups. Your stud players are seeing the same guys for a minimum of four games, so you have to make sure they are benefiting from their matchup. If they’re not, even the biggest of names might not be a stellar play.
There are the obvious guys that you basically have to start. Going into any matchup, Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, and guys like Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul are easy calls. But we’re digging a little bit deeper than that.
Here are five players that make quality plays for the week, and five players who you may want to avoid:
StartMike Conley Jr., PG, Memphis Grizzlies As quick as Tony Parker is, it’s safe to say Conley has him beat in speed. He’s looking pretty sharp so far, and while it’s just one game, it’s not unrealistic to say Conley could have a considerable edge based off of athleticism alone. He’s not going to put up stud numbers like Chris Paul, but he’s very capable of being a consistent, solid performer.
Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Holiday has shown no fear in the playoffs, as he opened up the series against the Heat with a very solid line of 19 points, five rebounds, five assists, and three steals. In fantasy language, the kid killed it. This is a safe bet to keep happening with Holiday having scrubs like Mario Chalmers and Mike Bibby guarding him.
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, Indiana Pacers
I can’t vouch for 22 points on a good Bulls defense every single night, but it was pretty obvious that Chicago wasn’t doing a good job and getting out to contest Hansbrough’s 15-18 foot jumpers. If he keeps getting open looks like that, he’ll have no problem contributing in these playoffs.
Elton Brand, PF, Philadelphia 76ers There isn’t really much that needs to be said here. Elton Brand has more skills and experience inside than any of the Heat’s bigs do (excluding Chris Bosh), so look for him to continue posting 17 and 7 lines. He’s a solid play throughout the first round.
Roy Hibbert, C, Indiana Pacers It was discussed before the playoffs began, but can we all openly admit now that Hibbert has an amazing matchup advantage against Chicago? As good as Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer are, they aren’t good enough defensively to shut down a guy who has 3-6 inches on them. Hibbert is too long and too strong to be held quiet in these playoffs, and he’ll be depended on to keep Indiana close.
SitChauncey Billups, PG, New York KnicksBillups hit a pretty big shot at one point in the 4th quarter, but was otherwise fairly invisible in this matchup. With just 10 points, four assists, and no steals, Billups (plus a knee injury) isn’t starting off the playoffs in usual fashion. Stay away until the knee is okay and he’s playing like himself again.Landry Fields, G/F, New York Knicks New York players in general will be difficult to judge, as they’re going up against a defensive-minded Celtics team that likes to keep games in the 80’s. The less points, the less likely guys like Fields are going to contribute. Stop thinking about how this guy’s game looked at the beginning of the year. He hasn’t been truly fantasy worthy ever since the Carmelo Anthony trade, and with just 19 minutes on the floor in his first playoff game, he’s an ever more unstable fantasy option.
James Harden, G/F, Oklahoma City Thunder
Harden is simply suffering from playoff-itis. He’s on a team with two very gifted scorers in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, and it’s playoff time. Sure, his role during the season was solid, but now that these games really matter, his offensive role will naturally be lessened. He was 1-for-5 for just five points in his first game, and while he won’t be that lousy every night, he may be hard to rely on going forward.
DeJuan Blair, C, San Antonio Spurs
Still waiting for Blair to get crazy minutes so he can put up those double-double performances he’s capable of? Yeah, it’s not going to happen. Greg Popovich likes to keep his bigs fresh, and if you haven’t noticed based off of all season, he still doesn’t completely trust Blair. Blair has difficulty staying out of foul trouble and is an inconsistent offensive option, so look elsewhere for your sleeper center in the first round of the playoffs.
Kendrick Perkins, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Perkins is just not a fantasy asset right now. He doesn’t get over 10 points per game, rarely does the same for rebounds, and isn’t a consistent fantasy factor. His minutes aren’t even reliable, making his role as a fantasy option fairly unpredictable. There’s a good chance the Thunder will increase his time on the floor once/if they land a more difficult series in the next round, but for now, Perkins shouldn’t be relied on to bring in any major production.
Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com.
Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!(April 15, 2011 - Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images North America)
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Sit Em Start Em, NBA Playoffs, Mike Conley Jr., Jrue Holiday, Tyler Hansbrough, Elton Brand, Roy Hibbert, Chauncey Billups, Landry Fields, James Harden, DeJuan Blair, Kendrick Perkins
 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
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
(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
 We’re entering the final week of the 2010-11 NBA regular season, which means your season-long fantasy leagues are over or just about getting there, and the daily fantasy basketball scene is also working against the clock.
Whatever your method of madness for the final week of regular season fantasy basketball, we’re here to give you fair warning on all major players that could miss some action this week, as some playoff teams rest their key players.
Prior to Sunday night’s action, the following are the high profile players that have officially been ruled out for the remainder of the regular season:
Deron Williams, Kris Humphries, Anthony Morrow, Tyrus Thomas, Caron Butler, Udonis Haslem, Rudy Gay, Kevin Love, Darko Milicic, Andrew Bogut, David West, J.J. Redick, Louis Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, and Nick Young. The following players remain major injury risks for the final three days of the regular season, and are candidates to be shutdown:
Andrea Bargnani, F/C, Toronto Raptors
Bargnani has been battling sickness and an ankle injury for about two weeks now, and left his most recent action after playing just nine minutes with the injury. Bargnani knows his place with the team going into next year, so he’s likely done in a meaningless week that allows the Raptors to continue to see what they have in rookie big man, Ed Davis.
Jose Calderon, PG, Toronto Raptors
Calderon has been dealing with a bad hamstring for weeks, and is not a safe bet to play again this year. Even if he does, it could be limited minutes, as Jerryd Bayless continues his hot run and tries to show he deserves a prominent role next year.
Marcus Camby, C, Portland Trail Blazers
Camby has missed the past two games with a neck injury and is a decent candidate to be shutdown, in order to save him for the playoffs. There is a slight chance he could return before the regular season is up, but his minutes would likely be limited.
Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
Regardless of his latest suspension and the theory that he should rest for the playoffs, Dwight Howard is NOT expected to get limited minutes for Orlando’s final week of the regular season. Head coach Stan Van Gundy feels resting Howard would only mess with his rythmn, as the star center has now been out of game action for four straight days.
Amar’e Stoudemire, F/C, New York Knicks
Much like with Howard, the Knicks are going to try their best to get Stoudemire on the court this week before the playoffs start. Stoudemire is dealing with an ankle injury, while he should see the court again before the playoffs, he’s still a risky play as he could see a decrease in minutes with the injury.
Kyle Lowry, PG, Houston Rockets
Lowry himself is very concerned he won’t be able to play in Houston’s final two games, so you have to be skeptical of using him this week. He’s a tremendous fantasy player right now, but with a bad ankle, he’s an extremely risky play. Goran Dragic is a hot add right now, and should be a solid play as long as Lowry stays out.
Luis Scola, PF, Houston Rockets
Scola missed Houston’s last game with an undisclosed injury, and no details on his current status are known. The injury is not expected to be serious, and Scola could still easily take the court for the Rockets’ final two games. If he doesn’t go, however, rookie Patrick Patterson could see some solid run in his place.
Danilo Gallinari, SF, Denver Nuggets
Gallinari injured his ankle on Saturday and is a reasonable candidate to miss Denver’s final week of the regular season. Gallo still intends to rehab “aggressively” in an effort to play Monday night, but his status is up in the air, likely rendering him a game-time decision. Look for J.R Smith to see extra minutes and put up solid production.
Samardo Samuels, PF, Cleveland Cavaliers
Samuels went from splash starter to average player in a matter of weeks, although it’s still arguable that he holds decent value. Regardless, he’s a strong candidate to finish out the season on the bench. Luke Harangody could stand to see some major minutes in his place.
No News is Good News?Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
Nash returned to play on Sunday, putting up six points and nine assists in 25 minutes of action. Given Nash’s age, his recent injuries, and the fact that the Suns are out of the playoffs, he remains a strong candidate to be shutdown for the final week. However, he appears to be relatively healthy, and could still play. Keep an eye on his status if you plan on using him, although bank on the fact that he’s highly unlikely to approach 30 minutes per game in the final week. Aaron Brooks benefits the most if Nash is limited or sits out any games.
Fresh Off the WireMonta Ellis, G, Golden State Warriors
Ellis left Sunday’s game with a head injury and was taken to the hospital for observation. Ellis was already playing fairly limited minutes, so add this relatively concerning injury, and he’s a solid shutdown candidate. Stephen Curry has unlimited fantasy potential/value if Ellis misses any time.
Jason Kidd, PG, Dallas Mavericks
Kidd returned from injury on Sunday and reportedly looked fresh, scoring seven points and dishing out seven assists. The Mavericks would like to keep Kidd fresh for the playoffs, which could result in their starting point guard sitting out the final two games, or at least seeing a decrease in time on the court. Keep tabs on Kidd if you plan on using him.
Written by Kevin Roberts exclusively for www.thefantasyfix.com. Make sure to check out Kevin's excellent Hoops site NBA SOUP!
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team! AP Photo/Jeff Chiu
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Kevin Roberts, Basketball Injuries, Andrea Bargnani, Jose Calderon, Marcus Camby, Dwight Howard, Amar’e Stoudemire, Kyle Lowry, Luis Scola, Danilo Gallinari, Samardo Samuels, Steve Nash, Monta Ellis, Jason Kidd
 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
Follow The Fantasy Fix on Twitter @thefantasyfix
or for Free Fantasy Sports Advice use our Quick Fix to get help with your team!
Tags: The Fantasy Fix, Fantasy Sports Advice, Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Conor Gereg, Tyreke Evans, Chauncy Billups, Brandon Roy, Rudy Gay, Tony Allen
|
