Basketball Free For All

I compiled a quick list of some guys who might be of use in the short term to help your teams this week.  Hopefully everyone is already aware of guys like Toney Douglas, Jrue Holiday and Anthony Tolliver.  Good luck!

Matt Bonner (PF, C – 7%) – His role has increased a bit of late so he could help the deeper league team in a few cat’s but mainly 3’s.

James Harden (PG, SG – 26%) – see Phil’s article.

Chris Hunter (SF/PF/C – 2%) – As Golden State’s only true center still standing, expect Chris to see decent time down the stretch.  On his productive nights, expect points (on great FG%), boards and an occasional block.

Serge Ibaka (C – 5%) – He’s playing with a lot of confidence right now and can help you with boards/blocks.

Kyle Lowry (PG/SG – 9%) – As his ankle has strengthened, he’s gone back to being more effective again.  In addition, Battier continues to miss time to a hyper extended knee.  Kyle will help with points, assists and steals.

Jason Maxiell (PF/C – 23%) – Don’t let his last game scare you off as he got into foul trouble.  By many accounts, Ben Wallace is done so Max will get a lot of run putting up great boards with decent points/blocks.

Wesley Matthews (PG/SG – 12%)/CJ Miles (SG/SF – 13%) – Points, 3’s and steals available here but expectations should be tempered a bit as Andrei Kirilenko is slated to return Friday.

Darko Milicic (PC/C – 12%) – Over his last 4 games, he’s averaging just over 30 minutes.  Boards/blocks are good with decent points and FG%.

James Singleton (SF/PF – 8%) – Flip just stated he’s going to be inserted into the starting lineup.  He’s a rebounding machine but can help in points and defensive categories on certain nights.  Must add for those looking for boards as he’s got a very fantasy friendly schedule down the stretch.

Bill Walker (SG/SF – 8%) – Juicy matchup against PHO and going forward the Knicks play 10 games with Wilson Chandler still sidelined and Tracy McGrady always ready to go down.  With decent run, he’s usually good for points, 3’s and steals.

Earl Watson (PG – 19%) -  TJ Ford continues to miss games so Earl could be a good source of assists/steals with a 3 or two.  However, do so as a last resort as Ford is slated to be back any day now.

Reggie Williams (SF – 19%) – Nellie loves anyone who can put the ball in the hoop and currently Reggie is converting at a very efficient clip (sorry Anthony Morrow owners).  Get his scoring (on good percentages), 3’s and rebounds while he’s still hot!

It’s almost shocking to hear it but the season is over 80 percent complete. That means the basketball world is focused on one thing and one thing only: the playoffs. Every single game is meaningful for the few teams that are lucky enough to still be in the mix for a playoff berth. Similarly, the fantasy managers that are clever enough (some might add lucky enough) to still be in the hunt for a title are focused on adding digits to the W column.

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The Philadelphia 76ers’ urestricted free agent Andre Miller has recently accepted a three-year $21M deal with the Portland Trailblazers. The deal includes a team option for the third season at $7M.

Portland was known to have been looking for a veteran backup for sometime to help provide some leadership on the floor as well as in the locker room.  Miller appears to be an excellent addition to a team that has recently been spurned by other notable free agents including Hedo Turkoglu and Paul Millsap. Miller gives them a clear upgrade at their point guard position over Steve Blake, who is a decent point guard in his own right.

Miller is a bigger tougher Chauncey Billups-type point guard who isn’t scared to post up smaller guards, get into the lane and draw contact. He isn’t a great shooter and has little-to-no ability to shoot the 3-ball but he is a savvy veteran that makes good court decisions and rarely turns the ball over.

This move allows Portland to play Brandon Roy at his natural two guard spot late in games, where he can wreak havoc on opposing defenses with his wide array of offensive abilities. Miller can act as the distributor to whoever has the hot hand, most likely Roy or LaMarcus Aldridge, while allowing Steve Blake and Jerryd Bayless to come off the bench as solid backups.

This is a solid move for Portland. Miller will help them expand on their recent success by winning a few more regular season games and possibly pushing them deeper into the playoffs.  They now have a strong cast of young talent and are deep at every position now with Miller on board.

Fantasy implications of this trade seem to benefit the young 76er back court of Lou Williams and recent UCLA draft pick Jrue Holiday. With Miller out of town these two should be expected to log heavy minutes from the get go with Williams most likely cast as the starting point guard (barring any new free agent acquisitions by the team of course). Williams is more of a pure scorer than a distributor but he could end up averaging around 35 minutes a game with the potential for 16 points per game, 5 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 threes per game. The rookie Holiday is more of a gamble but could present some fantasy value especially later in the season (or especially in dynasty leagues).

The move essentially kills any value Steve Blake or Jerry Bayless would have had, as they most likely will see their minutes reduced. Brandon Roy should still be the fantasy stud he has been for the past few seasons and may prove to be even better with possible improvements coming in his efficiency and a reduced turnover rate as well. Miller should still be the same reliable work horse he has been for many seasons posting similar stats to his time in Philadelphia and Denver (he has only missed five games in ten seasons in the NBA).

After a tough summer for the Blazers, they seem to be catching a late stride and should provide an exciting brand of basketball next season for their fans.

2009 NBA Draft Results

*Table is sortable. Click on column headers to sort data.