Monday, October 30, 2006
Draft #159
My 2006-07 fantasy basketball team currently includes 17 players. Of those 17 players, 11 of them are under the age of 25, three of them are 26, one is 27, and then there is Jason Kidd and Kevin Garnett. Three of them go by the last name of Williams, and six others never played college ball. Some of the last names on this squad are as simple as Smith, West, and Brown while one player's last name is more of a first name. As owner and general manager of the Cousy's Cagers franchise I can't promise that this team will finish in first place, but I can promise that this will be one of the scrappiest teams in the league. Here's a player-by-player rundown for my amusement only, I'm sure.Centers:
Channing Frye- With Larry Brown and his revolving circus of starting lineups out of town the Knicks appear to be set on a more permanent rotation, and Frye will be a big beneficiary of Isiah's takeover as head coach. Isiah loves Channing Frye and with Marbury, Francis, and Crawford running and gunning there should be plenty of misses to corral. Frye may not be the first, second, or even third scoring option for the Knicks but he is a smart player and a solid double-double threat.
Darko Milicic- The days of hurling jump shots off the side and/or top of the backboard during scrub time in Detroit are long gone for this 21-year-old. A new city, a new team, and a new role have given Darko a new outlook on life in the NBA. He may be coming off the bench to start the season, but with Tony Battie as his only competition it would be silly to think that Darko wouldn't be a permanent fixture in the Magic starting lineup sometime in the very, very, near future. Inconsistent play is expected but with this being a contract season for the young Serb, good times lay ahead.
Forwards:
Kevin Garnett- I don't care if Garnett never wins a championship, a playoff game, or even a game of checkers, as long as KG keeps spitting out eye-popping numbers like he has the last nine seasons. It's hard analyzing his selection since it was such a no brainer. You know you're good when Twenty-Ten-and Five is your calling card. But you're on Cousy's Cagers now Garnett and I'm looking for something more in the neighborhood of 25/13/6.
Josh Smith- There isn't a single thing this kid can't do on the basketball court and with Harrington in Indiana and Marvin Williams on the sidelines for a month or two, everyone is going to find out who this Smith guy is, and soon. In my book, he's a left-handed LeBron James. It's a lofty comparison, but at season's end the numbers may not be all that different.
Ron Artest- He appears comfortable in Sacramento and my fantasy team's success is praying that he is. Artest never seemed to have fully gotten his feet under him last season, so hopefully a full training camp will propel him to a fast start. As long as Ron-Ron doesn't go off the deep-end again, he should see an increase in numbers and a decrease in fans mutilated.
Al Harrington- He's the Andruw Jones of fantasy basketball. For years fantasy owners have expected big things from the youngster but he has yet to deliver. His production has been nothing to scoff at, but he's probably been drafted higher than he should be the last few years based on his untapped potential or high ceiling, if you will. I'd be satisfied with his numbers from last season, but hopefully a return to Indiana is the match that lights the spark to an Andruw Jones-like 2005 season.
Guards:
Tracy McGrady- "All the king's horses and all the king's men, couldn't put McGrady back together again." If I end up reading this headline at some point in the season, it wouldn't shock me all that much. But T-Mac says he's feeling good for the first time in a long time, so like an idiot, I believed him. If I get 60 games from this guy I'll consider myself lucky, anything over that is complete gravy. I felt that people were downgrading this perennial first round draft choice too much just because of one bad season. I admit he's a risk, but my gut's telling me he'll regain his form this season. He had to watch fellow peers Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter have big season's last year and he's out to prove that he still belongs in the same sentence.
Jason Kidd- The team elder at age 33, Kidd is still one of the best point guards the NBA has to offer. Chris Paul was the sexy pick this season and rightfully so, but Kidd's production is not all that different. He was even statistically on the same level as league MVP Steve Nash last season. Rookie Marcus Williams should keep Kidd fresh for the entire year, and a motivated (contract year) Vince Carter can only help Kidd's cause.
Raymond Felton & Deron Williams- A couple of young point guards who have proven they have what it takes to succeed in the college ranks. Felton came on really strong in the second half of last season and Williams showed improvement as well. I expect these two starting point guards from the 2005 NCAA championship to make huge strides in their improvement. Felton more so than Williams.
The Bench:
David West- Jamal Magloire's departure and P.J. Brown's move to center gave West his first chance to play in the NBA on a regular basis and he responded with a solid season. Current frontcourt mates, Cedric Simmons, Hilton Armstrong and Tyson Chandler are not the greatest of scoring options from the post so West should have plenty of space and opportunities to repeat, if not improve, his performance from last season.
Danny Granger- This Scottie Pippen clone will have an increased role this season thanks to the offseason departure of Peja Stojakovic. Sure Al Harrrington's arrival to Indiana doesn't appear to bode well for the 2nd year forward's statistical progress, but the Pacers are looking to go uptempo and plan on playing Jermaine O'Neal at center and placing Jeff Foster on the bench. All signs point to better numbers this season for Granger.
Mo Williams- The Bucks sent T.J. Ford to Toronto and now the door is open for Mo. He can't get too comfortable however with capable backups Charlie Bell and Steve Blake waiting in line for playing time, but at just 23 years of age, he possesses the highest ceiling of the three. If he can avoid the nagging injuries that plagued him last season, he'll be a quality fantasy backup pushing Deron Williams for a starting spot.
Jarrett Jack- He's the starting point guard for the Trailblazers, and I honestly don't know much more about him beyond that. Bill Simmons drafted him in his NBA.com celebrity fantasy basketball league and claimed that Jack will be good for 35 minutes a night. Sounds good to me.
Rajon Rondo- The Celtics made an announcement that Delonte West will not be playing point guard this season and will be coming off the bench as a shooting guard. I'm thinking Rondo was the main reason behind that lineup shuffle. Just take a look at his preseason numbers.
Injured Reserve:
Marvin Williams- A broken finger on his left hand will sideline Williams until mid-December.
Kwame Brown- Suffered a shoulder injury in preseason and is expected back before the end of November.
As I am finishing up this entry, it is only four and a half hours until the season opening tip-off between the Bulls and the Heat. Well with player introductions, the national anthem, and the ring ceremony, it's probably more like five hours, either way, the anticipation is killing me. And eventhough the Bucks don't play tonight and either do any of my fantasy players, that won't stop me from breaking out a soda pop and some popcorn to help enhance the experience of one of the greatest shows on earth. It's great, it's awesome, hell it's even fantastic. It's the NBA!
Happy Halloween and enjoy the games tonight on TNT!
# posted by hucklebuck @ 11:10 AM 
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So how fun, really, was watching the 42 point blow out? Also, I would listen to your gut too. It doesn't seem to have done you wrong in your 25 years of life so far.
Actually, I didn't mind the blow out cuz it was nice to see the refs didn't start boning the Bulls over to try and get Miami back into the game (which is usually what happens in this league).
The Bulls play a nice brand of basketball. Tough defense, passing the ball on offense, and players that can shoot as opposed to the league norm of no-D, isolation, and dunking. It was pretty refreshing to watch.
The Bulls play a nice brand of basketball. Tough defense, passing the ball on offense, and players that can shoot as opposed to the league norm of no-D, isolation, and dunking. It was pretty refreshing to watch.
Mr. Tony is picking the Bulls to win the title.
And I did watch some of the pre-game show simploy to see Ernie Johnson back on screen, he is one of the best studio hosts around, and it's good to have him back. It was interesting, though that they didn't have any singles on him, it was always wide shots when he was speaking
And I did watch some of the pre-game show simploy to see Ernie Johnson back on screen, he is one of the best studio hosts around, and it's good to have him back. It was interesting, though that they didn't have any singles on him, it was always wide shots when he was speaking
I noticed a few closeups. It was nice to see his neck isn't so swollen anymore.
I wish I knew someone that gave a rat's A about the Bucks. Should be good times tonight watching them beat the tar out of the Pistons....well at least they'll be wearing new uniforms.
I wish I knew someone that gave a rat's A about the Bucks. Should be good times tonight watching them beat the tar out of the Pistons....well at least they'll be wearing new uniforms.
Sorry I can't help you out with the giving a crap about the Bucks thing. Well, actually, I do give a crap about the Bucks, if they are terrible, I'll be upset, but if they get good, is there room on the bandwagon?
I guess I was watching at the wrong times then. But, it was still good to see him back.
I guess I was watching at the wrong times then. But, it was still good to see him back.
Yeah, but that all led to quite a large headache and long hangover on Saturday. But, what a great day to be hungover, huh?
And, don't forget, I also spilt an entire drink on my pants to make it look like I pissed myself (Haus has the proof)
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And, don't forget, I also spilt an entire drink on my pants to make it look like I pissed myself (Haus has the proof)
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