NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

STUDS

Josh Smith – G/F – Atlanta Hawks
26 points, 17 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, 3 blocks, 1 three (Matrix Reloaded? Sure looks like it. JSmoov has been playing like Shawn Marion’s twin lately, and it’s become pretty obvious that this kid is the future of the Atlanta Hawks organization. Even with scoring machine Joe Johnson out with a calf injury, Smith hasn’t missed a beat and has actually picked up his game in Johnson’s absence. Smith’s 17 boards were a career high, and his double-double was his 23rd of the season. This breakout season should solidify Smith as a late first-round, early second-round pick in next season’s fantasy draft.)

Jamaal Tinsley – G – Indiana Pacers
37 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 threes, 4 steals (Tinsley’s got some off-court issues, there’s no question about that. But when on court, it’s hard to complain with a guy who picks up the slack and drops 37 points. Tins has had some problems lately; first there was the bar brawl, then he was recently suspended a game by the Pacers for consistently being tardy to practice, and to top it off he’s been having some lingering left leg issues. With all that stacked up against him, no way would you have predicted a monster line like this! With Jermaine O’Neal definitely out Wednesday night, and Jeff Foster possibly as well, so look for Tinsley to pick up the scoring duties again tonight against the Wizards.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Monday, March 12, 2007

STUDS

Vince Carter – G/F – New Jersey Nets
30 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 threes, 1 block, 1 steal (I wasn’t “fortunate” enough to pick Carter in any of my fantasy drafts this season, but I’ve got some friends who were “lucky” enough to snag him. From the sound of it, I’m not sure I’d want entrust my entire fantasy season to Carter and his sporadic shooting touch. My buds are pretty much nauseous from the Vinsanity roller coaster ride. When you need him to catch fire, he bottoms out, and when you’re in the lead, he goes off. It doesn’t make much sense, and the only thing that does is how inconsistent his lines are. The dude is one of the elite all-stars of the NBA and it’s hard to complain, but a little regularity would be nice. Monday night’s double-double is a great start so ride him while he’s clicking.)

Leandro Barbosa – G – Phoenix Suns
32 points, 8 rebounds, 5 threes, 3 assists (You might not have guessed it from the start of the season, but Leandro Barbosa has become one of the top fantasy guards in ’06-07. Coming off the bench, Barbosa is averaging a cool 17.5 points per game, and in the last four he’s scoring 23.5 ppg. Because the Suns weren’t able to mold an every-night backup point guard behind Steve Nash, Barbosa heeded the call and has become the entire team’s backup. He’s averaging more than 30 minutes a game, which basically puts him at “starter” status. He’s got to be one of the leading candidates for this season’s Sixth Man of the Year, and it’s hard to say if there’s a better option; the only I can think of would be Manu Ginobili since he’s coming off the bench, but it’s hard to say if he’ll be eligible.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Sunday, March 11, 2007

STUDS

Yao Ming – C – Houston Rockets
37 points, 7 rebounds, 4 blocks, 3 assists (It was only a matter of time. Yao punished the Magic Sunday afternoon, throwing down 37 points, and it’s safe to assume his injured leg is yesterday’s news. The 7-footer had been getting banged up repeatedly since returning, but look for great things now that he’s got his legs back under him. With a four-game week starting tonight, ride the big man while he’s hot.)

Ray Allen – G/F – Seattle Supersonics
36 points, 9 rebounds, 4 steals, 2 assists (So much for the ankle spurs. Allen miraculously has kept the train a rollin’ even though he should probably be having surgery. He’s averaging 30 points per game since missing March 1st with an ankle injury that was supposed to keep sidelined the rest of the season. He’s playing great ball right now and as an owner you can only hope the production keeps up.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Saturday, March 10, 2007

STUDS

Al Jefferson – F/C – Boston Celtics
31 points, 16 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, 1 steal (Big Al was questionable coming into Friday’s game against the Sonics with a strained right arch, so the stat-stuffing line he put up came out of nowhere. This once lowly Boston squad has recently come to life, thanks in part to the efforts of Jefferson and Paul Pierce. Jefferson is averaging a cool 25.8 ppg and 15.3 rebounds in March.)

Tracy McGrady – G/F – Houston Rockets
34 points, 5 assists, 3 threes, 4 rebounds, 1 steal (Nearly back to full strength, the Rockets steamrolled the Nets Friday night 112-91. TMac’s 34 points marked the 18th time this season he’s passed 30 points in a game. With Yao back down low, McGrady hasn’t been the sole focal point for opposing defenses, allowing him to open things up outside. “We have a low-post presence now, something we’ve been missing,” McGrady said. “It’s great to have him (Yao) back. In order for us to win in the playoffs, we’re going to have to have that.”

NFL: Happenings

I’ve been a bit behind in my coverage of the free agent fire sale that’s been rockin’ the NFL the past week. So to bring you up to date, let’s just say there are going to be quite a few new faces sporting new colors this season. Read on to see which players cashed in on new deals and which “bigger” name players have yet to sign.

Cash Money(Players who’ve recently cashed in on new contracts.)

• Linebacker Adalius Thomas signed with the New England Patriots on a six-year, $35 million contract. Thomas was one of the top free agents this off-season, and he was snagged by the Pats for chump change considering what he’s worth. His versatility will allow the 29-year-old to line up in multiple formations, which should help strengthen New England’s D.

• Cornerback Nate Clements signed with the San Francisco 49ers on an eight-year, $80 million contract that makes him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history. Clements has been an average starter at best in his four-year career, but look for good things from the 49ers D with the trio of Clements, Shawntae Spencer, and Walt Harris.

• Running back Willis McGahee was acquired from the Buffalo Bills by the Baltimore Ravens in exchange for third- and seventh-round picks this season, and a third-round pick in ’08. McGahee is an average back, but he’ll have a solid o-line in front of him in Baltimore. Musa Smith resigned with the Ravens a few days ago, so look for him to fill in as the team’s third-down back.

• Running back Ahman Green signed with the Houston Texans on a four-year, $22 million contract that includes $6.5 million in guarantees. Green is 30 years old and borderline past his prime. The Texans obviously saw something in Batman, who will play again under direction of assistant head coach Mike Sherman who coached Green while with the Packers. Don’t expect much from Ahman as his carries will probably drop and he’ll be forced to compete with a laundry list of reserves that include Wali Lundy, Samkon Gado, Chris Taylor, and possibly Ron Dayne if he’s resigned.

• Quarterback Jeff Garcia signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on a two-year, $7 million contract. With Jake Plummer looking to be out of the picture, Garcia will enter an intense battle with Chris Simms for starting QB rights. Garcia and head coach Jon Gruden are long time buds, and Garcia’s knowledge of the West Coast offense should only help his case. Expect the Bucs to go after a big name wideout like Calvin Johnson in the draft now that JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn are out of the picture.

• Wide receiver Drew Bennett signed with the St. Louis Rams on a six-year, $30 million contract that includes $9.5 million guaranteed. Bennett will likely man the slot, with Torry Holt and the aging wonder Isaac Bruce at outside. Bennett should move to No. 2 in 2008, but will have to wait it out in 2007. He could have easily signed with another team as a starting wide receiver, but he should still have more value than in Tennessee. The combination of Holt, Bruce, and Bennett makes up one the top receiving corps’ in the league, which should only increase the value of quarterback Marc Bulger.

• Running back Thomas Jones signed with the New York Jets on a long-term deal that includes $12 million in guaranteed money. Kevan Barlow’s already been dumped and Cedric Houston could be on his way, so Thomas Jones and Leon Washington should combine to make a great one-two duo with Washington to be used primarily as the third-down back.

• Running back Travis Henry signed with the Denver Broncos on a five-year, $22.5 million contract. This signing is huge for everybody. It’s huge for Henry, huge for the Broncos, and huge for fantasy owners. Henry should become the next 1,000-yard-plus running back in Denver and should face little competition besides Mike Bell, who could be used primarily as a third-down back now that Henry’s in town.

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

STUDS

Andre Iguodala – G/F – Philadelphia 76ers
25 points, 11 rebounds, 10 assists (I was getting sick of crowning LeBron James stud of the night game after game. He is the king, so it comes with the territory, but widen the competition and give some ballas a chance! Taking the top spot Thursday morning is AI2, who shredded the Seattle Supersonics Wednesday night with a monstrous triple-double; his third of the year, and second to Jason Kidd who has 10. Iguodala is averaging 21.8 ppg through the past six games and he’s clearly no longer a buy-low candidate as he’s solidified his fantasy value.)

LeBron James – F – Cleveland Cavaliers
41 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 three (Since becoming the face of Microsoft, LeBron has been a machine; I’m not talking about the Short Circuit kind either. King James has owned the second half of the NBA season and is averaging 33.8 ppg in the past eight games. He’s scored more than 30 points in the past five games straight and has pushed the Cavs within two games of the top spot in the East. Can the King be contained? Doubt it.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

STUDS

Kobe Bryant – G – Los Angeles Lakers
40 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 threes, 3 blocks, 2 steals (Kobe’s turned into a real punk. First he tainted his legacy with his rape scandal. Then earlier this season he flagrantly fouls San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili by flailing his arms to draw a foul only to smack the Argentinean in the face. Fast forward to Tuesday night in Minnesota; Kobe pulls the same stunt against the Wolves’ Marko Jaric, intentionally swatting him in the grill after attempting to draw a foul. No word has been released on what’s going to happen to Kobe, but he received a one-game suspension earlier in the season for his dirty swat on Ginobili. Kobe was a stat machine last night, but it’s hard to root for a guy who plays as dirty as Mamba does.)

Ricky Davis – G/F – Minnesota Timberwolves
33 points, 10 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 1 three (For the second game in a row, Davis has posted more than 30 points, while at the same time being an animal on the glass and a dime-dropping maniac. But if you look past the red tape you’ll see that both games went into double overtime, which allowed Ricky to fill the stat sheet beyond his normal capacities. Don’t get me wrong, Davis was an instrumental factor in the Wolves’ double OT win over the Lakers Tuesday night, in which he nearly posted a triple-double, but don’t expect lines like these every night.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Monday, March 5, 2007

STUDS

LeBron James – F – Cleveland Cavaliers
32 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 threes (King James has been blazing hot. Buffalo Wild Wings blazin’ sauce kinda hot. There’s not much else you can say, just look at the numbers. Mr. Microsoft has scored at least 29 points in nine straight games. He’s been an assist-o-matic with at least five in the past five games. He’s steadily crashing the boards and swatting balls. And even his free throw shooting has gotten better. Well, not a whole lot, but a little at least. The King’s No. 1 billing in fantasy leagues is finally paying off, so enjoy the ride if you own him.)

Gerald Wallace – G/F – Charlotte Bobcats
33 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal (The Bobcats got whooped again Monday night, this time by the Jazz. Michael Jordan must be cursing in his sleep by now with how terrible his young team has been performing. Yes, Okafor and Sean May are out nursing injuries, but losing by 25 points? The lone bright spot has been Gerald Wallace. Crash is the team’s leading scorer, averaging 16.8 points per game. In February he was hitting 19.9 ppg and continues to be a stat whore, so look for more of the same.)

NBA: Five Studs and a Dud

Sunday, March 4, 2007

STUDS

Michael Redd – G – Milwaukee Bucks
52 points, 8 threes, 3 steals, 3 rebounds, 2 assists (Talk about a shootout! Michael Redd and Ben Gordon went at it with their guns ’a blazing Sunday afternoon in Milwaukee. Redd was smokin’ through the first three quarters, canning 44 points; once he cooled off in the fourth, the Bucks lost an 18-point lead and lost the game in overtime. Redd didn’t do much besides score, but I’m sure owners aren’t complaining. His 52 points were five shy of tying the Bucks franchise record, which Redd set on November 10.)

Ben Gordon – G – Chicago Bulls
48 points, 6 threes, 5 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal (We knew Gordon was having a breakout year, but dang, this is too much! Like his boy Redd, Gordon went off Sunday scoring the most points he’s ever scored in an official game, at any level! He was making a run for Sixth Man of the Year, but he’s become a bonafide starter and most likely won’t be qualified for the honors. He’s averaging 21.6 points per game in ’06-07, compared with 16.9 in ’05-06.)

NBA: Trade Bait

Bargain Bin:

Yao Ming – C – Houston Rockets
No. 1 fantasy centers don’t grow on trees, so if yours gets injured, you’re probably used to debating whether Brandon Haywood or Etan Thomas has more fantasy value. Yao’s been out since December 23 with a fractured right tibia, but the word on the street is that he may suit up Monday against the Cavaliers. It’s been a long time coming for the Chinese giant, so this week is probably your last chance to score the big man’s services. He’ll likely take a few games to get back to full form, so target him now before he gets cookin’.

Richard Jefferson – F – New Jersey Nets
While No. 1 small forwards aren’t as difficult to come by as No. 1 centers, losing a stud like Richard Jefferson hurts regardless of the crop of SFs waiting on the wire. Out since January with an ankle injury, RJ is less than a week away from returning to the starting lineup. He might be available on some waiver wires, so it goes without saying that he should be picked up immediately. If he’s owned in your league, and you need a starting small forward, now’s the perfect time to target Jefferson because his value is at its lowest.