Fantasy Basketball Daily News and Notes (10/18/10)
Oct 18, 2010 Blog
Al Thornton – He finally made it back on to the court, but he’s probably not going to be fantasy relevant this season with Washington running three guard sets. Josh Howard will also return at some point to compete for minutes. If you decide to draft Thornton, all you are getting is points since he really does nothing else.
Utah Jazz – It looks like the opening night rotation will be Deron Williams, Raja Bell, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap and Al Jefferson. C.J. Miles should be the first guy off the bench or there remains the possibility that Miles and Kirilenko could switch roles.
Lamar Odom/Pau Gasol – Odom played 41 minutes while Gasol logged 37 minutes on Sunday. I see this trend of big minutes continuing for both players while Andrew Bynum is out.
JaVale McGee – He’s going to be an interesting, high risk/high reward pick this season. He blocked 6 more shots on Sunday and made some great offensive plays. If he can play solid defense, he should stay on the court for 30 minutes a night.
Timofey Mozgov – He played 22 minutes Sunday and only picked up one foul. 5-8 shooting with a block. He’s got a very solid jumper, but I still think he’s a 20 minute player.
Kevin Love – His three point shot is sharp, he made three more on Sunday. That’s a big bonus from your power forward spot if you like to dominate the three point category. He also grabbed 13 rebounds.
Ersan Ilyasova – He’s not a popular NBA name, but he has a pretty good offensive game off the bench. He’s fairly flexible and could see time at SF and PF this season. Keep him on your waiver wire watchlist.
Blake Griffin – He’s got a minor ankle problem, but it’s nothing to worry about. He’s been going full speed this preseason and it’s probably time for a little rest anyway. A prime target in keeper leagues.
Philadelphis 76’ers – I fear this team is going to be a fantasy disaster again this season. One week before the season and they still have no clue what the opening night rotation is going to be. I recently saw a report that had Evan Turner and Thaddeus Young both coming off the bench. Ugh.
Brandon Bass – There are trade rumors around Bass and it would probably help his value if he could get out of Orlando. Bass is a post up player and that just isn’t how Orlando chooses to use their PF. The 4 out/1 in system needs a PF who can stretch the floor, create space and hit the outside jumper. That’s Rashard Lewis/Ryan Anderson, not Bass. Be ready to grab him if he does get traded.
Gerald Wallace/Stephen Jackson – The Bobcats have absolutely no bench depth and Wallace/Jackson will both play big minutes again this season, which is great news for fantasy owners. Until they are both dead tired in March.
Jason Terry – He could begin the season as the starting SG for Dallas. This would move Caron Butler back to SF and Shawn Marion to the bench.
John Salmons – He’s starting to worry me a little. He hasn’t practiced and there isn’t much information to update his medical condition. It might be best to go with a safer option on draft day.
Wilson Chandler – He could end up starting at PF for the Knicks early in the season.
Tags: fantasy basketball