NBA Rookie Draft Ranking and Fantasy Outlook: Bradley Beal
Jun 29, 2012 Shooting Guard Updates
The Washington Wizards selected Florida’s Bradley Beal with the third pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Beal’s career stats at Florida:
37 Games, 14.8 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 1.4 steals, 44.5 FG%, 76.9 FT%
Fantasy Advice: Beal fell into the perfect draft scenario for his skill set. The Wizards have an opening day lineup of John Wall, Trevor Ariza, Emeka Okafor and Nene. All they are missing is a shooting guard with a dependable outside shot. Welcome to Washington Bradley Beal.
Beal took 5 three pointers a game at Florida and hit them at a 33.9% clip. He’s going to have to continue to work on his shot to add a few points to that percentage, but he’s got the right mechanics and mental ability to do so. If he can consistently hit the jumper, he’s going to play and open things up for John Wall. If his shot goes south to a level that is worse than Jordan Crawford’s, then he’s going to see the pine while Crawford plays. It’s pretty simple, the Wiz are asking just one thing out of him, hit the shot that opens the floor.
Another quality that hasn’t been talked about too much is Beal’s rebounding ability. He managed to grab 6.7 rebounds a game, which is pretty solid from the guard spot. If that skill translates to the NBA, he could be looking at Dwyane Wade type rebound figures from the shooting guard position.
Beal will be an attractive fantasy draft target for owners who need to bolster their three point category, while hopefully getting decent points, rebounds and steals.
Tags: fantasy basketball, Shooting Guard
NBA Rookie Draft Ranking and Fantasy Outlook: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
Jun 29, 2012 Small Forward Updates
Michael Jordan’s Charlotte Bobcats selected Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with the second pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
Kidd-Gilchrist’s career stats at Kentucky:
40 Games, 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds, .9 blocks, 1.0 steals, 49.1 FG%, 74.5% FT%
Fantasy Advice: I was a little surprised when Kidd-Gilchrist was called at number two, but looking back it was probably telegraphed earlier in the week when the Bobcats traded Corey Maggette to the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Ben Gordon. With MKG coming in, Maggette was no longer needed and with Kemba Walker, Ben Gordon and Gerald Henderson manning the guard spots, Bradley Beal wasn’t the right fit for Charlotte. I actually expected to see Thomas Robinson go here and it probably would have been a better pick.
The best that can be said about MKG right now is that he’s a high character guy and an intensely skilled defender, which isn’t what most fantasy owners are looking for from a number 2 draft pick type player. His offensive game is probably going to be very average early in his NBA career and probably won’t do much to help fantasy owners in his first season. He is extremely young though and many have said that he’s got one of the higher ceilings to be found in this year’s rookie class, so there is hope that his offensive game will develop in time.
My immediate reaction is that fantasy drafters are going to overpay for Kidd-Gilchrist simply because he was the number two NBA draft pick, but unless he shows some real offensive development and a decent role in the offense in training camp, I’d let someone else take the gamble on him.
NBA Rookie Draft Ranking and Fantasy Outlook: Anthony Davis
Jun 29, 2012 Power Forward Updates
It was no surprise that the New Orleans Hornets took Anthony Davis with the first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. Davis will hopefully man the power forward or center position and become the face of the franchise for years to come.
Career college stats at Kentucky:
40 Games, 14.2 points, 10.4 rebounds, 4.7 blocks, 1.7 steals, 62.3 FG%, 70.9 FT%
Fantasy Advice: The Hornets traded away Emeka Okafor earlier in the week, which was clearly a move to open up a space for Davis. With his defensive talents, he should step right into a starting role and be one of the rookies with the highest amount of playing time this year. But, like most young big men, his defensive game is way ahead of his offensive game. His most impressive stat at Kentucky was the 4.7 blocked shots per game and this will likely be the one stat that fantasy drafters focus on this season. Everyone is looking for the next Serge Ibaka to help their fantasy teams dominate the blocks category.
His offensive game is still raw, but he’s got all the basic tools to be a great offensive player in time. Let’s face it, other than Eric Gordon, the Hornets still don’t have much talent to put around Davis and it’s going to be hard to hit the ground running in any type of established offense. Early on it will be a tough learning process for Davis, but the one bright spot is that somebody has to put up the points on this team, so why not Davis?
Much like the real life NBA draft, if you are looking for the best fantasy rookie, then Davis is probably the pick. Unfortunately though, the hype of the number one pick always makes fantasy drafters pay more than is warranted, but that could surely be justified in keeper leagues.
Dwyane Wade to Have Knee Surgery, Miss Olympics
Jun 28, 2012 Shooting Guard Updates
Dwyane Wade will opt to have surgery on his troublesome left knee. (Source: Pro Basketball Talk, NBC Sports)
Fantasy Advice: This is something that many people suspected while watching Wade struggle thoughout the playoffs. There aren’t any reports detailing the medical findings or upcoming surgery and it’s simply being described as a ‘cleanup’ procedure that will only require him to be on crutches for a couple of days. It doesn’t sound like it will be anything that should affect his 2012-2013 fantasy value. If anything, the extra rest that he’ll get from missing the Olympics will only help his performance next season.
Tags: fantasy basketball, Shooting Guard
Getting Ready for Tonight’s 2012 NBA Draft
Jun 28, 2012 Blog
After several million blogosphere posts and predictions about this year’s NBA draft, the date is finally here. Draft coverage will start at 7:00 PM EST on ESPN with the first pick expected to hit the board at 7:30. Here’s some pre-draft action as several teams have already made a few moves:
Charlotte Bobcats trade Corey Maggette to Detroit in exchange for Ben Gordon and a future first round draft pick. (Source: Piston Powered)
Anthony Parker has announced his retirement. (Source: Fear the Sword)
Jason Maxiell has exercised his option and will be back with Detroit for the 2012-2013 season. (Source: Detroit Bad Boys)
Houston Rockets trade Samuel Dalembert and the 14th pick to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Jon Leuer, Jon Brockman, Shaun Livingston and the 12th pick. (Source: The Dream Shake)
Houston Rockets trade Chase Budinger to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for the Number 18 draft pick. (Source: ESPN)
It’s looking like Deron Williams will stay with the Nets. (Source: Nets Daily)
Brooklyn Nets have tendered a qualifying offer to Brook Lopez making him a restricted free agent. (Source: Nets are Scorching)
Philadunkia reviews Thaddeus Young. (Source: Philadunkia.com)
Indy Cornrows reviews Roy Hibbert. (Source: IndyCornrows.com)