Who to draft: Jason Kidd vs. Devin Harris

The case for Kidd: In his first full year with the Mavericks, Kidd averaged 9 points, 8.7 assists (5th in the NBA), 6.2 rebounds 2 steals (3rd in the NBA) and 1.6 threes per game. On any given night Kidd has a solid chance of recording a triple-double. Dallas signed F Shawn Marion who was Kidd’s former teammate with the Phoenix Suns. Baring injury Kidd is a safe third round pick because of his contributions in assists, rebounds, and threes. The formet Net also turned the ball over just 2.28 times per game which was his lowest total since 96-97. He shot 46% from the field and averaged 11.4 points per game in 10 playoff games last season.

The case against Kidd: Since being traded to Dallas during the 07-08 season he has averaged 9.5 points during that span. He also has not shot over 44% from the field since the 98-99 season. Kidd is now 36 years old and the upside is very limited. He also rarely goes to the foul line attempting just 1.3 …

Who to draft?

The case for Melo: Anthony set a career high last season in three per game (1.0). He averaged 27 points, 4 assists and 1.8 steals in 16 playoff games. He finished 9th in the league in free throws attempted (7.1) shooting 79%. Melo dropped 45 points against the Pacers over the weekend in China and looks to be one of the top small forwards selected.

The case against Melo: Even though he elevated his scoring output in the playoffs he averaged just 22.8 during the regular season. This was his lowest production since 04-05. His field goal % has declined each of the past three years. For Melo to have second or third round value he needs to average over 7 boards and 4 assists.

The case for Martin: Martin finished 2nd in free throws attempted (10.3), 5th in three per game (2.3) and  7th in the NBA in points per game (24.6). He has increased each of the three areas over the past three seasons. He also averaged 3.6 rebounds, 1.2 steals and shot 86% …

Gerald Wallace vs. Andre Iguodala

The case for Wallace: Wallace averaged a career high 7.8 rebounds to go along with 1.7 steals, .9 blocks, shot 48% from the field and 80% from the foul line. However, his fantasy potential should be based on the 14 games he in March where he averaged 19.5 points, 9 rebounds, 1.5 steals, 1.4 blocks and .9 threes per game. He also shot 58% from the field which is outstanding for a small forward. He cut down his turnovers from the previous season from 2.9 to 2.1.

The case against Wallace: His scoring dipped last year (down to 16.7 from 19.4) and has missed 43 regular season games the past three seasons due to injury. Head Coach Larry Brown might consider playing Wallace at the 4 which would hurt his fantasy value. He needs to raise his assists (2.7) if he wants to go ahead of Igudola.

The case for Igudola: Iggy has missed just six games in five seasons and has played in all 82 in four of them. Last season he …

Both players have an ADP of the third-fourth round

The case for KG: Garnett underwent knee surgery in the off-season and could be a great buy-low candidate. He says his knee is pain free and feels more flexible since the surgery. With the addition of PF/C Rasheed Wallace,  it will take pressure off him in the front court. KG  is a year removed from 18.8 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 1.3 block, 54% from the field and 80% from the foul line. Before last season he played in 71 or more games in nine straight seasons. Owners could be scared to draft the 12 time All-Time All-Star which means you could be getting a steal in the early rounds.

The case against KG: Due to a knee injury he missed 25 games last season which was the most since the 98-99 season. He averaged 15.2 points the second lowest amount in his 14-year career. Also his 31.1 minutes per game was the lowest since his rookie season. He is entering his 15th season in the league and his 20-10 days …

Fantasy Faceoff: Chauncey Billups or Jose Calderon

Both point guards are drafted in the second round and each bring different strengths to the table.

Case for Billups: Biliups continued his efficient play with the Nuggets last season averaging 17.7 points, 6.4 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game in 77 regular season games. He made 2.1 three per game which was his most since the 05-06 season. While his fg % is one of his drawbacks he shot 45% in 16 postseason games. Billups is almost automatic from the line shooting 91% and 92% the past two seasons.

Case against: He shot 42% from the field during the regular season and has turned the ball over at least two times per game the past three seasons. Billups turned 34 years old last month but he has not shown any sings of age yet.

Case for Calderon: Last season he averaged 12.8 points, 8.9 assists, 1.2 threes, 1.1 steals and shot 50% from the field and 98% from the foul line. The 29 year old is in his prime and recovered from …

Who to draft first Kobe Bryant or Deron Williams?

Kobe is the safer and more well rounded fantasy player but choosing Deron is also a solid way to go. There fantasy ADP (average draft position) are both around picks 5-8.

Case for Kobe: Kobe played in all 82 regular season games averaging 26.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 threes per game.  However, he elevated his game in the playoffs averaging 34 points in the conference finals and 32.4 points with 7.4 assists in the NBA Finals. Kobe contributes in almost every category and is a safe top 5 pick. Even though he is getting older his skills are not diminishing and his fantasy numbers remain great as he is evolving into better teammate.

Case for Deron: Williams is the second point guard taken after Chris Paul. Williams played in 68 games last season due to a sprained ankle he suffered early in the year. He averaged 19.4 points, 10.7 assists (second in the NBA), 1.3 steals and 1 three per game. In his last eight games …

The San Antonio Spurs released former University standout Jack McClinton on the eve of training camp. McClinton is the all time 3-point percentage leader in ACC history and was selected by the Spurs in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft (51st overall). He struggled in the Vegas Summer League but has the potential to light it up as he had consecutive 30-point games against Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina. He averaged 19.3 points during his junior year while shooting 45% from downtown. The Spurs added NBA veterans Keith Bogans and Dwayne Jones which was a reason he asked for his release.

Before the NBA Draft, there were rumors that Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni praised the 24-year old shooting ability. Donnie Walsh should bring in him in and compete for a spot as the Knicks released sharp shooter Morris Almond.

 

Kevin Love will be this year’s version of David Lee: Love almost averaged a double-double in his rookie season (11 points and 9 rebounds). In the last 15 games of the season he averaged 14.4 points, 10 rebounds  and shot 80% from the foul line. For the second year player to get on Lee’s level he needs to record more steals and shoot a higher field goal percentage. The injury to Al Jefferson allowed Love to pick up center eligibility for this upcoming season. A healthy The ex -Bruin averaged 9.5 boards in December andJanuary before Jefferson’s injury. Love also led the league in offensive rebound rate and finished second only to C Dwight Howard in total rebound rate.

Carmelo Anthony will be a top 5 scorer: This is not a bold statement but he should be back on track this season. Danny Granger finished 5th in scorting at 25.8 but that could come down with Mike Dunleavy coming back. Melo elevated his game in the playoffs averaging 30 points in the semis and 27.5 in the …

Andris Biedrins (Warriors)- Among centers last season Biedrins finished second in rebounding (11.2). He also blocked 1.5 shots a game, recorded one steal and shot 57% from the field. The Latvian big missed 20 games last season but did not a miss game in 06-07 and missed six in 07-08. Despite being injured last year he set career highs in points (11.9), assists (2.0) and minutes per game (30). The 23-year old does not have much competition at the center position with Mikki Moore and Ronnie Turiaf on the roster.

Andre Miller (Blazers)- Miller is a steady point guard that seems to put up solid numbers every year. He has not missed a regular season game for the 76ers the past two seasons and averaged 16.7 points, 6.7 assists, 1.3 steals. Even though he does not shoot that many threes he posts solid percentages. Miller is good for at least 35 minutes per game and should be motivated to keep PG Steve Blake on the bench.

John Salmons (Bulls)- Salmons had a breakout season last year averaging 18.3 points in 56 …

Derrick Rose (Bulls)- Rose elevated his game in the playoffs averaging 19.7 points, 6.4 assists, 6.3 assists and shot 49% from the field. During the regular season he finished 17thin assists (6.3) along with .2 threes per game and .8 steals per game. He is a dynamicpoint guard withgreat speed and strength but did not have a great fantasy season. For him to jump into the elite PG tier he needs to increase his threes, steals and free throw %.  Owners may by into his hype and draft him in rounds 3-4. Remember while he should improve this year he ranked 91st on the ESPN fantasy player rater.

David Lee (Knicks)- Lee set career highs in points (16.0), rebounds (11.7), steals (1.0), minutes (34.9) last season. The restricted free agent is expected to sign a one year with the Knickssoon. While he led the NBA with 65 double-doubles he finished third in rebounding. Troy Murphy finished ahead of Lee in bounds and is the better fantasy option. Even though he averaged less points and shot worse from …

RB Mike Bell (Saints)- RB Pierre Thomas is expected to sit this week against the Lions. Thomas is suffering from a MCL sprain and a minor laceration on the same knee. He did not practice yesterday and the Saints should not play him to risk further injury. Last season  Bell scored his lone TD vs. the Lions.  He rushed for 115 yards on 15 carries during the preseason and makes a strong flex play this week.

RB James Davis- Jamal Lewis barely broke 1,000 yards last season and averaged 3.6 yards per carry. He is now 30 years old and his load could be decreased. Davis, was selected in the sixth round (same round as  RB Terrell Davis) out of Clemson.  He has  has good size 5′11″ 218 pounds and could eventually take over the starting job. The rookie ran for 186 yards on 24 carries, averaging  to 7.8 yards per carry.

Honorable mention: Glenn Coffee (49ers)

Terrell Owens (Bills)-  Owens missed three weeks of practice time with a sprained toe. TO is coming off one of his least productive seasons of his career catching 69 balls for 1,052 yards and 10 scores. His numbers suffered with team injuries including one to QB Tony Romo. With Brad Johnson throwing to him in weeks 7-9, Owens averaged just four catches for 33 yards. To go along with Owens history of drops , an unproven QB (Trent Edwards) and incliment weather games he is a risky pick in the third round.

Clinton Portis (Redskins)- Last season Portis had a case to be named the first half fantasy MVP. However from Weeks 10-17 he only had one rushing TD and one 100 yard ground game. Compared to seven TDs and five 100 yard ground games in the first half. Even though he is entering his prime (28 years old) he is fifth among active RB’s in carries. Ladell Betts will be used more on third down and Marcus Masoncould steal some goal line carries. He has not missed …