61. Thaddeus Young
62. Ben Gordon
63. Mo Williams
64. Trevor Ariza
65. Andrea Bargnani
66. Charlie Villanueva
67. Manu Ginobili
68. Ray Allen
69. Emeka Okafor
70. Zach Randolph
71. Luis Scola
72. Jason Richardson
This round features players that had breakout years (Young, Ariza, Bargnani, Villanueva, Scola)
My Strategy: I was expecting to see Bargnani gone in the 5th round but was pleased when he was still there in the sixth. He had a career year averaging 15.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 threes and 1.3 blocks per game. In a two center league I can pair him with Troy Murphy who is center eligible. The former 1st overall pick in 2006 needs to increase his rebounds but his blocks, threes and FT% carry value especially for a center.
Best Pick: I like the Mo Williams pick because he is flying a little under the radar. The starting point guard for the Cavs averaged 17.8 points, 4.1 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 2.2 threes, 0.9 steals and shot 91% from the foul line. The additions of Shaq and Anthony Parker could increase his assist total. Other picks I like this …
49. Shawn Marion
50. Rashard Lewis
51. Marcus Camby
52. Baron Davis
53. Boris Diaw
54. Andrew Bynum
55. Mehmet Okur
56. Rudy Gay (me)
57. Jason Terry
58. Michael Redd
59. Al Horford
60. Hedo Turkoglu
My Strategy: My choices were between Horford and Gay. I selected the former Huskie because he is durable and contributes across the board. He has missed seven games in the past three seasons and averaged 19 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1.1 three per game last season. His scoring could go down with Zach Randolph and Allen Iverson on the team. Gay is a season removed where he averaged 20 points, 6.2 rebounds and one block shot per game so the upside is there.
Best Pick: I like the Marion pick because of his versatility and will be a starter for the Mavericks. Only a few years ago he was a first found fantasy pick with the Suns. He also re-unites with his former teammate PG Jason Kidd. While, Marion does not make a lot of threes now he still contributes in rebounds, steals, blocks and posts solid %’s. Diaw, Okur …
Pick 37: Nene
Pick 38: Kevin Martin
Pick 39: Gerald Wallace
Pick 40: Al Harrington
Pick 41: Troy Murphy
Pick 42: Antawn Jamison
Pick 43: Jameer Nelson
Pick 44: Russel Westbrook
Pick 45: Carlos Boozer
Pick 46: Tony Parker
Pick 47: Andris Biedrins
Pick 48: LaMarcus Aldridge
Three more point guards went this round
My Strategy: Troy Murphy is a guy I did not want to reach for in the third round. Some people can say he will not repeat his career year from last season but he is a very special fantasy player. He was the only player in the NBA to knock down 2 three-pointers per game (2.2) and pull down 11 rebounds. He finished second in the league in rebounding (11.8) and posts solid %’s.
Best Pick: Antawn Jamison is one of the most underrated fantasy players in the game. Despite his shoulder injury in the preseason he has been lifting weights and is healing quickly. He has missed just four games in the past two seasons and scored 22 points, 8.9 rebounds, 1.4 threes and 1.2 steals per game last season . I like the …
Pick 25: Brook Lopez
Pick 26: Derrick Rose
Pick 27: Elton Brand
Pick 28: Andre Igudola
Pick 29: Josh Smith
Pick 30: David Lee
Pick 31: Carmelo Anthony
Pick 32: Caron Butler
Pick 33: Monta Ellis
Pick 34: Paul Pierce
Pick 35: David West
Pick 36: Vince Carter
Only two point guards went this round if you consider Monta Ellis one. Six forwards were taken
My Strategy: I was targeting Lopez, Iggy, Gerald Wallace and Butler with my pick. I know Butler has not played more than 67 regular season games the past three years but I could not pass up the value. Butler averaged 20.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.6 steals, one three and shot 45% from the field and 86% from the foul line last season. In 06-07 when Gilbert Arenas was last healthy, Butler still averaged 19.1 points. Besides his health the only other flaw is the lack of blocked shots but his fantasy value equaled the 12th overall player last season.
Best pick: Brook Lopez is coming in with a lot of hype into the season which is well deserved. The rookie averaged …
Pick 13: Steve Nash
Pick 14: Brandon Roy
Pick 15: Gilbert Arenas
Pick 16: Jason Kidd
Pick 17 (me): Jose Calderon
Pick 18: Pau Gasol
Pick 19: Chauncey Billups
Pick 20: Rajon Rondo
Pick 21: Tim Duncan
Pick 22: Kevin Garnett
Pick 23: Devin Haris
Pick 24: Joe Johnson
My Strategy: After looking over mock drafts the point guard run starts in the second round. As you can see seven point guards were taken this round. I was targeting Calderon and Billups with my selection. I chose Calderon because he should be a lock to finish top 5 in the league in assists. He also shoots close to 50% from the field and averaged over a steal and three pointer per game last season. While he has some injury concerns and has been quiet so far this preseason he is poised for a solid season.
Best pick: There a few I liked this round but one that stands out is Pau Gasol. This owner took Deron Williams in the first and pairs him with an excellent big. Gasol averaged 19 points, 9.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, one block and …
I just completed my first 12 team live online draft with some fantasypros911.com followers. I’m going to break down each round.
League settings: Roto-8 category scoring
1st pick: Chris Paul
2nd pick: Lebron James
3rd pick: Dwyane Wade
4th pick: Kobe Bryant
5th pick: Kevin Durant
6th pick:Danny Granger
7th pick: Deron Williams
8th pick (me): Dirk Nowitzki
9th pick: Amare Stoudemerie
10th pick: Dwight Howard
11th pick: Chris Bosh
12th pick: Al Jefferson
There were no surprises with the first six picks as these players should be coming off the board. Picks 4-6 vary depending the owner’s preferences. One can make a case for Durant or Granger over Kobe.
My Strategy: The player I was targeting was PG Deron Williams but he was selected right before. I opted to take one of the safer players going in the first round. Dirk is the top fantasy power forward and scores in the NBA (25.9 last season). His fantasy value equaled the ninth overall player last season.
What I like about this pick is that he contributes all across the board and shoots solid percentages (48 from the …
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 …
