Here are five things worth noting in week one

1) Carmelo Anthony is playing like the MVP: Melo leads the NBA in scoring with 37.7 points per game and has scored at least 40 points in two straight games. He also has attempted 41 free throws and averaging 7 rebounds per game. The Nuggets are 3-0 including wins over Utah and Portland. If he continues this all season he moves into the first round next season.

2) Gilbert Arenas is back: Arenas had a season high 31 points vs. the Nets on Halloween. He also shot 69% from the field and attempted 12 free throws. In three games this season he is averaging 28 points, 6.7 threes, 2.3 threes and 1 steal per game. He was drafted in the late second-early third in most drafts which looks like a steal now.

3) Trevor Ariza and Aaron Brooks are fantasy gold: Ariza scored a season high 33 points last Saturday and has made 11 three-pointers in three games. He is averaging 23.3 points, 1.7 steals in 38 minutes per …

Teams playing four games: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Detroit, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, Sacramento, Utah, Washington
Teams playing three games: Charlotte, Chicago, Cleveland, Dallas, Golden State, Houston, Indiana, L.A. Clippers, Miami, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Portland, Toronto
Teams playing two games: San Antonio

Guards

Rafer Alston (Nets): Harris is expected to miss a week with a groin injury. Alston started at point guard and had 20 points, eight assists, three 3 pointers and one steal in 31 minutes on Saturday. Even though he will be a starter temporarily he is a solid short-term point guard to own.

Juan Jose Barea (Mavs): Barera is averaging 11.3 points, 3.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and shooting 93% from the foul line in three games. In his last two games he has played at least 23 minutes and will continue to get time with Josh Howard sidelined.

Larry Hughes (Knicks): Hughes did not play in the first two games but received extended minutes in the home opener with an injury to Nate Robinson. Robinson could miss up to two …

Week 1 (Oct. 26-Nov. 1)
Teams playing four games: Boston, Cleveland, L.A. Clippers, Portland
Teams playing three games: Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, L.A. Lakers, Memphis, Miami, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Orleans, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio, Toronto, Washington
Teams playing two games: Golden State, Indiana, Milwaukee, Utah

Guards

Chris Douglas-Roberts (Nets- owned 3% in ESPN leagues): CDR had a big preseason averaging 18 points, 4 rebounds, 1.4 steals in 34 minutes over seven games. With the Nets trading G Vince Carter away in the off-season Roberts should play a big role on the offense.

Brandon Rush (Pacers-0wned 9.2%): Rush is entering the season as the Pacers starting shooting guard. He averaged 12.4 points, 1.3 blocks and 1 steal over seven preseason games. However, his value is his range as he knocked down 14 three pointers.

Anthony Morrow (Warriors-owned 11.7%): Morrow finished second in the preseason with 22 points per game. He also shot an excellent 52% from three and attempted 6.5 per …

85. John Salmons

86. Blake Griffin

87. Wilson Chandler

88. James Harden

89. Andre Miller (me)

90. Tyrus Thomas

91. Mike Conley

92. O.J Mayo

93. Ron Artest

94. Rodney Stuckey

95. Aaron Brooks

96. Mike Bibby

Five more point guards were taken this round as well as the first two rookies.

My Strategy. Looking back maybe I should have selected Stuckey or Mayo based on upside but Andre Miller has good value this round. Even though he is coming off the bench as of now we know he is a steady producer. He has missed three games over the past three years and averaged 16.5 points, 6.5 assists, 4.5 rebounds  and 1.3 steals for the 76ers last season. While he does not shoot many threes he posts solid percentages and should be a steal once he gets inserted into the starting lineup.

Best pick: There were several picks I liked this round: Salmons, Chandler, Thomas, Mayo, Artest and Stuckey

Questionable pick: I think Harden can have a solid rookie season but there were better players on the board.

Riskiest pick: The Hawks acquired Jamal Crawford in the off-season which crowds …

73. Andrew Bogut

74. Kevin Love

75. J.R Smith

76. Lou Williams

77. Anthony Randolph

78. Stephen Jackson

79. Eric Gordon

80. Jeff Green (me)

81. Fransico Garcia

82. T.J Ford

83. Paul Milsap

84. D.J Augustin

My Strategy: I was targeting Gordon and Green and was pleased that one of them was available. Green broke out last season averaging 16.5 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 threes and one steal per game. He also played 36 minutes per game and the third year forward should increase his versatile numbers.

Best pick: Gordon had a solid rookie season averaging 16 points, 1.7 threes 1 steal and shot 45% from the field and 85% from the foul line. He should build on those numbers and this was the third straight player Team Brown took who can shoot the three (Okur, Charlie V). Even though J.R Smith is suspended seven games to start the season he is a solid fantasy player. Stephen Jackson in round 7 is great value if he can find a way to play 70+ games.

Questionable pick: Lou Williams is on everyone’s list of sleepers but this is  a …

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 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

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 …