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 game. Brooks is averaging 21.7 points, 8.3 assists, 2.3 threes and 1.3 steals per game over 39 minutes. Both these players should see big minutes all season which will only help there stats. More importantly both players are shooting well from the field so far.

4) Brandon Jennings is already becoming an elite fantasy PG: Based on his first two games it’s seem hard to believe the Knicks drafted Jordan Hill over him. Jennings first game almost resulted in a triple double with 19 points, 9 assists and 9 rebounds. He followed that game with 24 points, 3 three-pointers and 3 steals.

5) Chris Paul is making the case again why he goes before Lebron James: James is having a strong start to the season but Paul has stepped up his game. Cp3 is averaging 26 points and 1.7 threes per game which would be career highs. His assists and steals are down but he is shooting 65% from the field.

Other stories: Devin Harris already out at least a week, Pau Gasol has missed three games already, Chris Bosh is second in scoring and rebounding, Steve Nash is leading the NBA with 14 assists per game, Channing Frye is averaging 19.7 points per game, Greg Oden leads the league with 2.75 blocks per game, Boston and Miami a combined 7-0, Nets, Clippers, Clippers and Kings all did not have a win.

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 weeks with an ankle injury which bodes well for Hughes who provided a solid stat line of 18 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 4 steals in 39 minutes. The numbers are a bit inflated because the game went into double OT but any player in the Knicks rotation holds value.

Honorable mention: Delonte West (Cavs)

Fowards

Matt Barnes (Magic): Barnes posted a solid line starting at small forward today with 12 points, 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 4 assists.With Vince Carter (ankley injury), Mickael Pietrus (flu) and Rashard Lewis (supsension)  all missing time, Barnes should receive extended minutes.

Rasual Butler (Clippers): Butler has played at least 26 minutes in three of his four games so far this season. Last Friday he scored a season high 19 points in 32 minutes.

Udonis Haslem (Heat): Haslem has at least 10 rebounds in two of his three games. While he does not block that many shots he posts solid %’s in about 30 minutes per game.

Honorable mention: Yi Jianlian (Nets)

Centers

Solomon Jones (Pacers)-  Jones is averaging 7 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocked shots and shooting 55% from the field in two games. He is a good source for blocks and will play solid minutes whenever starting center Roy Hibbert gets in foul trouble.

David Anderson (Rockets): The 7-footer had his best game of the season yesterday with 11 points and 5 rebounds in 19 minutes. He also hit his first three-pointer of his career and the rookie should be worked more in the rotation with more game experience.

Channing Frye (Suns): A popular sleeper going into the season because of his strong preseason did not disappoint in his first game. He scored 22 points knocking down six three-pointers and pulling down 8 rebounds with three steals. Frye  scored a season high 25 points (six three-pointers) and pulled down five rebounds today.

Honorable mention: Hasheem Thabeet (Grizzles)

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 game. If he starts the season at shooting guard he posts solid %’s and can light it up.

Honorable mention: Brandon Jennings (Bucks)

Forwards

DeJuan Blair (Spurs-owned 5.9%): Blair averaged 7.9 rebounds in just 17.7 minutes per game during the preseason. If injuries occur in the front court the rookie is worth picking up because of his double-double potential.

Andray Blatche (Wizards-owned 3.9%)-: Blatche started 36 games last season averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game. F Antawn Jamison is expected to miss the next three to five weeks with a right shoulder injury.

Ryan Anderson (Magic-owned 2.2%): Anderson is expected to start at power forward for the Magic on opening night. It is unclear how he will split time with F Brandon Bass but he could have some short term fantasy value with F Rashard Lewis out. In his final three preseason games Anderson knocked down nine three-pointers.

Honorable mention: Corey Brewer (Timberwolves)

Centers

Joel Przybilla (Trailblazers-owned 2.4%)-: Even though C Greg Oden was named the starter Przybilla still has value. Oden has been injury prone in his young NBA career and also will battle early foul trouble. “Przy” is a good source for field goal %, blocks and rebounds.

Carl Landry (Rockets-owned 7.6%)-: Landry is expected to start at center for the Rockets. Last season he averaged 9.3 rebounds, 5 rebounds, and shot 57% from the field in 21 minutes per game. With more minutes this season his points, rebounds and blocks should all increase.

DeAndre Jordan (Clippers-owned 0.4%)-:F Blake Griffin is expected to miss the next six weeks with a stress fracture of his left patella. This injury could impact other players minutes but with the injury risks to C Marcus Camby and C Chris Kaman makes Jordan an intriguing player. We saw his potential last year as he started 13 games averaging 7.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and shot 67% from the field.

Honorable Mention: Darko Milicic (Knicks)

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 the back court. Bibby is coming off a solid fantasy season but his numbers will take a hit.

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 round too early for him. This will be his first year starting as his career high in assists is 3.2 as a backup. He averaged almost 13 points in 23 minutes last season with 1.1 steals and 0.8 threes per game. However, he shot 39% from the field. Garcia is out about four months after surgery on his broken right forearm.

Riskiest pick: T.J Ford has never played more than 75 games in his five year career. He had a productive season last year for the Pacers but averaged a career low 5.3 assists per game. Ford, has already missed some preseason time with a hamstring injury. The departure of PG Jarret Jack helps his value but Ford is still a risk.

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 round are Allen, Scola and Richardson. A healthy Manu is a fantasy beast and is worth taking this round. This was the third straight player Team Wilson selected that had injuries last year (Jameer Nelson-Andrew Bynum).

Questionable Pick: Zach Radolph is a double-double machine but is a streaky shooter and does not block many shots. He is an injury risk as the most games he has played over the past three seasons is 69. Team Cincotta wants to dominate the rebounds as he has selected Kevin Garnett, Elton Brand, Marcus Camby and Randolph.

Riskiest Pick: Okafor has not missed a regular season in the past two years but has  a toe injury that has limited him this preseason. This injury could effect his game shape and play to start the season. His drawbacks are a low FT% (59 last season) and lack of three pointers and assists. However, he will grab over 10 rebounds and block close to two shots per game. He was traded to the Hornets to the off-season and playing with Chris Paul can only help. I still thought he went a round early. Team Melnick pairs him with Tim Duncan which makes a formidable rebounding duo.

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 and Terry were also solid picks.

Questionable pick: Andrew Bynum has a lot of upside but is playing with a strained rotator cuff. While this injury does not appear to be serious he has battled injuries so far in his young career. He has played in just 85 regular season games the past two seasons.This could be the year he breaks out but the Lakers have a crowded front court

Riskiest pick: Michael Redd was another player selected in this round with injury concerns. When healthy he is a prolific scorer and a three point threat. However, his lack of rebounds and assists makes him a limited fantasy player. He also has played in 52 or fewer regular games in two of the past three seasons. Redd is also recovering from ACL surgery and I think would be suited being taken in the sixth round. Camby and Davis are high-risk-high reward players as well. Rashard Lewis is missing the first 10 games of the season due to suspension but still has good value going in the fifth round.

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 value of Martin and Wallace in this round. Biedrins averaged 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 blocked shots per game.

Questionable pick: Carlos Boozer played in just 37 games last season and there has been speculation that he could be traded. He has been a 20-10 player but does not block many shots. Team Melnick should have selected Tony Parker who would have been the team’s first point guard. Al Harrington, I thought went a round  early but provides Team Andie another scorer since he selected Jason Kidd in round 2.

Riskiest pick: Kevin Martin and Gerald Wallace are roto studs when they are healthy. However, each player is prone to miss games due to injury. However, Team Airball’s selected Gilbert Arenas in the second round and sees the upside in risky players. Team Preety in Phink has a solid team through the first round four rounds: Chris Bosh, Brandon Roy, David West and Martin.

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 13 points, 8 rebounds, 1.8 blocked shots and shot 53% from the field and 79% from the foul line. In five games this  preseason he is averaging 17 points and 2.6 blocks per game. In a two center league this was a solid pick. I also like Iggy at pick 28 and West at 35.

Questionable pick: Derrick Rose is going to become one of the best point guards in the NBA but he is not a top fantasy PG right now. His major flaws during his rookie season were his lack of threes (0.3) and steals (0.8) per game. However, he did play in 36.7 minutes per game and his scoring should rise with the departure of SG Ben Gordon. This owner had the second pick in the draft and so far has Lebron, Harris and Rose. I can see his strategy of pairing Harris with another PG making this team formidable so far.

Riskiest pick: Elton Brand over David West was a selection that stood out. Brand has played in just 37 games the past two seasons and I feel was drafted a round too early. West is a very underated fantasy and real life player as he averaged 21 points, 8.5 rebounds and 0.9 blocks last season. He also shot 47% from the field and and 88% from the foul line. If Brand is healthy this season he should average more rebounds and blocks but West is the more well rounded fantasy player.

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