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% …
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 …
The Giants and Jets both beat division archrivals this past week. And both are 2-0 and sitting atop their respective divisions. The Giants went down to Texas and paid the Cowboys back for beating them in the first-ever game at the Meadowlands in 1976 (Dallas won, 24-14). Of course, Giants Stadium didn’t receive quite the same amount of hoopla as Cowboys Stadium has gotten this week. Here are some reviews from 33 years ago when the Giants home first opened:
“It just looks like a regular football stadium. Where is the 60-yard JumboTron? Where are the go-go dancers? What do they plan to do here, just play football?”
“Where do you put 78,000 angry New Jersey residents to watch Doug Kotar gain 500 yards a season? The new Giants Stadium, that’s where.”
“The new stadium is a modern marvel, but can they do something about that swampy smell?”
“It just goes to show you the power of the Mob that they got this stadium built all the way out …
Chauncey Billups- Unlike Detroit, where Billups played essentially 45 minutes a game and was considered the second or 1st scoring option with RIP, Â he is getting older and there are many capable scorers in Denver like Melo and J.R. His FT%, 3PTM, and Pt’s are all solid, but most pG’s are good from the stripe, and he only had 506 assists and 93 steals last year. In comparison, Ray Felton had 553 assists and 126 steals, and Rajon Rondo had 659 assists and 149 steals. He’s a good value late in the 2nd round, but don’t spend too much for him if youre looking to solidify the main PG categories. There are cheaper options.
Kevin Garnett- Defense wins championships, but it doesn’t win fantasy basketball leagues. Garnett’s #’s have gown down across the board, and a bum knee is a concern for all prospective owners. The arrival of Rasheed Wallace and depth at PF in Boston’s lineup means youre paying for a 2nd round name and getting a late 3rd round value
Kevin Martin- SG, Sac. Yes, …
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)Â 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 …
The Knicks are working out 11-year veteran PG Troy Hudson tomorrow at their Westchester practice facility. Hudson retired to pursue a rap career which led him to sell 78 copies of his album in the first week. He last appeared in the league during the 07-08 campaign playing nine games for the Warriors.
New York was pursuing PG Ramon Sessions but talks have broken down due to the Knicks hesitance of adding an additional long-term salary. Sessions is a restricted free agent, which means the Knicks have to offer him a contract of at least two years which would add payroll in 2010.
In 517 career games Hudson has averaged 9 points and 3.4 assists for the Jazz, Clippers, Magic, Timberwolves and Warriors. He averaged a career best 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 1.2 threes and 0.8 steals per game in 2002-2003. He has been injured quite often playing in 75 or more games four times in his 11 seasons. How much more does the 34 year-old have left in …
http://www.nba.com/schedules/index.html?team=knicks
Highlights
-Season opener vs. Miami on October 28th
-Home opener vs. Charlotte on October 30th
-Five Games on ESPN all at home(November 6th vs. Cavs, December 18th vs. Clippers, December 25th vs. Heat, January 15th vs. Raptors, January 22nd vs. Lakers)
Jason Williams is scheduled to work out for the Knicks today at the Westchester practice facility. The 33 year-old retired last August citing personal reasons with his wife’s pregnancy. Flirting with Williams could be be a negotiating tool in signing G Nate Robinson for a year. The Knicks also plan to sign 23 year-old Ramon Sessions to an offer sheet.
The Knicks could offer Williams the veteran’s minimum ($1.9 million) or biannual exception ($2.9 million). “JWill” has had a productive 10-year NBA career in which he has averaged 11.7 points, 6.3 assists and 1.7 three pointer’s per game. New York has until Thursday to negotiate a deal with him since they claimed him off waivers from the Clippers. A rumor has been swirling that if Donnie Walsh comes to an agreement with “White Chocolate” they would deal his rights to another team.
There has been speculation that the Chicago Bulls are interested in acquiring David Lee. Lee is coming off a career season where he led the NBA with 65 double-doubles. If he does not sign a one year deal with the Knicks will try and work out a sign-and-trade. Lee is looking for $7-$10 million for multiple years while the Knicks want something shorter and cheaper.
The Bulls would look to trade PG Kirk Hinrich who is owed $27 million the next three seasons. With the emergence of Derrick Rose and the signing of Jannero Pargo it makes Hinrich an overpaid backup. Instead, New York should look into acquiring F Tyrus Thomas because of his versatility and contract. He is in the last year of his rookie contract which pays him $4.7 million next season. The Knicks should also push the Bulls to take Jared Jeffries in return. He is under contract for the next two seasons and will free up more cap space for next season.
Thomas was selected fourth overall in the …
Donnie Walsh has had discussions with Von Wafer, according to the guard’s agent. Wafer averaged a career high 9.7 points for the Rockets last season. The five-year pro was on the Knicks summer league roster last season but found his niche with Houston. The former second round pick shot 45% from three last season and would provide the Knicks with another shooter off the bench. New York could offer Wafer a one-year deal worth the biannual exception (about $2.9 million).Â
Fast forward to about 65 minutes and listen to me (7/23/09 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/realsportstalk/2009/07/24/Real-Sports-Talk
