Fantasy NBA: Players of the Week 6

9-0 in one of my leagues. That's probably the first time that it's happened in 2 years. We saw several injuries take out a couple of key pieces to teams, biggest of which (literally and figuratively) was Greg Oden going down. He wasn't producing much stats-wise but basketball-wise, he was a major part of what they were doing. Honorable mentions include the Pistons wings ad Jrue Holiday (damn you, Holiday!)

I say "Damn you, Jrue Holiday!" because it was your chance to finally get the starter role. The Sixers, I feel would be best with Holiday in the 1 with Lou Williams and Andre Iguodala at the wings. But he conveniently got hurt the same Allen Iverson comes rolling back into town. (Sorry, folks. But I've never been an Iverson fan.) Today, Iverson had 11 points on 4-11 shooting with 5 boards and 6 assists... without his wind or legs. We all know Iverson. With the losing streak at 10, it will only be a matter of time before he starts saying "If we don't win, I'm going to have to play my way" or something to that effect. Good luck to Fantasy Owners of the Sixers.

Going back to the business of big shots... Week 6!
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The Director
Jason Kidd (DAL) - 2.8 3FGM, 13.5 PPG, 8.5 APG, 2.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG [2]

The man is no longer a walking triple-double, but he still flirts with it every game. In addition to the flirting, he's carrying around things that come in 3's. Pretty good date if you get it 4 times a week.


The Skywalker
Kevin Durant (OKC) - 2.7 3FGM, 32.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 2.7 SPG [2]

He was the only 30.0 PPG man this week (oddly), and 2.7 steals isn't shabby considering he's primary role in the Thunder is to score the ball. Not crazy about the 0.5 assist-to-turnover ratio though.

The Triggerman
Danilo Gallinari (NYK) - 3.5 3FGM, 18.0 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.8 SPG, 1.3 BPG [2]

I was actually conflicted with this pick since Rashard Lewis put up close (if not better numbers). But it's a head-to-head league that we play in and 4 games vs 2 for The Italian Stallion. We just hope he really starts hitting his stride so that he can get Al Harrington off his timesheet.

Captain Lionheart
Carlos Boozer (UTA) - .600 FG%, 27.7 PPG, 11.0 RPG, 3.0 APG [1]

Boozer put up very good and efficient numbers this week from the field. Thie FT line, not so much though. The 3.7 TOs are a bit of a downer too. But he still delivers, ala the mailman.

Tower of Power
Marcus Camby (LAC) - 10.5 PPG, 18.0 RPG, 5.0 APG, 3.0 SPG, 2.0 BPG [2]

Guess what, people? It's him again! He's healthy and doing what he does best. 18 boards, 3 steals and 2 blocks are nuts. I'm hoping that Griffin plays a lot at the 3 this year so that they can keep on hammering people on the inside.


Comeback Kids:
Chris Paul (NOH) - 16.0 PPG, 6.0 RPG, 15.0 APG, 8.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG (I thought he was hurt?)
Kevin Love (MIN) - 2.0 3FGM, 14.5 PPG, 10.5 RPG, 2.0 SPG (It has got to be the glove he's wearing.)

Fantasy NBA: Players of the Week

The NBA started about a week ago with a kick-off by Eastern Conference contenders Boston and Cleveland. The Celtics gave the Cavs a beating, and I think they will raise banner 18 this year (if healthy).

In a parallel basketball universe though, Fantasy Basketball Season has started. Here, the intensity and intangibles don't matter. It's all about the numbers... I'm starting a feature here ala Rick Kamla and will give you my starting 5 as well as fantasy surprises for the week, given a PBA-twist though... And now!

The Director (Point Guard)!
Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns) - 1.00 FT%, 2.0 3Pt FGM, 18.4 PPG, 14.0 APG
Nash posted back-to-back games of 20 and 18 assists this last week, confirming that indeed the run and gun Suns are back. Naturally, with that pace and his aggressiveness, there is a risk of high turnovers (4.3 TPG). But, the bad comes with the good, and you live with the TOs. Hey, Nash even managed to sneak a game-winner this week over the Clippers.

The Skywalker (Shooting Guard)!
Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics) - 3.3 3Pt FGM, 21.8 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.5 SPG

The Celtic captain has a lot of talk to back-up after he called the Lakers and Magic a german shepherd and a poodle during the Finals. So far, he has backed it up with the Celtics posting an undefeated record and his stats establishing again that he is just as important to banner 18 as Garnett is. The steals are what sets his averages so far apart as he is known to be a good defender, but it has not provided the numbers. So far though, they're there.

The Triggerman (Small Forward)!
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets) - 1.0 3Pt FGM, 37.7 PPG, 7.0 RPG, 4.3 APG

Carmelo has been making a statement that he is all-world by showing the heart and effort which people often criticized him about when compared to draft batchmates Wade and James. Possibly the most versatile scorer in the league now, Melo has been doing it all over the floor for 37.7 PPG - 3's, mid-range, high-post, low-post. For those that missed it, look for his poster on Paul Millsap on youtube.

Captain Lionheart (Power Forward)!
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors) - 1.0 3Pt FGM, 31.0 PPG, 14.7 RPG, 2.3 APG

CB4 is probably the best NBA video-maker, and he is also a free agent this year and people predict he will be the one bolting to tag team with Wade or LeBron. He is making no jokes and instead a statement so far that indeed he is worth the cap space by posting crazy averages in the first week. Of course, people are still asking more from the D (1.3 combined SPG and BPG), but I would take his 30-15's any day.

Tower of Power (Center)!
Channing Frye (Phoenix Suns) - 4.3 3Pt FGM, 19.7 PPG, 2.0 SPG

Stepping in for the departed Shaq and the injured Robin Lopez, Frye converts unconventional stats for your starting center. He shoots 3's and does not come up with blocks. He is definitely benefiting from the Suns offense and playing with Nash, making people think "Why did the Knicks give this guy up?" Now, he has a chance to make a name for himself, and he is a great complement to Amare if they want to try for a playoff run.


For the Surprise of the Week, we go to New York!
Danilo Gallinari (New York Knicks) - 6.0 3Pt FGM, 22.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG

I don't know about you, but 6 3's a game is no joke. The Italian Stallion (all pardon to Rocky Balboa) is making New York seem like a viable option for James, Bosh and Wade as he shows that they are not rebuilding. The obvious beneficiary of D'Antoni's Seven Seconds or Less, Gallinari will be starting at PF in place of Al Harrington, so we can expect him to be posting numbers consistently, making him and David Lee the most fun white boy combo in the NBA.



And those were the Fantasy studs this week. Can we expect these numbers to be this high consistently? Maybe not as teams will tune in to them, but if you're still waiting on some drafts, they might be worth getting before anybody realizes their value. More on these next week, and hope to see your teams alive come Week 24.