Category: Fantasy Basketball (Page 211 of 274)

      LeBron James is on fire

      November 12, 2008 /

      Last night, LeBron James poured in 41 points for the third time in four games to lead the Cavs in a 99-93 win over my beloved Bucks.

      It’s no surprise that LeBron is leading the league in scoring (29.8 ppg), but it is impressive that he’s not showing any signs of fatigue after a busy summer that included a gold medal at the Bejing Olympics.

      Let’s take a look at his numbers over the last four games:

      37.5 ppg
      53-100 from the field (53%)
      38-46 from the free throw line (83%)
      9.0 rpg
      6.0 apg
      2.0 spg

      That’s a solid week of work. I am most impressed by his accuracy from the free throw line. He’s a career 73% free throw shooter, and if he’s able to get his percentage up around 80%, it will only help his game. Teams will be more reluctant to foul him, and when they do send him to the line, he can make them pay.

      But the best thing about this run is that the Cavs are on a five-game winning streak.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Couch Potato Alert: NBA Wednesday

      November 11, 2008 /

      There are a few interesting NBA games tonight:

      Utah (5-1) @ Philadelphia (2-4)
      The 76ers are off to a disappointing start. Offseason acquisition Elton Brand is more than five points per game off his career mark, and Andre Iguodala is shooting a miserable 38% from the field. Second-year swingman Thaddeus Young is lighting things up with a 16.5 ppg average on 52% shooting. This game will feature a great power forward matchup between Brand and Utah’s Carlos Boozer. The Jazz have been without Deron Williams, but Utah still managed to get off to a 5-1 start. He’s expected to make his debut tonight. Too bad the game is only available in local markets (unless you have the NBA League Pass). Game time is 7 PM ET.

      Atlanta (5-0) @ Chicago (3-4)
      Three of the Hawks’ five wins have come on the road and they hope to extend their unbeaten streak tonight in Chicago. Unfortunately, the high-flying Josh Smith is sidelined with a high-ankle sprain, but Joe Johnson has been doing his best MVP impersonation (25.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 3.8 apg). For the Bulls, Ben Gordon (20.0 ppg) leads his team in scoring, but it’s rookie sensation Derrick Rose (17.7 ppg, 5.1 apg) who is really turning heads. The game is on locally at 8:30 PM ET.

      L.A. Lakers (5-0) @ Dallas (2-4)
      The Mavs are off to a slow start, but in Jason Kidd, Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard, they can compete on any given night. They host the Lakers who are coming off a long stretch of down time in their schedule. L.A. is getting great play from Kobe (of course) and Pau Gasol, while Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom have been a little disappointing. Trevor Ariza and Jordan Farmar anchor a terrific bench. The game is on NBATV at 8:30 PM ET.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Television

      Blazers impressive in win over Magic

      November 11, 2008 /

      The Portland Trail Blazers are 4-3, but they’ve played a difficult schedule thus far. With losses against the Lakers, Suns and Jazz, and wins against the Spurs, Rockets, Timberwolves and Magic, Portland has only played one “easy” game all year.

      They lost Greg Oden 13 minutes into the first game of the season, but with good play from Brandon Roy (20.9 ppg, 5.7 apg) and LaMarcus Aldridge (18.9 ppg, 7.1 rpg), they’ve been able to win all three home games, and last night they were able to beat a good Orlando team on the road.

      Rudy Fernandez (14.0 ppg) and Travis Outlaw (13.6 ppg) are providing some serious punch off the bench, though it’s not clear why one of them isn’t starting over Nicolas Batum (5.4 ppg), who has started four games this season.

      With the schedule lightening up and Oden due back any day now, the Blazers’ prospects look pretty good. Barring an injury to Roy or Aldridge, the Trail Blazers should be a playoff team, even in the rough and tumble West.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      NBA’s early season PER surprises

      November 10, 2008 /

      John Hollinger’s Player Efficiency Rating (PER) is a nifty way to compare players with vastly different minutes played. For an explanation, check out this article. A score of 15.0 is average.

      Here are a few surprise players that are filling the box score early in the season. All players are seeing at least 20 minutes of playing time per game.

      POINT GUARDS

      #8 Nate Robinson (21.33)
      15.0 ppg, 4.3 apg, 3.9 apg, 2.8 spg
      Thus far, Robinson is flourishing off the bench in Mike D’Antoni’s high-octane offense. He’s knocking down shots and is sharing the ball well.

      #11 Ramon Sessions (19.36)
      17.2 ppg, 6.2 apg, 3.6 rpg, 1.4 spg
      The 22 year-old Sessions is proving that his late-season run last year was no fluke. His fine play is making the Bucks’ decision to trade Mo Williams a lot clearer. It looks like he’s the point guard of the future in Milwaukee.

      SHOOTING GUARDS

      #4 Nick Young (23.33)
      16.6 ppg, 2.0 apg, 2.0 rpg, 55.4% FG%
      Yes, his line is thin (i.e. he doesn’t do much but score), but boy can he put the ball in the hoop. The Wizards are struggling, but Young is providing points off the bench.

      #7 Rudy Fernandez (21.31)
      13.7 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 1.8 apg, 42.4% 3PT%
      Usually, it takes rookies a little while to adjust to the NBA three-point distance, but Fernandez isn’t having a problem. He’s in the running for Rookie of the Year.

      #8 Roger Mason (20.96)
      16.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 52.7% FG%, 56.0% 3PT
      Mason is doing his best Manu Ginobili impersonation. It looks like the fifth-year player is starting to break out, and once Ginobili returns, he’ll give the Spurs a much-needed fourth scoring option.

      SMALL FORWARDS

      #2 Trevor Ariza (24.09)
      9.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 2.0 spg, 60.0% 3PT
      Ariza has been remarkably productive in limited minutes. He should be starting, but he needs to show that he has a consistent jump shot before Phil Jackson can use him to space the court for Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. For now, he’s bringing great energy off the bench.

      #9 Thaddeus Young (18.12)
      16.5 ppg, 4.3 apg, 51.9% FG%, 47.8% 3PT
      After a stellar yet underrated rookie season, Young is making the most of the extra 10 minutes of playing time. He has shown great improvement from long range and from the free throw line (74% last season, 89% this season).

      POWER FORWARDS

      #7 Luis Scola (21.87)
      13.0 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 56.7 FG%
      He did much of his damage last season with Yao Ming sidelined, so it’s impressive that he’s been able to increase his rebound rate.

      #13 Jason Thompson (19.71)
      11.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 59.6 FG%
      He’s not starting, but if he keeps this up, the Kings won’t bring the rookie off the bench for long.

      CENTERS

      #7 Nene (21.29)
      16.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 1.7 bpg, 66.7% FG%
      What is it with Brazilians and their one-word names? Nene is doing his best to make up for the loss of Marcus Camby. We all know that Nene is talented, but he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Maybe this is his year.

      #8 Josh Boone (18.60)
      9.0 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.4 bpg, 55.3% FG%
      It’s Boone – not lottery pick Brook Lopez – that’s starting at center for the Nets. The team needs to rebound and he’s getting it done.

      #10 Spencer Hawes (17.67)
      12.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.0 bpg
      Hawes filled in admirably for Brad Miller, and it looks like he’s going to be a solid NBA center.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      The answer to the Lakers’ small forward problem

      November 10, 2008 /

      What small forward has the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating (PER) after LeBron James? Carmelo Anthony? No, he’s #19. Caron Butler? No, he’s #10.

      The answer is Trevor Ariza, and he just might be the answer to another riddle – the Lakers’ small forward problem.

      Vladimir Radmanovic can’t play any defense. Luke Walton can’t shoot. Combined, they’ll make $10.5 million this season (or 13% of the team’s payroll).

      But it’s Trevor Ariza (and his $2.9 M salary) who has played the best ball this season. In five games, he is averaging 9.4 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in just 21.6 minutes of play. The big knock on Ariza last season was his lack of outside shooting touch, but he has improved in that area of his game and has hit 6-10 three-point attempts this season. He’s known for his athleticism and his defense, and with an improving jumper, he’s the best small forward on the Laker roster.

      Radmanovic may continue to start games, but if Ariza keeps this up, he’ll be finishing them.

      More on Trevor Ariza:

      ESPN’s J.A. Adande says that Ariza is a “stealth player.”

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

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