The 2008-2009 regular season is about the be over and by now we should be rounding up on who are the top fantasy basketball players for this year. Half of the players in this list had an average draft pick in the first round while the rest were either in the second or the third rounds. This just goes to show that the players you draft in the first round might not produce top numbers. So here are your top ten players. (more…)
David West
David West of the New Orleans Hornets had an all star year last year after averaging 20.6 points and 8.6 rebounds while also giving good numbers across the board. This year he was voted to play in the All star game again but some, including me, doubted that he deserved to be in that roster with others players still being available. He is still averaging 20 points and 8 rebounds this season but ironically, his stats increased and only became that way after the all star game.
In the games after the all star game, David West has been averaging 24.8 points, 11.4 rebounds, on 48.9% from the field and 84.7% from the line. Add the 3.6 assists and 1.2 to these great stats and now he has been a top 25 performer the last 20 days.
The Hornets have really benefited from this explosion of David West and together with the resurgence of Tyson Chandler they’re on a six game winning streak right now. They look like contenders in the West again just like how they were last year and they could go far as long as their star point guard, Chris Paul, and David West are healthy.
In a fantasy basketball perspective, congratulations if you were able to buy this guy at a cheap price before the all star break. Great patience also if you believed in him and didn’t trade this guy for someone not that worthy. Enjoy this production as he could carry your team a long way too come the fantasy basketball playoffs.
As long as he keeps this going and the Hornets keep on winning, I think this will be enough to convince me that he really deserved to be in that All Star team. Forget it, he really deserves it.
Chris Paul and Jada Crawley
New Orleans star point guard and his pregnant girlfriend, Jada Crawley at the Fabulous 23 cocktail party and dinner reception held on February 13, 2009 in Scottsdale, Arizona. The two are expecting a baby boy and this was planned.
After voting for my all stars at nba.com I checked the leaders of the 2009 Nba all star ballots. There were a lot of surprises in the top three of each position except the center slot. It made me realize that some players just have the fan support even if they’re not that deserving to be starting in their respective conferences. Or maybe the fans of other players really feel strong for the other players they voted in to be all stars.
Players like Tracy McGrady and Yi Jian Lian are in the top three of their respective positions in their conference. When it comes to their play it is a bit surprising but when you come to think of it, they have such a huge fan base that they can easily get into the starting lineups.
It was just surprising to see some big names not being at the top of the ballots or at least getting few more votes. Players like Joe Johnson, Brandon Roy and Danny Granger are some of the players I’d like to mention. One can argue that they’re up against bigger names like in Granger’s case, a player named Lebron James. Or for Brandon Roy who’s going up against Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul and yes, the number two in guard spot ballots in the West, Tracy McGrady. But for Roy to just get 267,053 votes is just crazy. This guy is an all-star for me.
If I had my way this would be my 2009 NBA all-stars that you should see in Phoenix in February. (more…)
“Elton Brand dislocated his right shoulder midway through the third quarter of the 76ers’ game against the Bucks on Wednesday night.” – Phillyburbs.com It looks like Sam Dalembert and Mareese Speights will get a boost in fantasy production. Thaddeus Young could also return to the starting lineup.
“I’m a Miami Heat player right now, that’s what I’m focusing on,” Marion said regarding his trade rumor. – The Miami Herald. Shawn Marion looks like he needs a change of scenery for his fantasy value to go up.
“A source close to the 76ers told SI.com that former Pistons coach Flip Saunders is Philadelphia’s first choice as a long-term replacement for Maurice Cheeks. Eddie Jordan, who worked with Sixers general manager Ed Stefanski in New Jersey, is also a candidate. But the source said, “It’s Flip’s job to lose.” – SI.com
“A little more than a year after parting ways, the Magic and Grant Hill would be interested in getting back together. Neither Hill nor the Magic can say so publicly — there’s that thing called tampering — but my sources are impeccable on this end. The Magic could trade, say, J.J. Redick for Hill in a transaction that might make sense for both sides.” – Orlando Sentinel
“New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul tied the NBA record for most consecutive games with a steal on Tuesday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.” – ESPN.com
