Welcome back to “Above the Rim,” the leader in fantasy basketball advice. Today’s edition will cover players and coaches who switched teams over the summer and their subsequent impact on the fantasy world. When a new player is introduced in the article, I have included their notable ‘07-’08 stats as well as where ESPN.com has them ranked on their big board. Now lets get into it.Yi Jianlian/ Richard Jefferson
Nets: Despite Yi Jianlian’s (8.6 pts, 5.2 reb, ESPN #173) unreal talent, I don’t see him getting any more than 24 minutes a night and this basically makes him irrelevant in the fantasy game. On the other hand, Devin Harris (14.4 pts, 5.3 ast, ESPN #76) is a stud. As he gets older, he will learn to improve his shot selection which should raise his questionable field goal percentage.
Bucks: The Bucks are an intriguing team. Both Richard Jefferson (22.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.1 ast, ESPN #86) and Michael Redd (22.7 pts, 3.4 ast, ESPN #47) can fill it up and Jefferson is used to running along side another super star. I expect both Jefferson and Redd to build upon last year’s performance. Yi’s departure also opens up minutes for Charlie Villanueva (11.7 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #124) and he should see career numbers this year as a result.
Nets: Despite Yi Jianlian’s (8.6 pts, 5.2 reb, ESPN #173) unreal talent, I don’t see him getting any more than 24 minutes a night and this basically makes him irrelevant in the fantasy game. On the other hand, Devin Harris (14.4 pts, 5.3 ast, ESPN #76) is a stud. As he gets older, he will learn to improve his shot selection which should raise his questionable field goal percentage.
Bucks: The Bucks are an intriguing team. Both Richard Jefferson (22.6 pts, 4.2 reb, 3.1 ast, ESPN #86) and Michael Redd (22.7 pts, 3.4 ast, ESPN #47) can fill it up and Jefferson is used to running along side another super star. I expect both Jefferson and Redd to build upon last year’s performance. Yi’s departure also opens up minutes for Charlie Villanueva (11.7 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #124) and he should see career numbers this year as a result.
James Posey
Celtics: The Celtics were already thin at the bench and the loss of James Posey (7.4 pts, 1.5 ast, ESPN #136) is a blow to the defending champions. Look for Leon Powe (7.9 pts, 4.1 reb, ESPN #224) to raise his stat line to the 12 point and 8 rebound range, while Eddie House (7.5 pts, ESPN #154) should see a couple more 3-point opportunities a game.
Hornets: The Hornets went out and bought a proven winner and from what I have seen of the preseason, look for Posey to raise his numbers across the board. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Posey supplant Mo Petterson (8 pts, 2.7 reb, ESPN #168) in the starting line-up at some point this season. The Hornets did not spend $25 million to watch Posey ride the bench.
Celtics: The Celtics were already thin at the bench and the loss of James Posey (7.4 pts, 1.5 ast, ESPN #136) is a blow to the defending champions. Look for Leon Powe (7.9 pts, 4.1 reb, ESPN #224) to raise his stat line to the 12 point and 8 rebound range, while Eddie House (7.5 pts, ESPN #154) should see a couple more 3-point opportunities a game.
Hornets: The Hornets went out and bought a proven winner and from what I have seen of the preseason, look for Posey to raise his numbers across the board. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see Posey supplant Mo Petterson (8 pts, 2.7 reb, ESPN #168) in the starting line-up at some point this season. The Hornets did not spend $25 million to watch Posey ride the bench.
Ron Artest
Rockets: Ron Artest (20.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 stl, ESPN #54) is a fantasy stud, and he will be playing for a contract, so expect him to produce. His ppg will dip a little from last year but the rest of his stat line should see a slight bump. I am also excited to see Tracy McGrady (21.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.9 ast, ESPN #108) play now that we won’t have to take the number one defense assignment (just pray his shoulder stays together).
Rockets: Ron Artest (20.5 pts, 5.8 reb, 3.5 ast, 2.3 stl, ESPN #54) is a fantasy stud, and he will be playing for a contract, so expect him to produce. His ppg will dip a little from last year but the rest of his stat line should see a slight bump. I am also excited to see Tracy McGrady (21.6 pts, 5.1 reb, 5.9 ast, ESPN #108) play now that we won’t have to take the number one defense assignment (just pray his shoulder stays together).
Mike D’Antoni
Knicks: Finally the Knicks seem to care about winning basketball games. D’Antoni will bring his offense minded game to the Garden and the expect the shots to be flying. I am predicting career years for David Lee (10.8 pts, 8.9 reb, ESPN #67) and Nate Robinson (12.7 pts, 2.9 ast, ESPN #141). Conversely, Eddie Curry (13.2 pts, 4.7 reb, ESPN #266) and Zach Randolph (17.6 pts, 10.3 reb, ESPN #112) should be avoided like the plague (that is until they get traded).
Suns: Terry Porter was brought in to strengthen up the Suns defense and create a more deliberate offensive scheme. This means the offensive stat lines of most of the Suns players should see a small decrease. One of the only fantasy improvements should be Amare Stoudemire’s ( 27.2 pts, 9.1 reb, 2 blk, ESPN #2) rebounding numbers.
Knicks: Finally the Knicks seem to care about winning basketball games. D’Antoni will bring his offense minded game to the Garden and the expect the shots to be flying. I am predicting career years for David Lee (10.8 pts, 8.9 reb, ESPN #67) and Nate Robinson (12.7 pts, 2.9 ast, ESPN #141). Conversely, Eddie Curry (13.2 pts, 4.7 reb, ESPN #266) and Zach Randolph (17.6 pts, 10.3 reb, ESPN #112) should be avoided like the plague (that is until they get traded).
Suns: Terry Porter was brought in to strengthen up the Suns defense and create a more deliberate offensive scheme. This means the offensive stat lines of most of the Suns players should see a small decrease. One of the only fantasy improvements should be Amare Stoudemire’s ( 27.2 pts, 9.1 reb, 2 blk, ESPN #2) rebounding numbers.
TJ Ford/ Jermaine O’Neal
Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are back on track. They are no jumping into the stands after fans and Jamal Tinsley (11.9 pts, 8.4 ast, ESPN #293) is being paid not to be around the team. If TJ Ford (12.1 pts, 6.1 ast, ESPN #92) can stay healthy, he has the ability to be one of the league leaders in assists. Unlike ESPN, I have not been drinking the Danny Granger (19.6 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #22) juice. I won’t even look at this kid until at least the fourth round.
Raptors: Jose Calderon (11.2 pts, 8.3 ast, ESPN #32) finally gets his chance to start with TJ Ford being shipped out. I don’t see a full 82 game schedule out of Calderon and I would let someone else take the gamble on him. Jermaine O’Neal (13.6 pts, 6.7 reb, ESPN #96) was a rookie in ’96 and doesn’t come off my board until at least the 8th round.
Pacers: The Indiana Pacers are back on track. They are no jumping into the stands after fans and Jamal Tinsley (11.9 pts, 8.4 ast, ESPN #293) is being paid not to be around the team. If TJ Ford (12.1 pts, 6.1 ast, ESPN #92) can stay healthy, he has the ability to be one of the league leaders in assists. Unlike ESPN, I have not been drinking the Danny Granger (19.6 pts, 6.1 reb, ESPN #22) juice. I won’t even look at this kid until at least the fourth round.
Raptors: Jose Calderon (11.2 pts, 8.3 ast, ESPN #32) finally gets his chance to start with TJ Ford being shipped out. I don’t see a full 82 game schedule out of Calderon and I would let someone else take the gamble on him. Jermaine O’Neal (13.6 pts, 6.7 reb, ESPN #96) was a rookie in ’96 and doesn’t come off my board until at least the 8th round.
Baron Davis/ Corey Maggette
Warriors: The Warriors are another team going in the wrong direction. Monta Ellis (20.2 pts, 3.9 ast, ESPN #97) won’t be available until ‘09 and that means Marcus Williams’ (5.9 pts, 2.6 ast, ESPN #164) fantasy stock is soaring. Expect Williams to be in the TJ Ford range during Ellis’ absence. Corey Maggette (22.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast, ESPN #90) will continue to be a reliable scorer and Nellie’s wide open offense will open up the lanes to showcase Magette’s athleticism.
Clippers: Well, after Elton Brand (17.6 pts, 8 reb, ESPN #14) bolted for a fat pay check back east, Baron Davis (21.1 pts, 7.6 ast, ESPN #16) steps in as the franchise in Clipper-land (lucky him). I see a slow adjustment for Baron in his new system but expect him to be back to 20+ pts and 7+ ast by early December.
Warriors: The Warriors are another team going in the wrong direction. Monta Ellis (20.2 pts, 3.9 ast, ESPN #97) won’t be available until ‘09 and that means Marcus Williams’ (5.9 pts, 2.6 ast, ESPN #164) fantasy stock is soaring. Expect Williams to be in the TJ Ford range during Ellis’ absence. Corey Maggette (22.1 pts, 5.6 reb, 2.7 ast, ESPN #90) will continue to be a reliable scorer and Nellie’s wide open offense will open up the lanes to showcase Magette’s athleticism.
Clippers: Well, after Elton Brand (17.6 pts, 8 reb, ESPN #14) bolted for a fat pay check back east, Baron Davis (21.1 pts, 7.6 ast, ESPN #16) steps in as the franchise in Clipper-land (lucky him). I see a slow adjustment for Baron in his new system but expect him to be back to 20+ pts and 7+ ast by early December.
Random Notes:
Agent Zero (19.4 pts, 5.1 ast, ESPN #69) is back on the bench watching and it is starting to feel like Wizards fans will never get to see how good this team truly could have been. In his absence, expect Antonio Daniels (8.4 pts, 4.8 ast, ESPN #150) to see some considerable minutes. Remember, Daniels has twice led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Agent Zero (19.4 pts, 5.1 ast, ESPN #69) is back on the bench watching and it is starting to feel like Wizards fans will never get to see how good this team truly could have been. In his absence, expect Antonio Daniels (8.4 pts, 4.8 ast, ESPN #150) to see some considerable minutes. Remember, Daniels has twice led the league in assist-to-turnover ratio.
Deron Williams (18.8 pts, 10.5 ast, ESPN #12) left a preseason game on Saturday with a smoked ankle, but the x-rays were negative. I see no reason why Williams stock should suffer. You should feel confident building your team around this kid.
Allan Houston has announced that he will be taking his comeback with the Knicks slowly. Houston has been out of the game for over 3 years and D’Antoni’s system is not compatible with an old, out of shape shooter. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE Allan Houston. He has one of the sweetest strokes to ever grace the hardwood, but honestly, dude is 37 years old. Retire and open a restaurant Allan. Time to hang up the high tops.
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