This week, Above the Rim will cover a few important points omitted from last week's discussion of the Iverson trade, as well as three players I continue to project big things from in 2008-09 and beyond.The Detroit "Iversons"
Teams tend to emulate their leaders and I guarantee you that Allan Iverson demands more respect in that locker room than head coach Michael Curry. Curry played with most of these current Pistons and was a reserve with that team, while Iverson is a first ballot HOF and one of the most well respected players in the league. With that said, the Pistons are no longer “your dad’s Pistons”, but rather a more up-tempo, fast paced team. Iverson will push the pace and get players easy shots in transition, as was the case on Friday during the Lakers vs. Pistons game. Rasheed Wallace worked over Gasol and looked like a re-energized player (a combination of the Iverson trade and being in a contract year). He hasn’t looked this fresh since he was a Blazer and Damon Stoudamire was pushing the pace of the game. In Friday’s game, Rasheed dropped 25 points, grabbed 13 boards and blocked 2 shots. The unsung hero of that game was former Laker, Kwame Brown. In 28 minutes of action, Kwame had 10 points and 10 boards. He is currently available in 99% of the leagues on ESPN and recently just replaced scrub, Amir Johnson in the starting line-up. Brown has never lived up to his potential but he is a solid play for the near future.
Rudy Fernandez
Once again, we here at “Above the Rim” would like pat ourselves on the back for being the first ones on the Rudy bandwagon. We were riding this wagon when it was just us and Rudy’s mom. He jumped off our radar during the Olympics when he cocked back on Dwight Howard and has done nothing but impress thus far this season. He is currently playing like a top 25 selection in most leagues and surprisingly is still available to close to 30 percent of you out there. He is still coming off the bench in Portland and is logging close to 29 minutes a game. I would assume that his sixth man role will remain but look for his minutes to increase and this should have a positive effect on his stat line.
Trevor Ariza
With all the talk about a healthy Andrew Bynum, a healthy Trevor Ariza has been just as important to the Lakers early season success Ariza is 6’ 8” with a freakish windspan that he has parleyed into over 2 steals a game. That puts him in the top 10 in steals numbers while still being available to 95% of ESPN owners. The Lakers rely heavily on their bench players and that means job security for Ariza. I think so highly of Ariza’s upside that I have added him personally to most of my teams.
Rudy Fernandez
Once again, we here at “Above the Rim” would like pat ourselves on the back for being the first ones on the Rudy bandwagon. We were riding this wagon when it was just us and Rudy’s mom. He jumped off our radar during the Olympics when he cocked back on Dwight Howard and has done nothing but impress thus far this season. He is currently playing like a top 25 selection in most leagues and surprisingly is still available to close to 30 percent of you out there. He is still coming off the bench in Portland and is logging close to 29 minutes a game. I would assume that his sixth man role will remain but look for his minutes to increase and this should have a positive effect on his stat line.
Trevor Ariza
With all the talk about a healthy Andrew Bynum, a healthy Trevor Ariza has been just as important to the Lakers early season success Ariza is 6’ 8” with a freakish windspan that he has parleyed into over 2 steals a game. That puts him in the top 10 in steals numbers while still being available to 95% of ESPN owners. The Lakers rely heavily on their bench players and that means job security for Ariza. I think so highly of Ariza’s upside that I have added him personally to most of my teams.
JaVale McGee
JaVale is the first NBA player to be the son of a WNBA player. Pamela McGee, JaVale's mother, played in the WNBA for two seasons in 1998 and 1999. And with the mess that is the Wizard’s front court, JaVale has emerged has the one bright spot. He is an extremely athletic 7 footer who also boasts a 7’ 6” wingspan. JaVale currently is averaging close to 10 points and 6 boards with 1.5 blocks in around 20 minutes a game. He is also available in 97% of the leagues out there so get on the waiver wire and pick him up.
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