Author: ff2715

Slamtastic Slamerrific SLAMBALL!

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We have decided to branch out the Fantasy Basketball Pros blog in order to write a few entries about an awesome sport that is seeking a comeback. For those avid viewers of Spike TV (and what guy doesn’t love that channel), you may have seen the sport Slamball for two seasons, in 2002 and 2003. Well, Slamball is returning (this time maybe on ESPN or CBS), with eight franchises. If you’re interested, they are holding open tryouts in early April and the season should start in June. For more information, visit the official website at www.slamball.net. You can also visit Slamball’s official daily journal, written by the Head Coach of the Mob Brendan Kirsch, here.

So what exactly is Slamball?
Well, it’s an extreme sport and a mix of basketball, volleyball, football, and hockey. It is played 4 on 4 and like basketball outside the 3 point line. But inside the arc, it becomes a slamzone, with trampolines and stoppers that act as goalies to play defense. Basically, you can imagine an NBA point guard being taken out by a monstrous center on his way to the hoop for a slam dunk. Slamball rewards speed but also a strong physique and toughness, since it is an extreme sport. If you still don’t believe that Slamball is what we would like to be seeing in the NBA, check out this preview video (which also can be found on the website).


Not vivid enough for you?
Well, just picture a first round Western Conference playoff between the Hornets and Warriors (which is where we stand as of today) where Monta Ellis is going to the hoop for a dunk and Tyson Chandler comes out of nowhere for a ridiculous block. Oh yeah, this is all happening about 20 feet in the air. Not good enough? How about “handler” Steve Nash directing traffic against Bruce Bowen (yeah Suns vs. Spurs first round) and finding the “gunner” Amare Stoudamire flying 25 feet in the air for a monster dunk over Tim Duncan? Also, did I mention that a dunk is worth 3 points in the sport? Imagine Dwight Howard against the Wizards in the playoffs. He must be salivating that the only shot he can really make is now worth that extra point. Hell, why have Hedo shoot from far away when Superman can just slam it home for the same result?


So check out the website and if you think you’re man enough, look into applying and going for a tryout. Remember, the season will start in June, which will be conveniently after the NBA Finals so there will be no basketball for several months. Then it’ll be Slamball time.

Pat Croce Interview
If you’re really interested in Slamball, keep it locked here on FBP because next Monday we will have an exclusive interview with Slamball’s Commissioner Pat Croce–former President of the Philadelphia 76ers. It should be nothing less than amazing.

Fantasy Basketball Pros is your home for fantasy basketball breaking news and analysis. If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe to our RSS feed.

Mike
Senior Writer

Pickup of the Night: March 19

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Man, a lot of things are going really well for the NBA right now. At least 6 players are in contention for the MVP (Kobe, LeBron, CP3, TMac, KG, Dwight Howard), Golden State (8th seed) is only 4 games from 1st place New Orleans in the West, team’s are putting up insane offensive numbers (12 teams are averaging 100+ points per game), Rafer Alston is talking smack and Chris Paul is talking MUCH MORE back (seriously read this, it’s hilarious), rivalries are stronger than ever, ratings are through the roof, Pat Riley takes days off to do research for his bracket scout top prospects, etc. Point is most people either love this game or are very intrigued by the story lines.

Should be a great end to the season and I’m really looking forward to the playoffs. Stay tuned to Fantasy Basketball Pros for end-of-the-year pickups and advice. Fantasy Basketball Pros: where amazing fantasy basketball analysis happens. Now on to the pickups of the night:

BONZI WELLS (NOH, SF)
The saavy 31 year-old is showing he still has some game left in him. In his last two outings he has seen increased minutes and productivity. Last night against Houston his 25 points were 28% of his team’s total point output, and he also came away with 2 steals and 3 blocks in the win. As I always say, if the coach (Byron Scott in this instance) gives him more minutes, Bonzi’s fantasy value will go up tremendously. If you’re playoff positioning in your H2H is nearly set and you want to take a shot on Bonzi, I don’t blame you. I just might.

Second Best: RONALD MURRAY (Ind, SG)
Ronald “Flip” Murray has been on fire of late. Last night in particular he torched the struggling Bobcats for 22 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals and a block. The 3 games before last night he averaged nearly 16 points as well. Who knows what the Pacers are doing with their point guard situation, but the one thing we have observed is that Flip is now in the starting lineup and his minutes have increased. Real estate agents will constantly tell you it’s all about location, location, location, well in fantasy basketball it’s minutes, minutes, minutes. And Ronald Murray is looking good with the additional playing time. I just picked him up in a league Mike and I are in. Sorry Mike.

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To hoops,
Farid

Pickup of the Night: March 18

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Looks like Dirk won the battle against Kobe last night, but the Lakers beat the Mavs 102-100. Dirk’s line, 35 points on 11-23 from the field, 10-12 from the line, 3 threes, 11 rebounds, and an astounding 5 blocks. Now for the Pickup of the Night:

JASON MAXIELL
Maxiell has seen some pretty sporadic playing time of late. He logged only 5 minutes against the Spurs and 9 against Philly. However, in the rare Detroit Pistons shootout last night in which they beat the Nuggets 136-120, Maxiell logged 18 points on 8-11 from the field and 2-3 from the line, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block in 32 minutes. He did manage 3 turnovers. If Maxiell gets more minutes down the stretch, he will be an asset on a fantasy team like he was earlier on in the year.


Second Best: MIKKI MOORE
Farid has been touting this guy for awhile also. Moore has been a beast from the field and the line (8-10 and 3-3, respectively) while logging 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 blocks. This guy is a hustle player who is getting a ton of playing time (32 minutes last night) and making the most of it. The Kings are a decent team, but Moore seems to be the only muscle in the middle (Brad Miller is brittle), so he could be a good pickup. By the way, Beno Udrih sat out last night and his sub, Anthony Johnson (part of the Mike Bibby trade), had a spectacular line: 13 points, 2 threes, 6 rebounds, and 13 assists.


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Mike
Senior Writer

Pickup of the Night: March 17

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Farid’s Fantastic Predictions
I like the Rockets over the Celtics today with McGrady going for 24/8/6. I also like the Lakers over the Mavs with Kobe (38/9/3) dominating Dirk (19/11/5) in his own building. Let’s see how I do. But anyway, on to the pickups of the night:

KYLE KORVER (Uta, SF)
Coach Sloan has been talking about integrating Korver as more of an option within the Jazz option and that’s exactly what has occurred. Korver put a ridiculous line of 17 pts [6-7 FG, 1-1 3PT, 4-4 FT], 4 reb, 4 asst, 2 stl in only 21 minutes of play last night. Although I’d like him to get more minutes, I still think he’s a viable option for a fantasy manager looking for points, threes and above average percentages.


Second Best: SAM CASSELL (Bos, PG)
I bet you didn’t think you’d hear Alien’s name come up this early in his tenure with the Celtics, but with Allen banged up and the Celtics looking for veteran leadership, Cassell has fit right in with Boston the last couple of games. Last night against the Spurs he went for 17 points and 5 rebounds on 7-13 shooting from the field. If I was a betting man (ok, I actually am), I’d put money on Cassell finishing off the season with decent fantasy numbers.


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To hoops,
Farid

Pickup of the Night: March 16

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For those of you who want some NBA with the NCAA brackets just out (watch out for Pitt in the Final Four, you heard it here first), here is our latest pickup of the night.

JOSH CHILDRESS
I know that we have been down on this guy in the past. But there is no way the Hawks can go through a playoff push with only a five-man rotation, and Childress should be the first guy off the bench. Against the defensively-challenged New York Knickerbockers, Childress recorded 22 points on 6-8 from the field (including 1 three) and 9-10 from the line. It also helped that he contributed with 9 rebounds and 3 steals (and only 1 turnover). That is a pretty great line. Childress may not be available in your league, but with some lackluster play recently, he may have been dropped by a frustrated owner.


Second Best: RONNY TURIAF
Farid really loves RT21. I think that he is overrated. Still, with Pau Gasol not playing, RT21 scored 13 points on 3-4 from the field and 7-9 from the line with 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks. Hell, if RT21 goes for 3 blocks a game, he could do very little in other categories and be worth owning. It wouldn’t be bad to use a pickup on him if he isn’t gone already. And you gotta love this picture of him below.

For daily fantasy basketball pickups, be sure to subscribe to our free RSS feed.

Mike
Senior Writer

Pickup of the Night: March 15

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DARIUS SONGAILA (Was, PF)
Songaila moved into the starting lineup yesterday after Brendan Haywood did not play because of a left patella tendon strain. In his last 5 games Songaila has seen extra minutes and it has helped him average around 12 points, 5 boards, 3 assists and 1.5 steals on above-average percentages. Depending how long Haywood is out, Darius might get some quality minutes. Pick this guy up if Haywood’s out for an extended period of time. Seems like Washington will use Songaila more over Blatche.

Second best: JOSH BOONE (NJN, PF)
Stagnant at the beginning of March, Boone seems to have got his groove back. In his last two games he has averaged 17 points, 10 boards and 1.5 blocks on 13-16 shooting from the field. New Jersey also beat both Cleveland and Utah in those two games. If Boone is in the starting lineup and he continues logging 30+ minutes a night, I think he’s a good pickup.

For more daily pickups, be sure to subscribe to our free RSS feed.

To hoops,
Farid

Pickup of the Night: March 14

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JASON WILLIAMS
Yes, he shoots a terrible percentage. Sure, he plays on the worst team in the NBA. But with Dwyane Wade shut down for the season last week, Williams has begun to log more minutes and more shots. He took 26 shots and made 14 of them against the Orlando Magic. Williams also recorded 34 points, 5 threes, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists while only turning the ball over twice (and the word “only” should be included here, as Williams has been less than careful with the ball in his career). So if he is available in your league, consider picking him up. He seems to be one of the only players trying on a pathetic team.

Second Best: THABO SEFOLOSHA
For those of you who have been paying attention to the Fantasy Basketball Pros, you should know who Sefolosha is. Although the Bulls backcourt is full of average players (Hinrich, Gordon, Hughes, bums like this), Sefolosha has the length that they all lack and should see more playing time. His line against the 76ers (who staged a huge comeback): 20 points, 8-13 from the field, 2-3 from the line, 2 threes, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and 2 turnovers in only 23 minutes. Now if you extrapolate that to about 45 minutes, he’s Kobe Bryant. Not bad. By the way, as a Bulls fan, I’ve decided to start rooting against the team in hopes of getting a lottery pick instead of losing in 4 games to the Celtics in the first round of the playoffs. As part of that, though, I want to see the youngsters play.

Mike
Senior Writer

Pau Gasol Turns Left Ankle

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Lakers Center Pau Gasol rolled his left ankle at the 9:45 mark of the 1st quarter of the Lakers-Hornets game. He was immediately taken to the locker room and I will be updating this post as I receive new information from KCAL9 sideline reporter John Ireland.

UPDATE from John Ireland at 5:25 PST: Gasol has a sprained left ankle and he will not return tonight. X-rays are pending.

UPDATE (2) from Odenized at 5:30 PST: Video of Pau Gasol’s ankle injury can be found here.

If Gasol does go down and misses some games it would be a huge loss for the Lakers. Ronny Turiaf (RT 21 as I so fondly call him) would be the best pickup on the Lakers fantasy-wise to capitalize on the injury. I wrote a post on him back in the day–it can be found here.

As a Lakers fan, here’s to hoping for a strong recovery! Sign up for our RSS feed for other fantasy alerts and advice.

To hoops,
Farid

Pickup of the Night: March 13

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Introducing the newest Fantasy Basketball Pros daily installment, Pickup of the Night, which will sort through the countless stats of the previous night and will find the pickup(s) that will help bring your team to the top. This is not just the best statline of the night by a player who is not generally owned, but it is the best pickup from the previous night’s performances.

SASHA PAVLOVIC (Cle, G-F)
Pavlovic scored 24 points on 9-15 shooting with 5 three-pointers in the Cavs 101-99 loss to the Washington Wizards. Although his peripherals were lousy (1 rebound, 1 assist, 1 steal, 0 blocks), he did not turn the ball over at all. It seems like the addition that Danny Ferry needed before the deadline was actually for Pavlovic to return from injury, as Wally’s World has underperformed with Lebron. Pavlovic has sharpshooting abilities and will help a team in need of points and threes.


Second Best: MICHAEL PIETRUS (GS, G-F)
Pietrus scored 16 points on a less than spectacular 6-13 shooting from the field (and 3-4 from the line), but contributed with 8 rebounds, 2 steals, 1 block, and no turnovers. Pietrus may be available in some leagues, and with the style that the Warriors play, would be an excellent pickup.

Mike
Senior Writer

Important Fantasy Lines: March 12

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If each night one had the time, energy and will to look through every NBA stat line, one might be very successful at fantasy basketball. One would be able to pick up emerging studs, drop eventual duds and monitor those ify suds. Unfortunately, a manager rarely has the time to do this, but here at Fantasy Basketball Pros we care about you, so we look through all the lines and tell you in summary form what you really need to know. Here are the most telling fantasy lines from Wednesday. Let us know what you agree with or think is absolutely wrong in the comments above.

  1. Dikembe Mutombo (Hou, C) | 2 pts, 6 reb, 0 blk, 15 min
    I’m sure you have Mutombo on your watch list. Get him off it now. He will have no fantasy impact ever again.
  2. Chuck Hayes (Hou, PF) | 8 pts, 12 reb, 1 stl, 33 min
    Averaging 9 boards, a stl and a blk a game the last 5 games. His minutes are also steadily rising. Monitor this guy.
  3. Josh Childress (Atl, SF) | 0 pts, 1 reb, 2 TO, 8 min
    Drop this guy. The Hawks don’t trust their bench. Childress won’t get you anything the rest of the year. Don’t even come close to looking at Zaza either.

  4. Tim Thomas (LAC, PF) | 14 pts [5-14 FG, 2-8 3PT], 5 reb, 23 min
    The Clips are having some team troubles and it really doesn’t look like the organization wants to put Brand back on the floor this year at all, even though he’s begging to play, so keep Thomas on your watch list. I should note I personally don’t like him as a fantasy option.
  5. Cuttino Mobley (LAC, SG) | 17 pts [7-12 FT, 1-2 3PT], 7 reb, 2 stl, 43 min
    This guy’s been on fire the last 5 games. As stated above the Clips are having some team problems, so it’s probably a good bet to pick up the veteran guard. If you need help from the guard position, Mobley’s a great option.
  6. Brevin Knight/Dan Dickau (LAC, PG)| 12 pts, 7 asst collectively
    Don’t go near the Clippers point guards, they’ve been splitting minutes and not producing anything fantasy-wise.
  7. Maurice Evans (Orl, SG) | 13 pts, 4 reb, 1 stl
    He can put together a decent game every once in a while, but not consistently enough. He’s one of the few players that has the undesirable designation of being a starter that isn’t fantasy-worthy.
  8. Johan Petro (Sea, C) | 12 pts [6-15 FG], 10 reb, 1 blk, 32 min
    Starting to look like a very viable backup Center. Put together a very strong game against the Celtics last night, heaving up 15 shots against KG and company. Monitor him and be ready to pounce if you’re in need of a big man.
  9. Luke Ridnour (Sea, PG) | 8 pts, 3 reb, 2 asst
    Too inconsistent. Not getting the minutes like he used to last year. Don’t consider picking him up the rest of this season unless Watson goes down.
  10. Sam Cassell (Bos, PG) | 6 pts [3-8 FG], 2 asst, 1 reb, 1 blk, 14 min
    In his second game with Boston, Cassell played 14 min, albeit against the lowly Sonics. Since none of the starters (including Rondo) played more than 26 minutes, it’s hard to say how many minutes Sam will get against actual competition. Monitor from a FAR, but my advice is to forget about him.
  11. Thaddeus Young (Phi, SF) | 10 pts [5-8 FG], 1 reb, 1 asst, 26 min
    A lot of people like this young guy and I do as well. Sure he didn’t have a great night against the Pistons last night, but that was a particularly low-scoring affair. Expect him to put up the above-average numbers (15 pts, 6 reb) we saw him put up last week for the rest of the season. He’s a buy in most leagues.
  12. Nate Robinson (NY, PG) | 17 pts [6-15 FG], 4 reb, 1 asst, 40 min
    I’ll get to the point before I run off some stats: I don’t like Nate Robinson. He’s too volatile and as I’ve said before, I fear Knicks players fantasy-wise. And on to the stats: You know it’s bad when you follow up a 45 point career night with a 2-14 [5 pts] shooting night 2 days later. But that isn’t the most telling statistic for me. From a basketball fan’s perspective, I can’t believe Robinson as the starting PG for the Knicks has only averaged 3 assists the last 5 games. The Knicks are in trouble and its very clear Isiah knows this.

  13. Daequan Cook (Mia, SG) | 6 pts [2-9 FG], 8 reb, 1 asst, 40 min
    Patrick over at Give Me The Rock correctly forecasted Cook’s game last night. But despite Daequan’s youth and inexperience at the NBA level, it’s unquestionable that the Heat have no one else to turn to at this stage of the year. Shaq is long gone. Wade is already undergoing treatment on his left knee. And Coach Riley is scouting talent for next year. I’m not saying Cook is the best option fantasy-wise, but if he continues to play 35+ minutes a game, it may even be hard for me not to be tempted to pick him up.
  14. Anderson Varejao (Cle, C) | 9 pts, 9 reb, 33 min
    With Ilgauskas out with a strained back and his timetable for return from injury uncertain, Varegjao seems to be a good pickup on the interior. In his last 5 games he has averaged 10 pts and 10 reb in 34 minutes a game. If he starts and gets 30+ minutes a game, I like Anderson a lot.
  15. Devin Brown (Cle, SF) | 19 pts [6-11 FG, 4-4 3PT], 7 reb, 4 asst, 2 stl
    Brown is another one of those guys that is benefiting from the injury bug. The Cavs are really banged up and he’s been getting quality minutes the last 3 games [32, 38, 38]. If you’re looking for help from beyond the arc, he’s been hitting the 3 with high accuracy. He’s also added 13 pts, 4 reb and 4 asst his last 5 games. Brown’s a more-than-suitable short-term 3pt option.
  16. Nenad Krstic (NJN, PF) | 10 pts [5-7 FG], 1 reb, 4 asst
    Out of all the players in this post, this is the one that I have been particularly high on. I was hoping he could back from his long-term injury better than ever, but it just doesn’t look like he wants to rebound anymore. For that reason, I have to keep him on hold now. Monitor him.
  17. Bostjan Nachbar (NJN, SF) | 21 pts [7-11 FG], 4 reb, 2 asst, 1 stl, 1 blk, 27 min
    Has played well the last 3 games averaging 13 and 6 in only 25 minutes a game. Doesn’t look like he’ll be creeping into the starting lineup, so I’ll probably pass on him this time. Maybe next year, Bostjan?
  18. Kurt Thomas (SAN, C) | 2 pts, 5 reb, 1 blk, 22 min
    As Mike said earlier this week, don’t pick up Thomas! He hasn’t found his way into the paint much while in San Antonio and that has severely hampered his rebounding and scoring numbers. Don’t be deceived by what he did in Seattle! Pass on Kurt.
  19. Morris Peterson (NOH, SG) | 5 pts [2-4 FG, 1-3 3PT] 3 reb, 24 min
    Sure he can hit the 3 when Paul finds him in the corner, but other than that, Peterson’s numbers have dwindled the last 5 outings. If you still have him on your team, consider spring cleaning your roster and ridding yourself of him, there are other options out there. Look at Bell below.
  20. Kyle Korver (Uta, SF) | 3 pts, 1 reb, 15 min
    Drop Kyle Korver if you still have him. He hasn’t done much in Utah in his 17 minutes a game and like I said there are better 3 point options. Look at Bell below.
  21. Charlie Villanueva (Mil, PF) | 26 pts, 9 reb, 2 blk, 1 stl, 38 min
    If you’re in one of those leagues where NOBODY plays, Villanueva might be available. Chances are he’s definitely not. This guy has been sick (in the good way) the last week and a half, averaging 25 points, 10 boards, a steal and a block each game. And he shoots both the FG and the 3PTR at a very high percentages. I’ll be looking at Charlie V in next year’s draft, that’s for sure.
  22. Charlie Bell (Mil, SG) | 24 pts [8-16 FG, 5-7 3PT], 5 asst
    Bell has likewise been very ill the last week. In his last 5 games he is averaging 15 points per game on 13-29 from beyond the arc. Most important his minutes are over 30 now. I think Bell is a buy right now.
  23. Jared Dudley (Cha, SF) | 9 pts, 4 reb, 4 asst, 1 blk, 1 stl, 31 min
    Gerald Wallace has returned from injury and because he’s a SF like Dudley, there have been reports that Jared’s minutes are going to be cut. That didn’t start last night, as Dudley played 31 minutes alongside Wallace off the bench. I really like this young Charlotte team, if you couldn’t already tell. My guess is Dudley will continue to produce, but in fewer minutes. Oh and Matt Carroll should be unaffected by the return of Wallace, for those that may be worried.

  24. Erick Dampier (Dal, C) | 11 pts, 8 reb, 2 asst, 5 blk
    Played 30 minutes against Charlotte last night and put up a pretty good stat line. If you are desperate for rebounds and blocks, Dampier might be the way to go, but I refused to recommend you actually pick him or Bass up.
  25. Linas Kleiza (Den, SF) | 19 pts, 6 reb, 1 asst
    Don’t be fooled by last night’s outbreak–Kleiza is still a sell. The Nuggets blew out the Grizzlies last night and Kleiza got a few extra minutes. I think he’s a sell because not only has he been banged up recently, but he’s literally the 4th or 5th scoring option on his team. That doesn’t sit well with me as a fantasy manager.
  26. Mike Conley (PG), Darko Milicic (C), Juan Carlos Navarro (SG) | Memphis Bums
    These guys all have the potential to be great talents. Just not this year. Pass for now.
  27. JR Smith (Den, SG) | 6 pts, 1 reb, 2 asst, 14 min
    Sure, the Nuggets blew out the Grizzlies last night and that’s why Smith’s minutes were low, but if you’ve been reading FBP’s you know I don’t like JR. He’s been scoring a lot recently by hitting the 3 ball consistently so he’s making me look stupid, but I’ll never recommend him myself.
  28. Mickael Pietrus (GS, SF) | 14 pts, 8 reb, 2 asst, 1 stl
    Has been all over the place the last 5 games. Besides his below-average percentages, there is nothing he cannot do on the basketball court. Consider picking him up if you need a strong SF going into the playoffs.

If a player you were interested in wasn’t covered in this analysis, let us know in the comments above. Otherwise, please don’t forget to signup for our RSS feed.

To hoops,
Farid