I appreciate your ratings and help again this season. My team is very solid -- sitting atop my 10-team league with a 13-3 record and a 2-game lead.

This week, I am a bit torn over whether to start Duncan with only two games. He's one guy I know I probably SHOULD start despite his having only two games. What do you think?

In our 7-cat roto league (P, A, R, S, B, -TO, 3), we start 10 players each week -- one center, 2 forwards,

2 guards, and 5 at any position.

Here is my 18-man roster and the scheduled number of games for each:

F: Walker(4), Bosh(3), Mike Miller(3), Ely(3),Radmanovic(4)
C: Duncan(2), Okafor(3), Przybilla (3), Mihm (4), Haywood (3)
G: Arenas (3), Nash (3), D. Jones (4), Mo Williams (4), Hart (3). J. R. Smith (2), Derek Anderson (3), Marquis Daniels -- inj.

Here is the week 17 lineup I am contemplating:

F; Walker (4), Bosh (3), Radman. (4)
C: Duncan (2), Okafor (3), Mihm (4)
G: Arenas (3), Nash (3), Jones (4), Williams (4)

With the way that Przybilla has been boarding again lately, I am tempted to start him over Duncan, Okafor, Williams, or possibly even over Mihm or Radman. What lineup would you go with given my roster? 

Thanks, Woody

Woody,

I think you should have Duncan and Przybilla in the lineup. Przybilla's last three games have been huge.  Seeing as Okafor did not play all-star weekend, his current status is not really known, and since he has just 3 games I would rest him.  The second option to resting Okafor would be Mihm whose numbers have been mediocre lately.  Radman will have three bad games and one huge game that will probably make having him in justified!

David

2/8/05

Hoops,

I am a long-time subscriber (used to get the report in the mail) We are in 8 category keeper league with fts made not percentage. I am in the hunt for first this year and recently made these trades;

• Grant Hill and Marko Jaric given for Steve Francis - Jaric has great potential and Hill is solid but, Francis is so much more in 3 pts and I can take the hit in FG%. Jaric was not playing on my team.

• Gilbert Arenas for Jermaine O’Neal - I combine with Shaq and Brad Miller for a formidable big man rotation.

 The principal players on my team:

Shaq
B. Miller
J. O’Neal
S. Francis
A. Jamison
Wally S.
J. Terry
M. Blount
J. Tinsley
C. Atkins
C. Billups
M. Okur
D. Mason
K. Cato

10 teams with 14 players - Like to know what you think...
John

John,
Below is summary of player rankings for games through 2/6/05 as currently posted on the website. I like you getting a better starting player…essentially Hill for Francis and you rid yourself of any worries of Hill’s magical season coming to an end again with an injury.  You did not steal anything from the other owner but have lost some depth.  You likely made the other team better if it got two starters so hopefully he is not challenging you for the lead in the league.

The Arenas-O’Neal trade is fair and you do upgrade the tougher big man position.  Arenas has been huge lately but should cool down to normal levels particularly when Hughes returns.  I am assuming Jermaine O’Neal qualifies as a forward in your league.  Otherwise I would question why you were making yourself so center heavy.  You even have Okur as a backup although he has been off lately as Kirilenko returned.

             Last 10   ytd
Jaric      60          62
Hill        39          42
Francis  41          24
Arenas    1          15
J Oneal  19         14

Hoops