Mail Bag:
Dec, 2005
 

12/7/05
I’m in a 8-cat roto yahoo league (fg%, ft%, pts, 3pt, reb, ast, stl, blk), playing 10 players nightly with 4 bench spots.

My team consists of Garnett, Brand, Bosh, Ginobili, Terry, Iguodala, Szczerbiak, S. Jackson, Ford, D. Williams, K. Thomas, Magloire, D. Mason, and Nocioni.

Two questions- 1. I’ve been offered Jaric for S. Jackson, and I’m tempted to get more assists without losing too many 3’s and steals. What is your read on the potential of s. jackson? will he improve later on to his level of last year? What about your read on Jaric’s future? 2. Childress and Al Jefferson are both available on waivers in my league. I’m tempted to drop Mason and Nocioni to pick these two up. Do you think it is wise to do so now? I have a feeling Dhildress and Jefferson are both on the verge of breaking out.

Thanks- KO

I don’t think Jackson will improve to the level he was at last season. His playing time and shooting percentage are similar to last year but he is not getting the same number of shot attempts. The reason is that Ron Artest is around this season wheras he played only 7 games last year. Getting Jaric is fair value for Jackson right now however Jaric has quite an injury history.

I think if something is going to happen with Jefferson it is going to happen soon - Jefferson had a double double yesterday. Nocioni may be losing playing time to Luol Deng - see what happens in the next couple days. I don't care for Mason considering your category group so I would tend to release him first. For the type of decisions you are making in question 2 you need to do something (or not do something) - but really just hope you get lucky.

12/7/05

After winning last year handily, I am suffering in part because I have Amare Stoudamire under long-term contract, and because I have Ginobili similarly under a long-term contract. 

I have Chris Bosh signed at $2.10 ($50 roster) for 3 years - I am last in the league in blocked shots. I have just been offered a straight-up Camby for Bosh trade. Camby is at $2.30 contract, but would need to be increased $1/year if I want to keep him past next year.

Your thoughts? Is the injury risk with Camby worth the upside, because I could get back into contention if I moved way up in blocks.  JT

Camby is tempting but I would avoid him due to his injury history considering he wants Bosh. Camby's current owner is trying to cash out before he gets hurt. Bosh right now has been about at half his previous block averages and hopefully for you that can turn around. I suggest offering up a player other than Bosh?

12/9/05
As 3rd/4th centers, I have Jeff Foster and Stromile Swift. (I have Zaza and Yao as my starters ). I need to get more 3s and am looking at dropping one of those two guys for either Radmanovic, Damon Jones, or James Jones. I figure James Jones will just drop down a notch once Barbosa returns (whom I have). I see Vlad as probably the best of the bunch, but it's always good to hear your opinion (more so on who to drop) in this situation. Also, do you think Foyle is better than either Foster or Swift?   BA

I still have faith that Stromile Swift will be a desirable player this season so I would recommend dropping Foster. Foyle is not reliable. Radmanovic has been stuck on the Sonics bench but has upside for threes.

12/13/05
I just made a big trade in an 8 cat league. P-R-A-S-B-S’3-FG%-FT%. I gave up Brand, Redd and Ridnour for Garnett, McGrady and M. Peterson. What do you think?  ME

Good luck – a key will be McGrady’s health.  In the preseason this trade would be a no-brainer for you. However Brand and Redd have exceeded expectations to be at a level similar to Garnett and McGrady. So for your sake you hope things go downhill a bit for Brand and Redd and Garnett and McGrady take their game to another level.