1/28/06

Wally Szczerbiak, Michael Olowokandi and Dwayne Jones were traded for Ricky Davis, Mark Blount, Marcus Banks and Justin Reed.  In Minnesota, Davis will assume the minutes the Szczerbiak was playing with Trenton Hassell shifting to small forward.  Mark Blount was out of favor in Boston and will get a second chance in Minnesota.  In Blount's first game with the Wolves he played 24 minutes before fouling out.  The playing time was quite an improvement over what he had been getting as of late in Boston.  However the reason he was not getting much PT in Boston was because he is not a good player and that will likely send him to the bench soon in Minnesota as well.  Ricky Davis, as he already demonstrated in his first game with Minnesota, should weather the transition well. 

There should be some concern for owners of Szczerbiak who plays SF, the same position that Paul Pierce has been playing this season for the Celtics.  For Wally to start, Pierce will need to move to SG.  The spot is there for him as the Celtics current option in lieu of Davis is Tony Allen.  But until the Celtics make this move (which would make sense), Szczerbiak will come off the bench as he did yesterday.  This interim period will likely not give Tony Allen value as his minutes as a starter will still be limited. 

This is another deal where there are no apparent fantasy winners. 

Qyntel Woods has started the last two games for the Knicks and has been in double figure scoring his last four games.  In these four games he has shown abilities in the rebound, steal, and three point categories.  He is at risk to lose his playing time at any moment with the Knicks but for now he has gone from nowhere to someone worth monitoring. Box Score 

1/26/06

The Artest-Peja trade comes with relatively few fantasy impacts other than the obvious one of Artest going from zero value to some value as an active player.  Artest will likely go through a transition period as he adapts to his new team but should end up playing 35-39 minutes.  Playing with a good point guard in Mike Bibby and a center (Brad Miller) who can pass should contribute to him posting healthy scoring numbers.  He should also be counted on for his usual steal contributions. 

Francisco Garcia loses the opportunity to play extended minutes as a result of a disgruntled Peja remaining with the team.  In Indiana, Stephen Jackson was at risk at losing scoring potential with Peja coming but by serendipity for Jackson's fantasy owners, Jermaine O'Neal is anticipated to be out two months with an injury.  This should allow Jackson to maintain his recent scoring pace. 

I never thought pink eye would cause a player to miss a game but it is apparently a serious injury for Stromile Swift.  Meanwhile, undrafted rookie Chuck Hayes has averaged 8 rebounds in the first five games of his NBA career.  NBA vagabond Lonny Baxter has also had 11 rebounds in each of his last two games for the Rockets and added 18 points yesterday. 

Tony Battie has come to life in January showing a particular spark in shot blocking.  Over his last five games he is averaging 8 pts, 7.4 reb, and 2.4 bl.  While it is tough to be real optimistic about a player with a 9-year career playing time average of 22.6 min (with plenty of injuries), his recent performance deserves some attention. 

1/24/06

S. Pavlovic has started the last two games for the Cavaliers and has played an average 34.5 minutes in these games.  Tonight he was 6-9 FG including 4 treys for 16 pts.  He got this opportunity partly due to the struggles of Damon Jones.  Both players are filling in until Larry Hughes returns in late February.  Pavlovic shot 38% for three pointers last season but has shot only 28% this season.  Perhaps tonight is a turning point in that regard.  Last season he was decent in steals on a per minute basis but has also struggled in that area this season. Now is a candidate to help teams in deep leagues in the three point category. Box Score 

1/22/06

With Grant Hill out (indefinitely) again, Hedo Turkoglu has seen a surge in his playing time recently.  Over his last five games he is averaging 38 min, 19 pts, 6 reb, and 1.4 treys.   

The prognosis for Manu Ginobili is currently 1-2 weeks with a sprained ankle.  During this time Michael Finley may be an interim player in some leagues. 

Twelve players have started at least 5 games for the Knicks this season. Such validity makes Stephon Marbury, who is currently hurt, the only reliable player. 

After starting 9 games, Mike Sweetney was acknowledged for his efforts with a DNP (no health issues). 

Andre Nocioni is making half his three point attempts this season to average 1.3 made per game. 

The Celtics are currently 3 games out of the last playoff spot.  If they get further back my instincts would say a player like Kendrick Perkins gets more playing time.  It seems that Mark Blount will either be given away or play negligible time the remainder of the season.  Over his last give games Perkins is averaging 11.6 ppg on 67% FG.  He has two blocks in three of his last five games. 

Gerald Wallace will be out four to six weeks with a knee injury.  Okafor is also still out. My feeling is that he will be out another week or so.  Jumaine Jones may benefit the most from the absence of Gerald Wallace.  Yesterday in 42 min he had 18 pts, 8 reb, 2 st, and 1 trey.  He was also 5-5 FT.  This is noteworthy in that year to date he had been making only a little over one FT attempt per game.  It is likely though he will go back to his spot up shooting ways.  This may be for the best as he shoots under 70% FT. 

Andre Kirilenko did not block a shot yesterday.  It was only the second time this has happened in a game this season. 

Victor Khryapa plays his first game since Jan 18^th tonight.  In that game in 36 min he had 18 pts, 12 reb, and 2 stl.  Prior to that he had been in single digit scoring in his previous 13 games.  In that regard one should anticipate he goes back to single digit scoring tonight.  But you might want to see how he does and see if his performance on the 18^th was some sort of turning point. 

1/18/06

Francisco Garcia has played over 40 minutes in his last threes games.  He has had this opportunity due to injuries on the Kings including Peja, Bonzi Wells, and Abdur-Rahim.  Yesterday he had 21 pts, 10 reb, and 2 stl as part of an overall better effort by the King's team.  As a guard, Garcia as shown the ability to contribute some blocks as on the season his projected block total per 30 minutes is 1 bpg.  Yesterday, Garcia started at SF in place of Peja who is listed as day-to-day.  In that regard this recent episode of extended playing time may go away with his return but Garcia may still warrant consideration in deeper leagues. 

1/17/06

HOOPSKLYCE EXPERT LEAGUE PROGRESS REPORT

 1/16/06

M. Pietrus played his second game since a prolonged absence due to a knee injury.  Unlike his first game back when he was only 1-6 FG, he was effective today going 7-9 FG including three 3-pointers for 19 points.  He is the type of player who mostly just scores but he can be good at it and make an impact in that area when healthy. 

Over his last seven games, R. Swift has played progressively more minutes as part of the shake-up in Seattle although he has yet to start.   J. Petro has been starting the past 7 games but has struggled from the field and gets into foul trouble.  Swift has been better from the field but gets into foul trouble as well.  Today Swift was 6-10 FG for 12 points and contributed 2 blocks, an area where the 7-footer had previously not been producing.  Right now the two centers have been 'canceling' each other out but the potential is there for one to grab more minutes from the other.  After today, the leading candidate to emerge is Swift. 

K. Perkins once again is in a spurt of more playing time.  Today he started and played 28 min and had 10 pts, 8 reb, and 1 bl.  LaFrentz, Blount, and Al Jefferson were all healthy with only Blount getting more minutes than him.  At this point though Perkins can not be counted on for consistent playing time. 

1/10/06

J. Rose had his highest scoring output (24 pts) since Nov 5 (third game of the season) yesterday.  He has averaged only 21.5 min over his last 19 games and subsequently may be available in your league.  He has the potential to contribute points, treys, and perhaps some assists.  He has been struggling with his shooting this season with a year to date average of 38% compared to his career average of 44%.  Considering his fantasy strength is scoring, if he struggles with his shooting he has little value. 

In his last two games Kwame Brown has averaged 35 min, 9.5 pts, and 9.5 reb as a starter.  Prior to this he had been averaging in the low 20's for playing time since returning from his injury.  Note that he has additional value in some leagues as a center. 

1/7/06

Over his last five games Mike James is averaging 24.4 pts, 8 ast, and 1,2 stls.   He has been a fantasy gem this season.  The Raptors are now 2.5 games out of the last playoff spot.  If they fall back later in the season James may be at risk of being traded and losing fantasy value. 

Charlie Villanueva has scored over 20 pts in three of his last five games and is shooting 64% in his last five games. 

Over his last ten games, David Wesley is averaging 36 mpg but only 10 ppg and 36.6% FG.  Yesterday though he had 19 pts on 7-12 FG.   

Stromile Swift is averaging 0.7 bpg in 22 mpg this season.  On a per minute basis, this is half his career average. 

Dwight Howard had 8 offensive rebounds yesterday for the third time this season.  He is averaging 3.3 offensive rebounds on the season which is below the 3.5 he averaged last year as a rookie.  Zaza Pachulia has been a league leader in offensive rebounds. 

Over his last five games Jameer Nelson has averaged 27 min, 20 pts, 5.6 ast, 1.6 treys, and 1.8 steals. 

Grant Hill recently saw a doc about pain that he was experiencing that was described as a normal result of treatment for his recent injury.  However, Grant Hill owners (and Turkoglu owners) should take this as a warning. 

In his last five games Channing Frye is averaging 62% FG, 17 ppg, and 5.6 rpg.  However his contributions in ast, stl, and blk have been minimal. 

Nate Robinson started for the Knicks yesterday with Jamal Crawford and Quentin Richardson out with injuries.  He had 16 pts and 5 ast but 7 TOs also. 

Over his last five games Delonte West has averaged 16 pts, 5 ast, 5 reb, 2.2 treys, 1 stl, and 0.6 bl. 

Over his last five games Juan Dixon has averaged 17 pts, 4.6 pts, 4 reb, and 1.2 stls. 

Chris Paul is expected to miss at least two weeks with a thumb injury.  Yesterday Kirk Snyder had started over JR Smith and should continue to receive playing time over the next two weeks.  Yesterday Snyder had 22 pts, 6 reb, and 4 bl.  Speedy Claxton should start in place of Paul. 

Over his last five games, Kirilenko is averaging 4.2 bl per game. 

Michael Finley has continued to start since Ginobili's return.  However yesterday Finley could not hold his own going 1-7 FG.  This should represent the beginning of the process of getting Ginobili back as a starter and adding to his playing time. 

Reggie Evans got his first taste of playing time under new coach Hill.  He had 7 rebounds in 16 min. 

Over his last two games J. Petro is averaging 30 min as a starter but his numbers have been mediocre.   

Darius Songaila is the latest to get playing time in the Chicago rotation.  It can be assumed this will not be sustained. 

Over his last five games, Francisco Elson has averaged 28.5 mpg, 9 reb, 7.4 reb, and 1.6 bl. 

In his last two games D. Ewing is averaging 33 mpg. 

Over his last three games, S. Livingston playing time has dropped to 20 mpg. 

Over his last five games Kevin Martin has averaged 38 min, 16 pts, 5 reb, 3 ast, 1.6 st, 0.8 treys, and 52.6% FG.  His performance so far this season should earn him regular minutes after Bonzi Wells returns. 

K. Brown started for the Lakers yesterday for the first time since Nov 18.  He had 4 pts and 5 reb in 21 min. 

Darius Miles is expected to be out through January. 

Emeka Okafor is nearly ready to return. 

1/5/06

Cleveland has lost Larry Hughes for the next 6-to-8 weeks with a broken finger.  Yesterday Damon Jones started and played 31 minutes which was 6.4 minutes above his season average.  Although he was only 1-7 FG in yesterdays game, the anticipated additional playing time over at least the next month should make him playable now in some leagues that he previously was not.  His strength is in hitting the three point shot.  Eric Snow should also see some more playing time than usual. 

1/4/06

See the following article for some hints of what may be coming after the Sonics coaching change

Hill ready to shake things up with Sonics

By Percy Allen 
Seattle Times staff reporter

CHICAGO - On his first day as Sonics coach, Bob Hill promised major renovations ranging from fundamental shifts in offensive and defensive philosophies, shuffling the starting lineup, rotation adjustments and a more stern approach to practices.

Perhaps Ray Allen said it best after a 2 ½-hour practice described by some players as a mini-bootcamp: "He's a guy that's going to rattle some cages. Whether guys like it or not, that's what they are going to have to deal with. This is not a country club."

The testimony was a backhanded slap at Bob Weiss, who was fired on Tuesday in part because of the Sonics' 13-17 record and in part because his laissez-faire approach had "gotten us a little soft," said forward Vladimir Radmanovic.

Hill, dressed in black from head to toe, wasted little time implementing his game plan during a midday practice at the Solheim Center on the campus of Moody Bible Institute.

Allen and Rashard Lewis will remain the team's focus, but almost everything else will change.

Hill has scrapped the three-game experiment with swingman Damien Wilkins at point guard and re-inserted Luke Ridnour.

Reggie Evans, who is having the best season of his career, is likely out at power forward and replaced by Radmanovic.

"I think Vladimir Radmanovic is a very, very talented guy who creates problems for other teams," Hill said. "He can run. He can shoot. I don't think we've seen the best of him yet. He's 25 years old. ...

"It will help our team if I can motivate and get him playing somewhere close to what he's [capable], because his presence on the floor will make it easier for Rashard and Ray. ... The offense will be given back to Luke. And Vlade, if he doesn't start and he probably will, but if he doesn't, he certainly will be on the floor a lot."

The most intriguing change will revolve around the center position. Vitaly Potapenko will likely move to the inactive list, and the spot will belong almost solely to youngsters Johan Petro and Robert Swift.

At times Hill will rely on Nick Collison, but essentially he plans to use the remaining 52 games to give the pair of 19-year-old, 7-foot centers as much experience as possible.

"We're going to have rotations for positions 1 through 4 and keep the center position kind of for those guys and see how the minutes go because they need to be on the floor," Hill said. "We need their length. We need to know what shots they can block and adjust. And they can run.

"We'll see it's going to be fun with them. They're going to be scared. They're going to make mistakes and it's OK. And they're going to get better."

A few words to describes Hill's system: "Plodders need not apply."

As for Evans, Hill likes his effort and energy, but seems to favor Radmanovic now.

"I think we have to find a third scorer, somebody on a consistent basis who can get us some points, and I think that Radmanovic can do that," Hill said.

Given his new coach's comments, Radmanovic wasn't sad to see Weiss depart. At times, he was in the proverbial doghouse this season and had his minutes reduced significantly, which he believes led to his drop in scoring.

"It's a pretty hard situation for everybody, to be 30 games into the season and you have to change everything, but they were not going the right direction," Radmanovic said. "It was the only logical thing that was going to happen. We all feel bad for coach Weiss, but it was probably time for changes. Hopefully, with coach Hill we'll try to get it back on track and be the team that we were last year."

1/3/06

After three quarters, Bobby Jackson has 17 points, 4 reb, 3 ast, and 2 stl.  While Memphis is interested in trading for a veteran point guard, for now it seems Jackson will be the one to claim the majority of Stoudamire's playing time.  Box Score 

Also note that Dikembe Mutombo got the start for the Rockets and had 11 reb and 2 bl.  Rafer Alston was productive in his second game back with 17 pts and 10 ast. Box Score 

1/2/06

Over his last four games Deron Williams has seen progressively fewer minutes including not starting the past three games after starting the 19 games prior to that.  Keith McLeod and Gordan Giricek have started the past three games in the backcourt for the Jazz.  However their playing time, along with Williams has been erratic.  In his most recent game, McLeod in 28 minutes had 15 pts, 3 ast, and 1 stl.  While he may be a consideration as a free agent you should not expect too much from him.  While he can have some good games like yesterday, he historically has not excelled in any particular area including assists and he is a PG.  While the guard situation is currently unstable with the Jazz, you would expect Williams once again to establish himself as a starter and look at this period of time as an opportunity to trade for him while his owner may be underestimating his potential. 

A while back I suggested shopping Camby and now he is out for an undetermined period with a sprained finger.  My present suggestion is for owners of Allen Iverson to consider trading him away at his current value.  In his last ten games he has shot 47% FG and is shooting 45.5% on the season.  This is substantially over his career shooting percentage of 42.4% (which is close to what he shot last season).  One potential explanation for the increase in his shooting percentage is the established presence of Chris Webber who is giving the defense something to think about other than Iverson for once.  However the fact that Webber has played as many games as he has is also out of the norm.  An injury to Webber might affect Iverson's shooting percentages.  The recommendation to trade away Iverson would be strengthened if your team happens to be a leader in points and/or steals -areas where he excels. 

Over the last three games in which Brian Cook has played his has played progressively more minutes including 39 minutes as a starter yesterday.  Note that Kobe did not play yesterday which may account indirectly for some of those minutes.  Cook is shooting 53% on the season including 72% in his last four games.  He has shown the ability to give something in blocks and steals however his rebounding is a little light for a PF.  It appears Cook will as a minimum keep Kwame Brown from achieving what he hinted he might give in the preseason and on the upside might further establish himself in the Lakers rotation. 

Damien Wilkins continued to start at PG for the Sonics tonight despite the fact that Luke Ridnour has been back from a chest injury for two games now.  Wilkins played 26 minutes and had 10 pts, 4 reb, and 3 ast.  The good news for his prospects is that he had only 1 TO.  In his previous two games, although he averaged 37 minutes, he had a total of 11 assists and 8 turnovers, which does not represent too favorable a ratio for an aspiring point guard.  In his recent run he has also shown good steal totals.  Although he has been struggling all season with his FG%, Ridnour has had strength in A/TO averaging 6.3 ast and only 1.9 TO.  This ability may combined with his continued healing may push Wilkins back into his reserve role.  As a minimum take note of Wilkins' potential when Ridnour is out with an injury. 

With Jermaine O'Neal out with the flu (pneumonia), Fred Jones had his second straight game scoring over 20 pts.  In his past two games (including tonight) he has also averaged 5.5 assists with Jamaal Tinsley out with a torn bicep.  David Harrison got the start for the Pacers and played 22 minutes, a significant amount more than his 9 mpg season average.  O'Neal's prognosis is not known right now.  Harrison has the potential for interim value in deeper leagues. 

The Grizzlies played their first full game without Damon Stoudamire.  No one has yet to emerge with fantasy value in his absence.  Stoudamire is expected to be out at least a month.  Bobby Jackson and Antonio Burks are the candidates for benefiting the most with Jackson the most likely to come out with some fantasy value. 

In a triple overtime win for the Knicks, David Lee played 50 minutes and had 23 points on 10-11 FG, 15 reb, and 3 steals.  Lee has received irregular playing time along with much of the Knick roster this season but this is his second straight productive game. Box Score

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