Notes from games of Oct 21

Rookie Alexander Johnson (Mem) had 12 pts and 7 reb in only 18 minutes.  I had dismissed him as a viable fantasy candidate but now he is worth watching as a potential in-season free agent pickup.  

JJ Redick played in his first preseason game and did not score in 12 minutes.  He is not anticipated to have much fantasy value as a designated shooter in his rookie season. 

Boston rookie forward Leon Powe further muddled the playing rotation picture with him and Ryan Gomes and Al Jefferson by having a nice game with 16 pts, 9 reb, 3 stl, and 3 blk. 

Delonte West had 9 pts, 6 ast, 3 reb, 3 stl, and 1 bl.  This is the complete line he is capable of.  Fantasy owners have been scared off from him because of Telfair and back issues but he could pay late round dividends if healthy. 

Eddie Curry has had a decent preseason for NY averaging 16 pts and 5.5 reb in 26 min.  He is shooting 68% FG – this is an area he has the potential to excel in. 

Drew Gooden had 17 pts and 11 reb.  The Cavs gave him big money and they will want him to earn it this season.  He is a good late round PF selection. 

The San Antonio center position remains somewhat murky with candidates being Francisco Elson, Fabrico Oberto, and Jackie Butler.  Likely no one will end up with value – even if one gets hurt. 

Stephen Jackson had 20 pts and 4 stls.  Bad publicity may be pushing down his draft position but he has the ability to pay dividends if he can stay on the court. 

In 6 preseason games Eddie Griffin is averaging 8 reb and 1.8 bl in only 18 mpg.  While he has restrained himself from three point land taking only 1 attempt he is still shooting only 38%. 

In three preseason games Nugget Linas Kleiza is averaging 17.5 pts and 5.7 rpg largely because he is taking a lot of shots (he is making only 41%). It is unlikely he will have fantasy value in the regular season.  

Ruben Patterson had 19 pts in 22 minutes.  He could have early season interim value. 

Nick Collison had 11 pts, 9 reb, and 2 bl in 25 minutes.  Meanwhile projected starter Chris Wilcox had 2 pts, 6 reb, and 0 bl in 19 min. 

October 19^th Preseason Notes

Kenyon Martin has looked good in the Nuggets preseason games.  Yesterday he had 20 pts, 8 reb, and 1 bl in a game played in his college hometown.  He can be a sleeper if he stays healthy as his stock is low after last season.

 Jason Maxiell continues to produce in limited minutes.  Yesterday he had 14 pts in 18 minutes.  Nazr Mohammed has also been decent for the Pistons in the preseason and is second to only Maxiell in preseason scoring average.  Nazr should make for a nice late round center selection. 

With Marcus Williams now out with an injury joining Eddie House on the sidelines, the Nets are now thin in the backcourt.  This could translate into more playing time for Antoine Wright.  Wright continues to lead the Nets in scoring in the preseason at 17.8 ppg. 

Yao Ming played and had 22 pts and 7 rebs.  This alleviates some concerns about his toe injury. 

Rookie Steve Novak has hit 11 of 22 treys for the Rockets in 4 preseason games including 5 yesterday.  It is not expected that this will continue into the regular season. 

Troy Murphy has a broken nose but is not expected to miss the start of the regular season. 

Jermaine O’Neal has been dealing with soreness in his Achilles' this preseason.  This could represent a continuation of chronic injury issues for him. 

Dorell Wright (Mia) who had shown some potential in the preseason is out three weeks with a sprained ankle.

 October 18^th Preseason Notes 

Atlanta Rookie Sheldon Williams had 12 pts, 10 reb, and 1 bl in 22 minutes.  He looks as if he will be part of the Hawks playing rotation although he has been shooting only 38% through 4 preseason games. 

Dwight Howard had 27 pts, 10 reb, 6 ast, and 3 bl.  In 4 preseason games he is shooting only 60% FT so that looks like it will be a drag on him again this season. 

In four preseason games, rookie Rajon Rondo has been the Celtics best player.  He is averaging 15 pts, 6 ast, 3 stl, and 4 reb.  Despite his consistent preseason performances you still can trust that it will continue into the regular season.  However it would be justified to use a late round pick on him and hope for the best particularly if you think you need assists. 

Jamal Crawford had 22 pts, 4 reb, and 3 ast.  He is another one to benefit from Jared Jeffries early season absence.  

Third year player Dorell Wright is having a good preseason for Miami.  In three preseason games he is averaging 10 pts, 4.7 reb, 2.3 stl, and 1.3 bl.  That indicates the potential to have a complete game but he is the type to wait on until the regular season begins. 

It appears as if Sean May may start for the Bobcats at PF.  I have been bumping up his projections. 

In four preseason games Ronnie Turiaf has averaged 11 pts, 6 reb, 1.8 bl, and 1 st in 25 mpg for the Lakers.

 Rookie Brandon Roy had 19 pts, 9 reb, 3 ast, and 1 stl in 37 min before fouling out.  It is clear that he will be one of the better rookies. 

In three preseason games, Barbosa is leading the Suns in scoring at 16 ppg. 

With Sam Cassell not playing, Sean Livingston had 21 pts, 5 reb, 5 ast, and 1 stl in 26 min. Livingston is a sleeper candidate this season. 

October 17^th Preseason Notes 

Through 4 preseason games, Jason Maxiell (Det) is leading the Pistons in scoring at 14.2 ppg (in 23 mpg).  He is also adding 5.8 rpg and 2 bpg.  He has the potential to emerge in his second NBA season. However at the line he can be brutal where he has been getting too often in the preseason.  He is leading the NBA in the preseason with 11 attempts per game from the line.  If he makes only half, it can do some damage to your FT% category. 

 Another young forward with the potential to emerge is Hakim Warrick for Memphis.  In three preseason games he is averaging 12.7 ppg and 6.7 rpg.  Like Maxiell though he has been struggling from the line going 6-12 FT. 

Yesterday Memphis rookie Alexander Johnson had 11 pts, 10 reb, and 2 bl.  He remains a long shot to have fantasy value during the season but is someone to keep your eye on for a free agent pickup.   

Eddie House underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a torn lateral meniscus from his knee.  There is no timetable for his return.  Rookie Marcus Williams should see additional playing time with House out. 

Jared Jeffries will miss 3-6 weeks because of a broken left wrist.  While Jeffries was not projected to have much fantasy value this injury will present an opportunity for others such as Quentin Richardson. 

Bobby Simmons will miss at least one month with a stress reaction in his right heel.  In the offseason, the Bucks signed Ruben Patterson to protect themselves from such an event.  Patterson should see some extra playing time early on.

The latest reports from Amare Stoudemire appear to be good as he has been participating in all practices and preseason games without setbacks. 

October 16^th Preseason Notes 

In three preseason games Antoine Wright is leading the Nets in scoring with 19.7 ppg.  At this point he is a player you can consider taking by judgment after 150 or so players are taken although he is likely not appearing there on your depth chart.  I will look into increasing his projections. Note he has yet to show good strength outside of scoring yet.   

Marcus Williams is averaging 15 pts and 7.7 apg in three preseason games.  This comes with Jason Kidd playing limited minutes but he has been impressive (ignoring the 4 TO per game.)   

On Sunday Kris Humphries and TJ Ford each had double doubles for the Raptors.  Humphries’ (pts/reb) was achieved despite playing only 14 minutes.  Humphries had not been expected to be part of the Raptors rotation but he is getting some attention in the preseason.  

Andre Bargnani seems to do well offensively but continues to pick up fouls.  On Sunday he had 5 fouls in 13 minutes. 

Anthony Parker had 8 pts, 4 reb, 5 ast, and 3 stls in 28 minutes.  This is an indication he may have the potential to have a complete game. 

Amare Stoudemire played in back to back games.  He had 15 pts, 9 reb, 5 stl, and 2 bl.  This goes a long way to alleviating concerns I had when he was a DNP with pain in both knees. 

Andrew Bynum will certainly be given more opportunities to play for the Lakers this season, particularly if Kwame Brown is hurt as he is now.  On Sunday he had 8 pts, 4 reb, and 1 bl in 22 minutes.  But he is likely a year or two off from having fantasy value still.  The Lakers are though grooming him to be their center of the future. 

Note that Kirilenko has been having some issues with his back in the preseason which has prompted me to nudge his games played projection down a bit.