Fantasy Catch-Up Week 4

Goodbye, Gilbert

Gilbert Arenas owners, take a seat before proceeding with the reading. Your franchise fantasy player may be done for the season, according to one NBA news source (other sources have yet to confirm). Arenas is going to be extra cautious with his problematic knee and only come back once he is 111% sure that he is ready to lace ‘em up and go to work. Essentially, what this means is that you should have already picked up Antonio Daniels by the time you read this. Add Daniels to your lineup and enjoy his 12 points, seven assists, five rebounds, and two steals per night. (Report has since been said to be erroneous).

Watch out Big O, Here Comes the King

Or is it Tiny that should be watching his tail? After following up his third triple double of the season with yet another triple double, Lebron is looking like he could challenge two NBA records, both of which were thought to be untouchable. In the 1972-1973 season, Nate “Tiny” Archibald led the NBA in both points and assists with averages of 34 points and 11.4 assists for the Kansas City - Omaha Kings. In the 1961-62 season, Oscar Roberstson did the unthinkable and averaged a triple double with averages of 30.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 11.4 assists. ‘Bron is currently leading the league in scoring with an average of just over 31 points per game, and is just over an average of two assists per game short of beating out Steve Nash (currently dishing 10.9 apg) for the league‘s assist leader. He is also less than two rebounds and two assists short of averaging a triple double. Realistically, these records should be safe for now, but if you want to say that you were a part of history, make sure you draft Lebron next season. And the season after that. And the season after that…

Under the Rader:

• Ÿ Richard Jefferson - RJ is quietly the NBA’s 6^th leading scorer at 25 points per game. He has not shown any signs of slowing up, having scored 27+ in his past three games. He shoots efficiently, though does not necessarily stand out in other categories.

• Ÿ Jamal Tinsley - The NY-bred PG is never shown any love in fantasy circles. Outside of his horrific FG%, Tinsley is more than solid in multiple categories, including rare ones such as threes, steals, and assists.

• Ÿ Jamario Moon - I’ll be honest, if not for his name, he probably wouldn’t have made the cut for this article. He blew up on Sunday, though otherwise he had a pretty mediocre week. Toronto’s moon man is a fringe fantasy player, but if you want erratic blocks, steals, or threes, or just a guy with a funky name, Jamario Moon is your man.

• Ÿ Lou Williams - The Sixers are actively shopping Andre Miller in order to open up the starting point guard gig to the youngster. Lou is an explosive scorer with a style that can be compared to somewhat of a mix between that of Monta Ellis and Nate Robinson.

• Ÿ Hedo Turkoglu - He(do) has been playing absolutely out of his mind, boasting averages of 18.5 ppg, almost six rpg, almost four apg, and two threes per game. Who would have thought that the addition of Rashard Lewis, who can be described as a rich man‘s Turkoglu, would actually help Hedo’s fantasy game?

• Ÿ Antawn Jamison/Caron Butler - The loss of Gilbert means that if the Wizards want to contend, these two players must handle more of the offensive load. Unlike Gilbert, Washington’s new point guard is more of a prototypical distributing point guard who would rather let Butler and Jamison handle putting points on the board.

• Ÿ Jose Calderon - Speaking of distributing point guards, this Spaniard has done a spectacular job leading the Raptors while TJ Ford has been sidelined with what is being called an “arm stinger.” Ford is listed as day-to-day, but Calderon is still worth owning in most leagues because of his great passing ability.

• Ÿ Shaquille O’neal - Quite simply, Shaq is back (for now). Check the numbers. His production will likely eventually drop, so try to sell high if he’s on your squad.

Reader Question:

What do you think of this trade: I trade Manu Ginobili and Andres Nocioni for Ron Artest and Kelenna Azubuike. ~Justin

That’s a very fair deal, but I feel that you got the slight edge. Between Kelenna and Nocioni, it is essentially a stalemate. Both can explode and get 30 points or five three pointers in one night, and both will be erradic. Between Artest and Manu, Artest should have a great year because he is in a contract year. He gets similar stats to Manu, though he is more durable. The only real concern with Artest missing games is that he might get suspended. Manu misses games every season due to ankle sprains or other similar injuries. Artest is also shooting an astounding 54% from the field this season, compared to Manu‘s 47%. Nice going with this deal Justin!

E-mail me your questions @ dwolin@gmail.com!