Saturday, November 24, 2007

NBA.com Fantasy Front Page

Update: My latest piece made the front page of NBA.com Fantasy Games. Check it out: http://www.nba.com/fantasy

Mine is the one about who benefits from trades and injuries.

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Monday, November 19, 2007

NBA.com Blog

My NBA.com blog is now up and running. CLICK HERE to check it out!

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Saturday, November 17, 2007

NBA, Here I Come

Hey gang, my NBA.com blog is scheduled to start up on Monday...as in the day after tomorrow. I am all set up over at the NBA forums, and will post a link here once my blog is officially up and running. As for the status of the Unpossiblog, I think I will post a few things here and there to keep this thing going for a while, and of course update you on my NBA.com writings.

Oh, and hopefully this video gets you pumped. Gotta love Jeremy Piven.

Wish me luck.

-unposs

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Buy Low/Sell High


That is the name of the game, isn't it? When making trades, buying low and selling high can help to ensure that you are getting a good deal. I don't advocate making trades just to make a trade, but if you can find some players who are good buy low candidates that help YOUR team then you do what you can to get them.

In fact, I had a recent trade where I willingly overpaid just to get the guys I was looking to get. Losing the battle doesn't necessarily mean losing the war, after all. You have to look at the impact to your team, and not just overall value.

Still, finding a bargain at the bottom of the fantasy barrel can make your season, so let's take a look at some of our buy low and sell high candidates.

Buy Low

1. Jermaine O'Neal: JO is still getting healthy, and since their offense is doing fairly well the Pacers are letting him take his time before asking him to shoulder too much of the scoring load. However, those who saw Friday night's game against the Bobcats saw a different JO than we had previously seen. He was aggressively taking the ball to the basket and his jumper looked silky smooth once again. The resurgence showed up somewhat in the box score, as he put up 18 points, 8 boards, and a block on 50% shooting. If you are going to make an offer for him do it now before he really gets his legs under him. Don't forget that he is an injury risk though, so make sure you get him cheap.

2. Devin Harris: He is starting at point guard for the Mavs with no Jason Terry in the starting 5 to hold his hand, which is a big step for Harris. Excluding the game where he got injured and had to leave early, Devin is shooting over 50% from the field, over 90% from the line, and averaging 1 3PM, 6 assists, 2 steals, and 17 points. Those are numbers strikingly similar to what we expect from Mr. Eva Longoria. Yet in some leagues Harris is on waivers right now because his average was brought down by the game where he was injured and only played 14 minutes. His number might be a bit inflated by his hot game against the Warriors, but the talent to consistently put up similar stats is there. Avery Johnson finally gave Devin the keys to the Mavs offense, and he is going to be solid all season as a result. Pick him up now before he really gets rolling.

3. Stephen Jackson: Jackson hasn't played a game yet thanks to his suspension, but once he comes back he should be a major part of the Warriors offense. Just look at the numbers he put up after he was traded to Golden State: 17 points, 4.6 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 threes on 44% shooting. While those aren't All Star numbers or anything, they certainly make him worthy of a spot on your roster.

4. Ron Artest: See the reasoning for Stephen Jackson. Artest may be as crazy as Tyra Banks, but he can play ball...between suspensions, of course.

5. Andre Miller: Think he is really going to put up just over 4 assists, .6 steals, and shoot 60% from the line all season? I don't either.

6. Ben Wallace: An ankle injury has made the former Defensive Player of the Year move like Wayne Newton on Dancing With The Stars. I wouldn't advise picking him up now, but if the Bulls bench him for a few games to let him heal he may return to put up decent numbers. I was expecting a drop in production from him this year anyway, but I think at some point he will be playable again. If not the Bulls really messed up by giving Tyson Chandler's extension money to an aging Big Ben.

Sell High

1. Chris Kaman: The guy has been an absolute freak so far this season, averaging over 14 boards and 18 points. Can he do that all year? I doubt it. I think Kaman will have a solid season, but I don't think it's reasonable to assume that his hot start will continue all season. And don't forget that with each passing day we get closer to Brand's return, which will take a nice chunk out of his production.

2. Kelenna Azubuike: You gotta feel for this guy. After working his way up from the D-League, Azubuike finally earned a starting spot with the Warriors this season. Kelenna was fantastic in the pre-season, and his confidence is at an all time high right now. Unfortunately, the end of Stephen Jackson's suspension will probably mean the end of Azubuike's fantasy value and the loss of his starting spot. He has earned some minutes in Nelson's offense, but once Jackson returns Azubuike's fantasy value will likely be killed. Keep an eye on him in case there is an injury, but otherwise get what you can for him now.

3. John Salmons: In a similar situation to Azubuike, a Mike Bibby injury and Ron Artest suspension has made Salmons into a fantasy stud for the first few weeks of the season. With Artest returning soon Salmons should see a slight drop in production, although he may see enough minutes at PG to still be playable in most leagues. Once Bibby returns though his value will all but disappear.

4. Tim Thomas: He has started well this year, but quite frankly it's not a contract year, and that's just about the only time you will see sustained production and effort from Thomas. Get what you can for him while he is hot.

5. Baron Davis: You know the injury is coming. Baron looks stiff on the court, and while he is putting up stats right now, history says that his days are numbered. Sell him now.

Still waiting to be given the green light on my NBA.com blog, I will keep you all updated.

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Wednesday, November 7, 2007

A Few Surprises



My NBA.com blog should be starting up soon, but until then I figured I might as well throw out another Unpossiblog. Some surprises from this season:

* Kevin Durant: Did anyone think he would be this good this soon? KD is averaging 24 points, 2.5 threes, over 6 boards and a steal so far. Oh, and every game he is looking more comfortable out there. Think Portland is regretting taking Oden yet?

* Jamal Crawford: Looks like he may be the steal of the draft. Starting alongside Starbury, Crawford has been tearing it up so far this season, averaging 24 points, 1.7 steals, 1.7 threes, and 7 assists. If you took him late you are loving life right now.

* Danny Granger: I hate to say I told you so, but...I told you so.

* The Atlanta Hawks: Beat Dallas and Phoenix so far. It's still early, but it's looking like the Hawks playoff drought will end. Al Horford is providing tons of energy, JJ and J-Smoove are doing their thing, Acie Law is starting...it's good to be the Hawks.

* Ben Wallace: Who would of thought he would be this bad? Imagine if the Bulls had taken a portion of the money they paid Wallce and given it to Tyson Chandler, who has been doing a better Big Ben impression than the original. In fact, add Chicago in general here. 0-4? Looks like they need Kobe more than they thought.

* Chris Kaman: Playing like a man possessed. Still looks like an undead farmer, but hey, I guess we can't fault him for that. Not when he is grabbing a ridiculous 22 boards anyway.


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