Category: NBA

What is Happening with Deron Williams?

The Jerry Sloan situation was pretty messed up but never in my wildest dreams think that Utah would trade away their star player.

Analysis: Deron has been one of the top point guards in the league this season, putting up his best number yet. Before the trade Deron was averaging over 21 points and almost 10 assists a game. Throw in his respectable shooting percentages for a point guard and Deron is easily a top 10 fantasy player in this league. New Jersey does not have the talent on its roster that Utah had and I expect this to impact Deron in a few different ways. I expect Deron will improve his scoring, because he no longer has Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap, and Al Jefferson on his team to pass to, and will thus take more of his own shots. I don’t think his assists will drop that significantly either, mostly because of Brook Lopez. While Lopez’s rebounding has fallen off the map his scoring has gone up a little more and I expect it to climb even further with Deron dishing out assists. I still don’t know why Utah gave up such a star player when he still had 2 years left on his contract, but the Sloan situation and the trade suggest that perhaps something is amiss with the great point guard.

Projection: I think as the season progresses we’ll hear more about the Deron/Sloan situation and I don’t think it will shine a nice light on Deron. However he will continue to put up the stats he always has, and with his ability to stay on the court, owners of Deron Williams have nothing to fear.

Brandon Roy is Playing Without Knees

Brandon Roy returned to the Trail Blazers’ lineup last night and the question now is, what to do with him?

Analysis: If you were unfortunate enough to pick up Roy in this horrible injury plagued season then I really feel for you. He normally puts up reasonable fantasy numbers and doesn’t hurt you in any particular category. In the previous two years Roy has averaged over 20 points per game, 4 boards, and 4 assists, while not hurting you with his percentages. This year has not been good at all, as losing his knees has obviously affected his performance. He is shooting less than 40% on the season, which is horrible even among high shooting guards.To top it off last night’s game was only his 24th appearance of the season, making him less injured than Greg Oden, but not many other players. You can’t ever doubt Roy’s heart, because boy does he play with a lot of passion, but was he really ready to come back? Something seems to be amiss with the Portland training staff, because they just can’t seem to keep their key guys healthy. With their injury history they should attempt to steal the Phoenix Suns training staff who keep an elderly Steve Nash going strong. Brandon Roy is only 26 years old, so hopefully we haven’t seen the last of him, but knees play some importance in this game of basketball.

Projection: Portland has been doing just fine with LaMarcus Aldridge becoming their new go to guy, and I’m not sure why they rushed Roy back. If you can convince one of your league mates to trade for Roy, then do it, but otherwise in most leagues a waiver wire pickup is a better option right now. Roy’s knees aren’t getting any better and besides there will be even less touches going around for Portland with Gerald Wallace joining the club.

Good or Bad Move for Carmelo Anthony?

Carmelo Anthony was traded on Tuesday from Denver to his dream destination of New York City. Will his fantasy stats improve, worsen, or stay somewhat similar?

Analysis: While Carmelo has always been a solid fantasy pickup he has never been a fantasy darling. There is a chance that he will love the New York City spotlight and strive under it. Anthony is known as one of the best scorers in the NBA. Equally important is his reputation as one of the game’s greatest closers. Even Kobe-clutch-blasting Henry Abbott agrees that Carmelo is one of the most clutch scorers in the NBA. When the game is on the line there is nobody better than Carmelo to take that last shot. I believe he takes this skill and runs with it in NYC. Who wouldn’t enjoy bringing back one of the best basketball cities to its former glory days. In his first game with the Knicks Carmelo put up some great numbers with 27 points, 10 boards, and 2 steals. He only shot 40% from the floor and doled out a paltry 1 assist, but he helped the Knicks win the game by, you guessed it, hitting some clutch shots.

Projection: Carmelo now has one of his most talented teammates ever in Amar’e Stoudemire and I believe this will result in improved points, three-pointers, and assists for the remainder of the season. Amar’e demands a double team and when that happens we know who will be open for the three. Expect minor improvements across the board for Carmelo due to this change of scenery.

Wesley Johnson Now Starting

With the recent departure of shooting guard Corey Brewer to the Knicks, Wesley Johnson got thirty-eight minutes of action Tuesday night in a start against the Bucks.

Analysis: I have always seen Johnson as a mini Andre Iguodala in terms of athletic ability and size coming out of Syracuse. Tuesday night Johnson put up Iguodala like numbers. Johnson tallied eight boards, one steal, one block, one three with fourteen points and three assists last night and while he may not dominate in any one category he’s going to stuff a stat sheet. Johnson should continue to hit the thirty minutes per game mark for the rest of the season and the only concern with him should be field goal percentage. Remember, Johnson has shooting guard and small forward eligibility so he can plug into your squad where you need him most.

Projection: If you can live with a field goal percentage in the 40-43 percent range than Wesley Johnson just may be for you. Expect 12-14 points, 1.5-2 threes, at least 1 steal, 5 rebounds and just under 1 block for the remainder of the season from Johnson.

Miami’s Mike Miller Being Shopped For a Big Man?

According to ESPN.com, Miami Heat guard Mike Miller could be on the trading block, as the Heat continue their search for a possible upgrade for their interior game.

Analysis: Sounds like Miller isn’t working out in Miami, at least not well enough to make him more valuable than a new body to throw into the post. LeBron James loves Miller, but with James Jones and Eddie House offering more consistency and the need for a big body very evident, Miller’s days in Miami could be coming to an end.

Projection: Miller has dealt with hand and head injuries most of the season, and hasn’t really made a fantasy impact yet. He could easily regain solid value depending on where he potentially gets traded to. Over 10 points, six rebounds, and four assists per game are still very realistic in the right situation.