fBasketballBlog

Carmelo was all smiles at media day, but his real-life drama could have implications for fantasy basketball, too. (Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Depth chart:
PG: Chauncey Billups, Ty Lawson, Anthony Carter
SG: Arron Afflalo, J.R. Smith
SF: Carmelo Anthony
PF: Al Harrington, Shelden Williams, Renaldo Balkman, Kenyon Martin
C: Nene Hilario, Chris Andersen, D.J. Mbenga

Relevant fantasy players and projected draft positions/per-game stats:
Carmelo Anthony – SF (Rd. 2): 29 Pts, 1 three, 7 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl
Chauncey Billups – PG (Rd. 2-3): 17 Pts, 2 threes, 3 Reb, 6 Ast, 1 Stl
Nene Hilario – F/C (Rd. 3-4): 15 Pts, 8 Reb, 2 Ast, 1.5 Stl, 1 Blk
J.R. Smith – G/F (Rd. 8-10): 14 Pts, 2 threes, 3.5 Reb, 2.5 Ast, 1.5 Stl
Al Harringston – F/C (Rd. 8-10):  15.5 Pts, 2 threes, 6 Reb, 1 Stl
Chris Andersen – F/C (Rd. 12+): 6 Pts, 7 Reb, 2.5  Blk
Ty Lawson – PG (Rd. 13+): 9 Pts, 4 Ast, 1 Stl
Arron Afflalo – SG (Rd. 13+): 8 Pts, 1 three, 3 Reb
Shelden Williams – PF (Rd. 13+): 4 Pts, 4 Reb

Sleeper:
Andersen

Most likely to surprise:
Harrington

Most likely to disappoint:
Anthony

Category specialists:

• Threes: Smith, Harrington
• Steals: Smith
• Blocks: Andersen

Things to watch:

• Melo‘s situation
• how long it takes for Martin to return, and how much Nene, Harrington and Andersen benefit from his absence
• how much Billups‘ decrease in playing time affects his numbers

Team’s statistical NBA ranks from 2009-10:

• Pts: 3rd
• FGM: T12th
• FGA: 17th
• FG%: 10th
• FT%: 9th
• 3PTM: 12th
• Reb: 20th
• Ast: T17th
• TO: T11th
• Stl: 3rd
• Blk: T11th

Fantasy-friendliness for 2010-11: B+