fBasketballBlog

Bargnani looked a lot better than this last night. (Bargnani.com)

[Read the full post at DimeMag.com]

Beast of the Night: Andrea Bargnani torched the Knicks with 41 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 steals and 2 threes. He shot 67 percent (16-24) from the field, 78 percent (7-9) from the free-throw line and had just one turnover. He continues to score well, but his rebounding and blocks are down from last season’s marks, as are his minutes, curiously enough.

Lines for Discussion:
Carlos Boozer: 2-6 FG (33%), 4 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 1 TO

Daniel Gibson: 4-16 FG (25%), 4-4 FT (100%), 2 threes, 14 Pts, 8 Reb, 4 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 Blk, 4 TO (continue reading…)

Insert clever Christmas/Santa comment here. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

[Read the full post at DimeMag.com]

Beast of the Night: Luol Deng ruined the Blazers last night, finishing with a career-high 40 points, 3 threes, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. He shot 74 percent (14-19) from the floor and 82 percent (9-11) from the free-throw line. Sell high if you can.

Lines for Discussion:
LaMarcus Aldridge: 12-19 FG (63%), 9-9 FT (100%), 33 Pts, 9 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 Blk

Nicolas Batum: 1-5 FG (20%), 1-2 FT (50%), 3 Pts, 1 Reb (continue reading…)

My list of the top 10 fantasy centers for 2010-11 is now live over at DimeMag.com. (It’s based on nine categories.)

Here’s a preview:

1. Brook Lopez
2. Dwight Howard
3. Al Horford
4. Al Jefferson
5. Nene
6. Andrea Bargnani
7. Marcus Camby
8. Marc Gasol
9. Joakim Noah
10. Chris Kaman

Feel free to comment here or there about the list.

Il Mago ("the magician" in Italian) will have to pull out all his tricks this season as the unquestioned man-of-the-hour in Toronto. (bargnani.com)

Depth chart:
PG: Jose Calderon, Jarrett Jack, Marcus Banks
SG: DeMar DeRozan, Leandro Barbosa
SF: Linas Kleiza, Sonny Weems, Julian Wright
PF: Amir Johnson, Ed Davis, Reggie Evans, Joey Dorsey
C: Andrea Bargnani, David Andersen, Solomon Alabi

Relevant fantasy players and projected draft positions/per-game stats:
Andrea Bargnani – F/C (Rd. 3-4): 20 Pts, 1.5 threes, 7 Reb, 1.5 Blk
Jose Calderon – PG (Rd. 9-11): 11 Pts, 1 three,  6 Ast
Jarrett Jack – G (Rd. 9-11): 13 Pts, 1 three, 5 Ast
Leandro Barbosa – G (Rd. 10-12): 14 Pts, 1.5 threes, 1 Stl
Linas Kleiza – G/F (Rd. 10-12): 12 Pts, 1.5 threes, 4.5 Reb
DeMar DeRozan – G/F (Rd. 10-12): 10 Pts, 1 Stl
Amir Johnson – PF (Rd. 12+): 14 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Blk
Ed Davis – PF (Rd. 13+): 5 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Blk (continue reading…)

Wade is staying in Miami and he'll have a very capable sidekick in Bosh. Will the duo become a trio by Thursday evening? (Keith Allison/Flickr)

Two-thirds of the dream trio that has been the recipient of so much attention this summer have finally decided on their future.

Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh announced today that they plan to sign with the Miami Heat.

From a fantasy standpoint, it’s not all that exciting — yet. It’s too early to jump to concrete conclusions on Wade and Bosh’s values next season, since we don’t know who else will (or will not) sign with their squad. As it stands, the Heat only have Wade, Bosh, Mario Chalmers and Michael Beasley on its payroll. If they fill out that roster with a bunch of minor role players, Wade and Bosh remain fantasy studs, though their stats might take a slight baby step back.

If, however, Wade and Bosh are joined by LeBron James, all three dudes will see their values take a material hit. (continue reading…)