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Lowry has been much, much better than advertised. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)

Weekend Wonder: Kyle Lowry averaged 29.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, 9.0 assists, 1.5 steals and 3.0 threes in two games over the weekend. He shot 49 percent from the field and 92 percent from the free-throw line in that stretch. For the season, Lowry has maintained top three fantasy value, far exceeding even the loftiest expectations. Don’t be too surprised if he finished the 2011-12 NBA season with top 15 overall value.

Lines for Discussion:
Samuel Dalembert (1/13): 9-11 FG (82%), 3-4 FT (75%), 21 Pts, 16 Reb, 1 Stl, 4 Blk, 1 TO; since starting for the Rockets, Dalembert has averaged 8.2 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.2 steals and 1.8 blocks per game, while shooting 61 percent from the floor and 88 percent from the free-throw line — top 20 digits

MarShon Brooks (1/13): 8-15 FG (53%), 2-3 FT (67%), 2 threes, 20 Pts, 5 Reb, 1 Ast, 3 Stl, 1 Blk, 2 TO; owners should feel good about starting Brooks while he’s hot

Ricky Rubio (1/14): 7-15 FG (47%), 2-2 FT (100%), 2 threes, 18 Pts, 4 Reb, 12 Ast, 5 Stl, 4 TO; he’s finally starting (continue reading…)

What can Melo say? He loves that Knicks offense. (Christopher Pasatieri/Getty Images)

Beast of the Night: Carmelo Anthony kicked off the 2011-12 NBA season in a big way, finishing Christmas Day with 37 points, eight rebounds, three assists, two steals, a block and four threes. He shot 59 percent (10-17) from the floor, hit 87 percent (13-15) of his free throws and had five turnovers. Melo clearly thrives in that Knicks offense and will prove himself worthy of a first-round pick this season.

Lines for Discussion:
Rajon Rondo: 11-19 FG (58%), 9-12 FT (75%), 31 Pts, 5 Reb, 13 Ast, 5 Stl, 5 TO; showed plenty of aggression and didn’t hesitate to take open jumpers

Tyson Chandler: 1-2 FG (50%), 5-8 FT (63%), 7 Pts, 3 Reb, 2 Ast, 6 Blk; six blocks is nice, but just three rebounds against that Celtics frontcourt?

Amar’e Stoudemire: 8-11 FG (73%), 3-4 FT (75%), 2 threes, 21 Pts, 6 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 Stl, 2 Blk, 1 TO; keep those threes comin’ (continue reading…)

Yep, this will be fun. (Noah Graham/NBAE/Getty Images)

The 2011-12 NBA season is finally within reach, ready to be ripped open by the childishly eager fingers of ravenous fans. For fantasy basketball owners, the joy comes with a bit of business. Once they cut through the excitement of seeing the first tip-off of the season, they’ll immediately wonder how their draft picks will pay off, what clues they can pick up in the early going and which players sitting in the free-agent pool might be worth a pickup.

While making heavy-handed conclusions after just the first day of games isn’t recommended, it doesn’t hurt to have a list of things to watch and hope for during the first official day of this unique NBA season. Below is a Christmas Day wish list for fantasy basketball owners who have players participating in the first day’s games. (continue reading…)

With Wilson Chandler and his nasty teeth away in China, it's time for Lee to reassert himself as a fantasy force. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

Depth chart:
PG: Stephen Curry, Jeremy Lin, Charles Jenkins, Acie Law*^
SG: Monta Ellis, Klay Thompson, Charlie Bell
SF: Dorell Wright, Reggie Williams**, Al Thornton*
PF: David Lee, Louis Amundson, Vladimir Radmanovic*
C: Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh, Jeremy Tyler

* unrestricted free agent
** restricted free agent
^ locked into overseas contract with no opt-out clause (continue reading…)

'Melo's got his fantasy owners doing a lot of this lately. (Chris Trotman/Getty Images)

Weekend Wonder: Carmelo Anthony averaged 29.5 points, nine rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals, two blocks and four threes in two games over the weekend. He shot 44 percent from the field and 85 percent from the foul line in that stretch. In the last 30 days, Anthony has put up top-three averages.

Lines for Discussion:
Jrue Holiday (4/8): 3-11 FG (27%), 7-7 FT (100%), 13 Pts, 4 Reb, 11 Ast, 4 Stl, 1 Blk, 5 TO

J.J. Hickson (4/8): 11-20 FG (55%), 0-3 FT (0%), 22 Pts, 15 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 4 TO (continue reading…)