fBasketballBlog

The Manimal will be the Nugget to watch this season. (Garrett W. Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Depth chart:

Relevant fantasy players and their projected draft round (PDR) and per-game stats:

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…)

Don't worry: KD is in full control of his fantasy value. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

Beast of the Night: Kevin Durant finished his big night with 29 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, one steal, four blocks and three three-pointers. He shot 65 percent (11-17) from the field, 67 percent (4-6) from the free-throw line and had three turnovers. This was his third consecutive double-double. After a “slow” start, Durant is back on track, notching more rebounds, assist and blocks than he did last season, while shooting an improved 49 percent (up from 46 percent last season) from the floor.

Lines for Discussion:
Danny Granger: 9-16 FG (56%), 3-3 FT (100%), 3 threes, 24 Pts, 5 Reb, 2 Ast, 2 TO; his points, rebounds, assists, three-pointers made, field-goal percentage and free-throw percentage are all down from their marks last season

DeMarcus Cousins: 6-11 FG (55%), 9-11 FT (82%), 21 Pts, 19 Reb, 1 Stl, 1 Blk, 5 TO; his assists-to-turnovers ratio (0.6:3.3) is laughable, but he’s averaging 15.5 points, 11.0 boards, 1.2 steals and 1.7 blocks, good for top 60 value

Tyreke Evans: 7-22 FG (32%), 14-14 FT (100%), 1 three, 29 Pts, 7 Reb, 3 Ast, 2 Stl, 1 TO; weak FG%, 3PTM and fewer assists per game than last season hamper his fantasy appeal (continue reading…)

Mr. Anderson is a top 10 fantasy basketball player so far this season. (Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

The “buy, sell, hold” ratings should be approximately interpreted as follows:

• Buy: the player is a solid trade target because his value is underappreciated yet reliable, or because he’s in a slump
• Hold: if you own the player, try to hold onto him, either because he’ll maintain solid value or to see how his value stabilizes before dealing him away; if you don’t own the player, wait until his stock drops a bit or until his uncertain value is clearer before trying to get him in a trade
• Sell: don’t believe the player’s recent production and sell high if you own him

With that, here’s the stock watch for Week 2: (continue reading…)

If Wall's supposedly improved shot makes its way onto NBA courts, his fantasy value will surge. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

Depth chart:
PG: John Wall, Shelvin Mack, Mustafa Shakur*
SG: Nick Young**, Jordan Crawford, Othyus Jeffers**
SF: Rashard Lewis, Jan Vesely, Chris Singleton, Josh Howard*, Larry Owens**, Maurice Evans*
PF: Andray Blatche, Trevor Booker, Yi Jianlian*
C: JaVale McGee, Kevin Seraphin, Hamady N’diaye**

* unrestricted free agent
** restricted free agent (continue reading…)