fBasketballBlog

Don't be deceived -- this awkward-looking dude is one of the best big men in fantasy basketball. (zugaldia/Flickr)

Depth chart:
PG: Derek Fisher, Steve Blake
SG: Kobe Bryant, Shannon Brown, Sasha Vujacic
SF: Ron Artest, Matt Barnes, Devin Ebanks, Luke Walton
PF: Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derrick Caracter
C: Andrew Bynum, Theo Ratliff

Relevant fantasy players and projected draft positions/per-game stats:
Kobe Bryant – SG (Rd. 1): 26 Pts, 1.5 threes, 5 Reb, 5 Ast, 1.5 Stl
Pau Gasol – F/C (Rd. 1): 19.5 Pts, 12 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 2 Blk
Andrew Bynum – C (Rd. 6-9): 13 Pts, 7.5 Reb, 1.5 Blk
Lamar Odom – F (Rd. 7-10):  12 Pts, 9.5 Reb, 3 Ast, 1 Stl, 1 Blk
Ron Artest – G/F (Rd. 11-12): 10.5 Pts, 1.5 threes, 4.5 Reb, 3 Ast, 1.5 Stl
Steve Blake – G (Rd. 13+):  6 Pts, 1 three, 4 Ast, 1 Stl
Matt Barnes – G/F (Rd. 13+): 6 Pts, 1 three, 3 Reb
Derek Fisher – PG (Rd. 13+): 6.5 Pts, 1 three, 1 Stl (continue reading…)

Who better to organize a flash mob than Ron-Ron? (Noel Vasquez/Getty Images)

From the looks of it, there’s enough interest to organize the fantasy basketball version of a flash mob, otherwise known as a mock draft. Mark your calendars:

Who: You

What: A fantasy basketball mock draft (H2H, nine categories, 12 teams, 14 rounds)

When: The evening of Thursday, Aug. 26 (around 7 p.m. EDT — exact time to be announced closer to the day when I know what time slots are available)

Where: Mock Draft Central (sign up for a free account; no, I do not get paid for this referral, but yes, I should)

Why: To get our fantasy basketball juices flowing during the suffocating desert that is the offseason

If you can’t make this one, don’t worry — we’ll organize at least one more before the season tips off. Ask any questions you might have in the comments section below, or reach me on Twitter: @fbasketballblog

If you don't recognize this dude, it's time to start learning the name "Mario Chalmers." You'll be seeing him a lot on TV this season. (Keith Allison/Flickr)

The pickings are getting slimmer than than Fatboy — or Shady — or Carlos. (Ouch, 0-for-3.)

I’m already getting teary over the fact that we’re nearing the end of this delightful mocking adventure but there’s still work to be done, so let’s truck on, friends.

Concerning Luol Deng vs. Rashard “the hack” Lewis, it appears that things have nearly evened out. Regardless of the outcome, I’m glad Henry and I will have this trifling scuffle to keep track of throughout the season.

We’re not working with all that much in these parts, but what we have are a bunch of players who, like Henry said in round 10, have shots at making some serious comebacks. The rest of the picks basically force you to choose between the known and the unknown. The risks are certainly mitigated down in the last three rounds, but a steal down here will draw the ire and admiration of your opponents.

For you naughty ones who have to catch up, here are round one, round two, round three, round four, round five, round six, round seven, round eight, round nine and round 10.

Now, onward to the almighty round 11: (continue reading…)

Artest has been decent lately but that'll change soon enough. (Evan Gole/NBAE via Getty Images)

Buy Low:
Chris Paul

Ben Gordon

Kevin Martin, Andrew Bynum, Andrei Kirilenko and any other productive fantasy players who are injured (continue reading…)

Lamar Odom signed a four-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers yesterday for up to $33 million, “if the Lakers exercise their option on the fourth season,” according to ESPN.com.  (This is within my expectations expressed in an earlier post.)

Odom re-signed with the Lakers, where he'll round out a deep frontcourt. (Flickr/Keith Allison)

This isn’t a huge surprise, though Odom had been courted by the Miami Heat and the Portland Trail Blazers.  Dwyane Wade, the Heat’s star guard, had been pulling for Odom to return “home,” but expressed happiness for Odom on his Twitter.

For the Lakers, this solidifies their position as the front-runner in the Western Conference.  While losing Trevor Ariza was a big hit, signing Ron Artest was a solid move and the re-signing of Odom gives them a dynamic frontcourt.

Odom will likely see his fantasy value remain about where it was last year, when he averaged 11.4 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.0 steal and 1.3 blocks in 29:41 per outing, the fewest per-game minutes he’s seen in his career.  Artest’s presence will keep Odom’s value muted, though it shouldn’t cause it to drop much, if at all.

He’s no one to scoff at, but keep your expectations for Odom in line with last season.  If Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol or Artest go down with an injury, look for Odom to take advantage of the extra playing time.