fBasketballBlog

This might make sense if you read this post.

Around this time last year this blog was kicking it with mock drafts and updates about the realm of fantasy basketball. This summer is different, for obvious reasons.

With the lockout in full swing and the fount of NBA news slowed to a muddy trickle by inane updates about which players are “considering” playing overseas, I’ve had more time to keep abreast of non-NBA news. One story that recently caught my eye was about Abercrombie & Fitch paying Michael “The Situation” Sorrentino not to wear its merchandise.

Before I proceed, I’ll admit that I’ve never been drunk enough mustered up enough courage to sit down and watch a single minute of a single episode of “Jersey Shore.” This means my low regard for Mr. Sorrentino is fueled by snippets I’ve seen on TV or read on the Internet, and by his awful delivery.

That said, this news story compelled me to ask myself a question: Which players would I (figuratively) pay to not be on my fantasy basketball team?

Thus, a blog post was born.

Assuming an act of God forced me to miss my next fantasy basketball draft, here are 10 players I’d “pay” to leave my team if the dreaded auto-draft pooped them onto my roster. Following each player’s blurb is a series of “Situations” reflecting how badly I’d want these players off my team. (continue reading…)

In light of the NBA lockout, here's a photo of some salmon. (Flickr/Andrea Pokrzywinski)

Though that horrible “L” word has finally slammed the NBA’s doors shut, fantasy basketball fans can rest assured that this young (and abruptly suspended) offseason has already offered morsels of activity to chew on. Old faces have landed in new places, which means there’s some fantasy analysis to be had.

Here’s a look at how these early-summer trades will impact fantasy basketball once this real-life mess gets sorted out. (continue reading…)

Yep, you should've sold high on Manu. (Elsa/Getty Images)

Game watch:
2 games: ATL, CHA, CHI, DAL, DEN, DET, GS, HOU, IND, LAC, LAL, MIA, MIL, MIN, NJ, NO, PHI, PHO, POR, SAC, SA, UTA
1 game: BOS, CLE, MEM, NY, OKC, ORL, TOR, WAS

Waiver-wire watch:

• Rudy Fernandez: averaging 19.3 points, three three-pointers made, two rebounds, 3.3 assists and two steals in his last four games
• Chuck Hayes: he should really be owned in more leagues by now; good source of rebounds, steals and field-goal percentage
• Tony Allen: good for steals in deeper leagues
• Sasha Vujacic: averaging 16.7 points, 2.7 threes, 2.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists and 1.3 steals in his last three games (continue reading…)

Let's see if Crash and Captain Jack are still smiling once they see how Augustin fares as their starting point guard. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Depth chart:
PG: D.J. Augustin, Shaun Livingston, Sherron Collins
SG: Stephen Jackson, Gerald Henderson, Matt Carroll
SF: Gerald Wallace, Eduardo Najera, Dominic McGuire
PF: Boris Diaw, Tyrus Thomas, Derrick Brown
C: Nazr Mohammed, DeSagana Diop, Kwame Brown

Relevant fantasy players and projected draft positions/per-game stats:
Gerald Wallace - F (Rd. 1-2): 17 Pts, 9.5 Reb, 2.5 Ast, 1.5 Stl, 1 Blk
Stephen Jackson - G/F (Rd. 4-5): 20 Pts, 1.5 threes, 5 Reb, 4.5 Ast, 1.5 Stl
D.J. Augustin - PG (Rd. 8-10): 12 Pts, 1 three, 4.5 Ast
Tyrus Thomas - PF (Rd. 7-9): 11 Pts, 6 Reb, 1 Stl, 1.5 Blk
Boris Diaw - F (Rd. 8-11): 10.5 Pts, 5 Reb, 4.5 Ast
Shaun Livingston - PG (Rd. 13+): 8.5 Pts, 2 Reb, 4 Ast (continue reading…)

You didn't think you'd escape the wrath of Darko, did you? (Jim Mone/AP)

I can hardly bring myself to believe or face the sad, heavy fact that this mock-drafting partnership is finally on its last leg. It’s been a wild ride and the end result is a list of 12 teams that make me feel like everyone from Laurence Fishburne to this guy’s mom.

While part of me is tempted to loosen my belt and indulge the desire in me to cruise through this round (and irritate the hell out of Henry by picking T-Mac), there’s still enough talent at this end of the draft to keep me on my toes. When I got all the way down to No. 156, I found myself having an incredibly difficult time choosing between six or seven players.

It’s also interesting to look at this draft after the big four-team deal that went down a few days ago. Obviously, guys like Troy Murphy and Darren Collison would’ve been picked elsewhere, but that’s a dose of reality for you.

Before the draft goes Kaiser Soze on us, I’d just like to tip my hat to Henry at Weakside Help again for getting this shindig started. It’s been an educational and entertaining venture, and I look forward to reading his retrospection on our draft.

If, by some exceedingly evil reason, you are just joining us, I’ll offer my forgiveness if you catch up with round one, round two, round three, round four, round five, round six, round seven, round eight, round nine, round 10, round 11 and round 12.

Without further ado, I present to you lucky round 13: (continue reading…)