Fantasy NBA 2007

Note: This is an old post from my Multiply site last October 27, 2007.

Hi folks! It is late October again. Oktoberfest is about to end and, ironically, this month has been the month that I have drank the fewest bottles of beer ever since March of this year. I guess there is not much time for booze as I have received a pile of things to do in work (well, when was the last time I was able to relax in work anyway?). As work gets piling up, I have been missing a lot of important blog entries. The UAAP season ended weeks ago with La Salle emerging as champions (yuck!) and I haven’t written a journal entry on how the Blue Eagles fared this season. I should have been writing a gratitude blog entry for them but I guess times have changed and there is no more time for such things at all. Last weeks of October also mean the grand finale of Major League Baseball. My beloved Atlanta Braves did not reach the playoffs this year but I am currently cheering for the Boston Red Sox as they have been my next favorite team in baseball as they are the archrivals of the ‘we’re always loaded of superstars’ New York Yankees. Hmmm… what else have I forgotten? Oh, but of course… when Major League ends, NBA season starts again. Yes, my dear friends. The National Basketball Association season is right around the corner and it will hit the frenzied basketball fans in Manila once again.

The NBA preseason is currently rolling and that means that fantasy NBA leagues are very much alive as players are actively drafting their talented studs, well-researched sleepers and the favorite rookies. It was just last year when I first joined a fantasy NBA league but it kept me addicted to it, thus we have another journal entry devoted for it.

Before I discuss this year’s batch of players that I have, I will have to take a look at my last year’s performance and how it went. For everyone’s information, this was my squad in a ten team head-to-head league:
PG Deron Williams
SG Raymond Felton
G Jason Terry
GF Antawn Jamison
SF Lebron James
PF Andrei Kirilenko
F Mike Dunleavy
FC Yao Ming
C Al Jefferson
UTL Michael Redd
Bench Brevin Knight
Bench Josh Childress
Bench Rudy Gay
Bench Luke Walton
Bench David Lee

Whoa! That’s what you call a powerhouse! All of the players in there are normally drafted in the 10 rounds of 12-team leagues this year with the exception of Mike Dunleavy and Brevin Knight. Deron Williams was the breakout sophomore last year as he was just second to Steve Nash’s league-leading assists. Raymond Felton was below his expectations last year but he was still a great source of assists, steals and threes. The same goes to Jason Terry. Antawn Jamison ended up as the last Wizard stud standing while Lebron James is Lebron James. Andrei Kirilenko was a disappointment from being my 3rd round pick but he was still the consistent shotblocker that he was. Mike Dunleavy was actually a better player when he started wearing a Pacer uniform while Yao Ming is your #1 center as long as he is playing. Al Jefferson was the revelation of the year as he went double-double with considerable blocks despite of just staying in the waiver wire for quite a long time last year. Michael Redd is Milwaukee’s best and he has been my savior in percentages, points, and threes. Brevin Knight was an injured star that I never got to utilize. Childress was Mr. Efficiency but my strong starting lineup hardly paved way for him to play. Rudy Gay was the rising rookie from Memphis and he is expected to explode further this year. Luke Walton was another breakout player last year as he became pivotal for the Lakers. Lastly, we all know that everyone loved David Lee’s consistent double-double stats and nice steals.

Yeah, it was a strong lineup but I did not win the fantasy crown. To think of it, that team was created for the playoffs as all of my stars were available during the playoffs. I started the season leading 8-1 but I actually had a bad ending of 11-9 as the injury plague caught up to me. Just imagine losing Yao, Jamison and Redd during the second half of the season. They were ready for the playoffs but I made one major mistake: I forgot to put Antawn Jamison in the starting lineup despite of staying awake up to 3 AM on the deadline day because I was busy helping my friend in work. Sheesh… girls… they make you lose 2,000 bucks.

But if I were to repeat that scenario again, I would do the same thing. This time, I will make sure that I put back Jamison to the lineup. Think win-win. Always.

So much for the 2006-07 frustration. We are now in the 2007-08 season. It is time to shine. I am a more equipped fantasy player this time around and I won’t be making stupid rookie mistakes like choosing Jason Terry over Rashard Lewis and Raymond Felton over Baron Davis in drafts.

EAO Manila Fantasy League

It is EAO Manila Fantasy League again. I have actually joined in numerous fantasy leagues this year but I would only be discussing this league as it is the only league where I drafted from top to bottom. My other teams in my fantasy leagues were flukes as I got screwed by Yahoo Fantasy Online Draft twice. Having an autopicked team kills 50% of the fun in fantasy.

This year’s EAO Manila Fantasy League has grown more competitive. We have twelve teams now and we have more experienced and intense players joining the cast. Nevertheless, there were still a lot of reaches during the draft. The world is not perfect anyway. We are still using head-to-head league rules but the scoring system this time around is that a category win is a win (last year featured most categories won is a win). The lineups should have 2 C, 2 PF, 2 SF, 2 SG and 2 PG.

Enough of the talk. It is analysis time. By the way, my team is named Ateneo Blue Eagles as I think that Pradohood Basketball is getting a bit overused.

Round 1
1 Team richardatwhann Kevin Garnett - BOS [PF]
2 Joel LeBron James - CLE [SF]
3 Team Pogi Kobe Bryant - LAL [SG]
4 Kings Shawn Marion - PHX [SF, PF]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Gilbert Arenas - WAS [PG]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Steve Nash - PHX [PG]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Tim Duncan - SAS [PF]
8 Team bernz_chua Amare Stoudemire - PHX [C]
9 Boaston Sellticks Dirk Nowitzki - DAL [PF]
10 NikeBoy Jason Kidd - NJN [PG]
11 Celtics #17 Josh Smith - ATL [SF, PF]
12 Team Ko Tracy McGrady - HOU [SG]
Steal of the Round: Dirk Nowitzki at pick # 9. Yes. Dirk at 9th!!! This can kill the credibility of the league. Dirk ended somewhere in top 5 of last year’s fantasy results. Dirk is last year’s NBA Most Valuable Player. Nevertheless, it is still understandable as most experts ranked Dirk at 6th or 7th this year behind Garnett/Kobe/Marion/Arenas/LeBron and he is toe-to-toe with ex-teammate Steve Nash. Nevertheless, Dirk should have been an automatic pick after the top five or six players have gone to their respective owners.
Reach of the Round: Tim Duncan at pick # 7 / Tracy McGrady at pick # 12. We all know Tim is great in basketball. Er, excellent better fits it even though I love to hate him. He can be at the top picks if this year was before 2005 but much has changed and he is already old now. Well, he still delivers but I just don’t think he is 1st round value. His dreaded freethrows further discourage me. T-Mac, on the other hand, is not a Round 1 player. Neither is he a Round 2 player in my books. He’s just 100% reach in this 1st round.
Reason why I picked Arenas: He is in a contract year. He is bound to go as high as top two this year. He is a point guard. He fits my strategy. He is Agent Zero. ‘Nuff said!

Round 2

1 Team Ko Dwyane Wade - MIA [SG]
2 Celtics #17 Pau Gasol - MEM [C]
3 NikeBoy Chris Bosh - TOR [PF]
4 Boaston Sellticks Chris Paul - NOH [PG]
5 Team bernz_chua Kevin Durant - SEA [SG, SF]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Paul Pierce - BOS [SG, SF]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Yao Ming - HOU [C]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Andre Iguodala - PHI [SG, SF]
9 Kings Ray Allen - BOS [SG]
10 Team Pogi Vince Carter - NJN [SG]
11 Joel Dwight Howard - ORL [C]
12 Team richardatwhann Al Jefferson - MIN [PF, C]
Steal of the Round: Yao Ming at pick # 7. Yao is undoubtedly the best center in the league if he is healthy. His sweet freethrows makes him the man. Actually, it was hard for me to decide on the steal of the round as I believe that most players that were drafted were just fine at their respective draft picks. Honorable Mentions: Dwyane Wade (best fantasy player last year before he got injured) and Andre Iguodala (he is good for early 2nd round)
Reach of the Round: Kevin Durant at pick # 5. Kevin Durant normally gets drafted in late third round or fourth rounds of most leagues because he is a rookie. He maybe a sureshot rookie who will be flirting with double-double with considerable steals and blocks as the season progresses but there is just too much risk in taking him at round 2. Nevertheless, Kevin Durant will most likely end somewhere in Round 2 value by the end of the year.
Reason why I picked AI2: My target centers (Gasol, Bosh, Yao) are off the board. I believe that getting Dwight (freethrows = ugh!) and Big Al (most people have forgotten that he was an injury risk before) are reaches for round 2.

Round 3

1 Team richardatwhann Deron Williams - UTA [PG, SG]
2 Joel Carmelo Anthony - DEN [SF]
3 Team Pogi Marcus Camby - DEN [C]
4 Kings Joe Johnson - ATL [SG]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Rashard Lewis - ORL [SF]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Gerald Wallace - CHA [SF, PF]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Chauncey Billups - DET [PG]
8 Team bernz_chua Carlos Boozer - UTA [PF]
9 Boaston Sellticks Caron Butler - WAS [SF]
10 NikeBoy Emeka Okafor - CHA [PF, C]
11 Celtics #17 Tyson Chandler - NOH [C]
12 Team Ko Baron Davis - GSW [PG]
Steal of the Round: Rashard Lewis at pick # 5. How did Rashard reach to that pick, I do not know. He was a top ten player last year. The only problem with him is that his position (SF) is not one of the most sought for. Honorable Mention: Caron Butler. He reached rank # 11 some time last year.
Reach of the Round: Tyson Chandler at pick # 11. It’s too early for this big guy to get drafted. Most leagues have him at round 5 and 6. Nevertheless, it is sweet to have a good C this early.
Reason why I picked Rashard Lewis: He is the steal of the round. Furthermore, I have basically locked up the threes, points, freethrows, and steals with this pick.

Round 4

1 Team Ko Jermaine O'Neal - IND [PF]
2 Celtics #17 Allen Iverson - DEN [PG, SG]
3 NikeBoy Kirk Hinrich - CHI [PG, SG]
4 Boaston Sellticks Michael Redd - MIL [SG, SF]
5 Team bernz_chua Tony Parker - SAS [PG]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Luol Deng - CHI [SF, PF]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Lamar Odom - LAL [PF]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Antawn Jamison - WAS [PF]
9 Kings Kevin Martin - SAC [SG]
10 Team Pogi Mike Bibby - SAC [PG]
11 Joel LaMarcus Aldridge - POR [C]
12 Team richardatwhann Mike Miller - MEM [SF]
Steal of the Round: Michael Redd at pick # 4. That is the second steal for Boaston Sellticks (add the Caron Butler honorable mention award). I can’t understand why Michael Redd ended at round 4 when he can bombard threes, put up great percentages and strengthen your points. I got dissed last year for getting him at round 4 but I know how valuable he is to your team. He does not have the sexy rebounds, assists, steals, blocks but he will surely lift your team on the underrated percentages.
Reach of the Round: LaMarcus Aldridge at pick # 11. We all know that he will deliver now that Oden is out for the season but I think the round 4 pick is still early for the untested sophomore. Again, his position is the most scarce so it might as well compensate for that reach.
Reason why I picked Antawn Jamison: To overkill my threes? Joke! I picked him because he is at his contract year. Furthermore, I need a power forward with my guard lineup. Lastly, I love the Wizards!

Round 5

1 Team richardatwhann Josh Howard - DAL [SF]
2 Joel Rasheed Wallace - DET [PF]
3 Team Pogi Zach Randolph - NYK [PF]
4 Kings David West - NOH [PF]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Raymond Felton - CHA [PG, SG]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Brandon Roy - POR [SG]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Ben Gordon - CHI [SG]
8 Team bernz_chua Andrew Bogut - MIL [C]
9 Boaston Sellticks Mo Williams - MIL [PG, SG]
10 NikeBoy Ron Artest - SAC [SF]
11 Celtics #17 Mehmet Okur - UTA [C]
12 Team Ko Jason Richardson - CHA [SG, SF]
Steal of the Round: Josh Howard at pick # 1. Remember my first question on the Rashard steal? The same goes to Josh. This guy is simply late Round 3 to early Round 4 talent. I was thinking of getting him instead of Jamison as he is beaming with potential from last year’s performance. This guy is bound to rack points, rebounds, steals and blocks. Honorable Mention: Brandon Roy
Reach of the Round: Andrew Bogut at pick # 8. Yes, he was the 1st round pick in the 2005 draft. Nevertheless, he still has a lot to prove this season. He needs more blocks to make him the beast that we all want him to be.
Reason why I picked Raymond Felton: I actually reached a bit in this round. I almost declared Felton as the reach of the round. But I needed a strong backup PG. Gilbert is the best PG in fantasy world but his assists are not that elite. Felton won’t give me Deron Williams or Steve Nash kind of assists but he has the potential to increase his assists number last year. I owned him last year and I know the upside of his assists. He delivered a win to my team in one week last year because of his abnormal double-digit assists (I think it reached 17).

Round 6

1 Team Ko Andrei Kirilenko - UTA [SF]
2 Celtics #17 Ricky Davis - MIA [PG, SG]
3 NikeBoy Leandro Barbosa - PHX [PG, SG]
4 Boaston Sellticks Jason Terry - DAL [PG, SG]
5 Team bernz_chua Corey Maggette - LAC [SF]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Ben Wallace - CHI [C]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Samuel Dalembert - PHI [C]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Andris Biedrins - GSW [C]
9 Kings Brad Miller - SAC [C]
10 Team Pogi Richard Hamilton - DET [SG]
11 Joel T.J. Ford - TOR [PG]
12 Team richardatwhann Andre Miller - PHI [PG]
Steal of the Round: Andrei Kirilenko at pick # 1 / Andre Miller at pick # 12. This is simply too close to call. I still believe that AK47 is a fantasy threat. Andre Miller, on the other hand, is an assist machine. He is too consistent in that department and it made me feel bad that I chose Felton over him the previous round.
Reach of the Round: Jason Terry at pick # 4. This is not a huge reach but we all know that Terry will be coming off the bench this year. That would mean less minutes and less Dirk to pass to.
Reason why I picked Andris Biedrins: I need a center!

Round 7

1 Team richardatwhann Monta Ellis - GSW [PG, SG]
2 Joel David Lee - NYK [PF]
3 Team Pogi Al Harrington - GSW [SF, PF, C]
4 Kings Rafer Alston - HOU [PG]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Danny Granger - IND [SF]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Manu Ginobili - SAS [SG]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Tayshaun Prince - DET [SF]
8 Team bernz_chua Richard Jefferson - NJN [SF]
9 Boaston Sellticks Zydrunas Ilgauskas - CLE [C]
10 NikeBoy Stephen Jackson - GSW [SG, SF, PF]
11 Celtics #17 Boris Diaw - PHX [SF, PF]
12 Team Ko Eddy Curry - NYK [C]
Steal of the Round: Danny Granger at pick # 5 / Manu Ginobili at pick # 6. Close call. Ginobili has the better stat line but he is off the bench. Granger, on the other hand, is set for a breakout year. He can be a mini-Marion with his threes, steals and blocks. Again, it’s all potential.
Reach of the Round: David Lee at pick # 2. We know how efficient David Lee is. We loved that guy from last season but we are still uncertain of his playing time with the Knicks getting Zach Randolph in the power forward position. Nevertheless, Mr. 0.1 second Buzzer Beater is effective even though he is coming off the bench.
Reason why I picked Danny Granger: With the studs out in this round, it is sleeper time. It is time to get some potential. We win fantasy leagues by the sleepers, not by our superstars. It is already a given that we draft KG at Round 1 because of his tested value but Granger has a lot in store for him and would be getting better than his current round value as the season progresses.

Round 8

1 Team Ko Larry Hughes - CLE [PG, SG]
2 Celtics #17 Stephon Marbury - NYK [PG]
3 NikeBoy Chris Kaman - LAC [C]
4 Boaston Sellticks Andrea Bargnani - TOR [SF, PF, C]
5 Team bernz_chua Elton Brand - LAC [PF]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Devin Harris - DAL [PG, SG]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Randy Foye - MIN [PG, SG]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Rajon Rondo - BOS [PG]
9 Kings Andres Nocioni - CHI [SF, PF]
10 Team Pogi Chris Webber - DET [PF, C]
11 Joel Raja Bell - PHX [SG]
12 Team richardatwhann Jameer Nelson - ORL [PG]
Steal of the Round: Stephon Marbury at pick # 2. He is old but he will still deliver. Hopefully. Nevertheless, this decision is still close to call because we are uncertain if he will deliver.
Reach of the Round: Elton Brand at pick # 5. He is a fantasy monster when he is playing but he has a major injury and there is a possibility that he won’t play this year. Getting him at round 8 is not yet a wise choice as your starting lineup is just seven man deep yet. But if he plays at February, he will surely be a big boost to your team. He should be first round value when he is playing.
Reason why I picked Rajon Rondo: Again, potential. I might be crazy for getting the third point guard for my team. I want to stabilize my assists and steals in this regard.

Round 9

1 Team richardatwhann Troy Murphy - IND [PF, C]
2 Joel Chucky Atkins - DEN [PG]
3 Team Pogi Shane Battier - HOU [SF]
4 Kings Sam Cassell - LAC [PG]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Nenad Krstic - NJN [C]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Rudy Gay - MEM [SG]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Shaquille O'Neal - MIA [C]
8 Team bernz_chua Steve Francis - HOU [PG, SG]
9 Boaston Sellticks Kyle Korver - PHI [SF]
10 NikeBoy Peja Stojakovic - NOH [SG]
11 Celtics #17 Cuttino Mobley - LAC [PG, SG]
12 Team Ko Jamal Crawford - NYK [SG]
Steal of the Round: Rudy Gay at pick # 6. I was actually thinking of either getting Granger or Gay at Round 7. I even think that Gay has more potential with the way he played last year but I went for Granger because he got better percentages and he is a less risky player than this sophomore. But still, I do not know how Rudy Gay ended up in Round 9. He is destined for fantasy greatness, baby!
Reach of the Round: Steve Francis at pick # 8. Houston has too many point guards sharing time. Steve Francis was nothing but disappointment last season with just Marbury eating his playing time (I think he was even able to start at SG at times). What less would you expect of him now that he has Rafer Alston and Mike James getting his playing time?
Reason why I picked Nenad Krstic: I need a backup center and I do not want to risk another round due to the quick diminishing value of big men.

Round 10

1 Team Ko Drew Gooden - CLE [PF]
2 Celtics #17 Al Horford - ATL [PF, C]
3 NikeBoy Andrew Bynum - LAL [C]
4 Boaston Sellticks Josh Childress - ATL [SG]
5 Team bernz_chua Justin Williams - SAC [PF, C]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Tyrus Thomas - CHI [SF, PF]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Darko Milicic - MEM [PF]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Charlie Villanueva - MIL [PF]
9 Kings Nick Collison - SEA [C]
10 Team Pogi Jamaal Tinsley - IND [PG]
11 Joel Quentin Richardson - NYK [SG, SF]
12 Team richardatwhann Mike Conley Jr. - MEM [PG, SG]
Steal of the Round: Josh Childress at pick # 4. Atlanta’s lesser Josh is still Mr. Efficiency in my books. He does a little of everything, he has great percentages and he does not even hurt you in any category. He is coming off the bench but hey, this is already Round 10!
Reach of the Round: Justin Williams at pick # 5. I don’t know if he will be producing a lot this year. He is not a starter either. Furthermore, there are lots of other power forwards that are better than him at this point.
Reason why I picked Charlie Villanueva: I was comparing him with Nene Hilario to seal my starting lineup but he won my pick because he had the better freethrow percentage. I don’t want to kill my percentage on another big man again. Although, I think that he was not a good pick either as Yi Jianlian will surely eat his minutes.

Round 11

1 Team richardatwhann Jeff Green - SEA [SF, PF]
2 Joel Zaza Pachulia - ATL [C]
3 Team Pogi Al Thornton - LAC [SF, PF]
4 Kings Chris Wilcox - SEA [PF]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Nene Hilario - DEN [PF]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Anthony Parker - TOR [SG, SF]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Jerry Stackhouse - DAL [SG, SF]
8 Team bernz_chua Jarrett Jack - POR [PG, SG]
9 Boaston Sellticks Corey Brewer - MIN [SF, PF]
10 NikeBoy Brevin Knight - LAC [PG]
11 Celtics #17 Matt Barnes - GSW [SF, PF]
12 Team Ko Mickael Pietrus - GSW [SF]
Steal of the Round: Nene Hilario at pick # 5. After thinking of putting him in my lineup in the previous round and not choosing him, I thought that he will be gone in the next picks. Nene was a blast at the final games of elimination round last year and with Camby being the injury risk that he always was, Nene is gonna grab the boards and swat the shots.
Reach of the Round: None.
Reason why I picked Nene: To undo my Round 10 blooper.

Round 12

1 Team Ko Alonzo Mourning - MIA [C]
2 Celtics #17 Mike Dunleavy - IND [SG]
3 NikeBoy Marco Belinelli - GSW [PG, SG]
4 Boaston Sellticks Jason Williams - MIA [PG]
5 Team bernz_chua Luke Walton - LAL [SF]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Michael Finley - SAS [SG]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Derek Fisher - LAL [PG, SG]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Delonte West - SEA [PG, SG]
9 Kings Marvin Williams - ATL [SF]
10 Team Pogi Jason Kapono - TOR [SF]
11 Joel Daniel Gibson - CLE [PG, SG]
12 Team richardatwhann Brendan Haywood - WAS [C]
Steal of the Round: Mike Dunleavy at pick # 2 / Luke Walton at pick # 5. Everyone hates Dunleavy but he was better as a Pacer than a Warrior last year. Nice sleeper. Luke Walton is also an excellent sleeper this year. As long as Odom plays, Luke becomes better (yeah, he had a breakout year last season when he was playing alongside Lamar Odom). I was hoping of stealing these guys but alas, they were taken already by the time I was about to pick.
Reach of the Round: Alonzo Mourning at pick # 1. He is injured. He is a backup player. He is old.
Reason why I picked Delonte West: He is flexible in PG and SG positions so he can fill up the slot should one of my guards get injured. He is in a guard logjam in Seattle but he is a versatile guard so he can either sub for Durant or for Watson/Ridnour.

Round 13

1 Team richardatwhann Morris Peterson - NOH [SG]
2 Joel Jorge Garbajosa - TOR [SF, PF]
3 Team Pogi Tim Thomas - LAC [SF]
4 Kings Earl Boykins - MIL [PG]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Luis Scola - HOU [SF, PF]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Hedo Turkoglu - ORL [SF]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Sasha Pavlovic - CLE [SG]
8 Team bernz_chua Kenyon Martin - DEN [PF]
9 Boaston Sellticks Grant Hill - PHX [SG]
10 NikeBoy Shareef Abdur-Rahim - SAC [PF, C]
11 Celtics #17 Ruben Patterson - LAC [SF, PF]
12 Team Ko Joakim Noah - CHI [PF, C]
Steal of the Round: Morris Peterson at pick # 1. He was the ‘sleeper that never was’ last year when he was sent to the Raptors bench. He had a promising 2005-06 season and I expect him to have one this year. A healthy Peja would sent defenses away from MoPete so that he can snipe from downtown. Honorable Mention: Grant Hill when he is healthy. He is with Nash and we all know that Nash makes everyone better in his team.
Reach of the Round: Sasha Pavlovic at pick # 7. Contract problems said it all. Not a safe pick at all.
Reason why I picked Luis Scola: Rebounds. Assists from a big guy. Steals. Pretty much suits up for my team. If he gets better, I will soon be putting him in my starting lineup instead of having Charlie V or Nene in PF.

Round 14

1 Team Ko Gerald Green - MIN [SG, SF]
2 Celtics #17 Charlie Bell - MIL [SG, SF]
3 NikeBoy Hakim Warrick - MEM [PF]
4 Boaston Sellticks Walter Herrmann - CHA [SF, PF]
5 Team bernz_chua Yi Jianlian - MIL [PF]
6 Pulang Kalabaw Udonis Haslem - MIA [PF]
7 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Dorell Wright - MIA [SF]
8 Ateneo Blue Eagles Kendrick Perkins - BOS [C]
9 Kings Ryan Gomes - MIN [SF, PF]
10 Team Pogi Eddie Jones - DAL [SG]
11 Joel Earl Watson - SEA [PG]
12 Team richardatwhann Martell Webster - POR [SG]
Steal of the Round: Udonis Haslem at pick # 6. He is going to start and with Shaq being an injury risk every year, he will surely get his boards. I do not know why he ended up undrafted up to this round.
Reach of the Round: None
Reason why I picked Kendrick Perkins: With Nenad having injury concerns, I need a backup center that has sufficient playing time. Boston’s frontline is simply thin and this guy will get his minutes as the Celtics’ starting center. He won’t produce a lot of points but all I just ask from him is to give me rebounds, blocks and to fill up my C slot in case one of my centers go down.

Round 15

1 Team richardatwhann Wally Szczerbiak - SEA [SF]
2 Joel Anderson Varejao - CLE [PF, C]
3 Team Pogi Jose Calderon - TOR [PG]
4 Kings Speedy Claxton - ATL [PG]
5 Ateneo Blue Eagles Channing Frye - POR [SF, PF]
6 WOO's Your Daddy!?! Theo Ratliff - MIN [PF, C]
7 Pulang Kalabaw Tony Allen - BOS [SG]
8 Team bernz_chua Smush Parker - MIA [PG]
9 Boaston Sellticks Kyle Lowry - MEM [PG, SG]
10 NikeBoy Jamaal Magloire - NJN [C]
11 Celtics #17 Chuck Hayes - HOU [PF]
12 Team Ko James Posey - BOS [SF]
Steal of the Round: None. It’s already the 15th round and people are just going to risk their picks but I somehow like some picks. First of all, I like my Frye pick. Frye will get his playing time this year despite of his disappointing season last year. He has a lot of chance to shine in a Greg Oden-less team. The Calderon pick also seemed nice as Jose Calderon was able to rack up huge assists when T.J. Ford got injured. Nonetheless, Toronto will keep Ford at starter thus diminishing Calderon’s fantasy value. Jamaal Magloire is also set for a Mikki Moore kind of year with Kidd making him better. I learned not to trust Wally last season as he rode my injury list for most of the season but taking him at 15th round might give your team a spark plug when you need points, freethrows, and threes. Theo Ratliff is also great despite the fact that he has few years left in him. The big guy is a good source of blocks. Lastly, Smush Parker will get better this year especially when Jason Williams goes down. The Heat will soon build up on Parker’s playmaking abilities. So, watch out for this guy.
Reach of the Round: None. Don’t tell me you need to reach at the last round. All picks are valid but I would like to note some of the risky ones. Anderson Varejao can deliver much earlier round value but he has not yet signed for the Cavs so there are chances that he might not play for NBA at all this season. It is sad to see some potential go from the young man. Speedy Claxton is most of the times unhealthy. He barely scores but he’s got good upsides on assists and steals. Nevertheless, I don’t want to draft this guy this year.
Reason why I picked Channing Frye: For the fourth time in the last five picks, I got a big guy. You may ask me: do you have a contingency plan for your guards who are your greatest strengths? That actually bothers me up to now. I could have picked a PG or a true-blue shooting guard (I don’t have any in my squad). Instead, I got another power forward. The reason for which is, I want flexibility in my frontline so that I could use them whenever I want to adjust against my opponent. Channing gives good percentages to which Scola, Nene and Kendrick cannot provide. I took Scola to improve my strengths. I took Nene for his rebounding and shotblocking capability and I took Perkins because I need a backup center.

That’s it, folks! I ended up with this lineup:
PG Gilbert Arenas
PG Rajon Rondo
SG Raymond Felton
SG Andre Iguodala
SF Rashard Lewis
SF Danny Granger
PF Antawn Jamison
PF Nene Hilario
C Andris Biedrins
C Nenad Krstic
Bench Delonte West
Bench Charlie Villanueva
Bench Luis Scola
Bench Channing Frye
Bench Kendrick Perkins

Studs: Arenas, Iguodala, Lewis, Jamison
Injury Risks: Arenas, Nene, Krstic
*Note: These players are not major injury risks so there’s not much to worry about them.
Untested Players**: Biedrins, Rondo, Granger, and everyone in the bench
** Untested players mean that they are not sureshots in delivering this season. There is a possibility that they would end up as fantasy bench player at the end of the year. Possible reasons are that they are either too young (1st-3rd year) or they are too old that their fantasy relevance will fade into existence. Raymond Felton could have counted in here but he has been reliable for the past two years despite of playing alongside Brevin Knight.

If you will think of it, it is a concentrated guard lineup. My fabulous fantasy squad last year was more roto-friendly as it covered almost all categories except for turnovers. This year features a team that will own the threes, points, assists, freethrow percentage, and steals. There is still a bit of flexibility but none of which that I enjoyed last year. I also have four undroppable players (most in the league – tied with Boaston Sellticks) in my lineup as I hardly reached in the first few rounds. But still, this squad thrives on potential. Will Granger break out? Will Rondo provide me with sufficient assists? Will Felton finally be an elite PG? Will Biedrins have a better season ender this year? Young squad indeed. Lots of room for upside but all are risky as well. Sometimes, it pays to have players like these. I will never forget my Deron Williams pick last year. It was a round 8 pick and look where he is found now? At round 2 or 3 of drafts. Al Jefferson was just hanging in the waiver wire last year and I fortunately got him. Look where he is now? At round 2 or 3 of drafts. As to who the next Deron or Big Al would be this year, I do not know. I just hope one of my prized sleepers will get the crown for me this year.