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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 1, Pick 2
Posted by Ron Chow Categories: H2H, Props, Roto, Southwest Division, Dallas Mavericks,
Round 1 Pick 2: Dirk Nowitzki
Now the real draft can begin. James is a no-brainer for a 1st overall pick regardless of league type (Roto or H2H), however, the 2nd pick is not as easy. There are many options I could go with - KG, Wade, Kobe or the Matrix. Like the 2003 NBA draft, I will make the 2nd pick from overseas but he is no Darko - Dirk Nowitzki.
I love the passion and leadership he displayed in the past NBA Finals. Losing four games in a row to the Heat after winning the first two games is tough. He got a taste of the Finals and I think this will translate into a hungrier Dirk this season.
Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 1, Pick 2
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
DETROIT TIGERS
Placido Polanco was placed on the 15-day DL and could miss the rest of the season with a separated shoulder. Omar Infante steps in as the starting second baseman. Still just 24 years old, Infante has the potential to be a power/speed type player. With a G/F ratio of .66 last year and .81 this season, he hits a lot of fly balls. A problem is that his power is still developing and he plays half his games in a stadium that suppresses right-handed batting power by 15%, so many of those fly balls are falling for outs. Another problem is that with his free-swinging ways and increased playing time, his batting average of .264 will take a hit. He needs to show improvement in his 78% contact rate and .19 batting eye.
Magglio Ordonez’s power has gone AWOL since the All-Star break. After hitting 16 home runs in the first-half of the season, he has gone homerless in 112 post-break AB. Playing half his games in Coamerica Park and with a G/F ratio of 1.21, the first-half power was over his head. He is obviously not as powerless as his second-half numbers show, but don’t expect the home runs to start flying out like they did earlier in the season.
Mike Maroth has not looked good in his two rehab starts, allowing 7 runs in 8 innings. In nine major league starts this year, Maroth has a 5-2 record, with a 3.56, despite having an underwhelming K/9 of 4.2 and G/F of 1.16. He will only get a shot in the rotation if Zach Miner falters or if Justin Verlander’s arm gives him more trouble.
Curtis Granderson is having a rough August, batting just .174. A troubling sign is the erosion of his plate patience and contact rate. From April to June his batting eye was .51 and contact rate was 79%. From July to the present, his batting eye is .24 and contact rate is 69%. He is still a young hitter so it could be that he is pressing because of a slump or it could be that major league pitchers are catching up with him. Either way, if he continues to struggle, he will lose playing time in a crowded Detroit outfield.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 1, Pick 1
Posted by Scott Sargent Categories: Editorial, H2H, Props, Roto, Talent, Cleveland Cavaliers,
Leading up to the start of the 2006-2007 NBA season, Dropping Dimes will be providing fantasy basketball owners with a daily draft blog. The premise for this draft will be for a standard nine-category scoring league, starting the following positions: PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, Util, Util.
Each owner will be supporting their selections individually, allowing readers to digest statistics and facts, with their own splash of opinion.
Check back daily to see the next player taken!
Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 1, Pick 1
Playing the Percentages - Field Goal
Posted by Ron Chow Categories: Disses, H2H, Props, New York Knicks, Cleveland Cavaliers, Indiana Pacers, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, San Antonio Spurs, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers,
Percentages. What was today’s stock price increase/decrease? How did you do on your math test? You are within the top percentage in your department in sales. Your company has met the percentage goal of their yearly targets. Where are you with the books? What are my chances of winning this poker hand? What are my chances with the blonde at the end of the bar? We are a society driven by percentages.
In fantasy basketball, the emphasis on the percentages has taken a back seat to the flashier stats like points, rebounds and assists. Depending on how your Roto or H2H league is set-up, the percentages could be the difference from being a champ or a chump.
In a mini-series of articles, I will discuss the following percentages; Field Goal, Free Throw and 3 Point. I am a big believer in picking the best player in the draft, however, if you were to decide between Player A vs. Player B and both players have similar stats, I will strongly consider the player that will help improve my team’s percentages. (Percentages used for this article are referenced from the ‘05-‘06 regular season.)
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>“This is 10% luck, 20% skill. 15% concentrated power of will. 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and 100% reason to remember the name.” Lyrics to “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
Every drafted player strives to make a name for themselves. It takes concentrated effort and sacrifice; sometimes we see results right away. Other times a player is still trying to learn the ropes a couple of years into their career. In basketball, finding these young and rising stars just before they hit the big time is a vital edge in bringing home the fantasy glory. Welcome to the first edition of a new feature here on Dropping Dimes. In “3-2-1 Impact,” comparisons between a third year player, a second year player and a rookie are forged. Fantasy impact takes the spotlight. Hopefully by season’s end, your league mates will have all the reason to remember your name…because it will be engraved in gold on your trophy!
For more, click here to go this special article to EndScore from Dropping Dimes.
3-2-1 Impact: Dwight Howard, Charlie Villanueva and LaMarcus Aldridge
Posted by Alvin Lai Categories: H2H, NBA Draft, Props, Rookies, Talent, Milwaukee Bucks, Orlando Magic, Portland Trailblazers,
>“This is 10% luck, 20% skill. 15% concentrated power of will. 5% pleasure, 50% pain, and 100% reason to remember the name.” Lyrics to “Remember the Name” by Fort Minor
Every drafted player strives to make a name for themselves. It takes concentrated effort and sacrifice; sometimes we see results right away. Other times a player is still trying to learn the ropes a couple of years into their career. In basketball, finding these young and rising stars just before they hit the big time is a vital edge in bringing home the fantasy glory. Welcome to the first edition of a new feature here on Dropping Dimes. In “3-2-1 Impact,” comparisons between a third year player, a second year player and a rookie are forged. Fantasy impact takes the spotlight. Hopefully by season’s end, your league mates will have all the reason to remember your name…because it will be engraved in gold on your trophy!
Click to continue reading 3-2-1 Impact: Dwight Howard, Charlie Villanueva and LaMarcus Aldridge
As we get deeper into August fantasy football becomes the number one conversation point for men between the ages of 22 and 45… or maybe just all men I know between the ages of 22 to 45. I’ll be taking an in-depth look at some of the more unique angles to the upcoming fantasy football season.
A solid, dependable young running back is gold on a fantasy football roster. This is twice as true if you are playing in a keeper league. Drafting for the future at running back often results in paying a high cost with an early round draft pick. Rookies with very high expectations traditionally seems to fall in the second or third round, and rookies with high promise will tend to be drafted in rounds 4-8. This is a large cost to pay for a player who is new to the increased level of competition as well as the system they will be playing in. However, with great risk comes the potential for great reward.
The class of 2005 turned out to be one of the more solid classes in recent memory. Granted there were surprises and disappointments and a couple of players who haven’t yet had adequate playing timeJJ. In terms of potential value this upcoming season most experts have pegged the top 5 second year backs in the following order:
- Ronnie Brown
- Cadillac Williams
- Ced Benson
- JJ Arrington
- Marion Barber
This begs the question: how valuable will Reggie Bush be this year, and next?
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
NEW YORK YANKEES
Jaret Wright has not lasted more than 6 innings in any of his 21 starts this year. However, he has gone at least 5 innings in 18 of those starts. His underlying stats are pedestrian, a K/9 of 5,4, a BB/9 of 3.4, and a G/F ratio of 0.98. But pitching for major league’s third best offense, he has stuck around long enough to get 9 wins. This makes him a decent bet for those chasing wins without doing too much damage to your ERA or WHIP.
With a little more bullpen support, Randy Johnson’s ERA could be at least a full run lower. He has consistently been good for 5 to 7 innings per start and has a powerful Yankee offense behind him. Use him with confidence the rest of the way.
Carl Pavano finally threw in a minor league rehab game, allowing 3 runs in 2.2 innings against Single-A competition. He is due to make five to six more rehab starts before the Yankees activate him. Don’t count on him for any help this season.
Gary Sheffield took groundballs at first base and is hoping for an early September return, though mid-September seems more realistic. Hideki Matsui has yet to be cleared to take batting practice. It is looking like a mid-September return at the earliest for him.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
The Video Game Cover Jinx
Posted by Alvin Lai Categories: Injuries, Rumors, Site Features, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves,
As long as there have been sports, there have been superstitions fueled by athletes and their fans. People follow any trend, pattern or action that might avoid putting a dreaded jinx on their beloved team. Now that video games have been part of popular culture for more than two decades, accusations of being a jinx are no longer confined to long-time institutions such as Sports Illustrated.
EA Sports has been the front-runner in sports games for a long time. With games that include “Madden” and “Tiger Woods PGA Tour,” their line-up is as all-star as the athletes that land on their covers. Fantasy basketball remains behind football and baseball in worldwide popularity, but those that play the hoops version are loyal and fiercely into the sport. The “Madden curse” for football has been “involved” in ruining many fantasy football seasons.
Does the idea of a cover jinx hold any water for “NBA Live,” EA Sports’ basketball brand?
Click to continue reading The Video Game Cover Jinx
Fantasy Football Magazine Review: Fantasy Football Weekly 2006 Annual Guide
Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, NFL,
Hey fantasy football winners I hope you haven’t drafted your team yet—because there’s still plenty of pre-season to go before you get serious about committing to your 2006 roster. To help you with your draft day the football intelligentsia produces a bewildering array of magazines to choose from – but which is right for you? This series of articles is intended to help.
We’ve included a summary of the magazine’s content, speculation on it’s intended audience and even counted the number of sexy ads in each one (in case that’s a factor in your decision – one way or another.) Ultimately I hope that the guide you choose is the right one for you. Today we take a look at Fantasy Football Weekly 2006 Annual Guide.
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