KG, are you pumped for the new season? I bet you are. I bet we all are. Leave the trick or treating to the kids, because there is a double-header to start the 2006-07 season on October 31st!

Ron and I started as a writing tag team. He has been busy dialing in on all the pre-season injuries that have been happening. Me? I have been a bit swamped with other things, but certainly I have hoops on the brain. We are going to go back to our collaborating roots, and quickly look at what is topical as we all head into the new year. 10 random questions, and our two cents, uh, make that 10 cents on the subject.

The pre-season is about new beginnings and hope. News items and team issues will develop once the season starts. For now, Ron and I looked at some of the fantasy talk going on around town and on the net.

1. There was talk of KG working on his three-point shot. Yes or no, does he drain more than 50 moneyballs this year?

Ron: No. maybe 40 or about half a game. If KG’s shooting 3’s who’s hitting the boards? Mark Blount?

Al: I prefer him staying in the block too. With Mike James and Ricky Davis on the perimeter, there is no need for KG to channel Raef Lafrentz. Even though more treys would make fantasy owners happy, he is still easily a top pick without the long distance shots.

2. We were criticized for this in our pre-season rankings so let’s look at it again. Fantasy purposes only…Tayshaun Prince or Adam Morrison?

Ron: Tayshaun. I’ll talk the jack of all trades instead of the guy jacking up shots.

Al: For the record, Ron ranked Tayshaun #17 and Morrison #22 among small forwards in our pre-season rankings and I had Morrison #18 and Prince #19. When we averaged out our staff rankings, they actually tied (average ranking of 19.50). I listed Morrison first in the article (alphabetical order) and got ripped for it. Here’s how I would break it down…Morrison has a chance to lead his team in scoring. Tayshaun barely has had a chance to get 10 shots a game. That potential is what makes us play the fantasy game. We will know soon enough how the ‘Stache looks in the pro game.

3. Who plays more games this year, Baron Davis or Allen Iverson?

Ron: Oohh. Maybe Iverson. There was all that trade talk in the summer. He was disrespected. If he gets banged up, I wouldn’t blame him if he sucked out and sat out. Baron finally has a coach to teach him and hold his respect.

Al: Some would advise you to avoid players like this at all cost. That might be the safe way to play, but do you play only high pairs in poker? Sometimes you have to bet big to win big. I hope they both do well this year. Until Baron posts 70 games played again, I would answer with The Answer.

4. Who plays more games this year, Andrei Kirilenko or Amare Stoudemire?

Ron: More road games or home games? Because on the road AK-47 can cheat once a year!

Al: That news tidbit will never die down. Reports have not been uplifting on either of them, but I would go with Kirilenko as well.

5. Chris Webber…60 games…over or under this year?

Ron: Under. You can play one-legged for only so long.

Al: We both give him props for his really good season last year. But if you gambled him in anything earlier than the fifth round, the rest of your team better be pillars of health.

6. Sebastian Telfair, Delonte West and Rajon Rondo. The next 10 years. Dynasty league. Who do you take?

Ron: Rondo. For this year though? We’ll know soon enough.

Al: The Celtics back-court has been a tough one to figure during the pre-season. That team still has Wally and the Truth available to slide into the two-spot if necessary. Telfair has already had a few years in the league. Based on what I have seen of Rondo during the pre-season against the Raptors, and the “fire” in his eyes for the game, I would go with Rondo too.

7. Agree or disagree…Dwight Howard will be a top 15 fantasy player this year.

Ron: Agree, if he hits his free throws like in pre-season (close to 70%).

Al: For me, he’d have to top 20 ppg too. I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays himself into the first round of fantasy drafts…for next year. Lately as much as I like the guy the hype machine has been too much.

8. True or false…Pau Gasol will come back to be a fantasy factor later this year.

Ron: You can hide him in a roto league. In head-to-head, he is worth a flier if you build up an early lead and can afford to stash him away.

Al: A big man and a foot problem is not a scenario that turns out well very often. He could be “cavalry” pick as Dennis called him, but it’s a long wait.

9. Over/under. The Toronto Raptors and 35 wins.

Ron: Over. And the playoffs? Yes.

Al: Over. No games have been played yet for real. Why wouldn’t hometown fans be optimistic?

10. Is Jamaal Magloire a fantasy factor in Portland this year?

Ron: Only if you need a 20 minute a game center.

Al: He is playing for a contract next year, but don’t think he will get much opportunity. He’s still good for 5-6 rebs and a block or two a game if you need that from a waiver wire pick during the year.

Enjoy the season! Peace.