The Fig Cap: “You have something in your eye. Let me help you out.”

Now that the All-Star Festivities are in the books, it is time for the NBA to start the unofficial second half of the season. For Fantasy Nation it is the push for the playoffs, you are either making the last ditch attempt to make the playoffs or improving you current positioning. The NBA’s first night of action after the break was busy with 10 match-ups for the fantasy junkies to salivate. Shall we begin?

Kevin Garnett plays his heart out for the Timberwolves and last night he doubled up with 26 points, 13 rebounds and 2 blocks. Look who showed up last night, Ricky Davis brought gifts of 24 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 treys to fantasy owners. Thought Mike James was done? James is still hanging around the fantasy scene with 20 points and 2 assists last night.

Gilbert Arenas cold shooting in the second round of the three-point contest carried over to last night with his 1-8 performance from beyond the arc. Agent 0 still managed to produce 38 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. DeShawn Stevenson was the substitute for Caron Butler as the second highest scorer for the Wizards last night with a nice line of 23 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Hold off on running over to the computer to pick DeShawn up from waivers. Caron Butler had 15 points, 4 rebounds and 2 assists last night. 

Do you think Tyson Chandler likes playing for the Hornets? Last night Chandler was a monster with 20 rebounds, 16 points and 2 blocks. Chris Paul was clicking with 20 points, 3 rebounds and 7 assists.

Not to be outdone on the other end of the court, Chandler’s counterpart, Emeka Okafor was stellar with 16 points, 15 rebounds and 5 swats. Gerald Wallace was G-Money last night with 21 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Do you get the feeling it’s time for a Gerald Wallace injury? Time to sell high. Raymond Felton was the Lone Ranger manning the point and doubled up with 21 points and 11 assists. Felton’s running mate or Tonto, Brevin Knight was out last night sore abdominal/groin.

Dwight Howard was robbed with his second dunk in the dunk contest! The infamous sticker dunk was ridiculous?! Howard took his vengeance on the court and stuffed the box score for fantasy owners, 27 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals and 3 blocks. Stay mad Howard! Grant Hill made his return from a right knee sprain and had 5 points and 2 rebounds. It will be interesting how Hill’s return will affect Hedo Turkoglu’s fantasy value. The Turkish delight last night had 14 points, 6 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 treys.

Coach Thomas can you please start David Lee?! David Lee did get 35 minutes off the bench and went off for 14 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks. Lee’s only blemish was his 7 turnovers. Stephon Marbury matched Lee’s 14 points but had 3 rebounds and 4 assists. Eddie Curry and Jamal Crawford both scored 20 points.

Hail Redd! Michael Redd owners are rejoicing with his return from his knee injury. Redd return performance was not bad with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Once Redd gets back into shape, you can expect him scoring closer to his season average of 27 points. Charlie Bell was the Bucks leading scorer last night with 22 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists. It will be interesting if Bell will stick as the starting SG and Redd stay as the SF. Ruben Patterson is hanging around the fantasy scene with his 18 points and 4 rebound effort.

Rasheed Wallace had a nice line of 16 points, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks and 2 treys. Chauncey Billups finished with 19 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Billups’ backcourt partner, Richard Hamilton had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. Watch out, Antonio McDyess came off the bench with 15 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks.

The Denver and San Antonio game was over after the third quarter. The Spurs were leading 79-48 after the third and many of the Spurs starters were kicking back with margaritas on bench in the forth. The numbers of the Spurs’ Big 3 were stunted last night. Tim Duncan had 12 points and 6 rebounds. Tony Parker’s numbers were 17 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists. Manu Ginobili still managed 14 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson show is not selling out to the fantasy world. Carmelo had a ho-hum game with 15 points and 8 rebounds. Iverson was blah with his 9 points, 3 rebounds and 5 assists effort. Hopefully we can chalk up the bad performances to the stifling Spurs defense.

Speaking of blah performances, Joe Johnson had a cold night going 2-12 from the field last night. Johnson finished the night with 9 points, 1 rebound and 2 assists. Ewww. Josh Smith had an off night as well with 11 points and 8 rebounds but the 3 blocks were nice. Josh Childress was the leading scorer for the Hawks with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists.

Choo! Choo! The Luol Deng Express keeps chugging. Deng had 16 points and 6 rebounds and 2 assists last night. Kirk Hinrich has a nice scoring game with 16 points but only had 1 assist. Where are the assists? Chris Duhon was the distributor and the high scorer for the Bulls last night with 17 points and 7 assists. Keep Duhon on your watch lists. Ben Wallace had a typical line of 14 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks and 4 points. If only Wallace had a post game or a jump shoot.

Is there any doubt that Paul Pierce is the heart and soul of the Celtics? Pierce was great last night with 26 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Delonte West is buoyed by Pierce’s presence going 5-8 from beyond the arc finishing the night with 23 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists. Al Jefferson doubled up with 15 points and 15 rebounds and should put to rest any doubts that he can still have fantasy value with Pierce back in the lineup.

Who’s going to be traded by the NBA trade deadline, Ron Artest or Mike Bibby? Artest definitely is improving his value with his 18 points, 8 rebound, 3 assists, 4 steals and 2 block performance last night. Bibby on the other hand is dumping his value like Britney Spears (maybe not that bad) with his 10 points, 2 rebound and 3 assists night. Welcome back Brad Miller, 12 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists from the 5 spot is real nice.

There was an AK-47 sighting! Just joking. Mean, yes I know but this cruel joke is really on Andrei Kirilenko’s owner who wasted a top pick on him. AK continues to disappoint with his 5 points and 6 rebounds effort. The other Turkish delight, Mehmet Okur is basking in the fantasy spotlight with Carlos Boozer out, Okur went off for 25 points and 8 rebounds.  Deron Williams sat last night game out with a strained groin and Derek Fisher stepped in as the starting PG with 20 points and 10 assists.

Is there any doubt who the R-O-Y is at least the fantasy R-O-Y. Brandon Roy continues to fill up the box scores with 27 points, 2 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 threes. Roy will be a fantasy stud for at least the next decade. Oh yeah, Zach Randolph had a good night with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Seattle’s starting five had an awesome night for fantasy owners. Rashard Lewis had 34 points, 7 rebounds and 3 threes. Ray Allen was bombing from 3-point land going 4-5 and finishing off with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists. Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison both doubled up with 13 points-5 rebounds and 10 points-14 rebounds respectively. Luke Ridnour has found the force within him and displayed his Jedi prowess with 15 points and 12 assists. Good work on Ridnour owners for sticking with him.

Pau Gasol still trying to make a bid for ticket out of Memphis and his 17 points, 12 rebounds and 4 assists is a solid offer. Mike Miller was the lead scorer for the Grizz with 20 points. Hips don’t lie and neither does the box scores, Rudy Gay is showing that he can be a fantasy contributor with 19 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 treys.

The Clippers were beat up last night with 2 starters out. Cuttino Mobley was out with a strain groin and Chris Kaman sat out with flu-like symptoms. Corey Maggette stepped into the starting line up and shone with 19 points and 7 rebounds. Elton Brand was back from his back woes and shifted to the 5 spot and finished with 17 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists. Tim Thomas enjoyed the spotlight at the 4 spot last night and potted 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals and 3 treys.

Canadian Steve Nash shrugged off his shoulder woes and returned to the starting lineup. Nash was in his sharing mood, which was demonstrated with 12 assists and 13 points effort. Shawn Marion was the lead scorer for the Suns with 31 points, 9 rebounds, 3 treys and 2 blocks. Amare Stoudemire slammed his way to 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists night.

Whew! You are all caught up!

Catch you on the rebound!