Man, where did this year go?  In reading the “Year in Reviews” by different columnists across the published world, a few good ones have caught my eye.  A quick recommendation is the Daily Fix – the Wall Street Journal piece that typically contains links to daily sports columns.  Not often to we check out the WSJ for sports information, but these guys are pretty resourceful if you enjoy the same types of discussions that they do.  Well, they’ve laid out the top 10 columns that they found the most memorable.  If you have a few minutes, it’s worth the look! 

Now on to some quick hoops thoughts…

Several weeks into the season and the best player to date in almost every format has been Gilbert Arenas.  Gil likely went in the five to seven range in drafts this year.  Let me ask you this: If you had the first pick in your drafts this year, you likely went with LeBron James.  If you could re-draft, who would you take now? 

James owners have to be disappointed at this point in the season.  As I mentioned in my Weekly Focus over at HoopsHype.com, I think that this could be a perfect buying opportunity if you’re one of those guys that just has to own James.  Nothing seems to be slowing down Areans to this point, but as the second half of the season nears closer, I don’t know if there is any other one player I’d want on my team than LeBron James.  Maybe that’s just me…as I am from Cleveland. 

Speaking of…don’t buy into the Donyell Marshall game from last night.  The only reason he got those minutes were due to a stiff neck that Anderson Varejao suffered while taking a nap.  While that’s embarrassing in its own right, I see Marshall reverting back to his 15 minutes a game ways…

Now, I didn’t get to see it live, but the replays of the double alley-oop that the Warriors pulled off last night, finished by none other than Jason Richardson, was pretty sweet.  I suggest trying to find a clip if you can.

A big congratulations goes out to you if you’ve drafted any number of the following players: Gilbert Arenas, Kevin Martin, Baron Davis, JR Smith, Caron Butler, Josh Howard, Jarrett Jack, Leandro Barbosa, Carlos Boozer or Mo Williams.  Many other names could make this list, of course, but these are the ones that come to mind, and could relatively be on the same team – which would be simply disgusting.  Carmelo Anthony would’ve been on this list had it been made pre-punch-n-go…

Of course, there’s always the downside to the gambles.  Here’s a list of guys that have likely killed you this season:  Brad Miller, Jason Richardson, Shaquille O’Neal, Randy Foye, Gerald Wallace, Tracy McGrady and Andrei Kirilenko.  Yes, there have been guys that have been worse, but rarely those that can compare to the draft position of some of these names.  Guys like Yao Ming could be added to this list soon…

A few guys that can be piled into a category that we’ll call “Stick a Fork in ‘em” are: Damon Stoudamire, Theo Ratliff, Kenyon Martin, Jamaal Magloire, and Jalen Rose.  Of course, Rose could be this year’s Tim Thomas and come out of nowhere for the last few weeks of the season, but I’m not counting on it. 

Rookies that I think have the talent, but won’t be able to provide any fantasy impact for at least a year are: Jordan Farmar, J.J. Redick, Tyrus Thomas, Marcus Williams, and Daniel Gibson.  Interesting Q&A in the L.A. Times hinted towards Farmar possibly being the third PG in the rotation, especially after Smush Parker’s game against the Magic.  Scope it out here.

Things I’m looking forward to for 2007 include:
- The Allen Iverson/Carmelo Anthony relationship
- Can the New York Knicks make the playoffs??
- Who’s the next coach to get canned with Mike Fratello leading the way?
- The over/under on a Kevin Garnett meltdown
- Rasheed Wallace’s 15th technical foul, and…
- Andrei Kirilenko cashing in his “free pass.”

That’s all I got for now.  Feel free to comment below with anything of your own!  See you all soon…Happy New Year.