On Gear Live: 2024 Nissan Z Nismo Review

Latest Gear Live Videos

Description
“BTW, Alvin, Wallace and Smith?  What, are you trying to go up against my awesome defensive combo of Marion and Big Ben?  You will lose every time!!!” Dennis Velasco, in an e-mail to the Dropping Dimes staff.

No, I am not going up against D’s awesome combo. Not that I am interested in an aging afro who averages 7 ppg and just got paid. And hey, Marion is Marion. FYI, the Dropping Dimes staff filled my inbox with several more messages in succession questioning my sanity. *sigh*

I have seen J-Smooth going earlier than this in drafts, usually in the third round. So I started to think of ways to justify the pick. Would I do this in real time with all the beans on the line? Probably not. But that is why I will do this here, so you our loyal readers (all seven of you, and I’m sure you are all loyal to my man, D!), can take a look and see if you want to take this gamble yourselves come draft day.

Round 4, Pick 1: Josh Smith, GF, Atlanta Hawks

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 1


Advertisement

DescriptionThe only thing “pseudo” about this guy is that he has yet to post one full true season of fantasy hoop studliness. Sure the injury history is a concern, but when you have Ray Allen and Allen Iverson in your starting backcourt, I can afford to roll the dice a little here. To reach the next level, Gerald will need to fine tune his game where he brings it for real night in and night out. The monthly breakdowns from his season last year tell quite the story.

Round 3, Pick 12: Gerald Wallace, GF, Charlotte Bobcats

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 12


Ron ArtestRound 3, Pick 11: Ron Artest, SF, Sacramento Kings

Artest may be a Tru Warier, but he’s a horrible speller.  However, last I checked spelling isn’t a category and if it was, I’d draft Martynas Andriuskevicius number one overall because if he can spell his name, he can spell anything.  But back to Artest… I don’t think there’s any question that he’s one of the most talented players in the game today.  But, he’s also one of the most volatile and unpredictable.  I think there was some sort of fracas, some hullaballoo if you will, a couple of seasons ago, but I just can’t remember what happened.  And like Ron Burgundy, it seemed like a “big deal” at the time.

Okay, I’m kidding.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 11


Round 3, Pick 10: Brad Miller, C, Sacramento Kings

Dominance?  Not at all.  One of the most well-rounded big men in the league?  Most definitely.  While Brad Miller has never really been on the forefront of scoring options for the Kings, dating back to the Chris Webber days, the guy still gets it done in other areas, contributing across the board for fantasy rosters.  While most big men lack free-throw skills or the ability to pass the ball once it hits the low post, Miller has the innate ability to not only see the floor, but drop free throws at an astounding percentage for a seven-footer.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 10


Michael Redd

Round 3, Pick 9: Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Bucks


Quick, who was the 9th leading scorer in the NBA last year? If you guessed Michael Redd, I would say that you are part of the minority. Most people would not have guessed that Michael Redd averaged more points (25.4 points/game) than Ray Allen (25.1 points) and Vince Carter (24.2 points/game), a couple of shooting guards that were drafted before Redd in most, if not all, fantasy basketball drafts last season.

Milwaukee is not exactly a media hotbed and Michael Redd’s game matches the city’s calm.  He is like a gunfighter entering a saloon in the Old West where everyone just watches him and they know that he is a shooter… and a darn good one.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 9


Description “But critics say the Doc is soft, Doc is talk
The Doc is all washed up, knock it off
Who the ____ is Doc impressin’.
Doc is this, Doc is that, you got the wrong impression.
You must be on the ____ of Doc cuz Doc left you all guessin’.
So DJ take the needle and just drop it on the record.
We gonna have this ____________ hoppin’ in a second.”
Dr. Dre in “One Last Time (Encore)”

Okay, so things are not looking so good for this team. Pau Gasol being lost for 3-4 months is a tough pill to swallow. The Memphis Grizzlies will be lucky if he suits up for 50 games this season. Your friendly neighborhood fantasy doctor here thought a nice bigball team was on the way with Elton Brand and Gasol on the same team. So how do I regroup and have this team hoppin’ again?

Round 3, Pick 8: Lamar Odom, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 8


Joe JohnsonIs it a stretch that Tim Duncan will top 20 ppg again? No. What about 70% from the line? Well that is another story, is it not? It is important to slowly creep that FT% for this team up to a competitive standard.  I also want to address having Arenas as my lead guard, because as hype as he is, he is not a 8-10 per game dime dropper. Plus I want to take advantage of Gilbert’s strength in treys and TD’s dominating boards. Looks like it is time for a player with a mean game but ordinary name.

Round 3, Pick 7: Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 7


Jason Richardson
Round 3, Pick 6: Jason Richardson, SG, Golden State Warriors

Don Nelson is back as the head coach of the Golden State Warriors and he’ll bring the Run & Gun style that he established with the Dallas Mavericks. There are thoughts (and hopes) that Baron Davis will thrive under Coach Nelson since Davis excels at the transition game, but the big winner will be Jason Richardson. The former back to back (’02-’03) slam dunk champion will thrive in the open court offense and will surely add a few more highlight reel dunks this season.

I’m telling you, J-Rich will set career highs in points this season under Coach Nelson.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 6


Dwight HowardRound 3, Pick 5: Dwight Howard, PF/C, Orlando Magic

By the time the season starts, all you have to know is this - Dwight David Howard will not legally be able to drink alcohol.  Why is this important?  Well it’s important not so much for fantasy basketball owners, but all of those that try to guard or box out Howard.  “Big men of the NBA, after a game of banging and bruising with Dwight Howard, you deserve a drink.”  And since Howard can’t imbibe alcohol, his defenders can have his because they’ll need it to numb the pain!

Entering the league at only 18 years of age had to be a tough challenge, in so many ways for Howard.  However, you can count on one hand the number of “straight from high school” players that have become stars or stars-on-the-cusp after only two seasons and Howard is a finger on that hand.  In fact, make Howard the middle finger because of his length (he’s got wingspan for days), height (6’11”), and the fact that he may just be the next great big man in the middle.

Let’s check the numbers.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 5


Rashard Lewis Stud?  Check!
Center? Check!

With two picks in the bag, I felt that this selection either needed to address notable weaknesses or simply pick the best player available, and hope for the best on the way back.  Though Kevin Garnett is one of the better passing big-men in the league, the assist category is obviously my weakness at this point.  However, with a couple point guards going off of the board with the most recent picks, I decided to steer away from the run, and go with whom I felt was the best guy out there:

Round 3, Pick 4: Rashard Lewis, SF, Seattle Supersonics

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 4


Advertisement

{solspace:toolbar}