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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 3
Posted by Scott Sargent Categories: Editorial, H2H, Northwest Division, Utah Jazz, Props, Roto, Rumors, Sleepers, Talent,
Round 4, Pick 3: Mehmet Okur, FC, Utah Jazz
Is this thing on repeat? I feel like I’m becoming redundant with my selections for this squad, as I keep harping on the fact that I refuse to choose big men that will drag me down in any category. Yes, they may not produce as much as your typical NBA center (which, in fact, are decreasing in number year by year), but for all intensive fantasy purposes it is gold. Flying under the radar by many last season, including the Detroit Pistons, Mehemt Okur sprung onto the scene in a big way for fantasy owners.
Let’s dive into this blog like Vlade Divac in the lane, and I’ll tell you how Okur will be an asset to your squad this season.
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 2
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Central Division, Chicago Bulls, Editorial, Free Agency, H2H, Old School, Props, Roto, Site Features, Talent,
Round 4, Pick 2: Kirk Hinrich, PG/SG, Chicago Bulls
Just about everyone remembers the top five of the 2003 NBA Draft:
1) LeBron James - The kid who became a man and found witnesses to his greatness almost immediately.
2) Darko Milicic - The other kid whose potential never surfaced until he found some Magic.
3) Carmelo Anthony - If LeBron has the potential to be one of the best ever and Wade has his ring, where will Melo fit in when all is said and done?
4) Chris Bosh - Smooth big man makes the game look easy and is reppin’ Canada to the fullest.
5) Dwyane Wade - The first to get a ring that showed just how good he could be during an amazing Finals run.
But what about those players outside this sphere of current and future greatness? I bet most would forget that Chris Kaman was taken right after Wade at sixth overall. It took him a little longer to break out, but he eventually did last season. And at the seventh pick? Well, he played well enough to join four of the top five picks (James, Anthony, Bosh, and Wade) on the All Rookie first team and finished in the top eight in total assists and assists per game average. Of course, all you have to do is look at the picture to know who I’m talking about - Zydrunas Ilgauskas. Just kidding.
This is all about Kirk Hinrich, his world, and the fact that we’re all squirrels in it just trying to get a nut.
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
SEATTLE MARINERS
Jarrod Washburn is likely done for the year after straining his right calf in last Tuesday’s start. Washburn secured a nice free agent contract after pitching over his head in 2005 with a 3.20 ERA. This year his surface stats of an 8-14 record and a 4.67 ERA better reflect his soft skills of a 4.96 K/9 and a .98 G/F ratio.
Ryan Feierabend figures to get the starts in Washburn’s place. The 21-year-old southpaw spent most of the season in Double-A, where he impressed with a 9.16 K/9. However it is a big jump to the majors and his high Double-A BB/9 of 3.22 and ERA of 4.29 suggest that there is some work to be done. Avoid him in all formats.
After a monster first-half of 20 home runs and 70 RBIs, Raul Ibanez has faded in the second-half to 9 home runs and 44 RBIs. The overall numbers of 29 home runs and 114 RBIs look great, but chances are it is a career-year for the 34-year-old Ibanez that was fueled by an unsustainable first-half.
The Mariners are wisely shutting down 20-year-old Felix Hernandez after his start tomorrow in Chicago. He has pitched 179 innings so far this year.
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 1
Posted by Alvin Lai Categories: H2H, Roto, Southeast Division, Atlanta Hawks, Talent,
“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
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Round Three saw The Three Kings (Bibby, Miller, Artest) leave the draft board on camels, following the star of a starting linuep. Maybe they’ll find the White Jesus, Larry Bird (sorry, my son is already asking for Christmas gifts, so I had to throw a Christmas reference in here, howwever bad… and it’ll be here before you know it). Speaking of white, Chris Paul suddenly changed color (see the Brad Miller post) thanks to Sarge (sorry, dude, it’s too funny not to mention). The round also saw two cousins start the round off, one of which McGrady finally got drafted after concerns about his injury history. He’ll be a great value if he stays healthy. In any case, check the rest of the round by clicking on the player’s name.
3.1. Vince Carter, SG/SF, New Jersey Nets
3.2. Tracy McGrady, SG/SF, Houston Rockets
3.3. Mike Bibby, PG, Sacramento Kings
3.4. Rashard Lewis, SF, Seattle Supersonics
3.5. Dwight Howard, PF, Orlando Magic
3.6. Jason Richardson, SG, Golden State Warriors
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 12
Posted by Alvin Lai Categories: H2H, Props, Roto, Sleepers, Southeast Division, Charlotte Bobcats, Talent,
The 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
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 11
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, H2H, Pacific Division, Sacramento Kings, Props, Roto, Site Features, Talent,
Round 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.
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 10
Posted by Scott Sargent Categories: Editorial, H2H, Pacific Division, Sacramento Kings, Props, Roto, Talent,
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.
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American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. Central
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Editorial, Fantasy, MLB,
CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Josh Fields went deep in his first major league AB. The 23-year-old prospect is a 3B by trade, but will play some OF in the Venezuelan Winter League. The White Sox will decide in the off-season whether to move the arbitration eligible Joe Crede, who will also need off-season back surgery. Fields had a very productive season in Triple-A, batting .305 with 19 home runs and 70 RBIs. The only hole in his game is poor contact skills, which means he probably will not hit for average in the major leagues. He may see some starts if the White Sox are eliminated from playoff contention.
After a great first-half of 30 home runs and 77 RBIs, Jim Thome has slowed down considerably in the second-half with 11 home runs and 25 RBIs. His season of 41 home runs and 102 RBIs still looks good, but the second-half fade is something to consider for the 36-year-old Thome going into 2007.
Freddy Garcia continued his hot pitching with an 8 inning, 1 hit, shutout performance against the Tigers on Tuesday. Over his last 16 innings he has allowed just 2 hits.
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Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 9
Posted by Ron Chow Categories: Central Division, Milwaukee Bucks, H2H, Props, Roto, Site Features,
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.
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