Plus, your waiver wire fix.
In my latest effort to acknowledge players other than the waiver wire studs of the week, I bring you the 2010 Mr. Fantasy All-Star Teams…
But first, a few things you should know:
A) These are based on the standard nine fantasy categories: Field Goal Percentage (FG%), Free-Throw Percentage (FT%), Points Scored (ppg), Assists (apg), Rebounds (rpg), Steals (spg), Blocks (bpg), Three-Pointers Made (3pg), and Turnovers (tpg).
B) The number of games played was a major factor in consideration. For example, Pau Gasol and Danny Granger have each missed one-third of the season to this point, so they were excluded.
C) The statistics listed include yesterday’s (Sunday, January 31, 2010) games and are provided by BasketballMonster.com.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
G Chris Paul [50.6 FG%, 86.2 FT%, 20.4 ppg, 11.2 apg, 4.6 rpg, 2.3 spg, 0.2 bpg, 1.2 3pg, 2.5 tpg] Keeps getting better, somehow. This year he’s decided he wants to make more three-pointers and he’s making 42 percent of them. Unfortunately, he needs knee surgery and will miss the next 1-2 months.
G Kobe Bryant [46.1 FG%, 82.5 FT%, 28.0 ppg, 4.8 apg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 spg, 0.3 bpg, 1.3 3pg, 3.0 tpg] He never wants to miss a game. Minor injuries don’t prevent him from suiting up. He might have to adjust his style a bit, but he’ll be out there.
F Dirk Nowitzki [47.6 FG%, 89.1 FT%, 25.1 ppg, 2.5 apg, 7.8 rpg, 0.9 spg, 1.2 bpg, 0.6 3pg, 1.9 tpg] Shooting the fewest amount of threes of his career. We know he sinks them when it counts, so look for those to increase as the season intensifies. Also, what other 7-footer hits 89 percent of their free-throws?
F Kevin Durant [48.7 FG%, 87.5 FT%, 29.6 ppg, 3.0 apg, 7.3 rpg, 1.4 spg, 0.9 bpg, 1.4 3pg, 3.8 tpg] He’s making it look easier by the day. Officially a superstar.
C Tim Duncan [52.6 FG%, 75.6 FT%, 19.7 ppg, 3.2 apg, 10.7 rpg, 0.5 spg, 1.8 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 1.8 tpg] In his 13th season and still playing the way that won him four championships. His consistency and longevity are staggering.
Bench:
G Chauncey Billups [42.7 FG%, 90.1 FT%, 19.3 ppg, 6.1 apg, 3.1 rpg, 1.3 spg, 0.1 bpg, 2.2 3pg, 2.5 tpg] The smooth operator is ninth in the League in threes made per game.
G Jason Kidd [42.7 FG%, 77.8 FT%, 9.0 ppg, 9.2 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 spg, 0.6 bpg, 1.9 3pg, 2.3 tpg] As long as Kidd makes a point of hitting the glass, he’s going to be an elite fantasy player. Don’t forget, he’s third place all-time in career triple-doubles.
G Steve Nash [51.9 FG%, 94.8 FT%, 18.3 ppg, 11.1 apg, 3.2 rpg, 0.5 spg, 0.2 bpg, 1.7 3pg, 3.9 tpg] Despite appalling turnovers, he’s still a stud because of the percentages and blazing assist totals.
F Carmelo Anthony [46.4 FG%, 86.1 FT%, 29.7 ppg, 3.3 apg, 6.5 rpg, 1.3 spg, 0.4 bpg, 0.9 spg, 3.1 tpg] Holding off KD for the scoring-title right now but is the third best fa
ntasy forward in the West.
F Zach Randolph [50.6 FG%, 80.1 FT%, 21.0 ppg, 2.1 apg, 11.6 rpg, 0.8 spg, 0.4 bpg, 0.1 3pg, 2.2 tpg] The only current player averaging 20/10 other than Chris Bosh.
C Marc Gasol [60.1 FG%, 69.8 FT%, 15.2 ppg, 2.3 apg, 9.7 rpg, 1.1 spg, 1.6 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 2.1 tpg] Best field goal percentage in the West. What, Pau!
C Marcus Camby [46.7% FG%, 68.2% FT%, 7.8 ppg, 2.9 apg, 12.0 rpg, 1.3 spg, 2.0 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 1.3 tpg] Rebounds, steals, and blocks – enjoy!
Odd Man Out:
G Brandon Roy [48.4 FG%, 79.2 FT%, 23.1 ppg, 5.0 apg, 4.6 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.1 bpg, 1.4 3pg, 2.2 tpg] Too many awesome guards in the West to squeeze him in. Sorry. Just because he’s ranked behind Paul, Kobe, Billups, Kidd, and Nash doesn’t mean he isn’t having a magnificent season though.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Starters:
G Dwyane Wade [46.6 FG%, 75.4 FT%, 27.1 ppg, 6.2 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.7 spg, 1.2 bpg, 1.1 3pg, 3.2 tpg] Doing it all this season – again. He’s such a beast on defense as 
shown by the steals and blocks.
G Rajon Rondo [52.8 FG%, 59.0 FT%, 14.1 ppg, 9.7 apg, 4.3 rpg, 2.4 spg, 0.1 bpg, 0.2 3pg, 3.0 tpg] Currently the number one thief in the Association. If he ever fixes his charity stripe woes and finds a 3-pt stroke he would be a fantasy freak. I’ll settle for the free-throw improvement.
F LeBron James [50.3 FG%, 76.8 FT%, 29.4 ppg, 8.0 apg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 spg, 1.0 bpg, 1.8 3pg, 3.7 tpg] I think it was ‘Kobe Bryant in NBA Courtside’ for the Nintendo 64 where I was able to create my own player for the first time in a video game. I made him huge, strong, fast, and agile. I gave him the highest possible rating in passing, shooting, and jumping. I didn’t think he’d actually come to life.
F Gerald Wallace [48.6 FG%, 76.2 FT%, 19.3 ppg, 1.9 apg, 11.0 rpg, 1.6 spg, 1.2 bpg, 0.7 3pg, 2.4 tpg] The rebounding this year has been exceptional. His previous season-best was 7.8 last season and he’s on pace to destroy that number. Best of all, Crash has stayed healthy!
C Brook Lopez [49.8 FG%, 83.0 FT%, 18.9 ppg, 2.2 apg, 9.3 rpg, 0.8 spg, 2.1 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 2.5 tpg] Having a solid sophomore season, albeit on a team that is total cheeks. I know you might expect to see Dwight Howard here but that’s not the case because the 10.5 free-throw attempts per game that only fall 59.5 percent of the time absolutely destroy one whole category. Plus, when you have your Center turning the ball over 3.5 times per game it doesn’t leave much wiggle room for your guards to turn it over. So, with Dwight you are essentially sacrificing two categories.
Bench:
G Mo Williams [44.6 FG%, 89.7 FT%, 16.9 ppg, 5.1 apg, 3.3 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.2 bpg, 2.3 3pg, 2.7 tpg] Before the injury he was the second best point guard in the East. Without him, there is quite some distance between Rondo and the next best point man. (Remember, we’re talking fantasy. I love Derrick Rose too. But he hurts you because he doesn’t drain threes nor rack up enough assists you need from an elite point guard. He’s also going to need to work on that ‘0.8 spg’ figure.)
G Joe Johnson [45.8 FG%, 83.2 FT%, 21.4 ppg, 4.8 apg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 spg, 0.0 bpg, 1.7 3pg, 2.0 tpg] C’mon Joe, two blocks in 46 games? Two?! You’re better than that!
F Paul Pierce [47.5 FG%, 86.0 FT%, 19.0 ppg, 3.5 apg, 4.7 rpg, 1.2 spg, 0.4 bpg, 1.9 3pg, 2.5 tpg] P-Squared posting another solid, veteran season.
F Andre Iguodala [42.3 FG%, 76.9 FT%, 17.1 ppg, 5.6 apg, 6.9 rpg, 1.9 spg, 0.6 bpg, 1.3 3pg, 2.6 tpg] Flourishes in the fantasy realm because he produces nicely in several categories.
F Chris Bosh [52.0 FG%, 78.8 FT%, 24.0 ppg, 2.2 apg, 11.4 rpg, 0.6 spg, 1.0 bpg, 0.1 3pg, 2.3 tpg] Thriving in his contract season. There is a bit to be desired on the defensive end but other than that he’s performing at an incredible level. I’d have him starting but I wanted a true center in the lineup.
C David Lee [55.2 FG%, 78.4 FT%, 19.6 ppg, 3.5 apg, 11.5 rpg, 1.0 spg, 0.3 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 2.4 tpg] Clearly taking his game to the next level this season.
C Troy Murphy [48.5 FG%, 78.7 FT%, 14.0 ppg, 2.1 apg, 9.6 rpg, 0.9 spg, 0.6 bpg, 1.8 3pg, 1.4 tpg] The 3pt ability makes him a deceivingly valuable fantasy asset.
Odd Man Out:
F Josh Smith [50.9 FG%, 61.9 FT%, 15.0 ppg, 3.8 apg, 8.4 rpg, 1.5 spg, 2.2 bpg, 0.0 3pg, 2.2 tpg] The forward bunch is deep in the East so I had to leave Smoove out. I like the way he has completely ceased fire from behind the arc this season because it’s showing in his career-high field goal percentage.
OK, now here’s your waiver wire fix:
PICKUPS
Darren Collison – He’s back! Collison is going to try to do his best CP3 impression for the next couple of months. He didn’t do so bad at it in the Hornets win in Memphis on Saturday; finishing with 17 points, 18 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Marcus Thornton – When New Orleans quietly dealt Devin Brown to Chicago, the door opened for Thornton to hop in the starting rotation. In his four starts since the trade, he’s averaging 17.7 points and 2.2 threes per game. Now with Paul down, the rookie backcourt will be heavily relied upon to try and keep the Hornets in playoff contention. They are currently in eighth position at 26-21.
Daniel Gibson – Boobie is holdin’ it down in the absence of Mo Williams. The Cavs are 5-0 since Mo injured his shoulder and Gibson is averaging 13 points and 2.8 threes per game. It seemed Delonte West would be the one who would be the benefactor but he suffered an untimely broken finger.
Keyon Dooling – Appears to be the player that will benefit most if Devin Harris continues to sit out. He’s good for points, assists, steals, and threes although he shoots at a low percentage.
Ryan Hollins – The Timberwolves have turned to Hollins to start at Center in the last two games. Oddly enough, they won both games as he averaged 17.5 points, 2 blocks, and (only) 3 rebounds. They brought Kevin Love off of the bench and if they decide to stick with this rotation for a while, Hollins would probably be worth a look in 12-16 team leagues.
ON THE RADAR
Jason Williams/JJ Redick – One of, or both, these guys could be in for some extended work if Jameer Nelson’s knee injury is serious. He hyperextended his surgically repaired knee on Sunday but Orlando’s GM Otis Smith insists it won’t cause Nelson to miss any games. Nelson has missed a lot of time in the past two seasons so I wouldn’t be surprised if the injury is more troublesome than they are letting on. Monitor the situation closely. Redick is a borderline pickup even with Jameer on t
he floor whereas J-Will would only become valuable if he were the starting point guard.
Rudy Fernandez/Nicolas Batum – The Small Forward Show is back in Portland. There was some time off because of various injuries but now the only member missing is Travis Outlaw and he won’t be back this season. What does this mean? Well, it means you don’t know who to pick up because the small forward to step up for the Blazers on any given night could be one of three players. For instance, on Friday night Rudy had 25 points with 5 threes and 5 rebounds and Batum had a nice line too; 12 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists. Starter Martell Webster only had 2 points on 1 of 7 shooting. The following night in Dallas (the Andre Miller Show) those three small forwards were a combined 1 of 8 from the floor. If Portland makes a move for a big man before the deadline, let’s hope they package a small forward or two in the deal just to make things a little easier on us.
Andray Blatche – It appears inevitable the Wizards will be shipping veterans out and featuring some of their young players for the rest of the season. In his last two games he’s averaging 25 minutes, 12 points, and 7.5 rebounds.
Jonas Jerebko – When Tayshaun and Rip returned this season, the brakes were slammed on Jerebko’s rookie joyride. If Joe Dumars is able to move one of those guys I think you would see a lot more JJ as the season winds down. On Sunday he started against the Magic, contributing 16 points and 9 rebounds along with 2 threes.
Terrence Williams – Please play this kid! The Nets have 4 wins… 4!!! What have you got to lose? If New Jersey gets the message and, Williams could be a valuable fantasy addition later in the season. Keep your eyes on him; you might see more of this.
Marreese Speights – The Sixers are such a mess right now, I’d be shocked if they didn’t shake things up before the trade deadline. Which ever way they decide to do that, opportunity may present itself upon Speights when it’s all said and done. He’s proven that he can play and should be on the court much more than he is. In the 11 games which he has played 20 minutes or more, he’s averaging 16.6 points on 55.3 percent shooting and 7.1 rebounds.
FANTASY LINE OF THE WEEK
Props to Andre Miller for droppin’ a Ray Lewis on the Mavs, but he didn’t do much else but score. It was his brother from another mother, Mike Miller, who took the cake this week; (1/30 vs NYK) 25 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists, and 7 threes.
You can follow me on Twitter @Charles_Peach.
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