Fantasy Sports News, Games & Leagues at Fanball.com
A very nice rookie/sleeper report from Fanball.
Dwight Howard, PF, Magic
The number one overall pick has impressed his teammates with his size, skills, and athleticism, and he'll be the Magic's starting power forward this season. He's averaged 29.5 minutes, 13.2 points, 7.5 rebounds, 1.0 assist, and 1.3 steals through four preseason games. Those numbers are pretty close to what Stoudemire averaged in his rookie campaign, and Howard would be the most exciting first-year fantasy player were it not for…
Emeka Okafor, PF/C, Bobcats
Okafor began the preseason with a solid 18-point effort against the Wizards, but his numbers have slipped since. He's also piled up only 15 rebounds through three games. However, a lackluster start hasn't dampened our outlook for Okafor. No team offers a more wide-open canvas for success than the Bobcats, and Okafor only has to contend with guys like Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brezec, and Tamar Slay for shots. Emeka will be a big part of the offense, and we're confident that the rebounds and blocks will come.
Andres Nocioni, SG/SF, Bulls
This Argentinean swingman is adjusting to the NBA much more quickly than teammate Ben Gordon, and it's looks like Nocioni might be the starting shooting guard on opening day. Nocioni, who will also log some minutes at small forward, scored 20 points and grabbed 12 rebounds against the Celtics on Tuesday night, and that bumped up his preseason averages to 12.3 points and seven rebounds. Along with Howard and Okafor, Nocioni looks the most ready to contribute to fantasy clubs right now.
Luol Deng, SF, Bulls
Sticking with the Bulls, Deng has also been impressive in recent games. Deng posted 17 points and seven rebounds on Saturday and followed up with 18 points and 12 rebounds on Tuesday night. His numbers just keep getting better, and Luol appears to be more comfortable with each passing game. As such, Deng is certainly worth a late-round pick in any type of fantasy league.
Ben Gordon, SG, Bulls
Gordon, who was the third overall pick in the draft, is looking like only the third-best rookie on his own team. The driving scorer has struggled with the speed of the pro game and has gone just six-for-30 from the floor and averaged 6.5 points through four contests. While head coach Scott Skiles is prepared to deal with an adjustment period, we're souring on a guy who looks like he won't be much help to fantasy teams early in the season.
Josh Childress, SG/SF, Hawks
Childress has started all four games for the Hawks, but he's amassed only 15 points, 18 rebounds, and six assists over those contests. The Hawks have other options at the two guard spot (Jon Barry, Boris Diaw, and Tony Delk), but it looks like head coach Mike Woodson is willing to hand Childress the job, at least to open the season. With Antoine Walker and Al Harrington hogging the offense, though, the rookie will likely continue to operate quietly in the background.
J.R. Smith, SG, Hornets
With David Wesley nursing a sore hamstring, Smith has started all four exhibition games. He kicked off his career with 19 points, fell back to five, rebounded with 22, and most recently scored nine on Tuesday. Thought to be the best shooter in the draft, Smith hasn't disappointed, knocking down nine three-pointers in the first three games. He'll be relegated to bench duty once Wesley returns, but Smith will remain in the rotation and could take over at shooting guard once his defense improves.
Sasha Vujacic, PG, Lakers
Veteran Chucky Atkins is starting at the point for the Lakers, but Vujacic is beginning to make some noise. Sasha posted 12 points, six assists, four rebounds, and one steal in Sunday's game and came back with 10 points, three assists, six rebounds, and one steal on Tuesday. Atkins is clearly not the future at point for the Lakers, so Rudy T could turn to Sasha later this season.
Shaun Livingston, PG, Clippers
With Marko Jaric sidelined by a broken thumb, Livingston has been starting for the Clippers thus far, but that role will likely end when Jaric returns later this week. The team likes what they see, though, and the rail-thin rookie could take Jaric's job later this season. For now, he's a backup.
Fantasy Sports News, Games & Leagues at Fanball.com
posted by Bjorn Vilhjalmsson @ 1:44 AM
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