As you may have heard, Matt and I finally got around to setting up our own fantasy league. We held our first ever fantasy baseball draft earlier this month, and it was a lot of fun. Nothing like some quality smack talk to start off the year. In the days leading up to the start of the season, we'll be taking a quick look at each team in our league.
Next up is the RiverRats. Come behold the power of screen shots...
G Jose Calderon - Raptors
Vs. Bulls
22 points, 19 assists, 3 steals
Anyone who watched that game knows that Calderon wasn't nearly as impressive Sunday as his box score would indicate. He made multiple bone-headed plays late (both at the end of regulation and in OT) that allowed the Bulls back into it. But in fantasy, of course, all that matters is stats, and it's hard to argue with 22-19. That's pretty much production and a half for Calderon.
It's tough to look at Aldridge's stat line as a Bulls fan. Back in the 2006 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected Aldridge with the second overall pick, only to trade him moments later to the Blazers for Tyrus Thomas and some other garbage.
While Thomas has shown signs of improvement, Aldridge has developed into a very solid player in both the NBA and the world of fantasy basketball.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
vs. Boston Celtics
24 points, 21 boards, 2 dimes, 4 blocks, 2 steals, 61% FG
In a showdown between the 2 and 3 seeds in the East, Dwight Howard led the Magic past the Celtics in a game that had all the makings of playoff basketball.
'Superman' had a double-double in the first quarter and finished with over 20 boards for the second time this month.
Since Wright burst onto the scene back in 2004 he's been a fantasy beast that gets stronger each and every season. In 2008, Wright posted career highs in HR, RBI and R, justifying his first round selection status.
Get everything you need to know about the Mets after the jump...
At age 33, DeRosa had a career year last season for the Cubs. He set career highs in homers, RBI, and walks, all the while improving his OPS 66 points from a season before. But can he sustain it? Logic says no. Still, because of his versatility, DeRosa continues to have value to fantasy owners.
As you may have heard, Matt and I finally got around to setting up our own fantasy league. We held our first ever fantasy baseball draft earlier this month, and it was a lot of fun. Nothing like some quality smack talk to start off the year. In the days leading up to the start of the season, we'll be taking a quick look at each team in our league.
Next up is South Side Pride. Come behold the power of screen shots...
The Reds will most likely finish at or near the bottom of the NL Central once again. They're stocked with young talent and could truly become a contender in the very near future.
But who can you count on for fantasy production?
Find out with Three Studs, a Dud and a Sleeper for the Cincinnati Reds.
Get everything you need to know about the Reds after the jump...
As you may have heard, Matt and I finally got around to setting up our own fantasy league. We held our first ever fantasy baseball draft earlier this month, and it was a lot of fun. Nothing like some quality smack talk to start off the year. In the days leading up to the start of the season, we'll be taking a quick look at each team in our league.
Next up is KING KONG KINGMAN. Come behold the power of screen shots...
So as the fine readers of this here Weblog may have heard, Matt and I finally got around to setting up our own fantasy league. We held our first ever fantasy baseball draft on Sunday, and it was a lot of fun. Nothing like some quality smack talk to start off the year. In the days leading up to the start of the season, we'll be taking a quick look at each team in our league.
Next up is Hoosier Dawgs. Come behold the power of screen shots...
Every year it seems the Cardinals take a step back, but somehow Tony LaRussa manages to keep them in contention through the end of the season. There is the obvious fantasy monster on the squad, but who else can you count upon on draft day?
To help, we give you Three Studs, a Dud and a Sleeper for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Get everything you need to know about the Cardinals after the jump...
So as the fine readers of this here Weblog may have heard, Matt and I finally got around to setting up our own fantasy league. We held our first ever fantasy baseball draft on Sunday, and it was a lot of fun. Nothing like some quality smack talk to start off the year. In the days leading up to the start of the season, we'll be taking a quick look at each team in our league.
First up is ThunderStruck. Come behold the power of screen shots...
I did this yesterday - swear - but apparently Movable Type ate my homework. I have midterms this week though (busy, busy, busy), so lets make this quick.
Player of the night
G Chris Paul - Hornets
Vs. Rockets
29 points, 11 assists, 6 steals, 6 rebounds
The quest for a 5x5 game continues. Just five blocks away!
When's the last time an NBA player has had a 5x5 game? I someone knows, pass it along, please.
Oh yeah Chris Paul: this year he may not be able to live up to LeBron and Wade, but he's one of the best players in the league, and one of fantasy's best, as well. He's been leading my keeper league team all season. Very few guys shoot as well from the floor as he does and still contribute big time in four categories.
F LeBron James - Cavs
@ PHX
34 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, 3 steals, 3 blocks
It appears as if all this "Is D-Wade the MVP?" talk recently has really lit a fire under LeBron. As if he needed it. Look at that line for a second. Talk about filling up a box score.
Just a pair of games yesterday, so lets quickly put a bow on Thursday's action...
Perhaps Guillen's greatest value comes from his versatility. He should qualify at shortstop, first base, and a corner outfield slot this year, and possibly third base as well. for leagues that count walks or on-base percentage, Guillen is even more valuable.
Guillen hit 11 less home runs in 2008 than he did the year before when he smacked 21. If he can get up around 15-20 homers again, he should have some value.
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
vs. Washington Wizards
30 points, 13 dimes, 10 boards, 4 steals
There isn't too much debate about who the best point guard in the NBA is at the moment. Chris Paul can do just about anything at anytime and proved it last night against a resilient Wizards club.
F LeBron James - Cavs
@ Clippers
32 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, 2 blocks, 2 steals
...And take THAT, D-Wade. It's LeBron's world and we're all just livin' in it. Remember that, kids.
Listen: LeBron is never going to shoot an extremely high percentage. Not anywhere on the floor. Yeah, sure. But when it's all said and done, I'm not sure they'll be another player who has ever filled the box score's five major categories quite like LeBron. He's a triple-double waiting to happen, and you can count on a couple steals and blocks each night, too.
Hey wanna play in a really cool fantasy baseball league? Send an email to my main man Matt at matthewolsen81@yahoo.com for more details.
5. SS Mike Aviles
Aviles never stopped hitting after being called up to the big leagues last year. He's a bit of a free swinger, but it doesn't really matter if he hits .325 again. He showed some power and speed, too. A 20-20 season in 2009 wouldn't be all that surprising.
Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat
vs. Chicago Bulls
48 points, 12 dimes, 6 boards
I'm literally running out of ways to describe Wade's antics each and every night. Not only did he hit a ridiculous running three-point shot at the buzzer to beat the Bulls last night, but he also lit up the box score like it was Christmas.
F David Lee - Knicks
@ Nets
19 points, 14 rebounds, 7 assists, 5 steals
We had three rather awesome fantasy performances Sunday, but we're giving the nod to Lee because he contributed in so many categories. If only he could have thrown in a bunch of blocks, we could have had a 5x5 game. That would have been awesome.
We've been saying it all season (and it's kind of a no-brainer anyways) but you want guys that play in uptempo offensives on your fantasy team. Sure, that style has plenty of flaws for a real basketball team, but the increase in possessions means big time fantasy stats.
Mike D'Antoni has done wonders for Lee all season. He's averaging six more points and three more rebounds per game than last year, all without a drop in shooting percentage.
Sign up for our fantasy league! Get those emails into Matt ASAP. MatthewOlsen81@yahoo.com.
5. Carl Crawford
Crawford is the best player in the history of the Rays, but last season was the worst of his career. Durability was his biggest issue, as Crawford played in only 109 games. Perhaps because of nagging injuries, Crawford hit a career low .273 last season - not terrible, but he had topped .300 the previous three seasons. Most consider Crawford overrated in fantasy circles because of his lack of power (everyone always expects 25 dongs....he's never topped 18), but you know he's good for steals and a high BA if healthy.
When I page through NBA box scores each night, I expect to place LeBron, Kobe, or (of course) D-Wade in this spot most night. But Troy Murphy!? What gives? Next thing you know, Matt will be giving this honor to Adam Morrison tomorrow.
As Bulls fans found out about a week ago, Murphy has been playin' some very sold ball lately. He's been a moose on the boards (19 and 21 against the Knicks on Feb. 23!), and has really stepped up his game since All-Star Danny Granger went down to injury. Want to hear something wild? Murphy has eight consecutive double-doubles and 23 in his last 26 games.
Sign up for our fantasy league! Get those emails into Matt ASAP.
5. Josh Beckett
As was also the case with the Yankees, limiting ourselves to just five Red Sox players proved to be a rather arduous task. They simply have so much talent. In AL-only leauges, their top four starters and entire lineup (minus the catcher) should be owned. So why did we choose Beckett over the likes of Jon Lester, Jason Bay, and David Ortiz? Well, just a gut feeling more than anything. Beckett had a down year last season, no doubt about it. But he still struck out over 170 batters, and rarely issued a walk. Durability is a concern to be sure, but I like a bounce back year for Beckett in 2009.
Perhaps Andrew Bynum's injury was the best thing to ever happen to Kobe fantasy owners (that is, of course, unless you also own Bynum). Kobe has been a tear recently and yesterday was no exception. What, did you really think Kobe was going to leave his A-game at home when he was going against Shaq?
Kobe took 38 shots last night, which I believe is the highest number of shots hoisted up by one player in a game this year. When one of your players takes that many shots, you have to worry about field goal percentage, but by finishing 18-for-38 (47.4 percent), Kobe hit his season average....on the dot! Crazy. Only Kobe could miss 20 shots and still hit his average. Ha!
Matt Wood is a web editor for 
