Tuesday Fantasy News 10/6/09
Oct 6, 2009 Blog
It looks like Julian Wright is getting a shot at the starting SF job in New Orleans. Byron Scott said the job is his to lose. I initially thought this might be one of those moves to motivate the veteran (Peja Stojakovic), but now I’m starting to get the feeling Scott might be serious. Watch this position battle.
Charlotte Observer reports that Tyson Chandler still isn’t 100% after ankle and toe surgery. Chandler has started using orthotics to help his chronic foot problems. I was expecting him to be pretty close to 100% by now, so he might start sliding down the draft list as he seems to always have some type of injury. Let someone else overpay for the name.
If preseason is any indication, Rashard Lewis might be switched back and forth between SF and PF a lot this year. “Rashard will play four of these first five. The last three I don’t know — sparingly,” Coach Stan Van Gundy said after the Magic’s shootaround Monday. “He can’t go the whole preseason and not play.” Van Gundy said some nights that Lewis will also play small forward, allowing newcomers Brandon Bass and Ryan Anderson to play power forward. Van Gundy said he expects his lineups to be different each game night for the first five preseason games.
Dime Magazine speculates on how Cleveland might replace Delonte West should the need arise. With Delonte out of the picture Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson will gain value.
Robin Lopez will have surgery to fix a broken bone in his foot and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks.
FanHouse.com with a good article on Marc Gasol and how he will fit with the Grizzlies this year, as well as what fantasy owners can expect from him.
FanHouse.com article on Corey Brewer.
L.A. Times reports that the Lakers may have Andrew Bynum coming off the bench behind Lamar Odom. I doubt this happens during the real season as it’s probably just one of Jackson’s jedi Zen mind tricks to motivate Bynum.
Doc Rivers says he won’t cut the minutes for his starters in Boston, which is good news for Pierce, Rondo and Allen owners.
I’m sliding Raymond Felton down my rankings as the season nears. Felton is on a one year deal and Charlotte knows they aren’t keeping him, otherwise the would have locked him up already. Since they aren’t keeping him, they need to get DJ Augustin ready, which means a big cut into Felton’s minutes. Avoid Felton unless you can get him later than usual.
No clear winner has emerged in the Washington SG battle. Mike Miller, Deshawn Stevenson, Randy Foye and Nick Young could all get minutes. Avoid these guys in your drafts until one of the gets the job. They should all likely still be on the waiver wire
Byron Scott wants to pick up the pace in New Orleans and run the floor a little more. As if you didn’t need more reason to draft Chris Paul.
It looks like the Phoenix Suns will return to the old run and gun system for a full season also. They probably had no choice as their defense is just terrible no matter what type of pace they play. Might as well just try to outscore everyone.
NetsAreScorching.com with a fantasy preview of Yi Jianlian.