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Starbury

“I take it back.  I’m not the best point guard in the league… Dennis Velasco is the best point guard in the league.” This quote is what was waiting for me when I left this blog entry open this morning. I had not even written anything myself yet, just put in the picture. Dennis is channeling “Big Brother” here and sees all. Not only that, he changes news and history to suit his wishes. Talk about an abuse of editorial power. Hahaha!

If you counted on Marbury last year to be your top guard, point or otherwise, there is a good chance your team ended up stinking up the joint. Ron and I recently visited NYC with some friends. Whether it was the aura of walking the streets of the Big Apple, or a friend wanting to give his friend a chance to write about his man-crush, who knows what has Ron going with “Stabury” here. So I am going to guest-write for Ron and the team he has started here, and he will take on my next pick.  As always on Dropping Dimes, let’s break it down.

Round 4, Pick 4: Stephon Marbury, PG, New York Knicks.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 4


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Mehmet OkurRound 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.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 3


Kirk Hinrich can dunk?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.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 4, Pick 2


Description
“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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DescriptionThe 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

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 12


Ron ArtestRound 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.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 11


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.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 10


Description “But critics say the Doc is soft, Doc is talk
The Doc is all washed up, knock it off
Who the ____ is Doc impressin’.
Doc is this, Doc is that, you got the wrong impression.
You must be on the ____ of Doc cuz Doc left you all guessin’.
So DJ take the needle and just drop it on the record.
We gonna have this ____________ hoppin’ in a second.”
Dr. Dre in “One Last Time (Encore)”

Okay, so things are not looking so good for this team. Pau Gasol being lost for 3-4 months is a tough pill to swallow. The Memphis Grizzlies will be lucky if he suits up for 50 games this season. Your friendly neighborhood fantasy doctor here thought a nice bigball team was on the way with Elton Brand and Gasol on the same team. So how do I regroup and have this team hoppin’ again?

Round 3, Pick 8: Lamar Odom, SF/PF, Los Angeles Lakers

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 8


Joe JohnsonIs it a stretch that Tim Duncan will top 20 ppg again? No. What about 70% from the line? Well that is another story, is it not? It is important to slowly creep that FT% for this team up to a competitive standard.  I also want to address having Arenas as my lead guard, because as hype as he is, he is not a 8-10 per game dime dropper. Plus I want to take advantage of Gilbert’s strength in treys and TD’s dominating boards. Looks like it is time for a player with a mean game but ordinary name.

Round 3, Pick 7: Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks

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Dwight HowardRound 3, Pick 5: Dwight Howard, PF/C, Orlando Magic

By the time the season starts, all you have to know is this - Dwight David Howard will not legally be able to drink alcohol.  Why is this important?  Well it’s important not so much for fantasy basketball owners, but all of those that try to guard or box out Howard.  “Big men of the NBA, after a game of banging and bruising with Dwight Howard, you deserve a drink.”  And since Howard can’t imbibe alcohol, his defenders can have his because they’ll need it to numb the pain!

Entering the league at only 18 years of age had to be a tough challenge, in so many ways for Howard.  However, you can count on one hand the number of “straight from high school” players that have become stars or stars-on-the-cusp after only two seasons and Howard is a finger on that hand.  In fact, make Howard the middle finger because of his length (he’s got wingspan for days), height (6’11”), and the fact that he may just be the next great big man in the middle.

Let’s check the numbers.

Click to continue reading Dropping Dimes Draft Blog: Round 3, Pick 5


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