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Fantasy NBA: Analysis of Second Round
The first two picks usually define the direction your fantasy team builds towards. For example, matching Dwight Howard with Jose Calderon would not be the best play for a head-to-head league; although this pairing begins to cover all the various categories, the strengths of these players do not overlap. Punting categories gets too much attention in head-to-head articles; however the art of building up strength in certain categories is a requirement for success. And so, let us now look at the second round based on Yahoo average draft position (ADP) rankings, with some specific attention to how these players might complement certain players taken in the first round.
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 3, Pick 1
If you are new to Asian cuisine, but find Chinese food too oily, and Thai food too spicy, consider trying a Vietnamese restaurant. I was out having noodles with my family when I overheard a young woman at another table giving her order. She ordered “Pho” or soup noodles and listed the item number, but instead of regular beef, she wanted beef tendons, and she wanted to add tripe and fish balls as well. All this is fine and good, but the kicker was when she asked the waiter, “Same price, right?” Uh, no.
With this next player, there is no need to modify your order, because you will get exactly what you paid for. And a third-round pick might still just be the right price.
Round 3, Pick 1: Jason Kidd, PG, Dallas Mavericks.
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 12
A fun time-waster is the mock draft application over at Yahoo Sports. Or if you have dealt with too many “yahoos on Yahoo” as one forum mate put it, sites like Mock Draft Central provide useful tools, despite the heavy slant and bias towards football.
It was during a mock draft that someone remarked “Tough Juice not so tough the last few years.” Games played totals of 63, 58 and 67 over the last three seasons have this player deserving of the knock. Yet, unlike other players, he has not been branded the label of being soft and has more or less avoided the derision of having a tendency to be injury-prone. Perhaps the obvious super attributes he has for the fantasy game enable us to offer Caron Butler a pass.
Round 2, Pick 12: Caron Butler, SF, Washington Wizards
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 11
A great addition to Yahoo fantasy basketball has been the mock draft feature. At any time, you can join a mock draft with real live folks like yourself and prep for your real league together. Different size leagues and different types of leagues are available. In the chat section during a mock draft I participated in earlier this week, someone remarked that his or her first three picks last year were Elton Brand, Al Jefferson and Jose Calderon. Despite that injury-riddled trio, this person apparently still cruised to his league title. It is hard to tell how much kudos he/she deserves, as it seems quite probable that the league this person participated in was weak. A good fantasy GM dominating a bad league should find a better league.
On the other hand, fantasy hoopsters know there is absolutely nothing wrong with a good player suiting up for a bad team. A lot of fantasy goodness can be head with these types of situations, as this next player illustrates.
Round 2, Pick 11: Devin Harris, PG, New Jersey Nets
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 10
Last year Ron Chow and I were lucky enough to land the number one pick in the Dropping Dimes Expert League. Rewind to one year ago and LeBron James had major free-throw issues, issues I would find a way to deal with, but with the #1 pick, we went with Chris Paul. That league had two slots for centers, and as we watched our tier of big men empty out before the draft snaked its way back to us, we realized the draft forced us to go in another direction. Thus, we matched Paul with the best multi-faceted guards on our draft board. One of them was this next pick.
Round 2, Pick 10: Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 9
Round 2, Pick 9: Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers
Andre Iguodala has not taken that next step up the NBA ladder. Possessing freakish athleticism and a complete toolbox of skill, “Iggy” has the chops to be a perennial All-Star. A steady performer in the fantasy game, he lacks the big-game potential to garner a higher draft pick. However, with Kobe Bryant picked to lead this squad in round one, a do-everything stat-stuffer in the second round will fit in just fine.
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 8
This player might best exemplify the difference between drafting for a roto league and a head-to-head league. Although picking players who shoot well ranks importantly across the board, shooting percentages will fluctuate week to week. Thus, a high percentage, but low volume shooter like this lead guard who plays north of the border may not be quite as valuable in a head-to-head league. Yet, in mock drafts that I have seen so far, he continues to be confidently targeted by prospective fantasy GMs. Let us put his game under the microscope as training camp opens this week.
Round 2, Pick 8: Jose Calderon, PG, Toronto Raptors
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 7
How much would an opinion change, in regards to a career, if you could review the complete production all at once? Take a band like U2. Will people born in the future enjoy their more recent albums more because they are not saddled with expectation from their prior albums? Or will songs like “Sunday Bloody Sunday” and albums like “War” and “The Joshua Tree” always still stand out?
This next player has been recording seasons to the tune of 21 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks for 12 years now. Future NBA enthusiasts may wonder why he was not appreciated more in the fantasy realm as they, unlike us, hold the advantage of not being saddled by expectation and the need to be entertained.
Round 2, Pick 7: Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
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One Man Mock Draft, Fantasy NBA 2009: Round 2, Pick 6
In a month where Kanye West further distinguished himself with his antics and Serena Williams suggesting she could overcome laws of physics and anatomy by shoving a tennis ball down a line judge’s throat, perhaps what set the sports blogosphere the most ablaze was the Hall of Fame speech from his Airness, Michael Jordan. Something tells me that when this next pick, a two-time MVP, steps up to the podium, he will be nothing but gracious as he reflects on the good life that this game of basketball has given him.
Some might argue against his credentials for being a Hall-of-Famer, but I for one believe it is a no-brainer. Him, Amar’e Stoudemire and the rest of the “7 Seconds or Less” Phoenix Suns brought back fast-break fun to the league.
Round 2, Pick 6: Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
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Fantasy NBA 2009: Mock Draft Master List
This is where you will find links to all the picks made in the mock draft thus far. Remember that this mock draft considers players for a head-to-head league using the standard nine categories (FG%, FT%, three-pointers made, points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks and turnovers).
1.1 LeBron James, SF, Cleveland Cavaliers
1.2 Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets
1.3 Dwyane Wade, PG/SG, Miami Heat
1.4 Kobe Bryant, SG, Los Angeles Lakers
1.5 Kevin Durant, SG/SF, Oklahoma City Thunder
1.6 Dwight Howard, C, Orlando Magic
1.7 Danny Granger, SG/SF, Indiana Pacers
1.8 Dirk Nowitzki, PF, Dallas Mavericks
1.9 Amar’e Stoudemire, PF/C, Phoenix Suns
1.10 Brandon Roy, PG/SG, Portland Trail Blazers
1.11 Chris Bosh, PF/C, Toronto Raptors
1.12 Deron Williams, PG, Utah Jazz
2.1 Al Jefferson, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
2.2 Pau Gasol, PF/C, Los Angeles Lakers
2.3 Gilbert Arenas, PG, Washington Wizards
2.4 Kevin Garnett, PF, Boston Celtics
2.5 Chauncey Billups, PG, Denver Nuggets
2.6 Steve Nash, PG, Phoenix Suns
2.7 Tim Duncan, PF/C, San Antonio Spurs
2.8 Jose Calderon, PG, Toronto Raptors
2.9 Andre Iguodala, SG/SF, Philadelphia 76ers
2.10 Joe Johnson, PG/SG, Atlanta Hawks
2.11 Devin Harris, PG, New Jersey Nets
2.12 Caron Butler, SF, Washington Wizards
3.1 Jason Kidd, PG, Dallas Mavericks