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July 5th, 2008

Chris Duhon to the Knicks - Fantasy Impact

Chris Duhon, formerly of the Chicago Bulls, has signed a free agent deal with the New York Knicks. Reports indicate that the value of the contract is $12M over two years.

While Duhon was only a spot starter in Chicago, he could become the opening night starter at point guard for the Knicks. With new coach Mike D’Antoni in charge, the Knicks needed a pass-first point guard who can distribute the ball. Enter Duhon.

While Duhon isn’t much of a scorer, he is a good passer. He makes smart passes and doesn’t try to force the issue too much. When it comes to scoring, Duhon relies on three-pointers and catch-and-shoot jumpers.

Although Duhon fantasy basketball stock won’t be overly high heading into the 2008-09 season, he definitely is a sleeper. D’Antoni helped Steve Nash turn into a Hall of Fame point guard. While Duhon doesn’t have that sort of potential, he could turn into a player who averages around ten points, eight assists and a good amount of steals and three-pointers.

Can Mike D’Antoni work his point guard magic with Chris Duhon?

Photo: Newscom

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By Stephen Kersey -- 0 comments

July 4th, 2008

Marvin Gaye NBA All-Star Game National Anthem

Happy birthday America! On this Fourth of July, NBA fans should celebrate by listening to this famous Marvin Gaye performance of the National Anthem at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game. Some critics have called this one of the best National Anthem performances of all-time.

Here is the Marvin Gaye NBA video:

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July 3rd, 2008

Gilbert Arenas Back With Wizards - Impact

The Washington Wizards and Gilbert Arenas have agreed on a new contract that will pay Arenas $111M. The Wizards made re-signing Arenas their number one offseason priority and they successfully accomplished that goal. Arenas turned down a deal from the Golden State Warriors to re-up with Washington.

Arenas has proven himself to be a very good basketball player — in real life and the fantasy world. He’s a point guard who can score and also rack up the assists. He’s an explosive athlete who is also a very capable outside shooter.

The only concern regarding Arenas right now is injury. Arenas has had two knee surgeries that have shortened his last two NBA seasons. When healthy, he’s a fantastic asset. But if he can’t stay healthy, the Wizards may live to regret this decision.

In fantasy basketball drafts, Arenas is probably a solid second rounder in the 2008-09 season. If he can prove to be healthy, his stock could rise into the first round.

The Wizards hope Gilbert Arenas can forget about the suits.

Photo: Newscom

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By Stephen Kersey -- 0 comments

July 3rd, 2008

Seattle Loses Sonics to Oklahoma City - Fantasy Impact

The Seattle Supersonics are officially no more. The team will move to Oklahoma City for the 2008-09 season.

After a long legal battle, the Sonics finally got out of their lease and are free to move. How will this impact the fantasy basketball world? There won’t be any cut and dry reactions to this move but there should be some subtle changes.

In the team’s last year in Seattle, they didn’t get much crowd support. The city of Seattle new that they were likely in a lame duck situation and it was difficult for the fans to be as rowdy as usual. However, in Oklahoma City, expect the opposite to be true. The fans will be very loud and will bring energy every night. That should help the Sonics and could result in a handful of home victories that otherwise would have been losses.

For players across the board in fantasy basketball, this is good news. It may be a sad day in Seattle but if you are an owner of a Sonics players, the short-term outlook is positive.

What will the new Oklahoma City NBA team be called? Two options getting a lot of publicity are the Oklahoma City Barons and the Oklahoma City Thunder.

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July 2nd, 2008

Corey Maggette to the San Antonio Spurs?

According to multiple reports, the San Antonio Spurs are in the lead when it comes to possibly signing Corey Maggette. Maggette, formerly of the Los Angeles Clippers, has generated a huge amount of interest around the NBA.

Since the Clippers are signing Baron Davis, that leaves Maggette without a home. Along with the San Antonio Spurs, other teams that have shown interest include the Boston Celtics and the Orlando Magic. The Philadelphia 76ers, Memphis Grizzlies and Golden State Warriors have enough cap room to offer Maggette more money than the Spurs.

While it’s far from a sure thing, Maggette would be a great addition for the Spurs. During the 2007-08 season, the Spurs routinely had trouble scoring the ball. Maggette is a very good scorer and is also a player who gets to the line a whole lot. Bringing those skills to San Antonio would make him a fantastic addition.

Fantasy basketball wise, Maggette’s stats would likely go down while with the Spurs. He’d probably start and play a healthy amount of minutes, but he’ll have to share touches with Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker.

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July 2nd, 2008

Baron Davis Goes Home - Impact and Video

I’m not sure if the Los Angeles Clippers fan was a factor in wooing Baron Davis to LA, but he certainly gave it his best shot. Look at the end of this entry for the Clippers fan video asking Davis to return to Los Angeles.

The big news of NBA free agency so far is Baron Davis signing with the Los Angeles Clippers — as we speculated when Davis opted out. After spending several highly successful seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Davis opted out of his contract and switched over to another Californian team. With the Clippers, Davis is expected to team with Elton Brand to create a formidable one-two punch.

While this is good news for the Clippers, fantasy basketball owners shouldn’t be as giddy. Davis put up great fantasy stats in Golden State, however he was in a very fantasy friendly system. The Clippers usually play a slow-paced game and Davis will have to share the ball with Brand. He should still be a good point guard in the fantasy world but likely not as good as he’s been in the last few seasons.

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July 1st, 2008

Gilbert Arenas Free Agent - Arenas Rumors

Gilbert Arenas officially became a free agent on Monday night. Arenas, who has been hampered by injuries in the last few seasons, will be one of the most sought after free agents this summer.

Although teams will show interest in Arenas, expect Arenas to reach a deal to stay with the Washington Wizards. In fact, there is already talk of the Wizards offering Arenas a deal worth approximately $100 million. If that is the case, it’d be difficult to imagine that any other team would approach that figure.

In terms of fantasy basketball, Arenas’ future lies with his health. When healthy, he is a very good fantasy player. He scores, dishes out assists and has a solid all around statistical game. If Arenas can’t get healthy, not only with the Wizards be disappointed, but so will fantasy basketball owners.

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July 1st, 2008

Baron Davis Opts Out - Possible Destinations?

Baron Davis opted out of his last year of his contract with the Golden State Warriors to become a free agent. His final year of his contract would have paid him around $17 million.

Davis opting out is somewhat of a surprise. Most experts thought Davis would collect the final year of his deal before hitting the open market next summer. Apparently, Davis has other ideas.

The most likely destination for Davis next year remains the Warriors. Golden State can pay him a lot of money and he has thrived in Golden State. That said, there is growing talk about Davis’ unhappiness in Golden State — specifically concerning his relationship with head coach Don Nelson.

If Davis leaves the Warriors, expect him to go to a big market team. The Los Angeles Clippers could come knocking and try to bring back the former UCLA Bruins player. Another team that could go after Davis is the New York Knicks. The Knicks don’t have a quality point guard and new head coach Mike D’Antoni would love to get his hands on a player with Davis’ talents.

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June 30th, 2008

2008 Rookies - Top Ten Fantasy Basketball Rookies

1. Michael Beasley - Beasley will be able to score and rebound right away.
2. Greg Oden - Don’t forget about Oden, who missed his rookie year.
3. OJ Mayo - Should score right away with the Grizzlies.
4. Derrick Rose - Expect him to start slow and then come on strong.
5. Rudy Fernandez - Expect him produce great numbers if a starter.
6. Kevin Love - Love has a very developed game and should shine.
7. Eric Gordon - Could score by the dozens with the Clippers.
8. Jerryd Bayless - The Blazers have three top rookies in the top ten.
9. Brandon Rush - Should be able to step in and start right away.
10. Brook Lopez - As a starting center, should be very solid for the Nets.

Will Michael Beasley become a beast for the Heat?

Photo: Newscom

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June 30th, 2008

Manny Pacquiao with the Boston Celtics - Video

Manny Pacquiao easily dismantled David Diaz in the ring and then once outside the ring, he joined with the Boston Celtics to celebrate. Flashbulbs burst as pictures were taken of Pacquiao with various Celtics including Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Sam Cassell and Rajon Rondo.

Watch the complete video of Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao with the Celtics here:

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