Mostly NBA Notes: Deron Williams, Ricky Rubio and John Wall all point guards on the rise

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Deron Williams has been a disappointment for fantasy owners this season. He currently ranks as the No. 34 ranked player on the year, which is hardly terrible, but he was drafted as a top-15 guy, and it’s taken him being the No. 9 player over the past month to get back into the top-50. Since joining New Jersey/Brooklyn 2+ years ago, Williams has shot 41.1 percent from the floor, well below his career mark (45.2). A big part of the problem has been health, mainly ankle issues. In fact, Williams has essentially stopped driving to the basket this season, averaging just 2.6 attempts at the rim per game, which is a career low by a huge margin. However, since receiving PRP injections in his ankles during the All-Star

Mostly NBA Notes: Blake Griffin’s developing game and Bradley Beal’s emergence

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

After being the 100th most valuable fantasy player during the first month of the season, Blake Griffin has ranked 19th ever since, as his value hasn’t been tied to Chris Paul availability (actually if anything he’s been more valuable when CP3 is sidelined, with his assists notably going up). Griffin is on pace to finish with career lows in ppg (18.5) and rpg (8.6) - the latter by a wide margin. But he’s become much more active on the defensive end, averaging 1.4 spg (his previous high was 0.8), and ironically, his drop in Usage Rate has

Mostly NBA Notes: Blake Griffin’s developing game and Bradley Beal’s emergence

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

After being the 100th most valuable fantasy player during the first month of the season, Blake Griffin has ranked 19th ever since, as his value hasn’t been tied to Chris Paul’s availability (actually if anything he’s been more valuable when CP3 is sidelined, with his assists notably going up). Griffin is on pace to finish with career lows in ppg (18.5) and rpg (8.6) - the latter by a wide margin. But he’s become much more active on the defensive end, averaging 1.4 spg (his previous high was 0.8), and ironically, his drop in Usage Rate has helped his fantasy value, as while his free-throw shooting has improved (his 66.2 percent mark is a career best, but he shot 64.2 percent from the

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) returns w/ 11 & 10 - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) returned to action with 11 points, 10 rebounds and four steals in 36 minutes vs. the Knicks on Sunday.

Thaddeus Young: (Hamstring) Will Play Sunday

Source: RotoWire.com NBA

Thaddeus Young: Young (hamstring) will play Sunday against the Knicks. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) will play Sunday - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young is "definitely" going to play against the Knicks on Sunday.

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) hopes to play Sun. - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) is hopeful to play against the Knicks on Sunday.

Young has outside shot of returning Sunday - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) is ahead of his rehabilitation schedule, and has an outside shot of returning on Sunday against the Knicks.

Mostly NBA Notes: Rudy Gay surging

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

When I first analyzed the Rudy Gay trade, I surmised the move was lateral for his fantasy value. I’ve since quickly changed my mind, even rating him 20th on my latest Big Board update after just a couple of games with the Raptors, as the drop in quality when it comes to teammates appears to be far more outweighed by his increased responsibilities. Call it the James Harden effect. After averaging 16.4 FGA with Memphis, he’s up to 21.0 with Toronto, including a whopping 6.0 3pt and also 5.7 FTA (all three would easily be career highs). Gay’s 12 rebounds Wednesday

Thaddeus Young: (Hamstring) Sidelined Three Weeks

Source: RotoWire.com NBA

Thaddeus Young: Young had an MRI performed Tuesday, which revealed a Grade 1 left hamstring strain, PhillyBurbs.com reports. He will be sidelined approximately three weeks. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) out about 3 weeks - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

An MRI revealed that Thaddeus Young suffered a Grade-1 hamstring strain and he is expected to miss a minimum of three weeks.

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) out three weeks - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

An MRI revealed that Thaddeus Young suffered a Grade-1 hamstring strain and he is expected to miss three weeks.

Thaddeus Young headed for MRI on Tuesday - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young will have an MRI of his hamstring on Tuesday and could be out for as long as two months if he has a complete tear.

Thaddeus Young could be out 'a while' - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Doug Collins said that Thaddeus Young (hamstring) "could be out for a while" following Monday's win over Orlando.

Thaddeus Young (hamstring) out for game - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young suffered a left hamstring strain in the second quarter of Monday's game against the Magic and he will not return.

Young goes for 23 & 15; Jrue posts 21-6-7 - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young scored 23 points on 11-of-17 shooting with 15 rebounds and two steals against the Kings on Friday.

Thaddeus Young scores 27 with 14 boards - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young shot 13-of-19 from the field for 27 points to go with 14 boards, two assists, three steals and one block in 45 minutes against the Raptors on Friday.

Mostly NBA Notes: Dwyane Wade’s changing game

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Dwyane Wade has averaged 20.8 ppg, 4.3 apg, 1.2 spg and 0.6 bpg, which are all career lows since his rookie season (expect for steals, which is his lowest mark ever). He’s actually shooting a personal best 51.1 percent from the field while committing the fewest turnovers per game of his career, but he’s followed last year’s trend of getting to the line far less (this is no fluke, as he’s attempted the fewest shots at the rim ever, although he’s countered that with easily his best mark there at 76.2 percent), and the biggest decrease in production has been in the defensive stats. Maybe it’s a sign of him entering a slight decline phase now on the wrong side of 30, and he’s taken a ton of punishment

Day 26: Where Metta World Peace Gets His Groove Back

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night: Kevin Durant (3.33 WARP) currently sits at the top of our player rater by a huge margin, averaging 1.44 wins/week this year in 9-cat leagues compared to the second best player, LeBron James, at 1.10 wins. And I can see why. Last night was at least the third line of the night performance from Durant so far this season as he led the Thunder to an overtime win over the Sixers with 37 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks in nearly 50 minutes on the court! With Harden gone this season, Durant has actually become a bit more of a playmaker in addition to all the scoring – he’s averaging 4.5 assists per game – up from 3.5 lasts season.

Honorable Mentions: The

Thaddeus Young posts 29 points, 15 rebounds - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

The 76ers lost in overtime on Saturday despite a season-high 29 points from Thaddeus Young, who also grabbed a career-high 15 rebounds and dished out four assists.

Roundball Stew: Very Important Parsons

Source: Rotoworld Basketball Articles

Matt Stroup charts the emergence of Chandler Parsons and talks Thaddeus Young and Metta World Peace in this week's Roundball Stew.

Day 22: Where Nick Young Has Swag

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night/ Waiver Wire Line of the Night : with only three games last night, Nick Young (1.92) snuck in with an efficient 23 points, with 3 threes, 4 assists, 0 turnovers and 1 crazy-ass shot coming off the bench for the Sixers. It’s probably the least impressive line of the night we’ve had so far this year, but you don’t typically put the words “efficient” and “”Nick Young” together in the same sentence, so at least that is a surprise. And while I wouldn’t run

Day 16: Where the Sixers Have an Appetite for (their own) Destruction

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night: It was only a matter of time before Kevin Durant (2.82 WARP) broke out in a big way; and that came last night against the Grizzlies, where Durant scored 34 points, adding 10 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals and a couple blocks. It came in a whopping 44 minutes, but if you’re the Thunder you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do when you don’t have the league’s best sixth man to give your starters a breather. It’s also Durant’s first game over 30 points this season. He truly is a microbe y’all.

Honorable Mentions: Carlos Boozer (2.00) took

Young, Allen expected to start for Sixers - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Doug Collins confirmed that Thaddeus Young and Lavoy Allen are expected to start the season opener.

Thad Young hits 10-of-12 FGs to go for 22 & 8 - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young hit 10-of-12 shots in Monday's preseason win over the Knicks on Monday, scoring 22 points with eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal in 38 minutes.

Top 35 Fantasy Power Forwards for the 2012-13 Season

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Power forward is arguably the deepest position in the league. This year, 35 power forwards might actually get drafted in many leagues. But don’t take my word for it, let’s jump right in…

Tier 1: Give Them a Hand

1. Kevin Love (4), Minnesota Timberwolves

We assumed that Love was an unstoppable force in fantasy leagues, turns out all it took was a few pushups to set him back. Yes, Love is expected to miss the first 4 to 6 weeks of the season after breaking a bone in his hand while

Thaddeus Young: Probable Starter At Power Forward

Source: RotoWire.com NBA

Thaddeus Young: Young is currently expected begin the season at power forward and could keep the job the whole season, Comcast SportsNet reports. "I would say right now that would be something I would be leaning to," coach Doug Collins said regarding starting Young at power forward. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Thad Young scores 24 points in start at PF - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young started at power forward in the Sixers' exhibition win over the Nets on Friday, scoring 24 points on 11-of-15 shooting with nine rebounds, one steal, and two blocks in 39 minutes.

Lavoy Allen to Start at Center While Bynum Is Out

Source: Fantasy Basketball Daily by Tippy

John Finger of CSNPhilly.com reports that Lavoy Allen will start at center and Thaddeus Young will start at power forward while Andrew Bynum continues to heal. Source:  CSNPhilly.com – Allen, Young to start if Bynum not ready Fantasy Analysis:  Up until now, Lavoy Allen had been buried on the depth [...]

Mock Draft Results and Analysis 2012-13

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

I know you like mock draft results. Who doesn’t? I promised on on Give Me The Rock’s Facebook page, a little bit too soon, that I would participate in a Yahoo! mock draft and post the results. Three weeks too early, it was tough to get a slot in a mock I was sure would fill up. Maybe it’s my timezone. Whatever. I finally got into one in a draft position that was requested by the most people who replied to the thread, middle position.

As you may or may not know, I’m fond of doing mock drafts. I like to get around 10 or so under my belt before my first real

15 Sleepers for the 2012-13 NBA season

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

It’s that time of year again, fantasy basketball draft prep time. We hear you. We know what you’re looking for, and have been searching the web for all this time, and no we don’t mean naked Emma Watson pics. That’s the kind of thing you clear your browsing history for. Seriously, it’s time to talk about sleepers. Who we think are NBA players who have a chance to slip through the cracks and exceed their average draft positions. In short, draft day gold. Sleepers are technically supposed to be like Fight Club. They both have the same first two

Player Spotlight: Jrue Holiday

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

Don’t sleep on Jrue Holiday. He’s up for a solid 2012-13 NBA season. That’s the short version. Read on for a more in-depth understanding as to “Why”.

As I discussed in my spotlight on Serge Ibaka, this is a series of posts on players from an owner’s perspective from a previous season.

I had Holiday as a keeper in two leagues where I carried him over from the 2010-11 season to the most recent 2011-12 season. So I am all too familiar with the ups and downs of his

Thaddeus Young wants to be Sixers starting SF - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young's goal is to become the starting SF for the 2012-13 season.

Thaddeus Young expected to come off the bench - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Doug Collins said that he plans to use Thaddeus Young off the bench next season.

Dwight Howard Traded to the Lakers – Fantasy Implications

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

As first reported by ESPN, it appears that the long awaited Dwight Howard trade saga has come to an end, as a four-team trade involving Howard was agreed upon in principal on Thursday evening. The teams will conference with the NBA on Friday to get league approval and make it official.

Sources indicate that the trade will send Howard to the Lakers. In exchange the Philadelphia 76ers will get Andrew Bynum and Jason Richardson, the Denver Nuggets will acquire Andre Iguodala, and the Magic will get

2012 NBA Draft Fantasy Basketball Impact – Part 3

Source: Give Me The Rock by Nels

Part 1 is here (picks 1-10)

Part 2 is here (picks 11-20)

21. Boston – Jared Sullinger (PF)

Sullinger’s reputation was sullied at the last minute by rumors of a back problem, dropping him from a potential lottery pick down to the Celtics at 21. (Okay, sorry, that was bad) If he turns out to be okay, then that’s a pretty

Thaddeus Young (ankle) probable for Game 2 - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (sprained ankle) is expected to play in Game 2 on Monday.

Thaddeus Young (ankle) headed for X-rays - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (sprained ankle) did return briefly after injuring himself on Saturday, but he was "limping badly" after the game and is scheduled for X-rays.

Court Report: Once more, with feeling

Source: Roto Arcade by Matt Buser

Status updates: The Heat are expected to rest LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, and Chris Bosh on Thursday .. Celtics: Ray Allen is out, Greg Stiemsma is likely out; Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and

Top 50 Fantasy Basketball Keepers for 2012

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

This is GMTR’s top 50 long-term keeper list for fantasy basketball keeper leagues. It is based on a player’s estimated fantasy value over the next five seasons. I wrote up the summaries a few games before the end of the season, so the final end of the season stats may differ slightly from the ones presented below.

A quick note about this list. It’s tough enough to predict player value for next week, never mind five years from now. Any long-term keeper list needs to balance experience (and predictability) with youth and potential. Therefore, this list trends more towards experience than one might expect because those are the

Day 123 of 124: DNP: Rest

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Day 123 provides us with plenty of examples of why you should not run your H2H fantasy league to the very end of the season. The Sixers, Spurs and Bucks basically sat their entire starting lineups last night. Stars who are even remotely hurt will sit out the final games – Danny Granger, Chris Paul and Andre Iguodala all sat with injuries. And stars that do play will often get the early curtain call, like Steve Nash and Kyrie Irving did last night. It all makes for a mess in the final days of the season.

Line of the Night: Except we can always count on the Thunder. OKC played their final game of the

Thaddeus Young: (Rest) Will Miss Final Two Regular Season Games

Source: RotoWire.com NBA

Thaddeus Young: Young will not join the Sixers for their final two regular season contests, the team's official site reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Thaddeus Young is not traveling with Sixers - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (rest) will not play in the final two regular season games.

Day 121 of 124: When Danny Granger is Away, Paul George Will Play

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

Line of the Night: With Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert and George Hill all sitting last night for the Pacers (the team is locked into the three seed in the East) Paul George (2.32) got to run wild over the Pistons and finished with 27 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals on the night. Granger is expected to sit again for the Pacers last game on Wednesday, so expect another huge game from Paul to finish out the season.

Honorable Mentions: Tony Allen (2.10) has been horrible since coming back from injury in mid-April (I know, because he’s on my roto team and I’m capped with moves for the year, so I haven’t been able to dump him), but last night with a little help

Thaddeus Young to draw a spot start Monday - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young will start in Monday's game against the Magic.

Day 92 of 124: A Tale of Two Kevins

Source: Give Me The Rock by Erik

Alternate title: Zazaaaaaa!!!

While all, well most, eyes were on the supposed potential NBA Finals matchup between the Miami Heat and the Oklahoma City Thunder, us fantasy hoopheads were busy appreciating stuff like a quadruple overtime game between Utah and Atlanta or even better yet, another Line of the Night: by Kevin Love (3.93).  Yes, it was kind of reminiscent of our recap a couple of days ago, except this time Kevin L outperforms Kevin D in fantasy this time around. It’s interesting

Day 86 of 124: Who Needs Derrick Rose When You Have Carlos Boozer*

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

*Not intended to be a factual statement

Line of the Night: Dirk Nowitzki (2.40) led the Mavs to a big win over the Nuggets with 33 points on 12-19 shooting, adding 3 threes, 11 rebounds and 6 assists. For anyone scared about Dirk after his slow start to the season, the numbers he’s been putting up after he took that week off in January are right in line with the first round value we all expected from him this year.

Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose missed yet another game with a groin injury, so Carlos Boozer (2.33) picked up the scoring slack (and defensive slack apparently) as the Bulls shut down the Magic 85-59. Boozer had 24 points on 12-18 shooting, with 13

Thaddeus Young ready to play on Friday - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (flu) was at morning shootaround and is expected to play on Friday.

Thaddeus Young sidelined due to illness - Thaddeus Young | PHI

Source: Rotoworld Basketball

Thaddeus Young (illness) won't play against the Celtics on Wednesday.

Day 72 of 124: You Take the Good, You Take the Bad

Source: Give Me The Rock by Patrick

…you take them both and there you have the facts of life

Line of the Night: Not surprisingly, the Cavaliers are a team that have been allowing opposing players to go off on them. And last night was no exception as Al Jefferson (2.89) came close to a triple-double in a 109-100 win, scoring 25 points, with 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 3 blocks in 39 minutes on the court. It’s the second line of the night for Jefferson this season and he currently sits at #11 on our player rater. If you remember (hopefully you don’t), I wasn’t actually all that high on Jefferson going into the season, pegging him as a late second round pick at best. I screwed up on that one. Noted.