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Hardwood hardware
Hardwood hardware  | | Chris Paul is our Fantasy MVP for the 2007-08 season. (Getty Images) | |
| Chris Paul was drafted in the second round of most Fantasy formats, but he outperformed virtually everyone in Fantasy. Our Jamey Eisenberg hands out his season-ending hardware in his latest Courtside Seat. Full story | |
NBA Scores
| Most Added Players in CBSSports.com Leagues (as of 3/27) |
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1.
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Brandon Bass, PF, DAL
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11.
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Nenad Krstic, C, NJ
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2.
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Josh Powell, SF, LAC
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12.
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Mikki Moore, PF, SAC
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3.
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Jerry Stackhouse, SF, DAL
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13.
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Wilson Chandler, SF, NY
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4.
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Chris Quinn, PG, MIA
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14.
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Steve Blake, PG, POR
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5.
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Erick Dampier, C, DAL
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15.
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Ronald Murray, PG, IND
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6.
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Bonzi Wells, SG, NO
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16.
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Vladimir Radmanovic, SF, LAL
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7.
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Ronny Turiaf, PF, LAL
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17.
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Ryan Gomes, PF, MIN
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8.
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Joel Przybilla, C, POR
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18.
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Rashad McCants, SG, MIN
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9.
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Martell Webster, SG, POR
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19.
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Jamario Moon, SG, TOR
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10.
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Spencer Hawes, C, SAC
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20.
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Juan Carlos Navarro, PG, MEM
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| Complete Fantasy Player Rankings |
Exclusive Features
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 Kobe: I'll be ready for Game 5
Kobe Bryant, SG LAL
News: Kobe Bryant tweaked his back in the opening minutes of Sunday's 123-115 overtime loss at Utah that tied the Western Conference semifinals 2-2. He met the media Monday with an electronic stimulation device hooked up to his sore lower back. "It's pretty sore right now," Bryant said Monday. "It's tight. It's to be expected the next day, I guess. I don't know how I made it through the game, to be honest with you." Bryant said he was receiving treatment around the clock. Bryant said he was glad Game 5 wasn't being played Tuesday. "It was give me another day to recuperate," he said. "I'll be ready to play. I can't imagine it being any worse than it was last night."
Analysis: Bryant entered the season as the league's two-time defending scoring champion and took home his first NBA Most Valuable Player award. He averaged 28.3 points while playing all 82 games despite tearing a pinkie ligament in February. That was actually down from the 31.6 average he had a season ago, but he appeared in all 82 games for the first time since 2002-03 and led the Lakers to the top seed in the Western Conference. The MVP award comes on the heels of a regular season in which he seemed to mature as a total player, getting others involved and making his team better in the process. Playing alongside the likes of Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum (when healthy) could actually result in a slight decline in his scoring numbers again next season, but a 28-6-5 season isn't too shabby. The NBA MVP will be worth a top-5 pick in all Fantasy formats once again in 2008-09.
Profile
Billups questionable for Game 5
Chauncey Billups, PG DET
News: Pistons G Chauncey Billups is considered questionable for Game 5 of the team's second-round playoff series against Orlando. He missed Game 4 with a hamstring injury he suffered in the third game of the series in Orlando. Pistons strength and conditioning coach Arnie Kander believes his chances are good for playing. "He's had no setbacks and he comes in every morning feeling better, said Kander.
Analysis: For the second consecutive season, Billups averaged exactly 17.0 ppg. He added 6.8 apg and 2.7 rpg, only slightly down from his 2006-07 totals. Billups continues to be a consistent Fantasy guard, but at 31 he can no longer be expected to surpass his totals. Instead, it's very likely his numbers will start to decrease slightly. Fantasy owners should still view him as a low-end No. 1 Fantasy guard, just understand that it's more likely he'll under-perform than it is that he'll exceed his draft value.
Profile
Lowry shows some spark as soph
Kyle Lowry, SG MEM
News: Grizzlies G Kyle Lowry appeared in 82 games during his second NBA season, averaging career highs in scoring (9.6), assists (3.6) and minutes played (25.5). He started nine games and averaged 14.1 points, 4.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in those games. In eight games during the month of April -- when most Fantasy titles were decided -- he averaged 13.0 points, 4.0 assists and 2.3 rebounds.
Analysis: Lowry put up decent numbers despite playing a limited role off the bench. He had to split time with rookies Mike Conley and Juan Carlos Navarro, though, which capped his potential production. Navarro will be a restricted free agent in the offseason, though, which could free up some minutes and shot attempts for Lowry in 2008-09. For now, his value in drafts is that of a reserve with some upside should he stumble into more playing time. He'll be drafted in the late rounds.
Profile
Conley has decent rookie season
Mike Conley, PG MEM
News: Grizzlies rookie Mike Conley started 46 of the 53 games in which he appeared during his rookie season in 2007-08. He averaged 9.9 points, 4.3 assists and 2.8 rebounds as a starter. His best month of the season came in April, when he averaged 14.3 points, 4.4 rebounds and 4.3 assists in eight games.
Analysis: Conley had to share time with Spaniard Juan Carlos Navarro, who enjoyed a pretty solid rookie season in his own right. Navarro will be a restricted free agent in the offseason and the team will have a decision to make. They can match any offer sheet given to Navarro, or they can let him walk and hand the reigns totally to Conley in 2008-09. Conley's Fantasy owners would obviously prefer the latter. Under similar circumstances, Conley's numbers would only be projected to slightly increase. As a player who could stand to see 30-35 minutes per game as the unquestioned starter, Conley's Fantasy projections could rise to that of a 14-6-3 guard.
Profile
Gay breaks out in second season
Rudy Gay, SG MEM
News: Grizzlies F Rudy Gay averaged nearly twice as many points (20.1) in his second NBA season as he did as a rookie (10.8). He also upped his numbers in rebounds (from 4.5 to 6.1), assists (from 1.3 to 2.0), field-goal percentage (from 42.2 to 46.2) and three pointers made per game (from 0.7 to 1.7). He also played 37.0 minutes per game, up from 27.0.
Analysis: Considering that the typical NBA breakout season comes in the third year, this guy will be highly sought after in most NBA Fantasy drafts. His average draft position was 98.2 in 2007-08, which put him around the 10th round in most 10-team leagues. That, by all standards, was a complete steal. Fantasy owners should expect a 20-6-2 forward to go in rounds 3-5.
Profile
Warrick's numbers dip in 2007-08
Hakim Warrick, PF MEM
News: Grizzlies F Hakim Warrick saw his scoring, rebounding, assists and minutes play decline in his third NBA season. His scoring went from 12.7 points to 11.4, his rebounding from 5.1 to 4.7, his assists from 0.9 to 0.7 and his minutes played from 26.2 to 23.4.
Analysis: Warrick also started in just 30 games after starting 43 during his second NBA season. His role was reduced just a tad and his numbers reflected that reduction. But the fact remains he's a 25-year-old with a good amount of athletic upside and he can be a player with breakout statistical numbers should he find himself playing around 30-35 minutes per game. Unfortunately, he won't head into the 2008-09 regular season with that chance and will be projected for similar numbers. An 11-4-3 forward will certainly be worth drafting as a No. 4 option in most Fantasy formats in the middle-to-late rounds.
Profile
Battier undergoes minor surgery
Shane Battier, SF HOU
News: Houston forward Shane Battier had a minor surgical procedure done Friday to repair an injury that occurred late in the season. Battier underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his left ankle. Team doctor Tom Clanton said Battier will be ready to play when the Rockets open training camp in the fall.
Analysis: Battier appeared in 80 games during the 2007-08 regular season and has appeared in at least that many in each of the last four seasons. He's never been an injury problem in the past, but his stability doesn't make up for his lack of overall production. He averaged under 10 points for the fourth time in his seven-year NBA career during the 2007-08 regular season and his ceiling is that of a 10-5-2 player, making him useful as a low-end starter in deeper formats.
Profile
Big Ben back in lineup after all
Ben Wallace, C CLE
News: Cavaliers starting forward Ben Wallace was in the starting lineup for Game 3 against the Boston Celtics on Saturday night and will attempt to play despite occasional dizziness caused by an inner ear infection. Wallace missed the morning shootaround, and following the workout coach Mike Brown said his best interior defender "most likely will not" play against the Celtics. However, Wallace had no problems while warming up, and about one hour before tipoff said he would try to play.
Analysis: Cavs coach Mike Brown said if Wallace can't go, Anderson Varejao would likely start up front alongside LeBron James and Zydrunas Ilgauskas as Cleveland tries to climb back from an 0-2 deficit in the best-of-seven series. Wallace joined the Cavaliers in a trade from Chicago in February. He missed several regular-season games because of back spasms. Wallace is a solid defensive presence for the Cavaliers, but he unfortunately keeps doing less and less for Fantasy owners. For the first time in seven seasons, Wallace averaged under 10 rebounds per game. His scoring, already pedestrian, also keeps declining and Fantasy owners should no longer consider him a very solid No. 2 Fantasy center.
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