nedjelja, 15.04.2007.
MILWAUKEE: Bobcats win, Hermann goes for THIRTY...NBA @ OBN: Mavs vs. Spurs @ 21.50
DA SPURS BEST KEPT SECRET - JAMES WHITE IS ALIVE!! Definitivno spada u kategoriju u članku ispod, u dresu Spursa je za sada zabilježio 55min/12s/23p, što bi na bazi od 40 minuta bilo 16.7p/8.7s (Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images))..
BREAKOUT CANDIDATES FOR NEXT SEASON
If there’s one thing we’ve learned this year it’s that the NBA is taking on a new persona. It’s a quicker, faster, more athletic game these days. Think about two of the biggest breakout players this year: Monta Ellis and Leandro Barbosa. The common link? Both operate at a different speed than the rest of the players on the court. Another breakout player, Al Jefferson, toned down and added some quickness, then promptly dominated the league once he earned a starting gig.
Meanwhile, slower big men such as Chris Kaman (bust), Zydrunas Illgauskus (bust) and Brad Miller (bust) have been left behind in the dust. Truthfully, this change has been in motion for quite some time. We just didn’t get to see the full effects of it until this season. Now that the change has taken place, fantasy leaguers need to place a premium on quick guards like Barbosa, athletic swingmen like Andre Iguodala, and athletic power forwards that can run the court such as Chris Bosh and Al Jefferson. So, we’ve learned that the NBA is a quicker and more athletic league than ever before. Who benefits? More importantly, who are the breakout candidates for next year based on what we have learned this year?
JAMES WHITE by SUNDAZEFOSHO..
Chuck Hayes, PF, HOU: Who would’ve thought that it would be the 6-6 Chuck Hayes acting as Yao Ming’s sidekick in the Houston frontcourt? Don’t lie, you thought it was going to be Stromile Swift, didn’t you? Hayes may be short in stature, but he more than makes up for his lack of height with his aggressiveness and quickness. Always jumping on the loose ball, Hayes is the perfect compliment to Yao on both the offensive and defensive end. It’s the toughness and physicality he brings to the table that has coach Jeff Van Gundy loving this duo in the post. As long as Van Gundy is around, you can bank on seeing Hayes next to Yao in the starting lineup. If you’re not sold on Hayes from a statistical standpoint, check out his averages since the All-Star break: 7.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 23.4 minutes per game. I figure next year he starts seeing 25-30 minutes per contest where he should be able to put up around eight points, nine boards and 1.5 steals a game.
Renaldo Balkman, SF, NYK: Blasted for the Balkman selection on draft day, Isiah Thomas may end up with the last laugh. This dude is all over the court every night and he’s earning cred with Knicks and fantasy fans alike. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up being a big time star over in Madison Square Garden for years to come. He fits the mold of the long, athletic swingman that can run the court and bring excitement to the game. Over his last 11 games, Balkman is averaging 10.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks in 27.1 minutes per game. If you like steals and blocks, and who doesn’t, Balkman could be your steal at the end of the draft.
NAJBOLJE JUČERAŠNJE AKCIJE (14/04/07)..
Rajon Rondo, PG, BOS: Bill Simmons was right about Rajon Rondo. He just had the wrong year. Boston wasn’t ready to turn the court over to the rookie this year, but after seeing him blow by defenders and create steals like a madman, they’ll be ready next year. He, like Barbosa and Ellis, plays at a different speed than the rest of the players on the court. If only he could shoot, we’d be talking about a fully-fledged fantasy stud. In any case, expect the Celtics to give Rondo the keys to the bus in 2007-08 and expect to find yourself a nice point guard towards the end of your fantasy draft. Just take a look at what this kid is doing with extended minutes in April: 12.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 2.6 steals in 35.8 minutes per game! Love it.
Devin Harris, PG, DAL: Much like Rondo, Devin Harris is a lightning quick point guard that isn’t a tremendous shooter. He’s not as electrifying as Rondo, nor does he posses the same ball-distribution skills, but he’s similar nonetheless. I’m convinced that Harris would have busted out this year if it hadn’t been for the inconsistent minutes he’s seen all season long. Recently, though, Harris has given us a taste of what life might be like with extended minutes. Since the All-Star break he’s averaged 10.5 points, 3.6 assists and 1.4 steals in 27.3 minutes per contest. If Dallas ever decides to commit 30-plus minutes to him (which they should next season), we’ll be looking at a prime breakout candidate.
MYREE BOWDEN IN THE NCAA DUNK CONTEST by SUNDAZEFOSHO: 6'1'' Myree blessed witn un incredible 45 inch vertical leap is considered to be one of TOP 3 DUNKERS NOT IN THE NBA...
Anderson Varejao, PF/C, CLE: Though he’s not as athletic as the rest of the players named on this list, Anderson Varejao is a rugged power forward type that is quicker than most of his counterparts at the same position. He’s always moving at full-steam and is relentless on the glass and on the defensive end. There are plenty of teams that will come calling for his services when he becomes a free agent at season’s end, and it should be interesting to see where he lands. I’ve got to think he’ll get paid, and end up in a situation where he can be a full-time starter. He’s shown quite a bit this season, especially as a starter where he’s averaged 12.0 points, 11.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.8 blocks in 35.2 minutes per game. That type of production will be extremely valuable when it the pickings get slim in the later rounds next year.
Travis Outlaw, SF/PF, POR: My love for Outlaw has been well documented, but I feel that I must include him in this section. Fact is, he may have more upside than anyone else on this list. He hasn’t played much this season, but when he has, he’s shown the ability that most scouts rave about. Finally getting 30 minutes per night in the month of April, Outlaw has averaged 13.2 points, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks per game over his last five. I’d love to see what this kid can do with consistent playing time over the course of a full season. Hopefully, we’ll be getting that chance next season.
Others worth mentioning in this category: Walter Hermann, PF, CHA, Tarence Kinsey, SG/SF, MEM...
Brian McKittish
NBA.COM
