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Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Week 8

In the past week, nobody has picked up a player in the Sports of Boston Fantasy Basketball League. Either everyone is very satisfied with their team or nobody is paying attention. That kind of crime would be worse than Lamar Odom’s fantasy value (oh, petty cheap shot by me).

Injuries

Chauncey Billups (PG), Denver Nuggets

Billups, an elite fantasy point guard, has missed two straight games with a groin strain. There is no serious damage and he is still listed as day-to-day.

Allen Iverson (PG, SG), Philadelphia 76ers

A.I.’s return to Philly has hit a speed bump as Iverson has missed two games with arthritis in his knee. Odds are he won’t be ready for Tuesday’s game against the Wizards.

Dirk Nowitzki (PF), Dallas Mavericks

In perhaps one of the more bizarre injuries in any sport this year, Mavs forward Dirk Nowtizki needed several stitches to close a gash on his elbow after colliding with Houston forward Carl Landry. Pieces of Landry’s teeth had to be removed from Dirk’s elbow before it could be sewn up. Dirk missed Sunday’s game, but this injury won’t keep him out long.

Best Players of the Week

Point Guard

Chris Paul (PG), New Orleans Hornets

CP3 has rightfully regained his throne at the top of the point guard mountain with 19.0 points, 6.3 rebounds, 13.5 assists, and 2.0 steals. Paul has 12+ assists in seven of his last eight games.

Honorable Mention: Jason Kidd, Dallas Mavericks (9.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.8 3PTM)

Shooting Guard

Joe Johnson (PG, SG, SF), Atlanta Hawks

Johnson scored 26.0 points, which was boosted by a season-high 40 points on Saturday. Rounding out his week were 7.7 rebounds, 4.7 assists, 1.0 steals, and 2.3 3PTM.

Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (34.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.5 steals)

Small Forward

LeBron James (SF), Cleveland Cavaliers

Just more good stuff from King James as he scored 27.5 points with 6.3 rebounds, 7.0 assists, 1.8 steals, 1.5 blocks, and 2.0 3PTM.

Honorable Mention: Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics (19.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.3 3PTM)

Power Forward

Tim Duncan (PF, C), San Antonio Spurs

Remember when he should have been a Celtic? Yeah well, with weeks like these, we will continue to be jealous. Duncan was in classic form with 26.7 points on 53.2% shooting and he added 15.0 rebounds and 3.3 blocks.

Honorable Mention: Marcus Camby, L.A. Clippers (53.8 FG%, 87.5 FT%, 8.8 points, 17.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 3.5 blocks)

Center

Zach Randolph (PF, C), Memphis Grizzlies

Randolph simply blew away the competition as he had no holes in his game with a 54.7 FG%, 94.4 FT%, 22.0 points, 13.8 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks.

Honorable Mention: Chris Kaman, L.A. Clippers (56.5 FG%, 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals, 1.5 blocks)

You Could Have Done Better

Point Guard

Devin Harris (PG), New Jersey Nets

Harris hasn’t been as an electrifying a scorer as last season and his woes continued last week with 15.0 points on a lowly 38.0% shooting. Also taking a hit were his assists as he compiled only 4.0 per game.

Honorable Mention: Mike Bibby, Atlanta Hawks (34.8 FG%, 8.0 points, 4.0 assists)

Shooting Guard

J.R. Smith (SG, SF), Denver Nuggets

The points were good (18.0), but he gave you absolutely no help elsewhere with 2.8 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and a 65.0 FT%.

Honorable Mention: Manu Ginobli, San Antonio Spurs (31.8 FG%, 9.3 points, 4.3 rebounds)

Small Forward

Kevin Durant (SG, SF), Oklahoma City Thunder

Durant had an off-week as he shot only 35.6% from the field and was below his average with 21.0 points. His 6.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists were also below his season average.

Honorable Mention: Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats (6.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists)

Power Forward

Al Harrington (PF, C), New York Knicks

Harrington was a big fat disappointment last week, shooting 28.6% and scoring 11.5 points. The 53.8 FT% didn’t help either.

Honorable Mention: Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz (10.0 points, 5.8 rebounds, 0.8 blocks)

Center

Shaquille O’Neal (C), Cleveland Cavaliers

Shaq is heading for career lows in every category and last week added to the frustration with 10.0 points and 7.0 rebounds.

Honorable Mention: Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers (9.8 points, 4.0 rebounds)

Players to Pick Up

Chris Andersen (PF, C), Denver Nuggets

Andersen has been a rebounding machine with 10+ boards in four of his last five games and 1.8 blocks in that time.

Quentin Richardson (SG, SF), Miami Heat

Richardson has been raining down three’s like crazy. He sunk 10 of them in two games last week. As a result, he averaged 16.5 points.

Chris Duhon (PG), New York Knicks

Duhon continues to roll in December with 16.5 points on 53.4% shooting and adding 4.5 rebounds and 7.3 assists.

Ersan Ilyasova (SF, PF), Milwaukee Bucks

Having a very good December with 14.2 points, 7. rebounds, 1.1 steals, and 1.4 3PTM.

Damien Wilkins (SG, SF), Minnesota Timberwolves

Has been starting for the injured Ryan Gomes and put up 11.8 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.0 blocks last week.

Sports of Boston Basketball League

• I remain in 3rd after a 5-4 loss.
• SoB’s KC stays in 1st after a 5-4 win.
• Recent pickups include: none

Tags: Al Harrington, Allen Iverson, Andrew Bynum, Chauncey Billups, Chris Paul, Dirk Nowitzki, Fantasy, Fantasy Basketball Roundup, J.R. Smith, Joe Johnson, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Tim Duncan

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