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Fantasy Basketball Roundup: Week 9

I hope the holidays were pleasant for everyone out there. During these hectic times, some people may get caught up in the yuletide spirit and forget to set their rosters each day. I myself was one of these people, and as a result, I lost both of my matchups last week. Oh well, live and learn.

Injuries

Paul Pierce (SG, SF), Boston Celtics

Everyone here knows the story. Pierce will miss two weeks after minor surgery on his knee to drain infected fluid.

Ron Artest (SG, SF), L.A. Lakers

Artest suffered a concussion and an elbow contusion after taking a nasty fall at his home. He is not cleared to play yet and is officially being called day-to-day.

Joe Przybilla (C), Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers lost their 2nd starting center of the season when Przybilla ruptured his right patella tendon and dislocated his kneecap. Juwan Howard will take over the starting duties.

Best Players of the Week

Point Guard

Mo Williams (PG), Cleveland Cavaliers

Williams showed us that LeBron isn’t the only show in town as he outshined all other point guards with 24.8 points on 54.2% shooting. To go with that, he put up 4.8 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.0 steals, and an amazing 3.3 3PTM.

Honorable Mention: Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns (59.7 FG%, 90.0 FT%, 23.0 points, 9.8 assists, 2.3 3PTM.

Shooting Guard

Brandon Roy (PG, SG, SF), Portland Trail Blazers

Roy didn’t let the injuries to two starting centers keep him down as he scored 32.0 points on 51.1% shooting with 4.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.0 3PTM.

Honorable Mention: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers (46.6 FG%, 37.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 6.0 assists, 2.7 steals)

Small Forward

Gerald Wallace (SF, PF), Charlotte Bobcats

When healthy, the man can be a stud. He was studly last week with 21.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 3.0 blocks.

Honorable Mention: Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks (61.3 FG%, 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds, 2.3 steals, 2.3 blocks)

Power Forward

Zach Randolph (PF, C), Memphis Grizzlies

Randolph led all power forwards in points (30.0) and rebounds (16.0) while shooting 65.0% from the field and 80.0% from the charity stripe.

Honorable Mention: Corey Maggette (SF, PF), Golden State Warriors (69.8 FG%, 26.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 1.3 steals)

Center

Al Horford (PF, C), Atlanta Hawks

Horford went above and beyond his season averages with 19.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and a very valuable 2.3 blocks.

Honorable Mention: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic (13.0 points, 16.3 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 4.3 blocks)

You Could Have Done Better

Point Guard

Jameer Nelson (PG), Orlando Magic

A pathetic showing by Nelson, who gave owners 8.3 points on 32.1% shooting with 2.3 rebounds, and 2.7 assists.

Honorable Mention: Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies (28.0 FG%, 8.5 points, 3.0 assists)

Shooting Guard

John Salmons (SG, SF), Chicago Bulls

Salmons’ season has been a huge letdown and last week didn’t help as he could only score 8.0 points on 26.9% shooting while adding only 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

Honorable Mention: Eric Gordon, L.A. Clippers (31.5 FG%, 12.8 points, 1.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 0.5 steals)

Small Forward

Shawn Marion (SF, PF), Dallas Mavericks

OK, so maybe going to Dallas didn’t rejuvenate his career. Well, at least it didn’t last week as Marion gave you terrible shooting (37.0 FG%, 66.7 FT%) and didn’t shine any better in any other categories with 7.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 0.7 assists, and 0.7 steals.

Honorable Mention: Charlie Villanueva, Detroit Pistons (18.2 FG%, 4.0 points, 2.7 rebounds, 0.3 assists)

Power Forward

David West (PF), New Orleans Hornets

West’s game went south last week with 13.0 points on 44.4% shooting to go with 5.5 rebounds.

Honorable Mention: Al Harrington, New York Knicks (40.8 FG%, 66.7 FT%, 17.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 0.0 blocks)

Center

Andrew Bynum (C), L.A. Lakers

Bynum’s totals have taken a hit since the return of Paul Gasol. The production slowdown continued last week with 6.0 points and 7.3 rebounds. His shooting was terrible as he shot just 26.1% from the field.

Honorable Mention: Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz (42.3 FG%, 10.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.0 blocks)

Players to Pick Up

JuwanHoward (SF, PF, C), Portland Trail Blazers

With two center’s down in Portland, it is now time for Howard to take the role. The scoring won’t be as lucrative as other players, but the rebounds and blocks will be there.

Devin Brown (SG, SF), New Orleans Hornets

He has come alive lately and averaged 16.5 points last week, which was fueled by 4.0 3PTM.

Beno Udrih (PG, SG), Sacramento Kings

Udrih is still filling in nicely for Kevin Martin and has averaged over 13.0 points and 1.3 3PTM over the last two months.

Jarrett Jack (PG, SG), Toronto Raptors

Double-J has been filling in nicely for the injured Jose Calderon by averaging 11.8 points and 5.9 assists in the month of December.

Kenyon Martin (PF), Denver Nuggets

Martin is nearly averaging a double-double in his last four games with 14.0 points and 9.5 rebounds.

Sports of Boston Basketball League

• I lose a close one 5-4, but remain in 3rd.
• SoB’s Teddy is now in 1st after his 5-4 win.
• Recent pickups include: Eric Dampier, Chris Andersen, and Chris Duhon.

Tags: Al Horford, Andrew Bynum, Brandon Roy, David West, Fantasy, Fantasy Basketball Roundup, Gerald Wallace, Jameer Nelson, John Salmons, Mo Williams, Paul Pierce, Ron Artest, Shawn Marion, Zach Randolph

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