LestersLegends.com

Time for another fantasy basketball roundtable.

Brian of www.emptythebench.com was responsible for this week’ Fantasy Hoops Roundtable debate topic.

Click here to see the full article.

This Week’s Topic:
Who will make a more positive overall fantasy impact upon their return: Allen Iverson or Tracy McGrady?

My Response:
To be honest, neither option attracts me as they both come with so much baggage. Allen Iverson is  having a hell of a time accepting that his best days have passed him by. He can still score, but he’s a shell of his former self. His assists and steals have also went down the past few years.

Tracy McGrady can still produce if his knee will allow him to. With Yao Ming out for the year, McGrady will take it upon himself to carry the load. Unfortunately that may not be the best thing for the Rockets now. Aaron Brooks, Luis Scola, Trevor Ariza, and Carl Landry have established themselves as good young stars. If McGrady comes in shooting 15+ shots per game, he would disrupt their flow.

I reluctantly take McGrady in this debate. He should score at a similar clip as Iverson, but will likely have more assists and rebounds. He does shoot poorly from the floor, so you’ll have to be able to be able to absorb that.

Panelists
Brian of EmptyTheBench.com
Ryan Lester of LestersLegends.com
Alex of BleacherCreatureRotoTalk.com
Erik of PointsInThePaint.com
Nels of GiveMeTheRock.com
Tommy of HoopsWorld.com

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI

According to ESPN, the Detroit Pistons have opted to shut down Allen Iverson and his aching back for the rest of the regular season.  He will be re-evaluated for the postseason.  A.I. isn’t particularly happy with his role, and hinted at retirement rather than coming off the bench next year.

What does this mean to fantasy teams?  Nothing.  If you are still alive in the playoffs, my guess is that you haven’t been relying on Iverson. If you were hoping for a little boost in points and steals as your fantasy playoffs wrap up, you’ll have to look elsewhere.  His teammate Will Bynum has been playing well of late.  He’s averaging 12.2 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 0.4 steals over his last five games.  He even shot 52.4% from the field and 17 of 20 (85%) from the line.  He’s only owned in 1.3% of ESPN leagues.

2/19/09

30 Point Club
Allen Iverson – 31 Points

Chairman of the Boards (12+ Rebounds)
Tim Duncan – 18 Boards
Antonio McDyess - 13 Boards
March of Dimes (10+ Assists)
Tony Parker - 11 Dimes
Deron Williams -

Thieves & Swatters (5+ Steals or Blocks)
None
Double-Double Trouble
Tim Duncan – 18 Points, 18 Rebounds
Tony Parker - 19 Points, 11 Assists
Deron Williams - 18 Points, 10 Assists
Antonio McDyess - 13 Points, 13 Rebounds
Kendrick Perkins - 12 Points, 11 Rebounds

Messed Around and Got a Triple Double
None

11/11/08

The rumors are swirling that a Detroit Pistons-Denver Nuggest trade is in the works that would send Allen Iverson to the Pistons and Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to the Nuggets.  Let’s take a look at how the trade will impact your fantasy teams.

Winners
Chauncey Billups - Billups owners will be happy to see him in a more prolific Offense.  His scoring (12.5 ppg) should increase dramatically and his Assists (7.5 apg) modestly.  I expect his FG% and three-pointers per game to improve as well.

Carmelo Anthony - Melo should not only benefit by having improved Point Guard play, but with AI in Motown he doesn’t have to share the ball as much.  Melo could make a run at the scoring title.

Rodney Stuckey - With Billups gone, Stuckey will get a chance to run the show.  Adding AI to the mix gives him another option to rack up his Assists.  His scoring should see a slight improvement though as his minutes increase.

Jason Maxiell - With McDyess moving on Maxiell will see an increase in minutes.  His numbers should go up across the board.  His scoring and rebounding should see the most significant increase.

Losers
Allen Iverson - He’s still AI so he can point put points up in bunches, but going to a more controlled Offense will hamper AI.  I expect his scoring averaged to max at out around 22 ppg in Detroit. 

Richard Hamilton - It’s no secret that the acquisition is going to limit the scoring opportunities for Rip.  With Stuckey and AI the Pistons have three Guards to fill two spots.  Hamilton could be the one that suffers the most.

Kenyon Martin & Antonio McDyess - K-Mart and McDyess are basically the same player so they are going to have to do a workshare.  It should help keep them fresh, but their numbers will take a hit.

Anthony Carter - Carter has been running the Point for the Nuggets, but when Billups comes aboard Carter will go back to the role of a backup.  His minutes will decrease along with his scoring and assists.