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Fantasy Hoops Roundtable: From Bust to Trust

5 March 2010

Basketball Roundtable

Time for another fantasy basketball roundtable.

Brian of EmptyTheBench.com was responsible for this week’s Fantasy Hoops Roundtable debate topic.

Click here to see the full article.

This Week’s Topic:
Who’s the biggest bust of last summer’s free-agent class, and what will it take for him to turn it around next season?

My Response:
The biggest bust of last summer’s free-agent class is Ben Gordon. He signed a five-year $55 million contract to give the Pistons a scoring punch. The Pistons were 28th in the league with 94.2 ppg last year.

Gordon posted averages of 21.4, 18.6, and 20.7 of the Bulls the past three years. Logic would say adding a score of his magnitude would improve your offensive output. Unfortunately the Pistons slipped to 29th in the league with 92.4 ppg (as of March 1st).

Gordon has missed 19 games and is averaging a career low 14.3 points. Not only that, his field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, and assists are down. His three-pointers made, three-point percentage, and rebounds are also career lows.

So how is he going to turn things around next year? Getting healthy would help. Of course, that’s not really something a player can control. Gordon just needs to finish this year on a high note. Build some momentum and confidence. If he has something positive to focus on during the long offseason, it should help him prepare.

Also, having Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince healthy would help Gordon figure out his role. It’s hard, especially when you go to a new team, to really lock in when you don’t get to practice and play with your top guys for an extended period.

I do think Gordon will be better. He’s too good of a scorer not to.

Panelists
Brian of EmptyTheBench.com
Ryan Lester of LestersLegends.com
Nels of GiveMeTheRock.com
Tommy of HoopsWorld.com
Jeff/Tom of Damn Lies & Statistics

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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball roundtable, NBA | Tagged: Ben Gordon, Fantasy Basketball, Fantasy Basketball roundtable, NBA |

Pistons Add Firepower

2 July 2009
The Pistons made a big splash in the NBA Free Agent Pool by signing on two of the most coveted free agents on the market.  They added a big-time scorer in Ben Gordon, who unlike Allen Iverson, has not only shown that he’s OK with coming off the bench, but thrives in the situation.  He averaged 20.7 during the regular season and 24.3 in an epic playoff showdown with Boston.  For his career he’s averaging 18.5 ppg.  He’s a great three-point shooter (2.1 per game at 41%) and a career 86% free throw shooter.  At just 26 years of age, his best years have probably yet to come.

The Pistons also added some muscle in the form of Charlie Villanueva.  He is an inside scoring presence as well as a decent rebounder.  He averaged 16.2 points in 26.9 minutes per game.  He added 6.7 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.7 blocks, and 0.6 steals.  He can stretch defenses out by knocking down the three (1.1 per game at 34.5%).

The deals for the former UConn stars won’t be official until July 8th.  Gordon’s is for five years at $55-60 million and Villanueva’s is for five years at $40 million.  Perhaps the best aspect for the Pistons is they are getting two players from division rivals.

With Iverson and Rasheed Wallace gone, nobody should take too much of a fantasy hit with this signing.  With Gordon gone, John Salmons’ fantasy value increases.  In Milwaukee, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute’s fantasy value increases.

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 | Posted by | Categories: Fantasy Basketball, NBA | Tagged: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Chicago Bulls, Detroit Pistons, Fantasy Basketball, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA, NBA Free Agents |

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