LestersLegends.com » Chicago Bulls


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How’s your three-point production these days? If you were counting on Eric Gordon, Jason Richardson, or Stephen Curry to carry your category, you’re hurting right now (pun intended).
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There is help out there. Philadelphia’s Jodie Meeks or Chicago’s Kyle Korver can help shoulder the load.
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Meeks is an explosive scorer. His main issue is getting enough minutes to be productive enough for fantasy owners. On the year he’s averaging 8.8 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.2 blocks, 0.5 steals, and 1.6 three-pointers.
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In his past eight games though, Meeks has heated up, averaging 11.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 0.3 blocks, 0.8 steals, and 2.3 three-pointers per game.
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His field goal percentage has been erratic and other than a mediocre scoring average, the rest of the numbers have been insignificant. However, with at least a three-pointer per game during his hot streak and the solid 2.3 per game average, he can help your fantasy team.
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Meeks is owned in 34.0 percent of Yahoo! and 3.1 percent of ESPN leagues.
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Another player that can help you in the three-point department is Chicago’s Kyle Korver.
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Korver is averaging a modest 6.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 0.2 blocks, and 0.6 assists making of little consequence for fantasy owners. However, he does excel in one category, and that is the deep ball.
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Korver hasn’t made a three-pointer in four straight games, but his season average remains a solid 1.5 per game. He has drained multiple three-pointers in eight of the 16 games he’s played in.
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Korver is eligible at shooting guard and small forward, which gives you some positional flexibility. He is owned in 15.0 percent of Yahoo! and 11.4 percent of ESPN leagues. Korver is a streaky shooter so I’d probably wait until he heats up again before looking to add him.
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Looking for help in the block category? There is a player that is owned in 9.0 percent of Yahoo! and 2.1 percent of ESPN leagues that is averaging 1.4 bpg on the season and 2.0 in his past six games. That player is Chicago Bulls power forward Taj Gibson.
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Because of the Bulls’ depth in the front court, namely Carlos Boozer, Joakim Noah and Omer Asik, Gibson is averaging just 20.1 minutes per game. None of them are playing so lights out to keep Gibson from getting some run.
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Noah, for example is averaging just 7.5 rebounds, and has been about as inconsistent as they come. Boozer, at 13.3 ppg, is averaging his lowest total since his rookie year. Both Noah and Boozer have injury history so Gibson could potentially get a nice spike in value if either go down.
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Gibson isn’t going to help you in many categories other than blocks unfortunately. He’s shooting 48.6 percent on the year, which is slightly above his career average. He’s only scoring 6.7 ppg with 3.9 rpg, 0.9 apg, and 0.3 spg.
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If you add Gibson though you’re not looking for points. He’s best used in a head-to-head situation when the blocks category is up for grabs. If you can sacrifice a little scoring he can give you the edge in blocks.
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If you are in a roto league you can use him in spurts to pick up some blocks, but you probably don’t want him long-term as he’ll drag you down in other categories.
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You’ll also want to make sure you have somebody that you can drop that you won’t regret later.
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Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Carlos Boozer was Public Enemy number one when he gave his word on a contract extension with the Cavs, only to skip town for the extra money Utah was offering. Now he has a chance to stick a dagger in the hearts of Cavs fans once again if his decision to sign with the Bulls sways LeBron James to join him.

The Bulls certainly have a nice team to play alongside James should he choose Chicago. Derrick Rose, Luol Deng, LeBron James, Carlos Boozer, and Joakim Noah would certainly make a formidable starting unit. Boozer and LeBron played one year together in 2003-04, and LeBron told Boozer he has to do what is best for his family prior to his departure. If New York and Miami became the front runners by signing A’mare Stoudemire and Chris Bosh, Chicago is back in the game with the signing. I’m afraid Cleveland just won’t have anything to offer LeBron in order to keep their hometown hero.

From a fantasy perspective, look for Noah and Boozer’s rebound totals to take a hit. Luol Deng will likely also take a hit both in points and rebounds. Rose could see an increase in assists.

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.


5/2/09

Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
Ben Gordon – 33 Points
Ray Allen – 23 Points, 7 Rebounds
Paul Pierce – 20 Points, 9 Rebounds
Kendrick Perkins – 14 Points, 13 Rebounds
Joakim Noah – 7 Points, 15 Rebounds
Derrick Rose – 18 Points
Kirk Hinrich – 16 Points, 4 Steals
Eddie House – 16 Points
Glen Davis – 15 Points
Rajon Rondo – 7 Points, 11 Assists, 5 Rebounds, 3 Steals, 2 Blocks


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