Our weekly digest of everything fantasy basketball. Facts don't lie and the Hoop Scoop is full of 'em. Projections for the week of Feb. 25-March 2. Stats through Feb. 24:


New York Knicks, PG
Comment: Even though the Knicks are headed for another disappointing season, Crawford hasn't dissapointed fantasy owners. He took advantage of the Toronto Raptors this weekend, dropping 43 and 26 points in consecutive games. Crawford is averaging almost five assists per game and remains a must-start in all formats.

Miami Heat, SG
Comment: This newly acquired youngster showed what he could do when given the minutes, dropping 17 points on the Philadelphia 76ers in just 25 minutes of play. There usually isn't much playing time for him, but Jason Williams' shooting 2-11 from the field definitely helped Banks' chances of earning some playing time. Until the youngster proves that he can provide a consistent contribution, stay clear of him in fantasy, but watch closely.

Los Angeles Clippers, SF
Comment: This kid has a chance to be a star on the rise, and while his 11 points per game may deceive you from thinking he can be a quality fantasy contributor, take a look at his last three games. His lowest point total was 13, while his high was 27. It's time to take a waiver on the youngster and put him as a utility player, or an injury sub.

Miami Heat, PF
Comment: It's been an interesting start for Marion in his new home. Pat Riley has decided that, with Udonis Haslem out, he will start Marion at power forward. The experiment is working, and Riley has been rewarded with results as the superstar has averaged over 19 points and 12 rebounds per game. Marion is a must start in all fantasy formats.

Milwaukee Bucks, C
Comment: Bogut continue the NBA's oddest streak the other night by contributing a 12-point, 20-rebound effort against the Denver Nuggets. He now has recorded double-doubles in four of his last eight games. But the weird part is that each double-double was followed by a non double-double. That would mean that he had at least 10 points and 10 rebounds in every other game over an 8 game span. Right now he is averaging 13.4 PPG and 8.9 RPG and he is a low end No.1 fantasy center in mixed leagues.
San Antonio Spurs, PG
Comment: This is more of a case of a poor fit for the former speedster. Stoudamire is serving as backup for Tony Parker in San Antonio, but just doesn't seem to be finding his niche. In his last game, he had just seven points and one assist against the New Orleans Hornets in just over 16 minutes. Until he finds his place in the Spurs' cycle, Stoudamire should be avoided in all formats.

Chicago Bulls, SG
Comment: While the Bulls were looking for an immediate impact from Duhon this season, what they have gotten has fallen far short of what their expectations. Up to this point, Duhon has averaged 5.9 points and 4.2 assists per game. Recently, those numbers have dropped and put Duhon on a level that warrants benching in all formats. He needs to get more seasoning before he fulfills his potential.

Toronto Raptors, SF
Comment: Kapono was a guy the Raptors were counting on this season for help scoring, but he has failed to hold up his end of the bargain, especially in the last five games. He has averaged a mere 5.8 points per game over that span and should remain inactive in all fantasy formats.

Seattle SuperSonics, PF
Comment: Donyell Marshall has yet to make his season debut in Seattle. If he plays anything like he did in Cleveland, he'll be a fantasy non-factor. He missed the majority of the season with an injury and has failed to reach double-digit scoring since his return.

New York Knicks, C
Comment: When you talk about the biggest fantasy dud of them all, Eddy Curry has to be one of the first names that pop into your head. With his recent four-point effort — if you can call that an effort — Curry has now slipped into one of the biggest cold streaks of his career. He hasn't scored more than 12 points since Feb. 6, and is averaging just over 13 points a game. For a guy the Knicks counted on to be the future of their franchise, Eddy just doesn't make the cut. It's time to say goodbye to the big man in all formats.


Dallas Mavericks, PG
Comment: Fantasy owners can rejoice. Kidd finally did get traded and to a destination that fits him well. Kidd replaces Jason Terry as the point man in Dallas, and the prospect of a Kidd / Dirk Nowitzki duo should scare a whole lot of people in the NBA. It is one of the many reasons why Kidd will be a stellar start in every fantasy format.

New York Knicks, PG
Comment: As stated before, Crawford seems to have found his niche as point guard of the most laughed at team in sports. Still, he plays every game like it's going to be his last and he continues to put up the numbers. With two consecutive stellar nights against the Toronto Raptors, Jamal is a must start fantasy option, and he has even added assists to his repertoire.

Charlotte Bobcats, SG
Comment: Felton has picked up his game lately and has forced his average points per game to soar all the way to 13.9, while producing just under seven assists per game. This is an easy call. Felton is a solid No. 2 option in fantasy.

Cleveland Cavaliers, SG
Comment: Well, it's no surprise that LeBron has proven he's the most valuable star in the NBA. In his last three games, Lebron's lowest point total was 26, and he has eclipsed double figures in assists in two of those games. Lebron may be the best fantasy contributor since Michael Jordan, and yes, even including Kobe, who is not half as unselfish as LeBron. If you don't start him, then you must be on drugs.

New Orleans Hornets, SF
Comment: There haven't been many NBA players who have succeeded and gone as unrecognized as David West has, so allow me to introduce him. He's averaging 19.7 points, 9.1 rebounds and over two assists per game, making him a solid starter in all fantasy formats.

Sacramento Kings, SF
Comment: Just because the guy has a temper, doesn't mean he can't play. Not only is Artest a superb defender, but he can score quite a bit as well, as evidenced by his play in the last five games. In that span, Artest has averaged over 24 points per game. He's scored at least 18 points and recorded three or more steals in six straight games. He's a must start forward in all formats.

Los Angeles Lakers, PF
Comment: What a find Gasol has been for the Lakers. He's provided them with the presence they have needed to supplement Lamar Odom and Kobe Bryant. His 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per game have given the Lakers that serious low-post presence that they have lacked since Andrew Bynum went down with an injury. This trade makes the Lakers the favorite in the West, and it makes Gasol a must start.

Memphis Grizzlies, PF
Comment: Warrick has definitely been someone worthy of watching, at least in recent time. He's only averaging nine points per game, but has put together three straight games with quality scoring lines, possibly indicating that he could be ready to take his game to the next level. Start him at a utility position until he proves himself consistently.

Washington Wizards, C
Comment: While Haywood's numbers don't exactly jump out at you, his numbers provide exactly what the Washington Wizards are looking for. Over his last five games, he has averaged almost 15 points per game and his minutes on the court are improving as well. If you are in trouble and need some help as the center position, Haywood just may be your man. I will call him a high end No. 2 center at this point.

Houston Rockets, C
Comment: Ming continues to solidify himself as one of the best centers in all of fantasy, and he does it quietly. Averaging a double-double this season, Yao has averaged about 23 points per game in his last five and is rewarding the fantasy players who took a chance on the lanky big man. Keep him active in every format.


Atlanta Hawks, PG
Comment: While Bibby is scoring more than 10 points per game, the five assists he's dishing out are just not enough to be a No. 1 fantasy point guard. He hasn't readily adapted to his new team like many thought, which is why I strongly advise you to sit him down this week.

Washington Wizards, PG
Comment: While Arenas seemed very optimistic about a March 1 return, doctors thought otherwise. But what is interesting is that the problem with Arenas seemed to be conditioning related. I wouldn't count on Arenas this week, and next week for that matter as well. Take this slow, because when he starts to play, you will be rewarded.

New Orleans Hornets, SG
Comment: Mo's time as the starting shooting guard in New Orleans seems to be over. His numbers are definitely down, as he averages just over eight points a game for the Hornets. For now, I'll advise you to bench him until the New Orleans lineup is set in stone and you finally know where he stands in their system.

New York Knicks, SG
Comment: Quentin might be the worst player in fantasy ball. The talent is there, but the results just aren't. He has averaged a mere seven points per game this season, which has plenty of NBA fantasy players angry beyond belief. The man that was once a fantasy stud has become a fantasy dud. Sit him now.

Houston Rockets, SF
Comment: It's apparent that Shane Battier's career is coming to a close. He just isn't the player he used to be. He is averaging just 8.6 points per game and isn't doing much on the rebounding scene as well. He should be used in emergency situations only and dropped in all other cases.

Charlotte Bobcats, SF
Comment: It looks like Charlotte will be without one of its stars for at least two weeks as Gerald Wallace suffered his fourth concussion in four seasons. The team is going to take this slow, so don't count on a big production month in March for him. It's time to check out the waiver wire.

Los Angeles Clippers, PF
Comment: While Thomas has averaged about 13 points per game this season, his erratic production has caused fantasy owners to become impatient and trade him to other teams. He has his nights where he may score 25, but he will also have games where he will score four, and it seems like there are more of the latter. Bench him until he becomes more consistent.

Utah Jazz, PF
Comment: At one point, Kirilenko's stock was sky-high. A big mouth and poor play have caused his stock to plummet. He's averaging just less than 12 points per game this year, which is obviously down from previous season's. The Jazz could really use him to jump out of his funk and help ease the load off of Williams and Boozer, but until Kirilenko provides that he can be consistent, bench him in all formats.

Phoenix Suns, C
Comment: The big man may says that he's alright, but while watching him on the court, it still seems like he is favoring his troublesome knees. Look for Shaq to overcome this, but until he starts proving that he is worth the hype, sit him.

Memphis Grizzlies, C
Comment: What a dud this guy has become since being a big star prospect for the Pistons just a couple of years back. When the Grizzlies added him, they thought that maybe he would live up to his projected form. That has not happened, and his lack of consistent scoring and rebounding make him an awful person to have on any fantasy basketball roster.



Michael Ganci is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.

22 The New York Knicks have lost 22 games by ten points or more points this season.

9 The number of times this season that Eddy Curry has had at least four turnovers in a game.

8 The Boston Celtics have lost by five points or less just eight times this season.

6 New Jersey Nets forward Josh Boone went six games without recording double figures in scoring until Saturdays 19-point, 13-rebound efforts against the Pacers.


New Jersey Nets, G
Comment: With Devean Harris sidelined, Williams has shown that he can play, as evidenced by his 13-assist, eight-point, seven-rebound night against the Pacers. Although this is the first real spurt of life that we have seen out of the second year guard, he will be a worthwhile pickup until Harris returns from injury, and if he continues the stellar play he showed last night, the Nets will have no choice but to find some playing time for him. Grab him until Harris is healthy.

Wednesday, 9 p.m. ET
It should be interesting to see what Detroit will have in store for Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer and company after the way that they picked Steve Nash and the Suns apart. This game should be a good one, but I think that the Jazz will prevail, due to one of the best budding superstars in the game today — Deron Williams.

WADE ALLEY OOP