JOSE CALDERON
Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: Calderon has claimed the starting point guard job in Toronto. While T.J. Ford eats some minutes coming off the bench, Calderon has put up consistent numbers, as his averages have risen to 12.4 points and 8.4 assists per game on the season. As long as Toronto's rotation remains this way, Calderon will have value as a low No. 1 or high number No. 2 point guard in fantasy basketball.
RUDY GAY
Memphis Grizzlies, SG
Comment: This second year player is getting breakout opportunity and not wasting a second of it. With Paul Gasol shipped to Los Angeles and Mike Miller out with a back injury, Gay has taken it upon himself to pick up his play of late, as evidenced by his 22.6 points per game over the last ten contests. Start him until Miller returns, and then monitor closely.
DANNY GRANGER
Indiana Pacers, SF
Comment: Granger has evolved into an immediate impact player. He's averaging over 18 points per game while shooting just over 44 percent from the field. Plus, his three point production gives fantasy owners an added boost. Granger fits nicely as a utility player or spot starter in deep leagues.
LAMARCUS ALDRIDGE
Portland Trail Blazers, PF
Comment: Aldridge has been one of the nicest surprises in the NBA. His 16.9 points per game and seven-plus rebounds make him a nice option as both power forward and center. Look for him to remain a fairly consistent fantasy contributor throughout the season.
ANDREA BARGNANI
Toronto Raptors, C
Comment: Bargnani finally seems to have his his niche in the Toronto rotation. He has been especially on target the last ten games, shooting just over 42 percent from the field while averaging over 14 points per game. He is a low end No. 1 fantasy center that should be considered as long as he's healthy.
SEBASTIAN TELFAIR
Minnesota Timberwolves, PG
Comment: Telfair looked like a potential star a short time ago, but he hasn't exactly held up his end of the bargain. His nine points and six assists are far less than what was initially expected, and the T'Wolves are definitely looking for more out of the guy that showed flashes of brilliance while with the Trail Blazers. For now, avoid Telfair at all costs.
DANIEL GIBSON
Cleveland Cavaliers, SG
Comment: Gibson is averaging just over 11 points per game on the season, but unless you're absolutely desperate for a shooting guard, avoid him. He's inconsistent. He's the kind of guy you can count on to score 25 one night and be held scoreless the next. Steer clear of the streaky youngster until he displays some consistency.
JERRY STACKHOUSE
Dallas Mavericks, SF
Comment: Stackhouse has been a quality fantasy player at times in his career, but those days are far behind him. He's no better than an emergency sub, who is barely posts double-digit scoring. It's time to sit him.
BEN WALLACE
Cleveland Cavaliers, PF
Comment: Plenty of fantasy owners are crossing their fingers and hoping that Big Ben finally breaks out of his slump in Cleveland. Thus far, it doesn't seem to be looking like such a cozy fit. He has had a couple double-digit rebound games, but his point totals are inconsistent. Monitor him closely: he is the type of player that could disappear from the planet with his play.
EDDY CURRY
New York Knicks, C
Comment: It's hard to imagine someone making my fantasy dud list two weeks in a row, but a big congratulation goes to Eddy Curry, perhaps the biggest blunder of the Isiah Thomas campaign. Curry has lost his spot in the Knicks rotation. In his last six games, he has totaled four points or less four different times. The big man should be nothing more than an afterthought in all fantasy formats.
STEVE NASH
Phoenix Suns, PG
Comment: Even though Nash is averaging 17.5 points and 11.5 assists per game, there still seem to be some naysayers out there. I have had people ask me whether they should sit Nash, due to the fact that he hasn't had a double digit assist game in three games. NO! Sitting Nash is about as smart a decision as riding a bike without a helmet. Either way, making that decision leaves a strong possibility for a crash. Keep starting the superstar, as he still remains a fantasy stud.
DERON WILLIAMS
Utah Jazz, PG
Comment: At 19 points and nine assists per game, there's little reason to argue against playing this star in the making. Williams came out of nowhere last season to emerge as the every day point guard for the Utah Jazz, and this fantasy stud has not stopped producing since he stepped his foot in the door. He's an elite passer and guard that can score 20-plus points regularly. That qualifies him as a top five fantasy guard.
KEVIN DURANT
Seattle SuperSonics, SG
Comment: Durant has been, possibly, the best youngster in the NBA this year. He has averaged over 19 points per game and proven that he's a force to be reckoned with. He's also averaging four rebounds and two assists per game, and even though his shooting can be erratic at times, these scoring numbers make him tough to sit. Play him now.
KEVIN MARTIN
Sacramento Kings, SG
Comment: Martin has been a nice fantasy player this season. He has averaged 23-5-2 which makes him a fine No. 2 guard in all formats. With Mike Bibby out of the picture, Martin gets more chances to be a playmaker, and his numbers are seeing a significant boost because of it. Start him.
JOSH CHILDRESS
Atlanta Hawks, SF
Comment: Although Childress is averaging about 12 points per game, what makes him valuable is his accuracy from the field. In the rare case that field goal percentage counts in your league, this guy would be a blue chipper. Childress, up to this point, is shooting 59 percent from the field. Pick him up. What do you have to lose?
COREY MAGGETTE
Los Angeles Clippers, SF
Comment: This guy has emerged as another top contributor at the small forward position. With his 21 points per game, Maggette's a hot commodity in the fantasy world. His 32-point effort on Thursday was a perfect example. Maggette is a must start in all fantasy formats.
PAUL GASOL
Los Angeles Lakers, PF
Comment: This guy has turned into the steal of the century for the Los Angeles Lakers. Gasol instantly makes the Lakers the team to beat in the Western Conference. His numbers tell the story. At 19.5 points and 8.5 rebounds per night, Paul Gasol is a must start in every fantasy format.
CARLOS BOOZER
Utah Jazz, PF
Comment: Boozer averages over 21 points and 10 rebounds per game, yet he is usually ignored on the top of draft boards. He's a consistent player who rebounds, scores, and even picks up a couple of assists here and there. He's a must own and solid No. 1 PF in all fantasy formats.
MARK BLOUNT
Miami Heat, C
Comment: While his eight points per game wouldn't normally jump out at a guy looking for a reliable No. 2 center, Blount has something that a fantasy player would have to look a little deeper to see. First of all, let's take a look at his last ten games. He's averaged 14 points, which is certainly adequate for a No.2 center. The question is whether or not he can last at this pace. I certainly think he's worth the gamble, at least for this week.
JOAKIM NOAH
Chicago Bulls, C
Comment: The Bulls shipped out Ben Wallace, freeing up Noah to take over as starting center. He's inconsistent and young, but he'll get the minutes. Expect 10 points and six rebounds the second half of the season from Noah.
NATE ROBINSON
New York Knicks, PG
Comment: Nate theme this season has been inconsistency, and until he proves that he can post double-digit scoring night-in and night-out, he is to be avoided in all fantasy leagues.
SAM CASSELL
Free Agent, PG
Comment: The Los Angeles Clippers waived Cassell, but he isn't free to sign with another team until Monday. We'd be surprised if that team wasn't the Boston Celtics. Still, bench him for now. He'll miss the start of next week and be stuck behind Rajon Rondo on the depth chart.
FRED JONES
New York Knicks, SG
Comment: Jones is down to averaging about six points per game, and while he provided a nice spark when Nate Robinson was hurt earlier in the month, his ship seems to have sailed. He still has the ability to post 20 here and there, but his inconsistency doesn't make him a smart play in fantasy. If you are desperate for a guard, taking a flier on him isn't the worst idea, but generally, I would stay away from Jones.
BRANDON ROY
Portland Trail Blazers, SG
Comment: Doctors thought Roy's injury would be better by now, but pain in his problematic ankle has caused Roy to be questionable for several games this week. I would recommend sitting him just to be on the safe side. He usually doesn't provide too much when healthy, so sitting him down wont hurt you too much.
JAMES JONES
Portland Trail Blazers, SF
Comment: Jones is nursing an injured knee. Believe it or not, a lot of people have faith that he can be a contributor once he returns from injury. Personally I don't buy it, and I think he should be avoided in all fantasy formats.
CARON BUTLER
Washington Wizards, SF
Comment: It looks like we are going to have to wait a little bit longer for the superstar to get ready. The team says he needs an unspecified period of rest, but word around the league says it could be as little as one week, or even as many as three. Follow the situation closely but bench Butler in the meantime.
BEN WALLACE
Cleveland Cavaliers, PF
Comment: I think we can all admit that Big Ben is not a scorer. But, this year, his blocking numbers are down, and so are the rest of his stats. He's a solid defender, but unfortunately for him, there's no general category for that in fantasy. It is time to say goodbye to Wallace.
ANDREI KIRILENKO
Utah Jazz, PF
Comment: I was on the money last week when I advised fantasy owners to stay away from Kirilenko. His results continue to get worse. He's been held to single digits in three of his last four games and hasn't had more than five rebounds or assists since Feb. 2. Now is a good time to bench him.
EDDY CURRY
New York Knicks, C
Comment: Eddy's career has turned into one humongous joke, kind of like the Knicks in general. His lack of playing time and numbers makes him a popular drop in fantasy. I believe owners should follow that trend, because Eddy's days of being a consistent Knick are over.
YAO MING
Houston Rockets, C
Comment: It looks like I may have put the kiss and death on the big man out of China. It seems like Houston is getting extremely nervous; the man they plan to build their team around has a tendency to be injury prone. A stress fracture in Yao's foot will keep him on the sidelines until the end of this season. He should be dropped in all fantasy formats.
Michael Ganci is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.
