Our weekly digest of everything fantasy basketball. Facts don't lie and the Hoop Scoop is full of 'em. Projections for the week of March 17-23. Stats through March 14:


Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: For someone who seemed content with a reserve role behind Jose Calderon just two weeks ago, Ford has played like a man on a mission the last few games. Ford has scored 23 and 28 points in his last two games and is absolutely on fire right now. His points per game average is up to 12.5, and while he is this hot, he needs to be starting in all formats.

Phoenix Suns, SG
Comment: After having somewhat of a disappointing Feb., Bell has come to play in March, averaging over 14 points this month. Bell provides a nice option for the Suns, and is also a change of pace guy with a lot of ability. If you need some help in the backcourt, he could be a nice stop-gap.

Philadelphia 76ers, SF
Comment: Willie Green's injury has given Carney a chance to get some extra minutes. His most recent performance was impressive as he was able to put up 16 points off of the bench. He could be guy worth taking a flier on, but consistency may be a problem in the long run.

Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: Villanueva is absolutely on fire since Yi Jianlian went down with an injury. In his last two games, he has recorded a 24-point, 16-rebound game and a 26 and 9 effort. If he is available in your league, it's time to grab him and put him in your lineup.

Utah Jazz, C
Comment: Okur has lit up the court recently with double-digit scoring in every game since Feb. 23. He is a consistent producer right now in Utah. Although he is severely hurting the fantasy power of Carlos Boozer, I recommend that you start Okur in all fantasy formats while he's playing at this level.
Boston Celtics, PG
Comment: Everyone is swarming to pick up Cassell, but I don’t understand why. He see limited cour-time behind Rajon Rondo, and he won’t be counted on consistently. Do yourself a favor and avoid him in all formats.

Indiana Pacers, SG
Comment: Rush had a couple of good games in which he posted some impressive lines and things looked up for him. Then, he got hurt, and Flip Murray’s emergence in the Pacers lineup has caused Rush to take an extreme fantasy hit. Rush is now back to his previous role as a fantasy dud. Stay away from him.

Portland Trail Blazers, SF
Comment: I have no idea what has happened to Outlaw, but after several double-digit scoring games in a row, he has now gone four games in a row without scoring much. It is time to take your chances on someone else in free agency.

Portland Trail Blazers, PF
Comment: When the Trail Blazers made the draft day trade that sent Frye to the Trail Blazers, many Knicks fans were upset. He can shoot, rebound and he has a bright future. He just hasn’t shown any of that this season and his play hasn’t improved at all recently. Frye should be avoided in all formats.

New Jersey Nets, C
Comment: Boone had a short period where he was looking like a promising fantasy option. That seems to have come and gone, and now that Nenad Krystic is back, Boone seems to be slouching back into the reserve role. It is time to see who else is on the waiver wire to take a chance on. His fire has been extinguished.


Sacramento Kings, PG
Comment: Udrih has been a big surprise for owners who took a flier on him following the Mike Bibby trade to Atlanta. Although he has posted a couple of subpar games, he recorded a monster line on Thursday, finishinh with 14 points, eight rebounds and seven assists. His six turnovers were a bit much, but while he is averaging over 13 points and four assists per game for the Kings, he is not a bad pickup. Go get him and put him in your open UT spot.

Cleveland Cavaliers, PG
Comment: West has been a little bit inconsistent since arriving in Cleveland, but it seems that he may understand his role with his new team now. He put up an excellent line on Thursday, finishing with 10 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals. He also committed no turnovers. West gets a big amount of playing time and he is definitely a decent play at PG right now. Activate him.

Minnesota Timberwolves, SG
Comment: Right now, Foye is playing his best basketball of the season, averaging 11.4 points per game on the season. Foye has solidified himself as a solid No. 4 guard in fantasy basketball. Feel free to use him in that capacity if your league is deep enough.

Denver Nuggets, SG
Comment: Smith has been playing very well as of late, capped off by his 22-point performance on Monday. With double digits in five of his last six games, he becomes a solid No. 2 or 3 guard in fantasy.

Golden State Warriors, SF
Comment: Pietrus’ six points per game is anything but impressive, but, recently, he has been playing well. In his last five games, Pietrus has averaged 11.6 points and 8.2 rebounds. He has a firm grasp on a starting spot in coach Don Nelson’s lineup, and you know that bodes well for him, because Nelson sticks with the best matchups, and if Pietrus gives them the best chance to win, then he is going to stay on the floor.

Charlotte Bobcats, SF
Comment: Wallace made his long awaited return on Wednesday, posting 14 points and five rebounds. He is clearly the most valuable member of the team and his minutes will increase as he proves healthy. He is a must start in all formats at this point.

Washington Wizards, PF
Comment: Butler’s owners have been chomping at the bit to see the star power forward return. He did so with a vengeance on Thursday — his 28th birthday. The man who his teammates call 'Tough Juice' returned to drop 19 points, and after practice Friday, Butler claimed that he feels great. It is time to put the forward back into your lineup. 21.4 per game from Butler will be a nice addition to any fantasy lineup.

Memphis Grizzlies, PF
Comment: Hakim is better after missing time with an injury. He posted a nice line in his return, finishing up with 12 points and five rebounds. The Grizzlies lineup is so discombobulated right now that he looks like a good option in fantasy. As long as he keeps getting minutes, he could be a solid number two center moving forward.

Cleveland Cavaliers, C
Comment: Big Ben is benefitting from the fact that Zydrunas Ilgauskas has been out with an injury. The biggest concerns with him are that he does not score enough and that he can’t stay healthy. He played 32 minutes in his last game, and had only eight points but he also added eight rebounds. When he can prove he’s healthy, Wallace is a decent No. 2 center, but nothing more. I advise you to put him in the lineup, especially if you also have Ilgauskas.

Phoenix Suns, C
Comment: I might be cheating putting Diaw here, but I don't care He posted 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists in 32 minutes of play was very important in the Suns’ pursuit of victory. If Diaw continues to see playing time like this, he can be a fine No. two center.


Washington Wizards, PG
Comment: Arenas is getting close to playing in games, but he is taking it very slow with his injury. It may be a few more days before he seriously considers giving it a shot. I advise you to sit him down on your bench until he can promise you some consistent production.

Memphis Grizzlies, PG
Comment: Navarro has been one of the most sporadic players in fantasy and his recent stretch is looking like an ugly one. Although he scored 16 points in his last game, Navarro doesn’t seem to have the ability to put consistent games like this together. Avoid him because there are definitely better options on the waiver wire.

New Orleans Hornets, SG
Comment: Bonzi Wells recently returned from an Achilles injury and is going to need to prove that he is healthy before he is considered in fantasy leagues. Unless your team is absolutely desperate of a SG in your league, he should be avoided, but there is no harm in keeping an eye on the veteran guard. .

Portland Trail Blazers, SG
Comment: In the past few weeks, Steve Blake has been the far superior player to Jarrett Jack, and Jack had another awful performance on Thursday. Jack played 19 minutes and shot 0-for-5 from the field and has no points. If he keeps this up, he is going to be riding the bench. Keep an eye, but for now, I think it is safe to sit him.

New York Knicks, SF
Comment: I don’t understand why everyone is all of a sudden in love with Chandler. He hasn’t proved anything. He is averaging only about four points per game, and although the Knicks have some issues with their lineup, he will not be a big producer with extended playing time. Avoid him at all costs.

Washington Wizards, SF
Comment: Blatche was one of the few players that were hurt by the arrival of Caron Butler. Right now, Blatche is no higher than third on the depth chart in Washington, and unless someone gets into consistent foul trouble or gets hurt, Blatche is not longer worth owning in all but the deepest leagues.

Chicago Bulls, PF
Comment: When Ben Wallace was dealt to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Noah became the starting center for the Bulls. Recently, Noah had his best game of his career. Now, Noah has become inconsistent. Unless you are desperate, stay away from him, because I believe that he needs another year to develop.

Denver Nuggets, PF
Comment: Nene has been very disappointing this season, as he has averaged about six points per game. Currently he is nursing an injury, and he is proving that he doesn’t have what it takes to be a big time player. When he becomes healthy it may be worth taking a look at him, but for now, you are better off taking a shot at the waiver wire and seeing what you can get out of it.

Los Angeles Lakers, C
Comment: Sooner than later, Bynum will be returning to the court, but while the Lakers are doing well, there is no reason to rush him. Bynum was recently seen at practice dunking, but Phil Jackson refused to put a timetable on his return. I would say he is about two weeks away. Keep him benched.

New York Knicks, C
Comment: The season from hell is finally coming to an end for Eddy curry, who will undergo surgery on his problematic knees, which will keep him out for 6-8 weeks, thus ending his season. The disappointing final line on Curry is as follows. He averaged 13.2 points and 4.7 rebounds per game, and for a guy the Knicks hoped would be their cornerstone player, he couldn't have been more of a let down. His Knicks future is in jeopardy.



Michael Ganci is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.

40 Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has 40 10-plus rebound games this season.

15 Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has recorded 10-plus assists 15 times this season.

4 The Houston Rockets won four games in a row before their 20-game win streak. That makes them 24-1 in their last 25 games.

3 New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury scored 20-plus points just three times this season.


Orlando Magic, PG
Comment: It is only a matter of time before Steven Blake officially becomes the starting shooting guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. He is up to 8.3 points per game, and if he does indeed become the starting shooting guard, his value is going to skyrocket.

Monday
This game could line up to be quite a good one. It will be interesting to see how the two teams plan to attack the other team’s best player. Ben Wallace is going to have his hands full if his assignment is Dwight Howard. Also, the Magic as a whole will have their hands full with Lebron James. I think Cleveland has a slight edge in this one, not only because of Lebron, but because Orlando has been inconsistent recently. This should be a good one.

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