DEVIN HARRIS
New Jersey Nets, PG
Comment: It looks like the Devin Harris-era has begun in New Jersey. On Wednesday, Harris got his first start, and despite not shooting too well from the field, still managed to post 20 points and eight assists. I think now is the time to add him and put him in your lineup.
LARRY HUGHES
Chicago Bulls, SG
Comment: It's been interesting to monitor Larry Hughes his trade to Chicago; his role has changed from bench player to key contributor, as evidenced by his scoring of at least 13 points in 12 of his last 15 games. Hughes has gotten his scoring average to almost 13 points per game and is a solid spot starter in fantasy leagues at this time.
AL THORNTON
Los Angeles Clippers, SF
Comment: Although Thornton is averaging only 11 points per game on the season, he is certainly a guy worth keeping an eye on. In two of his last three games, Thornton had 33 and 20 points, respectively. The one thing that alarms fantasy owners is the seven points he posted in the game between those two, but if he can prove consistent, he may be a guy to grab off the waiver wire.
DREW GOODEN
Chicago Bulls, PF
Comment: Drew Gooden seems to have found his niche with the Chicago Bulls. On Wednesday versus Memphis, Gooden dropped down 21 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in a monster effort. He now has recorded double-digit scoring in five of his last six games. If he can continue this superior play, he is an obvious start in fantasy.
DARKO MILICIC
Memphis Grizzlies, C
Comment: Although there isn't much going right these days for the Memphis Grizzlies, it seems like Darko Milicic is finally having a hot streak. Fantasy owners are probably saying, "About time." Darko has posted impressive games of 11 points and 11 rebounds, and more recently, 21 points and seven rebounds. It is time to take a flier on the big man to see if he can stay hot.
JASON KIDD
Dallas Mavericks, PG
Comment: By any other standard Kidd has played well in his short time with the Mavericks. But for fantasy owners the move has to be a bit of a let-down. His scoring hasn't improved and his rebounding is down. Will this change? Maybe. But for right now, consider Kidd to have fallen out of the top 10 in fantasy play.
MARTELL WEBSTER
Portland Trail Blazers, SG
Comment: After three straight games with scoring totals in the double-figures, Webster has turned it around completely in a not so good fashion. In his last three contests, his point totals have been nine, two and zero. Until he can get out of this little slump that he is in, stay away. If he heats up, grab him, because he gets over 28 minutes per game in Portland.
QUENTIN RICHARDSON
New York Knicks, SF
Comment: It seems customary for one Knicks player to make this list each and every week, and who this week than Quentin Richardson. On Wednesday night, Richardson took a mere four shots and he missed them all. He was held scoreless and continued the awful slump he is in. the one saving grace in all of this is that young-gun Wilson Chandler got to play extended minutes and added 11 points off of the bench. Bench Richardson now.
CHRIS WEBBER
Golden State Warriors, PF
Comment: I can't help but laugh at how the situation is playing out with Chris Webber. Everyone made such a big deal about Webber, but once again, injuries are riddling the veteran forward, who may think about whether or not he should hang up his basketball sneakers. He is expected to miss the whole road trip for the Warriors, and is an obvious sit in fantasy.
ANDREA BARGNANI
Toronto Raptors, C
Comment: People were expecting big things from Bargnani this week, but so far have been disappointed. Since scoring 27 points on Friday, Bargnani has hit just 4-of-19 shots for a total of 12 points in his last two games. He does have a couple of opportunities to salvage fantasy results, but he is just too inconsistent to be trusted. Even though he is starting, I wouldn't consider him anything higher than a low end No. 2 center.
ANTHONY CARTER
Denver Nuggets, PG
Comment: Carter is absolutely on fire right now and his hot play of late makes him a must start in fantasy. His most recent outburst yielded a 12-points, 12-assist night. Keep him active in your lineup until he cools down.
NATE ROBINSON
New York Knicks, PG
Comment: Nate's production of late has made him a definite fantasy starter. He has scored in double-figures the past two games and has also produced with his assists and rebounds. At 12 points, three rebounds and three assists per game, he is worth starting as a No. 2 point guard at this time.
JAMARIO MOON
Toronto Raptors, SG
Comment: Moon posted his best results by far in his last game with an impressive line of 14 points, nine rebounds, four steals and three blocks. Andrea Bargnani has an injured cheekbone which could lead to more playing time for the young Moon. It may be time for you to put him into your lineup and take a chance.
MATT CARROLL
Charlotte Bobcats, SG
Comment: Fantasy owners who took a flier on Carroll this week were certainly rewarded with his performance. They may even have something to look forward to once Gerald Wallace returns. With point totals of 19, 16, 15 and 18 in his last four games; it is hard for me to sit this guy down. Put him in your lineup until he cools off.
WALLY SZCZERBIAK
Cleveland Cavaliers, SF
Comment: Wally has had more open look thanks to the presence of King James. With James comanding double-teams, Wally World should have plenty of open jumpers. Szcerbiak is a better pure shooter than Larry Hughes, which is why he will thrive in his new environment.
JEFF GREEN
Seattle SuperSonics, SF
Comment: Although Green has averaged a mere nine points a game so far this year with the Seattle SuperSonics, his production is definitely improving. In four of his last six games, Green has eclipsed 15 points. In three of those games, he had at least eight boards, which is rare for a smallforward. For now, start him on a tryout basis, because this may be a fluke. Play him while he's hot.
LUIS SCOLA
Houston Rockets, PF
Comment: Although Scola is only averaging 9.2 points per game, his outputs keep improving due to the loss of Yao Ming. He is getting more touches and is therefore putting up better results. He has had double figures in scoring in his last five games, and it is time to activate him as a No. 2 fantasy forward. Watch him closely though.
LUOL DENG
Chicago Bulls, PF
Comment: After recording 21 points and nine rebounds on Tuesday, Deng has officially recovered from the Achilles injury that was hampering his play. Activate him now in all formats.
KENDRICK PERKINS
Boston Celtics, C
Comment: Perkins has been a bit streaky in these last few weeks, but it seems that he is back on a hot patch with his monster performance on Wednesday, in which he posted 10 points and 20 rebounds. He has averaged nearly 14 rebounds per game in his last three games, and he is a must start while this hot streak is going on.
JOHAN PETRO
Seattle SuperSonics, C
Comment: Petro has established himself as the starting center in Seattle's lineup right now. He has posted back-to-back games with double digits in rebounds, and is definitely worth taking a flier on. These games should only get better for him.
JAMEER NELSON
Orlando Magic, PG
Comment: Although Nelson put up a decent line of nine points and 10 assists in his last outing, he has been inconsistent this season, and his clock may be ticking with Carlos Arroyo waiting in the wings. While averaging 10 points and five assists per game, Nelson should only be playing in the deepest of leagues.
JAMAAL TINSLEY
Indiana Pacers, PG
Comment: It seems like Tinsley's knee is not healing quite as quickly as the Pacers had hoped. Tinsley still believes that he's not ready from the injury that has kept him on the sidelines since early Feb. Keep him benched until he returns.
MORRIS PETERSON
New Orleans Hornets, SG
Comment: Mo Peterson may be the most inconsistent player in all of fantasy. He has some nights that would make him look like a viable fantasy play, but those nights are few and far between. The last two times that Peterson eclipsed 18 points were on Feb. 25 and Jan. 5. He is just too inconsistent to trust.
DELONTE WEST
Cleveland Cavaliers, SG
Comment: Since the trade that brought Delonte to Cleveland went down, he has been a nice guard to help set things up. He has been valuable to the Cavs, just not in fantasy terms. Right now, Delonte is only averaging 7.3 points,three rebounds and 3.4 assists per game, and while that may be decent for deep rotisserie leagues, it doesn't make the cut for twelve team head-to-head leagues. I advise staying away from him, unless you are using him as an injury substitution.
YI JIANLIAN
Milwaukee Bucks, SF
Comment: The Bucks can't be too happy with Yi's production after all that hype. Jianlian, who stands at over seven feet tall, was supposed to be the jack of all trades, but even he has realized that it is hard to get adjusted to the play of the NBA. Averaging only 8.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, Jianlian is a guy who should be stashed away in keeper leagues in case he has an outburst. In all other formats don't bother wasting the roster space.
ANDREI KIRILENKO
Utah Jazz, SF
Comment: Kirilenko has been a big fantasy dud this season and now he is nursing a sore hip and very likely going to miss the next couple of games. His 11.4 points and five rebounds per game are decent if you have an extra guard or utility spot on your team, but until the extent of his injury is more known, keep him on the bench.
VLADAMIR RANDMANOVIC
Los Angeles Lakers, PF
Comment: It is going to take him some time to get back into the swing of things. I think it is only a matter of time before he will be replacing Luke Walton in the starting rotation, but the best bet for him is to bench him until he proves that he is 100 percent healthy.
DAVID LEE
New York Knicks, PF
Comment: I know I am going to take a lot of heat for this one, but let me explain. On the season, Lee is averaging 10 points and just over eight rebounds per game, and his rebounding has come alive lately. But, the problem with Lee is that his scoring levels are too inconsistent, and even though he seems like he is the only Knick besides Jamal Crawford who plays with any heart, he is too shaky to be considered anything better than a No. 4 or 5 forward in all fantasy formats, unless his consistency level changes.
TYRUS THOMAS
Chicago Bulls, C
Comment: Bulls' forward Tyrus Thomas was suspended by GM John Paxson for two games for missing Wednesday's practice. This was an unexcused absence, and Tyrus has to be unhappy about falling out of the rotation. Obviously, I advise you to sit him. Averaging six points per game just isn't cutting it for the young big man.
AL HARRINGTON
Golden State Warriors, C
Comment: Although Harrington has been consistently putting up about 13 points a night for the past several games, his role in the Warriors' rotation is currently undefined. Coach Don Nelson doesn't seem to want to give the big man more than 25 minutes of playing time a night, even though Harrington has earned it. If you do start him, he's no more than a low end No. 2 center right now. I would sit him until he gets out of his little funk and Nelson plays him more minutes.
Michael Ganci is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.
