With the NBA's mid-way point nearly upon us, now is as good a time as any to sit back, reflect on your fantasy success and look ahead to the second half and the promises it brings. For whatever reaason, every year there are guys who blow up after the All Star break. Likwise, every year a bunch of monster fantasy studs go down, bringing with them the hopes of their fantasy owners. Don't fear. UPDATE! went ahead and looked at the guys most likely to succeed and those most likely to peter out over the second half of the season:
Comment: This pick is a a bit of a reach. Mainly because Alston's breakout status depends on Tracy McGrady; if T-Mac is to get traded, Alston would become Yao Ming's second in command on a suddenly rejuvenated Rockets team. During the 11 games McGrady missed with a left knee injury, Alston averaged 16.4 points and became a critical part of the offense. If McGrady goes, expect Alston to have a great second half.
Comment: Bosh hasn't been putting up the dominant numbers we all that he would. Credit that to nagging injuries, not lack of effor or play. Look for Bosh to blow up during the second half. With injury concerns laid to rest, he should regain easily eclipse his first half numbers.
Comment: Dirk's season has been a pale shadow in comparison to his MVP turn just a year ago. Almost every stat is down (including a staggering nine-point drop in his 3PT FG% and five points in FT%) but he's just now rounding into form; look for Dirk and the Mavs to come out hungry in the second half. Avery Johnson will whip them into top flight form before long.
Comment: Richardson is finally healthy and running wild. Can he carry this momentum into the second half? Richardson has typically enjoyed more consistent second halves than firsts, so get ready to reap the benefits.
Comment: Wallace has been an utter disappointment for the Bulls, but during his career, he has routinely pick up his game in the second half of the seaason. He's not getting traded (no one will take on that contract) and he's already showing signs of his old self. Blocks, steals and rebounds will be plentiful soon, folks — even if the Bulls continue their hopeless floudering.
Comment: Since when has Anthony been an elite rebounder? Averaging nearly seven a game, along with his 25 points, 'Melo has been quite the fantasy stud this year, but don't buy into those numbers. H he should come back down to earth during the second half. He suffered a high ankle sprain in a loss to the Lakers that could slow him down a bit. Could this be one of those lingering injuries that derails great seasons? For fantasy's sake, let's hope not.
Comment: The poster boy for the injury plagued season, Camby has never played more than 72 games in his career and always seems to get hurt. He's easily been one of the biggest fantasy forces in your entire league this year (14.3 rebounds, four blocks), but the inevitable will surely come. Sell high. He's not capable of maintaining the MVP caliber numbers he's recorded thus far.
Comment: Davis, who when healthy is among the best guards in the league, has the legs of my grandfather. He hasn't played a full season since 2002; last season's 63 games seemed like a miracle. He's been a spark plug for the Warriors, injecting life into them and helping carry over their unlikely post-season success after knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in the first round last season, but he's too fragile a player to keep this up. Like with Camby, sell high.
Comment: Sadly, Isiah Thomas does not care for an athletic, talented rebounder with leadership skills beyond his years. Lee has seen his minutes decline more and more as the Knicks manage to avoid wins. Unless Zach Randolph gets arrested or Eddy Curry has food poisoning, Lee will continue to ride the bench. Excuse me while I cry my eyes out.
Comment: You know it's coming; he's going to get hurt and his season will be over soon. Magette has never played a full season, and it seems like every year when his unbelievable talent is finally being shown to the world, he gets hurt. He's playing at a great level right now and has all the talent in the world; it's such a shame.
SURPRISES
RAFER ALSTON
Houston Rockets, PG Comment: This pick is a a bit of a reach. Mainly because Alston's breakout status depends on Tracy McGrady; if T-Mac is to get traded, Alston would become Yao Ming's second in command on a suddenly rejuvenated Rockets team. During the 11 games McGrady missed with a left knee injury, Alston averaged 16.4 points and became a critical part of the offense. If McGrady goes, expect Alston to have a great second half.
CHRIS BOSH
Toronto Raptors, PF Comment: Bosh hasn't been putting up the dominant numbers we all that he would. Credit that to nagging injuries, not lack of effor or play. Look for Bosh to blow up during the second half. With injury concerns laid to rest, he should regain easily eclipse his first half numbers.
DIRK NOWITZKI
Dallas Mavericks, F/C Comment: Dirk's season has been a pale shadow in comparison to his MVP turn just a year ago. Almost every stat is down (including a staggering nine-point drop in his 3PT FG% and five points in FT%) but he's just now rounding into form; look for Dirk and the Mavs to come out hungry in the second half. Avery Johnson will whip them into top flight form before long.
JASON RICHARDSON
Charlotte Bobcats, SG Comment: Richardson is finally healthy and running wild. Can he carry this momentum into the second half? Richardson has typically enjoyed more consistent second halves than firsts, so get ready to reap the benefits.
BEN WALLACE
Chicago Bulls, C Comment: Wallace has been an utter disappointment for the Bulls, but during his career, he has routinely pick up his game in the second half of the seaason. He's not getting traded (no one will take on that contract) and he's already showing signs of his old self. Blocks, steals and rebounds will be plentiful soon, folks — even if the Bulls continue their hopeless floudering.
BUSTS
CARMELO ANTHONY
Denver Nuggets, SF Comment: Since when has Anthony been an elite rebounder? Averaging nearly seven a game, along with his 25 points, 'Melo has been quite the fantasy stud this year, but don't buy into those numbers. H he should come back down to earth during the second half. He suffered a high ankle sprain in a loss to the Lakers that could slow him down a bit. Could this be one of those lingering injuries that derails great seasons? For fantasy's sake, let's hope not.
MARCUS CAMBY
Denver Nuggets, C Comment: The poster boy for the injury plagued season, Camby has never played more than 72 games in his career and always seems to get hurt. He's easily been one of the biggest fantasy forces in your entire league this year (14.3 rebounds, four blocks), but the inevitable will surely come. Sell high. He's not capable of maintaining the MVP caliber numbers he's recorded thus far.
BARON DAVIS
Golden State Warriors, PG Comment: Davis, who when healthy is among the best guards in the league, has the legs of my grandfather. He hasn't played a full season since 2002; last season's 63 games seemed like a miracle. He's been a spark plug for the Warriors, injecting life into them and helping carry over their unlikely post-season success after knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in the first round last season, but he's too fragile a player to keep this up. Like with Camby, sell high.
DAVID LEE
New York Knicks, PF Comment: Sadly, Isiah Thomas does not care for an athletic, talented rebounder with leadership skills beyond his years. Lee has seen his minutes decline more and more as the Knicks manage to avoid wins. Unless Zach Randolph gets arrested or Eddy Curry has food poisoning, Lee will continue to ride the bench. Excuse me while I cry my eyes out.
COREY MAGGETTE
Los Angeles Clippers, SG Comment: You know it's coming; he's going to get hurt and his season will be over soon. Magette has never played a full season, and it seems like every year when his unbelievable talent is finally being shown to the world, he gets hurt. He's playing at a great level right now and has all the talent in the world; it's such a shame.
