JAMAAL TINSLEY
Indiana Pacers, PG
Comment: Tinsley is riding a hot streak right now, averaging nearly 11 assists and three steals per game over his last four contests. Enjoy it while you can because Tinsley is simply not this good. Try and trade him for someone who will contribute all season long while he still has plenty of fantasy value.
MICHAEL REDD
Milwaukee Bucks, SG
Comment: Redd has been dropping buckets at an alarming rate. He's averaged 29 points, six rebounds, five assists and shot over fifty percent from the field over his last three contests (all wins). After a slow start to the season the Bucks have found their groove, and Redd has been the catalyst.
LEBRON JAMES
Cleveland Cavaliers, SF
Comment: King James has already thrown up three triple-doubles this season. His latest was a 37-point, 12-rebound, 12-assist explanation point to an already terrific start. He's averaging 30 points, eight rebounds and eight assists — numbers that should remain constant all season long. Long live the King!
CHRIS BOSH
Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: Finally, the young stud has come around. Bosh is coming off of a career high 41-point game and has averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds over his last five games. He isn't registering as many blocks as he should but he'll be back to full form in no time.
SHAQUILLE O’NEAL
Miami Heat, C
Comment: Shaq has silenced the critics and has stepped up his game after teammate Dwayne Wade confronted him about his responsibility to the team. Averaging 20 points and nine rebounds (including a seven block performance) his last five games, Shaq is showing haters he's not done just yet. Will he remain healthy and motivated? Probably not; try and trade him while he's hot. With Shaq, an injury is always just around the corner.
CHRIS PAUL
New Orleans Hornets, PG
Comment: After opening the season 9-2 with a largely young and unproven roster, the Hornets stumbled and lost three straight. And while the Hornets rebounded to beat the Clippers 98-89 on Saturday, Paul was largely absent. Over his last three games he's averaging just 11 points on 33 percent shooting. He's still recovering from a mild ankle sprain and should return to form before long, but his numbers right now have been abysmal.
ALLEN IVERSON
Denver Nuggets, SG
Comment: Is the ageless one finally slowing down? Iverson posted 18 and 13 points respectively against the slumping Rockets and woeful Timberwolves. After averaging a healthy 28 points per game over his lengthy career, A.I. is scoring just 23 in Mile High Denver this season along with career lows in minutes (38 per game, but still a career low). He'll rebound before long, but don’t expect 30 points a game anymore.
RASHARD LEWIS
Orlando Magic, SF
Comment: Lewis opened the season scorching hot, even leading the Magic in an impressive win over Boston to end their undefeated steak. He's slumping hard now. He's failed to crack 20 points over his last four contests and has shot just 30 percent from beyond the arc. The 15 turnovers versus just seven assists he compiled over that span cemented his place on the list this week.
AL HARRINGTON
Golden State Warriors, PF
Comment: Harrington has worked his way into coach Don Nelson's doghouse. He's now coming off the bench in a limited reserve role, and the results have not been pretty. He's cracked double-digits just twice in his last five games and has failed to record more than four rebounds in since Nov. 16 (a span of six games). And the 30 percent he's shooting from the floor over that span is just icing on the cake.
BRAD MILLER
Sacramento Kings, C
Comment: Miller was an integral part of the Kings cut-and-slash style offense just two seasons ago. Now the last remaining relic of Rick Adelman's pass-first basketball system, Miller has seen both his role and relevance reduced. He's failed to reach double-digit scoring in his last three contests and has posted a disappointing 41 percent shooting from the floor. And his 2.4 assists a game are his lowest totals since the 2001-02 season with the Indiana Pacers.
BARON DAVIS
Golden State Warriors, PG
Comment: Davis is finally healthy and what a difference it has made. The Warriors have won five of six after a sluggish start, and Davis has been their leader. His versatility was on display against the Washington Wizards on Friday as he chipped in a triple-double en route to a 123-115 victory. Don Nelson has this young team playing well. Don't hesitate to plug Davis in to your starting lineup.
DERON WILLIAMS
Utah Jazz, pg
Comment: William has steadily been filling box scores while the Utah Jazz exert their dominance on the Western Conference. He had been battling a toe problem, but he looked fine dropping 21 points and 14 assists on a strong Detroit Pistons squad on Sunday. The Jazz have just one game against a .500 team in sight (the Lakers). Start him and expect good things.
MIKE MILLER
Memphis Grizzlies, SG
Comment: Miller expanded his game last season when Pau Gasol went down with an injury. Now that he's back, Miller is taking full advantage of the extra space he's been given on offense, adding a nightly 15 points on 48 percent shooting. But we expected Miller to shoot; we didn't expect 7.5 boards and four assists a game though. And that makes Miller one of the biggest surprises in the early going this season.
KELENNA AZUBUIKE
Golden State Warriors, SG
Comment: Coach Don Nelson has rewarded this sophomore combo guard for his surprising play with extra minutes. He hit a game winner against Philadelphia as time expired on Saturday, pulling down 10 rebounds as well. Azubuike is shooting over 40 percent from beyond the arc and nearly 45 from the field. Pick him up if he's available; he won't stay on the waiver wire for long.
RUBEN PATTERSON
Las Angeles Clippers, SF
Comment: The six points and four rebounds Patterson's averaged so far aren't going to blow your mind. But consider this: Corey Maggette is out with a strained hamstring and could miss several weeks. The veteran Patterson put up 15 points and five rebounds last season with good percentages, numbers he'll come closer too starting in Maggette's place. Take a flyer on this waiver wire pick. He had a double-double on Friday (18 points, 11 boards) in a loss to the Phoenix Suns.
ANDRE IGUODALA
Philadelphia 76ers, SF
Comment: Even though he's started slowly, Iguodala has shown signs of life lately. He had 26 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two blocks and five steals in a nail-biting loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. He has a five-game stretch against cupcake teams (excluding the Utah Jazz).
ANTAWN JAMISON
Washington Wizards, PF
Comment: Jamison has stepped up as the leader of the Wizards with Gilbert Arenas out for three months. He has averaged 30 points and nearly 11 rebounds his last five games. He should deliver on a nightly basis now that he is the new go-to scorer with Agent Zero watching from the sidelines.
UDONIS HASLEM
Miami Heat, PF
Comment: Now that D-Wade is back, Haslem is even more important. He's got a sweet baby jumper and is a rebounding machine at just 6-9. With Shaq slowing down, Haslem will be asked to contribute more offensively. At best he's a difference maker in your fantasy league; at worst, he's a double-double machine.
ZYDRUNAS ILGUASKAS
Cleveland Cavaliers, C
Comment: Z is averaging 16 points and 12 rebounds this season and he should be treated as so; don't trade him while he's hot to pull off a good deal. This is what we will be seeing from him all year, so get used to it.
CHRIS KAMAN
Las Angeles Clippers, C
Comment: Those who don't know Kaman (and even those who do) don't seem to realize he was taken sixth overall in the greatest NBA draft class of the past 10 years — 2003. Kaman was drafted along with Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. He's averaging 18 points and 14 rebounds with nearly three blocks per game. Expect these numbers all season; with Elton Brand out, Kaman should dominate the paint.
STEVE BLAKE
Portland Trailblazers, PG
Comment: Almost, but not quite yet. Some may be tempted to start the journeyman point guard, but it's jumping the gun. At some point during the season he'll acquire fantasy relevance — just not yet. He hasn't shown the ability to consistently produce, even when given the minutes.
JOSE CALDERON
Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: Calderon finally earned starters minutes in two games this season and posted 13 and eight assists respectively. Not bad, but he didn't do much else. The Raptors are still struggling to find their go-to point guard; Calderon just can't produce enough scoring to earn him this distinction. Expect him to drop back down to 20-25 minutes and, subsequently, lose any fantasy value.
RASHAD MCCANTS
Minnesota Timberwolves, SG
Comment: Considering McCants averaged just five points last season, his 14.5 totals are a pretty big surprise. Don't be blinded by the points — they'll remain steady on a team that desperately needs scoring. Instead, look at his 3.5 turnovers, less than a steal and block per game and weak free throw percentage. McCants might earn a roster spot by season's end, but not right now.
MONTA ELLIS
Golden State Warriors, SG
Comment: When Stephen Jackson returned from suspension, he moved to the three and Kelenna Azubuike stayed at the two. This means coach Don Nelson has all but removed Ellis from the rotation. Don't drop him just yet; he could regain his fantasy game. But considering how hot the Warriors have been since Jackson's return 20-25 minutes seems about right. Forget the 31 he dropped on Philadelphia. It was a flash in the proverbial pan.
BOSTJAN NACHBAR
New Jersey Nets, SF
Comment: Playing behind Richard Jefferson during a career year isn't going to earn you any minutes. Nachbar might put up some decent scoring numbers occasionally, but that's all he'll do. He rebounds like a man half his size and shouldn't be considered unless New Jersey finds itself suddenly injury ridden.
JEFF GREEN
Seattle Supersonics, SF
Comment: At some point this season Jeff Green will be earning 35 minutes a game and posting double-doubles with regularity. Ride him on the bench just a little longer. The tide is turning — he posted back-to-back 14 rebound games — but it's still to early to start Green.
YI JIANLIAN
Milwaukee Bucks, PF
Comment: This 6-9 Chinese import has not lived up to the hype and has even been sat in recent games in favor of Charlie Villanueva. He has seen his minutes reduced and hit double digits just once in his last five games. There's no telling when he'll pick up his game, but for now leave him on the bench in favor of someone who has proved they will deliver.
ANDREA BARGANI
Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: Bargani earned comparisons to Dirk Nowitzki when he was drafted by the Raptors. So far the 6-10 Italian export has shown neither Dirk's smooth touch nor bulldog rebounding ability. He's topped 10 rebounds just once and hasn't consistently scored. Watch for Toronto to monitor his minutes as they try to find a proven formula for winning.
MEHMET OKUR
Utah Jazz, C
Comment: Okur was an integral part of Utah's playoff run last season. But Deron Williams emergence and Andre Kirilenko's re-emergence have left Okur out of the picture. He's averaging just 12 points and five rebounds after posting 18 and seven last season. Whatever the cause for his decline, it doesn't look like he'll be back to form anytime soon.
BEN WALLACE
Detroit Pistons, C
Comment: His afro isn't the only thing on his head; the Kobe Bryant trade rumors must be fogging his game because there is no reason for one of the league's best rebounders and shot blockers to be playing at such a low level. Wallace is currently averaging four points, five rebounds and one assist a game with only one block; he's also averaging a disgusting 30.3 FG% and 25 FT%.
Drew Schustek is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.
