STEVE NASH
Phoenix Suns, PG
Comment: The two-time MVP has been on a monster tear lately. His seven-game streak of 14-plus assists might have been snapped against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday; instead, he dropped 29 points on 10-of-12 shooting in the 103-98 win. He's averaging an unheard of 12.3 assists and shooting 52.5 percent from the floor. How could you go wrong?
PAUL PIERCE
Boston Celtics, SG
Comment: Pierce scored 32 points with Ray Allen missing in a 104-82 win over the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday. He hasn't been scoring in spades with Kevin Garnett and the sharp-shooting Allen to rely on, but he's done everything else. He's averaged 21 points, five rebounds and handed out six assists a night over his last five games.
CARON BUTLER
Washington Wizards, SF
Comment: Butler's dominant play is a large reason why the Gilbert Arenas-less Wizards are 12-10 right now and in the playoff hunt. He's posted two consecutive double-double's and is playing the most dominant basketball of his career. He's dishing as well, averaging nearly five assists in six games in December.
SHAWN MARION
Phoenix Suns, PF
Comment: Marion looked like a man possessed on Wednesday as he posted 26 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks in a 103-98 win over the Utah Jazz. Is it possible for anyone to be quieter force on an NBA team? He's got four double-doubles in seven December games, but it's the little things that matter with Marion's game, like the 2.5 blocks and two steals he's averaging this month.
DWIGHT HOWARD
Orlando Magic, C
Comment: Howard has assumed Shaquille O'Neal's mantle as the most dominant big man in basketball; he's among the top 10 in four different categories (points, field goal%, rebounds and blocks). He's averaging a monster 17.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks over his last five games. Now, if only he could hit a free throw.
TONY PARKER
San Antonio Spurs, PG
Comment: Tony Parker was suppossed to step up with Tim Duncan on the sidelines. Well, he's sprained his ankle, and the Spurs have never been a team to hurry players back. He was only shooting 37.4 percent in the three games before his injury though, and you can't turn the ball over five times a night and only average five assists a game in fantasy basketball.
MANU GINOBILI
San Antonio Spurs, SG
Comment: Ginobili averaged just 29 percent shooting in two games this past week, both San Antonio losses. But it's the 12 turnovers he posted over that span that help him make this list. With Tim Duncan and Tony Parker both injured, Ginobili has faced increasing defensive pressure and received little support from his teammates.
LUKE WALTON
Los Angeles Lakers, SF
Comment: Despite his lack of mobility and questionable jumper, Walton has emerged as a vital part of coach Phil Jackson's triangle-offense. Injuries have limited his time of late. And it doesn't help that he's regressed into a 42 percent shooter. He should be riding the bench until he's healthy and finding his groove.
ANTOINE WRIGHT
New Jersey Nets, PF
Comment: A hot start got fantasy owners in a tizzy. Lately though, Wright's game has been non-existent. He's averaged more than 20 minutes his last four games and has a total of 14 points and 10 rebounds to show for it.
EDDY CURRY
New York Knicks, C
Comment: The Knicks are playing like a bunch of D-Leaguers, and Eddy Curry is the leader. In his past six games, he's topped double-digit scoring just three times and averaged 4.5 rebounds. That's less than a lot of shooting guards in this league. He seemingly turned his game around last season. Now, he's back to being Eddy Curry.
JOSE CALDERON
Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: In limited time last season, Calderon put up some guady assist numbers. Now starting point guard T.J. Ford is on the shelf after taking a hard hit, and Calderon's responded with aces. He put up 18 points and 16 assists in a win over the Indiana Pacers. Until Ford comes back, he's a starting fantasy point guard.
JAMAAL TINSLEY
Indiana Pacers, PG
Comment: He avoided trouble (barely) outside a night club after shots were fired at him and his entourage last week. But mostly he's avoided trouble on the court this season, staying healthy and responding with career numbers. He's averaging 19 points and nine assists over his past six games.
BRANDON ROY
Portland Trailblazers, SG
Comment: Roy lit up the Utah Jazz for 29 points on 52 percent shooting on Friday. He's still rounding out his game, but he's progressing faster than anyone expected. He's averaging 24 points over his last six games, all wins for Portland. Maybe the dark days in Portland are coming to end after all.
MONTA ELLIS
Golden State Warriors, SG
Comment: Ellis might be coach Don Nelson's favorite player. It's hard not to see why. He tallied 19 points, seven rebounds, six assists and three steals in a tight win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He's overcome some early season inconsistencies to become one of the big fantasy surprises of the year.
JEFF GREEN
Seattle SuperSonics, SF
Comment: Green's still a long way from major fantasy impact, but consider this: he's played 24 minutes or more in four of the last seven games. He's responding to the time, putting up rebounds and points. He's not Kevin Durant, but he'll do in a pinch.
QUENTIN RICHARDSON
New York Knicks, SF
Comment: He wasn't playing good before he got injured. Now, he's a definite bench warmer. He's shooting an abysmal 33 percent from the floor and has contributed nothing to a fantasy-plagued New York Knicks team. He's an emergency start at best.
TRAVIS OUTLAW
Portland Trail Blazers, PF
Comment: It's hard to imagine that Outlaw, 23, has already been in the NBA five years, but it's true. And he's showing that experience off lately, leading the Trail Blazers to a 6-1 December record. After a slow start, he's a good a fantasy power forward as any.
TIM DUNCAN
San Antonio Spurs, PF
Comment: The Big Fundamental is expected back from a knee injury this week, which means he should land on your roster. The bruising big man has been his typical self, averaging 18 points and nine rebounds.
DWIGHT HOWARD
Orlando Magic, C
Comment: Dwight Howard is a beast. His teaming with Rashard Lewis has helped everybody realize this. Anybody who thought his hot start was just a flash in the pan, consider this: He has averaged 26 points,17.5 rebounds and four blocks over his last four games. Now, if only only he could learn how to shoot a free throw...
CHRIS KAMAN
Las Angeles Clippers, C
Comment: Kaman has been a beast with Elton Brand injured. Even at his best, Kaman was never a double-double guy. Now, he's posting 18 and 14, leading the Clippers. Sam Cassell has been out, which has hurt the team, but Kaman remains one of the league's stronger centers.
T.J. FORD
Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: Ford must be at least a little worried about his job. He took a hard hit from Al Horford and will miss some time, and Jose Calderon has excelled in his absence. Sit Ford for now. There's not telling how much his playing time will be cut until he returns.
JARRETT JACK
Portland Trail Blazers, PG
Comment: The Trail Blazers have won six straight, but Jack has had little to do with the team's hot play. He's topped double-digit scoring just once during the win streak and averaged under four assists per game. He's not earning his roster space right now.
JAMAL CRAWFORD
New York Knicks, SG
Comment: Crawford has been the most consistent scorer on an underwhelming Knicks squad. But with Stephon Marbury returning soon, he's bound to get less looks. The Knicks need to establish Eddy Curry in the post earlier in the game, meaning less points for Crawford.
RONNIE BREWER
Utah Jazz, SG
Comment: Don't be fooled by his 14 points a night, Brewer does little to help your fantasy game. He records under three rebounds and assists a night and doesn't shoot the three. And while his two turnovers are nice, you can count the number of blocks he has on just one hand.
MIKE MILLER
Memphis Grizzlies, SF
Comment: Miller's been streaky as they come during the Grizzlies six-game losing streak. In back-to-back games he posted five and three points respectively. The Grizzlies are just 6-15 and have a tough four game stretch in which they play the Detroit Pistons, Golden State Warriors, Orlando Magic and San Antonio Spurs. They might never win again.
WALLY SZCZERBIAK
Seattle SuperSonics, SF
Comment: Wally World has not seen much court time this season. Despite being one of the best players on the team, the Sonics are trying to develop their youth. Interestingly, Wally has had little to say on the matter. When he's in the game he shoots the lights out. But he's not getting enough playing time to warrant roster space right now.
YI JIANLIAN
Milwaukee Bucks, PF
Comment: Yi hasn't topped double-digits since the first games of the season. The Chinese export hasn't played particularly well and the Bucks have suffered some embarrasing losses.
ANDREA BARGANI
Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: Bargani has been riding the bench while he nurses a sore knee. Since his return he's posted 10 points in three games — not exactly what you want to see from your starting power forward. He might be worth a start after the All Star break, but for now keep him benched.
ANDRAY BLATCHE
Washington Wizards, C
Comment: Blatche earned a lot of adds when Brendan Haywood went down with an injury. He's averaged just 5.7 points and five rebounds in 20 minutes per game over the past three, however, signaling his fantasy effective was no more.
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.
Drew Schustek is UPDATE! Basketball Editor.
