Our weekly digest of everything fantasy basketball. Facts don't lie and the Hoop Scoop is full of 'em. Projections for the week of Dec. 23-Dec. 29. Stats through Dec. 22:


Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: While T.J. Ford's freak injury may have hurt the Raptors, it surely hasn't hurt Calderon's game — he's averaging 14 points and 10 assists over his last six contests. With Bargnani and Bosh both healthy, Calderon should continue to pile up the numbers while Ford's sidelined.

Atlanta Hawks, SG
Comment: Johnson has propelled the Hawks during their recent four game win streak, averaging 29 points and seven assists in an impressive outburst. Johnson's has spurred the Hawks to an 8-3 record this month and the fourth best record in the Eastern Conference.

Charlotte Bobcats, SF
Comment: Wallace has been a monster in three games this week, two wins, as the young Bobcats try to find some consistency. He's posted 25.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 steals, one block and one trey a game over his last three. Wallace plays every game at a manic, all-out sprint; owners have to love that hustle.

Utah Jazz, PF
Comment: Boozer plays well, even as the Utah Jazz struggle. They only went 2-2 last week, but Boozer averaged 26.2 points, 13 rebounds and 4.3 assists. Boozer only plays two games next week (Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers), so he should be fresh enough to continue his dominant ways.

Los Angeles Lakers, C
Comment: Coach Phil Jackson has vowed to get Bynum more involved in the offense. Bynum responded to the increased touches by averaging 16.8 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in four games last week. With Kobe Bryant limited by a sore groin, expect Bynum to keep on rolling.
Dallas Mavericks, PG
Comment: With Devin Harris taking over the majority of point guard duties, most people expected Terry's numbers would actually increase. Allowed to play off the ball he should shoot higher percentages and score more. Alas, that's not the case. He averaged 11 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in four games last week.

Los Angeles Clippers, SG
Comment: Most critics expected Mobley to pick up the slack when Elton Brand went down with a season ending injury. Instead, he's had the worst statistical season of his career. He racked up one DNP and averaged just 9.5 points in the two games he showed up to this week. There's nothing to indicate he'll be breaking out of this slump anytime soon.

Golden State Warriors, SF
Comment: Barnes was a crucial part of Golden States playoff run last season. He's worked his out of coach Don Nelson's good graces though. He averaged seven points on 33 percent shooting in three games this week — certainly not enough to warrant fantasy consideration.

Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: After a November of promise and improvement, Bargnani has devolved into a walking advertising for non-competitiveness. He's topped 20 minutes just once this month and hasn't grabbed more than two rebounds or four points in his last five games. He was a sleeper pick coming into the season; now he's a drop candidate.

New York Knicks, C
Comment: The Knicks are plummeting down the standings, and Eddy Curry's uninspired play has been part of the reason why. 15 points, five rebounds and three turnovers a game aren't going to get it done. He's played under 20 minutes in three of his last five games; something is not right.


Toronto Raptors, PG
Comment: Calderon gets the starting nod — at least until T.J. Ford returns. He should be an excellent source of assists, points and three pointers, although the Raptors only play two games this week.

Golden State Warriors, PG
Comment: Davis plays three games this week (Cleveland, Minnesota and Denver) and should be an excellent play. The emergence of Monta Ellis as a legitimate playmaker has taken pressure off Davis to perform, and he's responded by playing his best ball of the season.

Portland Trail Blazers, SG
Comment: The Trail Blazers are the hottest team in the NBA after reeling off 10 straight. Roy has been the catalyst, averaging 22 points, 5.2 rebounds and 6.6 assists. The Greg Oden-less Trail Blazers were suppossed to be among the league's dregs; instead, they're a clinic in teambuilding and youth development.

New York Knicks, SG
Comment: One of basketball's most storied franchises has been reduced to a pale shadow of its former self. Crawford, long harried for his poor shot selection and dubious playmaking abilities, has established himself as the only fantasy worthy player on the entire roster. He leads the Knicks in a host of categories and has stayed out of coach Isiah Thomas' doghouse long enough to make a serious impact.

Miami Heat, SF
Comment: Davis has had an up-and-down start to the season, but an upcoming week against the floundering Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers and Philadelphia 76ers should mean promising numbers from Davis.

Memphis Grizzlies, SF
Comment: Gay has made a monumental leap from his rookie year to now. He's averaged nearly 20 points and six rebounds for the youthful Grizzlies. Memphis is a long way from a playoff berth, but Gay might be the best young player on in the league right now.

Los Angeles Lakers, PF
Comment: Ever since he was listed as a non-factor (in this very collumn no less), Odom has been on a tear. He's rebounding, scoring and providing leadership on a Lakers squad outperforming expectations. Start him this week, especially with Kobe Bryant ailing.

Indiana Pacers, PF
Comment: O'Neal has played well since returning from injury. Mike Dunleavy's play has taken some pressure off O'Neal, and he's just now starting to exert himself. He's seen his minutes increase and his numbers as well.

Los Angeles Clippers, C
Comment: Anybody who says they predicted Kaman's fantastic start in lieu of Elton Brand is lying. That being said, Kaman has been fantastic, combining excellent percentages with monster rebounding numbers. The Clippers aren't really good, but Kaman's keeping them afloat.

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.


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.

Los Angeles Clippers, PG
Comment: Even with Sam Cassell out Knight has been a dissapointment. He can be a good source of assists, but he doesn't shoot nearly well enough to validate him taking up roster space.

Detroit Pistons, SG
Comment: Hamilton has never been much more than a scorer. This season his numbers have dipped a bit, but he's responded with an increased number of assists. But Hamilton's been banged up and missed practice with sore legs. If you have an alternative, give him a go and let Hamilton rest.

Phoenix Suns, SG
Comment: Leandro Barbosa and Grant Hill have nullified Bell's role in the lineup. He's putting up lows for his tenure in Phoenix and shooting just 41 percent from the field. He's a gritty defender, but that doesn't do much for fantasy players. Unless you're desperate for the two three-pointers he supplies a game, sit him.

New York Knicks, SF
Comment: Isiah Thomas had an argument with Richardson on the sidelines during an embarrassing loss to the Charlotte Bobcats and didn't return. Q-Rich has been a dissapointment with the Knicks, regressing in each season. Whether or not it's the coaches fault or not is a moot point. As a fantasy player, he's worthless.

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.

Milwaukee Bucks, PF
Comment: Those hoping for Villa' to get some regular minutes are going to be dissapointed. He's now missing some time with a sprained ankle. The Bucks say it's not serious but with Yi around, he wouldn't play much anyway.

Toronto Raptors, PF
Comment: Bargnani has been ineffective since his return from injury. He has found his playing time shrinking steadily as the Raptors mix and choose their lineups on a daily basis. Don't expect a return to form soon.

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.

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.

28 The Utah Jazz hadn't won a home game since Nov. 28 before beating the Orlando Magic 113-94 on Friday.

10 The Portland Trail Blazers have won 10 straight games, their longest streak since winning 12 in the 2001-02 season.

7 New York Knicks guard Stephon Marburuy has missed seven of his last 10 games on personal leave, attending to the death of his father.

6 Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Antoine Walker connected on six three-pointers, en route to scoring 23 points in 24 minutes.


Charlotte Bobcats, C
Comment: Mohammed lit up the Knicks for 20 points and 14 rebounds in his third game with Charlotte. It looks like he'll be getting regular minutes, especially with Sean May out. He won't put up numbers like that every night, but he should be good for 14 and seven.

Tuesday, 5 p.m. ET, ABC
This Christmas day matchup of Western Conference powerhouses should be a good indication of how far along the Lakers are in their quest for a title. Kobe Bryant's a big-game player and Steve Nash always finds a way to light up the score board. Expect this one to be fun.

NUGGETS @ BLAZERS