DERON WILLIAMS
Utah Jazz, PG
Comment: All better from that pesky toe injury that dampened his production in mid-November, Williams has emerged as Utah's number one playmaker. 26 points, three rebounds and 10 assists over the last five games has helped Williams establish himself as a legitimate top five point guard in the league.
MONTA ELLIS
Golden State Warriors, SG
Comment: Most thought that Stephen Jackson's return would signal Ellis' demotion to the bench. Instead, coach Don Nelson has favored the undersized shooting guard and been rewarded to the tune of 22 points, six rebounds and five assists nightly over the past seven games. Not surprisingly, the Warriors have won 10 of their last 12 contests.
RICHARD JEFFERSON
New Jersey Nets, SF
Comment: Forget that his team is barely playing .500 ball, Jefferson's fantasy game is sturdy as can be. 28 points, four rebounds, three assists and a steal per game over his last eight should have you forgetting about Jason Kidd's headline-making absence for some time. Finally, Jefferson has evolved into the All Star everyone knew was there.
DREW GOODEN
Cleveland Cavaliers, PF
Comment: Gooden might never live up to the hype some pinned on him. But he's got a sturdy fantasy game, nearly averaging a double-double. Oddly, he plays better with LeBron James in the lineup than without him. James returns soon, which means good things ahead for Gooden.
MARCUS CAMBY
Denver Nuggets, C
Comment: So what if he hasn't topped 10 points in his last four games? The 17 rebounds, three assists and two blocks he has averaged over that span more than make up for any scoring deficiencies. He has six 20-rebound games already this season and he's not even leading the league in rebounding.
STEPHON MARBURY
New York Knicks, PG
Comment: It's been a mess of a season for Marbury, who has now taken time off after his fathers passing. He's putting up the worst numbers of his career on a team that was suppossedly playoff-bound. There's no end in sight for Marbury; at least, not until Isiah Thomas is gone.
DWYANE WADE
Miami Heat, SG
Comment: The Heat have been woeful to start the season. They're just 4-15 in a slowly strengthening Eastern Conference, and D-Wade has been inconsistent at best since his return from a shoulder injury. It's not that he's not putting up good numbers, it's just that we expect so much more from him.
RASHAD MCCANTS
Minnesota Timberwolves, SF
Comment: McCants playing on one of the worst teams in the league, but he can't manage to do anything other than score. He's seeing his playing time cut and his role in the offense reduced. Even if he's the second leading scorer on the T-Wolves, he's a fantasy bane. Although flash, no substance.
LAMAR ODOM
Los Angeles Lakers, PF
Comment: The Lakers are undoubtedly Kobe Bryant's team, but Odom was supposed to be his second-in-command. He hasn't scored, rebounded or passed the ball particularly well and four of his last nine games he's failed to top double-digits. The Lakers are second in the Pacific Division; Odom hasn't done much to get them there.
SHAQUILLE O'NEAL
Miami Heat, C
Comment: Reports surfaced that coach Pat Riley tried to throw O'Neal out of practice the other day (Alonzo Mourning stepped in defused the situation); all if not well in Miami. And Shaq is playing the worst basketball of his career. He's perennially out of shape and never tries hard until the playoffs. His day's are numbered in this league.
RAJON RONDO
Boston Celtics, PG
Comment: His numbers won't blow you away, but playing with the Big Three he's bound to get easy looks and assists. And he'll only get better as the season wears on. He just has to do something about his sub-par free throw shooting (48.4%) and he'll be a valuable second point guard in fantasy play.
JAMAAL TINSLEY
Indiana Pacers, PG
Comment: Tinsley's been injured for so long that everyone forgets what a good point guard he can be. Forget his 39% field goal percentage and focus on the nine assists, 4.5 rebounds and nearly two steals he's averaging a game. And as Jermaine O'Neal rounds into playing shape, he'll only get better.
DAMON STOUDAMIRE
Memphis Grizzlies, SG
Comment: If you only focus on the eight points Stoudamire's averaging a game, you're missing the big picture. He's seeing increased minutes and his overall numbers are benefiting immensely. Need evidence? He's averaging 11.6 points, 5.6 assists, 2.5 threes and shooting a healthy 62 percent from the floor over his last five games. The Grizzlies are giving him more minutes, and Stoudamire is responding with numbers.
RUDY GAY
Memphis Grizzlies, SG
Comment: Gay has taken a giant leap forward in his second season. He's getting monster playing time on a young Grizzlies squad and blowing up the box score along the way. He's averaging 23 and seven over his last three games; throw in a block, steal and nearly two three pointers per game, and fantasy owners are getting one sturdy roto-player.
TRACY MCGRADY
Houtston Rockets, SF
Comment: McGrady dropped 40 on the Sacramento Kings only to get outdone the next night by Allen Iverson's 51. McGrady followed that performance with a triple-double. His back seems fine and he's producing regularly again. He's a must start.
JOSH SMITH
Atlanta Hawks, SF
Comment: Smith started the season slowly, but he's picking up the pace now. He's averaging nearly six rebounds and four blocks over his last three games to go along with 21 points. And he's shooting much better to boot.
AL HORFORD
Atlanta Hawks, PF
Comment: Horford's got just two double-double's this season, but it's not because of his rebounding. He's pulling down nearly 11 boards a game and puts up a load of junk points. In Horford, the Hawks have someone they can build around.
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.
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.
STEVE BLAKE
Portland Trailblazers, PG
Comment: Blake's getting 30 minutes a night and not doing anything with them. You could live with him not scoring much, but to shoot under 40 percent is criminal. Plus, he's inconsistent on a nighly basis. Do what you have to and get another point guard. Blake won't win you any leagues.
DELONTE WEST
Seattle SuperSonics, PG
Comment: West just missed his first game of the season with plantar fascitis in his right foot, a problem that tends to linger. He was suppossed to take hold of this young Sonics team. Instead, he has been a middling backup to Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour. Right now, he's got little to no fantasy value.
KEVIN MARTIN
Sacramento Kings, SG
Comment: Martin is the best player no one outside of the fantasy universe has never heard of. But a groin injury will keep him out of the Kings lineup for the time being and, so, your fantasy roster. When he's healthy, he can score with the best of them. He's probably done till the All Star break though.
JEFF GREEN
Seattle SuperSonics, SG
Comment: Green has shown flashes of brilliance in his brief career, but not enough for a space on your starting fantasy roster. The Sonics are committed to their youth; he'll see extended playing time and better results. But for now, he should be riding your fantasy bench.
RONNIE BREWER
Utah Jazz, SF
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.
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 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 riding the bench for the injury prone Raptors (T.J. Ford and Chris Bosh are also out) and could see his role reduced on his return. He's an awesome talent. He hasn't fully developed though.
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.
