Welcome to the end of the first quarter kids. Class is back in session. Update! presents its quarterly NBA report. Here are the biggest studs, busts and top performers so far this season:
Comment: Howard is the closest thing to Shaquille O'Neal the league has ever seen — fitting then that he has started his career with the Magic. No one but Howard has dominated opponents with such thoroughness this season. Fantasy managers lucky enough to own him and his outrageous rebounding numbers (over 15 a game) are cleaning up their leagues right now. He's in the top 10 in four separate categories (points, rebounding, FG% and blocks). Plus, he's recorded less than 10 rebounds just three times this season, and two of those games were eight and nine rebound nights. He's not the unanimous choice for the MVP award (those free throws kill his game), but he's our pick so far this season.
Comment: Although he missed a couple of games with a freak finger injury, King James is putting up ridiculous numbers this season; he's averaging a mind boggling 30 points, seven rebounds and eight assists with over two steals and a block per game. Throw in his great FG% and his nightly trey and you're looking at fantasy gold.
Comment: Can you say superstar? Howard is averaging a team high 22 points, seven rebounds and 2.3 assists a game. Last year, Dirk Nowitzki was the Mavericks, and the leagues, MVP. This year it's all about Howard. His fantasy game is solid (he lights the box score up) and he's only getting better. How long before we cast his name among the NBA elite?
Comment: Deng is extremely inconsistent but is still averaging a solid 18 points and seven rebounds. Some nights we see greatness from Deng, and some nights we see nothing. He's on the cusp of All Star success, so it's time for him to step up as the leader of the woefully underperforming Bulls and assume his mantle as a fantasy great.
Comment: Gay has made the biggest leap forward to become a top fantasy performer this season, averaging over 18 points and six rebounds a game (compared to last seasons 11 points and 4.5 rebounds). He's also filling up the stat sheet, giving owners over a block and a steal per game. And that 48 percent field goal percentage is icing on the cake.
Comment: After being drafted by the Sonics second overall, Durant became the instant leader of a young SuperSonics team. Even with expectations through the roof, he's delivered. Durant is dropping 20 a game, but his turnovers and shooting percentages are miserable. Still, there's no one even close enough to challenge him a run for this award.
Comment: Is there even an argument here? Nash, the two-time MVP, is once again leading the league in assists with 12.3 a game. Only New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd comes close (10.5), but he's been saddled with an underachieving team and controversy surrounding his effort (or lack thereof) this season. In leagues that reward two points for assists, Nash might be a No.1 overall pick.
Comment: As much as Paul Pierce likes to think the Celtics are his team, it's clearly KG's squad. Garnett is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds, but his knowledge of the game and passion to win have been the most positive contribution he's made to the Celtics, who amazingly have yet to be defeated at home. The Celtics are 20-2 and Championship contenders in the East.
Comment: How fitting that one of the leagues brightest and biggest jokesters earns this title. Arenas was playing poorly before he virtually ended his season with knee surgery. Fantasy owners who took him with a top pick are probably feeling the sting. He was going in the top five in many drafts. He'll be back before the season ends, but the Wizards are playing well without him, so he'll take his time coming back.
Comment: The ring leader of the New York Knicks traveling circus show has been a monster fantasy bust this season. As if leaving the team behind in California, claiming he's got "dirt" on coach Isiah Thomas and finding himself in the middle of a sexual harassment case wasn't enough, "Starbury" had the nerve to blame the fans.
MVP
DWIGHT HOWARD
Orlando Magic, C Comment: Howard is the closest thing to Shaquille O'Neal the league has ever seen — fitting then that he has started his career with the Magic. No one but Howard has dominated opponents with such thoroughness this season. Fantasy managers lucky enough to own him and his outrageous rebounding numbers (over 15 a game) are cleaning up their leagues right now. He's in the top 10 in four separate categories (points, rebounding, FG% and blocks). Plus, he's recorded less than 10 rebounds just three times this season, and two of those games were eight and nine rebound nights. He's not the unanimous choice for the MVP award (those free throws kill his game), but he's our pick so far this season.
MVP RUNNER UP
LEBRON JAMES
Cleveland Cavaliers, SF Comment: Although he missed a couple of games with a freak finger injury, King James is putting up ridiculous numbers this season; he's averaging a mind boggling 30 points, seven rebounds and eight assists with over two steals and a block per game. Throw in his great FG% and his nightly trey and you're looking at fantasy gold.
FANTASY FAVORITE
JOSH HOWARD
Dallas Mavericks, SF Comment: Can you say superstar? Howard is averaging a team high 22 points, seven rebounds and 2.3 assists a game. Last year, Dirk Nowitzki was the Mavericks, and the leagues, MVP. This year it's all about Howard. His fantasy game is solid (he lights the box score up) and he's only getting better. How long before we cast his name among the NBA elite?
ALMOST THERE
Luol Deng
Chicago Bulls, SF Comment: Deng is extremely inconsistent but is still averaging a solid 18 points and seven rebounds. Some nights we see greatness from Deng, and some nights we see nothing. He's on the cusp of All Star success, so it's time for him to step up as the leader of the woefully underperforming Bulls and assume his mantle as a fantasy great.
MOST IMPROVED
RUDY GAY
Memphis Grizzlies, SF Comment: Gay has made the biggest leap forward to become a top fantasy performer this season, averaging over 18 points and six rebounds a game (compared to last seasons 11 points and 4.5 rebounds). He's also filling up the stat sheet, giving owners over a block and a steal per game. And that 48 percent field goal percentage is icing on the cake.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
KEVIN DURANT
Seattle SuperSonics, SG Comment: After being drafted by the Sonics second overall, Durant became the instant leader of a young SuperSonics team. Even with expectations through the roof, he's delivered. Durant is dropping 20 a game, but his turnovers and shooting percentages are miserable. Still, there's no one even close enough to challenge him a run for this award.
FANTASY HELPER
STEVE NASH
Phoenix Suns, PG Comment: Is there even an argument here? Nash, the two-time MVP, is once again leading the league in assists with 12.3 a game. Only New Jersey Nets point guard Jason Kidd comes close (10.5), but he's been saddled with an underachieving team and controversy surrounding his effort (or lack thereof) this season. In leagues that reward two points for assists, Nash might be a No.1 overall pick.
SPIRIT AWARD
KEVIN GARNETT
Boston Celtics, PF Comment: As much as Paul Pierce likes to think the Celtics are his team, it's clearly KG's squad. Garnett is averaging 19 points and 11 rebounds, but his knowledge of the game and passion to win have been the most positive contribution he's made to the Celtics, who amazingly have yet to be defeated at home. The Celtics are 20-2 and Championship contenders in the East.
BIGGEST BUST
GILBERT ARENAS
Washington Wizards, PG Comment: How fitting that one of the leagues brightest and biggest jokesters earns this title. Arenas was playing poorly before he virtually ended his season with knee surgery. Fantasy owners who took him with a top pick are probably feeling the sting. He was going in the top five in many drafts. He'll be back before the season ends, but the Wizards are playing well without him, so he'll take his time coming back.
DRAMA QUEEN
STEPHON MARBURY
New York Knicks, PG Comment: The ring leader of the New York Knicks traveling circus show has been a monster fantasy bust this season. As if leaving the team behind in California, claiming he's got "dirt" on coach Isiah Thomas and finding himself in the middle of a sexual harassment case wasn't enough, "Starbury" had the nerve to blame the fans.
