HoopsVine Fantasy Basketball Squad 2010

Hoop freaks, my man Jeff over at The Growl invited us to join his fantasy basketball league, so needless to say not only will we participate – we’re coming to win. Matter of fact, Hoops Vine Takeover is bringing that MJ competitiveness to the campfire …

So here is our team with a brief analysis of each pick … the picks aren’t in order of selection.

Deron Williams

Chris Paul and Steve Nash were off the board, so we selected Williams fully knowing he’s also a 20/10 threat with a lot more gas in the tank than Nash. He logs heavy minutes, shoots 85 percent from the charity stripe and will also drain 3’s at a decent clip.

Kevin Durant

I passed up Danny Granger for Durant and I don’t regret it one bit. Durant is just a better talent – period! Granger is a dynamic scorer but I expect his points to decline a little in 2010 once Mike Dunleavy Jr. returns from injury. Durant on the other hand is going to perennially flirt with a scoring title for years to come. I also believe he’ll improve on his rebound production. He was a double-double machine in college, so I don’t think 7-8 boards per night is a fools wish.

Ray Allen

I selected four guys that banged in over 100 3-pointers last season (Durant just missed out with 97). Allen led the bunch with 199. I made the pick well aware that Allen’s scoring has dropped off the past two seasons, but his shooting downtown and free throw shooting addresses my needs.

Carmelo Anthony

You know darn well what you’re getting from ‘Melo every night – 20 points, 7 boards and 3 assists. Put it in the bank, invest in it or just flat out accept it.

Al Horford

Horford is the Hawks’ main big man in the middle. The team is weak in the frontcourt, therefore will rely on the third year player much more than others picked earlier. He’ll get us double figures in points and rebounds, while shooting over 50 percent from the field.

David Lee

Lee is a walking double-double. He pulled down almost 12 per night in 2009 and looking at the Knicks’ roster there is nothing to make me believe that’s going to change this year. Absolutely nothing. So to recap, 55 percent shooting and 12 rebounds per night. Academic.

Emeka Okafor

I’m willing to overlook Okafor’s sub 60 percent free throw shooting, as long as the double figures rebound production continues. Did you see how good Paul made Tyson Chandler look over the past few seasons?

Luis Scola

I think Scola was a steal late in this draft. Last year (with Yao) he averaged close to 13 points and 9 rebounds. Yao is out for the season and he’ll be the main option in the post for Houston. Those numbers could easily reach the 17/10 range.

John Salmons

By selecting Salmons, I practice what I preach (picking guys from my sleeper guide). Salmons’ coming out party in 2009 wasn’t a fluke. He’s a veteran that has honed his skills and will provide close to 5 rebounds and 17 points
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Richard Hamilton

I went with Rip over younger more hyped guys like Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo because of the consistency. In fantasy, I need to know what I can count on every night at the majority of my roster spots. Rip also contributes in the assist category, averaging over 4 assists per game the last two seasons.

Mario Chalmers

Let’s see … what did Chalmers accomplish as a rookie point guard? He started all 82 games. He averaged 10 points, 2 steals and banged in 114 3-pointers.

Greg Oden

Got Oden with my second to last pick. This was my risk/reward option. As bad as Oden looked last year, his raw numbers were solid for a rookie – 9 points, 7 rebounds and 1 block.

Aaron Brooks

I’ve followed Brooks since he was a freshman at Oregon. As a pro he doesn’t shoot a high percentage, but he knocked down 109 3-pointers last year and will be the starting PG on a Houston team suddenly without star power.


Lang
Lang.Greene@gmail.com
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