1. Chaska Moose
Starting five: Kevin Love, Deron Williams, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford, Tim Duncan Glue guys: DeMarcus Cousins, Tyreke Evans Notable injuries: None. Analysis: This is hands-down the best starting five in the league right now. Duncan doesn’t have much keeper value, but he was the league’s third-highest scorer after LeBron and Durant last season. Love and Williams are borderline Top-10 guys, and Horford is straight fire. Factor in that this team is completely healthy (Williams’ ankle is projected to heal up by Day 1), and you have the look of a title winner. 2. Hollywood Hornets Starting five: Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, Ty Lawson, Al Jefferson, Anthony Davis Glue guys: Tobias Harris, Kenneth Faried Notable injuries: Ersan Ilyasova Analysis: Wade is great twilight value, and a pairing with the best fantasy (or real) point guard in the league is explosive. Big Al will aim for career highs now that he’s the man in Charlotte, and Anthony Davis was the draft’s biggest steal ($12… are y’all for real? If I wasn’t out of space, I would’ve ponied up $30). Tobias Harris ($2) and Kenneth Faried ($3) were also highway robbery. 3. Kansas City Monarchs Starting five: Marc Gasol, Serge Ibaka, Tony Parker, Josh Smith, Damian Lillard Glue guys: Rudy Gay, Monta Ellis Notable injuries: Andrew Bynum, J.R. Smith, Trey Burke, Danny Granger Analysis: Injuries threaten to hamper the deep end of the rotation, but hell, that top seven is scary. Any time you’re spot-starting Rudy Gay or Monta Ellis, you’re in good shape. The keys to success lie with Parker and Lillard; the veteran needs to keep up the crazy production he showed last season, and the sophomore needs to avoid a drop-off after winning Rookie of the Year. If they can replicate last season’s numbers, look out. 4. Shorewood Show Starting five: James Harden, Joakim Noah, LaMarcus Aldridge, Nikola Pekovic, Anderson Varejao Glue guys: DeMar DeRozan, George Hill, Cody Zeller Notable injuries: Russell Westbrook, Brandon Jennings, Danilo Gallinari Analysis: If Westbrook were healthy, this would be my No. 1 pick to win the championship. He and Harden are arguable two of the top five players in the game, and the tag team of Noah and Aldridge should sneakily produce at elite fantasy levels in 2013-2014. The Show’s X-factor is Varejao; when 100 percent, he can carry his share of fantasy weeks. 5. Duval United Starting five: Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, Greg Monroe, Luol Deng, Derrick Favors Glue guys: Jeff Green, Harrison Barnes Notable injuries: Rajon Rondo Analysis: This is about as far down as I can put a team that has both Durant and Irving. When Rondo gets healthy, it will be a big upset if the Brigade doesn’t win a championship in the next three seasons. Barnes will be the X-factor off the bench; he needs to step into a starting role in Duval by the start of next season to fulfill his potential. 6. Minnesnowta Chill Starting five: Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwight Howard, Eric Bledsoe, Eric Gordon Glue guys: Kevin Martin, Jonas Valanciunas Notable injuries: Kobe Bryant Analysis: Whether or not the folks in St. Paul are still tuning in to watch the Chill in April depends on Kobe’s recovery time. Anthony, Nowitzki and Howard are consistent, but not dependable enough to carry a playoff team. If the Black Mamba can step into a starring role next to Melo, the Chill will shoot up the standings. 7. Minneapolis Player Haterzz Starting five: LeBron James, Ricky Rubio, Blake Griffin, Mike Conley, Paul Pierce Glue guys: David West, Kevin Garnett Notable injuries: None. Analysis: Will Rubio learn how to hit the J? That’s the question owner Dan Renfro wants answered. If the Spanish sensation can light it up in the points category, this team is suddenly a championship contender. But as it stands, the starting five is one of the league’s worst. That’s tough to say when LeBron is involved, but it’s basically a one-man show in Minneapolis. 8. Rio Rainmakers Starting five: Derrick Rose, Paul George, Chris Bosh, Klay Thompson, Kawhi Leonard Glue guys: Roy Hibbert, Paul Millsap Notable injuries: None. Analysis: Rose has looked fantastic this preseason, but every member of the starting five is susceptible to a disappointing season. George, Thompson and Leonard all have big weights on their shoulders this year; can they produce now that the nation is watching them? Bosh has been consistent in recent years, but he shouldn’t be relied on to carry the load if Rose or George can’t do it. On a side note, I can’t wait for Pancake Night at Prince Rogers Nelson Arena. 9. Newport Beach Grizzlies Starting five: Stephen Curry, Nicolas Batum, John Wall, Larry Sanders, David Lee Glue guys: Nikola Vucevic, Kemba Walker Notable injuries: None. Analysis: Newport Beach’s best player is also one of the game’s biggest injury risks. And if he goes down? R.I.P. this squad’s 2013-2014 season. Vucevic was one of the best value pickups in the draft, but Batum was also the biggest reach. Maybe owner Peter Mayer will be singing Drake at the end of the year, but this squad projects to stay at the bottom.
0 Comments
|
Archives
March 2024
Categories
All
|