THE SPORT COUNT

Catch up on Round 8 here. Fantasy notes:  We’re using a 12-team, H2H format, with standard categories.

97. Kahn’t Buyout Love: Greg Oden | Portland Trail Blazers

Drafted So Far: Chris Paul, Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan, Paul Pierce, LaMarcus Aldridge, Mike Conley, Eric Gordon, Raymond Felton

Fingers are being crossed on this one; Oden could be monster or a mouse in fantasy this year. At worst, his contributions will support KG and Duncan, and his upside is through the roof — his per-36s from last year were 14 and 12, with 2 blocks.

Expect him to go higher in many drafts thanks to his name value, but I think around the #100 mark is good for GO.

98. Danny Aingent 007: Corey Maggette | Golden State Warriors

Drafted So Far: LeBron James, Troy Murphy, Gilbert Arenas, Mo Williams, Nene Hilario, Rudy Gay, Stephen Jackson, Thaddeus Young

This is a ‘why not?’ pick more than anything.

In Corey’s favour is his fantasy-friendly team, the need to justify a fat contract, an ability to get to the line and make it count, and the possibility Stephen Jackson moves away from the Bay Area, leaving him the number one SF option at the Warriors.

Going against him is the fact his contributions are essentially limited to scoring and FT%, and the fact Don Nelson employs zero logic in his coaching decisions, instead deciding who plays in each game by rolling beer caps down his driveway at 4am.

99. Drinking Derrick Rosé: Lamar Odom | Los Angeles Lakers

Drafted So Far: Kevin Durant, Brook Lopez, Kevin Martin, David Lee, Russell Westbrook, Blake Griffin, Trevor Ariza, Wilson Chandler

If ‘ill-advised wedding participation’ was a fantasy category, Lamar would be a first-round choice.

But it’s not, so you can pick him up early in the ninth. The Lakers are worryingly deep, but Lamar is such a constant rebounding presence — and plays such a large role in the offense when he’s on the court — that he’s still a sure thing for 13 and 8 with a block, steal, and three every now and then.

100. The Memphis SATs: Allen Iverson | Memphis Grizzlies

Drafted So Far: Dwyane Wade, Antawn Jamison, Shawn Marion, Carlos Boozer, OJ Mayo, Spencer Hawes, Ray Allen, Ramon Sessions

With the 100th pick, it’s time to take AI, who should be able to carve out some minutes on his new Grizzlies squad, even if it means stealing minues from youngsters who need the development time. Even in the unlikely event that he comes off the bench — though if you’re a betting man, you’d assume Conley will be forced out of the starting rotation — Iverson will be jacking up shots and diming whenever possible, desperate to prove he’s still relevant.

101. That’s My Power Forward! That’s My Teammate!: Ron Artest | Los Angeles Lakers

Drafted So Far: Kobe Bryant, Jose Calderon, Gerald Wallace, Emeka Okafor, David West, Michael Redd, Zach Randolph, Stephen Curry

I have no idea what Ron will do in LA, but he’ll be the starting SF, and he gets his numbers everywhere.

It’s likely his points will dip sharply, as he (hopefully) defers to Kobe, Pau and Bynum, but he has an astute passing game, can knock down the open three and never fails to register some D stats. So, at the back end of the ninth, I’m happy to complete the sort-of-handcuff of pairing Ron with KB.

102. Facilitatin’ With Mr. Wallace: Richard Jefferson | San Antonio Spurs

Drafted So Far: Danny Granger, Josh Smith, Derrick Rose, Elton Brand, Ben Gordon, Andre Miller, T.J. Ford, Luis Scola

The problem with the Spurs is, of course, depth. There are just too many scorers, and the team has way too many options. But Jefferson will get his. He was brought in for a reason. And the Spurs are, for the most part, old enough that at least some of their main weapons are bound to get injured. If R-Jeff gives me 15 and 5, with a three or two, I’m happy.

103. Mark Cuban Missile Crisis: Ronnie Brewer | Utah Jazz

Drafted So Far: Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Joe Johnson, Caron Butler, Al Horford, Tyrus Thomas, Andrew Bogut, Aaron Brooks

Hoping for a bump on his second-half averages last year, during which Brewer was a solid source of defensive stats  (2.1 per game, post-All-Star break) without doing yucky things to your percentages and TOs.

104. On Grounds of Vinsanity: Andrei Kirilenko | Utah Jazz

Drafted So Far: Pau Gasol, Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Jason Kidd, Mehmet Okur, Boris Diaw, Nate Robinson, Jason Terry

For the sake of eligibility spread, I want a small forward option here, and there’re few proven performers left on the board. The usually-reliable, if unlikable, Pistons Rip and Tayshaun are going to see Ben Gordon and Charlie V. seriously eat into their minutes, so I’m leaving them.

If Kiri’s available here, I have to take him. His drop-off since his All-star season looks like an inexorable march to irrelevance, but if he can bring his 1+ STL/BLK combo, and a few hustle boards, I’m happy with that. Even if I have to look at his gross, child-sex-offender hair all season.

105. Andrew Bynom Nom Noms: Luol Deng | Chicago Bulls

Drafted So Far: Al Jefferson, Devin Harris, Carmelo Anthony, Jameer Nelson, Paul Millsap, Andrew Bynum, Charlie Villanueva, Leandro Barbosa

With every position taken care of, it comes down to best player available. And that could very well turn out to be Luol, who struggled through last season with injuries.

With Gordon gone, he’ll get more looks. Rose developing into a serious distributor can’t hurt, either. Best case scenario — for Chicago, and for this fantasy team — is 20 (on 50%), 7, and a steal. He did it in 2006-07. I’m banking on him getting close — at least 80% there — again.

106. The Buss Family All-Star Band: Mario Chalmers | Miami Heat

Drafted So Far: Deron Williams, Amar’e Stoudemire, Rajon Rondo, Andrea Bargnani, Manu Ginobili, Anthony Randolph, John Salmons, Kevin Love

With Beasley a chance to be out for much of the year in rehab, Chalmers will potentially maintain his numbers from last season — including 2.0 steals, and 5 dimes — if not improve them. Whilst I don’t love his FG% or turnovers, any kid who can run the point on a playoff team as a rookie will surely improve as a sophomore.

107. John Hollinger’s W.A.S.S.U.P. System: Josh Howard | Dallas Mavericks

Drafted So Far: Brandon Roy, Chris Bosh, Monta Ellis, Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Al Harrington, Mike Bibby, Jeff Green

Worried as I am about what the potential shift to SG could mean, and a possible hit to his minutes, I’m good with taking Josh at the back of the 9th. He might not post his usual numbers, and he’s a perennial injury risk, but he’s nonetheless a semi-talented walk-on player on what could be a playoff team. I’d be happy with 15 and 6 with a steal and triple.

108. The Funston Freaks: Marvin Williams | Atlanta Hawks

Drafted So Far: Dwight Howard, Andre Iguodala, Andris Biedrins, Baron Davis, Jason Richardson, Tony Parker, Marcus Camby, J.R. Smith

Stuckey is a consideration here, but I’m of the opinion he’s significantly overrated — looking at his per-36s for last year (15 and 5.5 dimes) doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.

Williams keeps getting better each year. He doesn’t take big leaps or bounds, but he’s slowly improving. And if your pick at the end of the ninth gets you 16 and 6, with a steal and a triple, you’re loving it.

Round 10 is up now.

Posted By: Anton, Alex & James

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