What’s up Nation members, I’d just like to quickly introduce myself and let you all know what I will be contributing to the Nation as a fantasy basketball writer. I can’t promise you I will supply you with the ingredients to a guaranteed fantasy league championship, but what I do intend to do is provide you all with my personal insight on tidbits here and there that will no doubt improve your team.

I’ll start things off this week with a simple article yet one that you may not have seen coming, so check the fantasy basketball section for updates. I realize right now that the OneSeason market isn’t really influenced by on-court performance, however in the long run it will be, so I will try to include players that are currently being traded as SOI’s in the OS market. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please feel free to contact me here on the Nation, and I look forward to contributing to the community. Enjoy the first article!

What’s up nation members, this is the first of many articles that I’ll be throwing up here for all of you fantasy basketball addicts out there. We all know the basics, the top players, and how our teams are panning out so far. I’ll start things off this week with a little different angle.

This offseason was rocked by trades and player moves, most recently including the Iverson - Billups blockbuster. While many of these trades were beneficial for both teams, the one that continually makes me scratch my head is the Nuggets dealing away Marcus Camby (my pre-season #5 center behind Amar’e, Brand, Bosh, and Gasol) for essentially nothing (2nd round draft picks). The aftermath of this is a huge hole in the already weak Nuggets D, despite George Karl’s efforts.

What does this mean to us fantasy owners? Get your hands on Kenyon Martin. His production this year has been incredible. Hes playing like he did back in his glory days in Cincinnati. Averaging over 7 boards and nearly 14 points a game may seem a little low, but give this offense a little bit of time to finally adjust playing with a real pointguard (Iverson is great, but Chauncey is more of a true PG) and these numbers should shoot up. Coming off of a wrist injury, his past two games he has played solid, capping off last night with 16 against the best defense in the league, Boston. By mid season I’d expect him to be averaging near 16+ a game, and wouldn’t be surprised to see him dropping 20+ against some weaker defensive teams. Combine this with the fact that his next two games are against the T-Wolves and the Bucks, I expect BIG numbers from him coming real soon.

I don’t know how well this Denver team will perform in the long run, only time will tell. What I do see in this team is Kenyon Martin becoming even more of a centerpiece now that Camby is gone and they have a guard that makes others around him better. Iverson averaged over 25/game with Denver the past two seasons, while Chauncey averaged 17 with the pistons the past two years. What does this mean? More points are going to be scored by other nugget players this year, and considering Melo is already carrying so much of the load already, Kenyon Martin is bound to step up. I’m not saying to sacrifice solid players in a trade to get him by any means, but if you feel he is pluck-able in your league, by all means snag him up. Also in a few smaller leagues, I know he was occasionally dropped when he hurt his wrist and missed two games.

For those of you in keeper leagues, I suggest looking at Greg Oden. I know your thinking “wow thats obvious”, but seriously now is the time to make a move for him. People are panicking with him (even in the OneSeason market he has tanked) and are afraid he won’t pan out. This guy dominated at Ohio State with essentially one hand, and I expect him to do the exact same in the NBA. He will put up solid numbers for a long time to come. He won’t be the next Amar’e or Dwight Howard, but he will be a solid player to build your team around — and right now his stock is at an all time low, so it wouldn’t hurt to try and make a move for him. Yes his offensive game needs work (but honestly, which big mans game doesn’t need work coming right out of college?).

I hope this has helped, and seeing as this is my first write-up here, I know it is far form perfect so any and all feedback is appreciated. In future articles I will try to cover more and include more ‘risky’ moves, but just for now I wanted to be safe and to the point. So let me know what you think and I’ll be sure to listen.

Take it easy boys, and enjoy your day off from trading.

-Matt

Hello everyone. Welcome to the first weekly edition of my Fantasy Football Start/Sit list. Every week I will list a few players who I think are start worthy at each position, and a few players who I think should be left on your bench. I will try to avoid mentioning obvious every week starters, unless they have been significantly underperforming (hello, LT). For this week I will preface my start decisions with a list of studs (players to start every week, regardless of match up). I will also avoid mentioning obvious bench players. Just keep in mind that, despite my careful research, I am only human and will get predictions wrong from time to time. Take my recommendations with a grain of salt alongside your own research, and never bench your studs in favor of one of my recommendations, unless you feel that their upside potential is worth it. Keep a lookout every Tuesday for my Start/Sit Revisit, in which I will analyze my predictions to see how I did. On to the list…

Quarterback

Studs:

Kurt Warner @ SEA
Drew Brees @ KC
Peyton Manning vs. HOU
Jay Cutler @ ATL
Donovan McNabb @ CIN
Philip Rivers @ PIT

Start:

Aaron Rodgers vs. CHI: The other A-Rod would be on the Stud List if he was not so inconsistent week to week. Despite his inconsistencies, Rodgers will be Stud List worthy this week against a mediocre Chicago pass defense. The Packers running game has been struggling, and against Chicago’s stout run defense the Pack will be forced to throw early and often. 250+ yards and a couple TDs should be expected.

Jake Delhomme vs. DET: They’re playing Detroit at home. Need I say more? Rule #1 in Fantasy Football - Start everyone playing Detroit. Delhomme will make up for his abysmal performance last week.

Ben Roethliberger vs. SD: Tough Big Ben is recovering nicely from his various injuries and apparently was throwing 50 yard bombs in practice this week. Look for the Steelers to air it out against a mediocre and banged up San Diego secondary, especially with their running squad banged up.

Matt Ryan vs. DEN: It’s time to get on the Matt Ryan bandwagon and ride this hot hand. The impressive rookie has surprised everyone this season and should have continued success against Denver’s terrible pass defense. Expect a shootout in Atlanta this week.
Tyler Thigpen vs. NO: The return of Larry Johnson should open up the passing game even more for the impressive Thigpen, especially against the Saint’s weak secondary.
Shaun Hill vs. STL: I great spot start if you’re hurting at QB this week. Hill has looked good thus far and should find success against the struggling Rams.

Sit:

Eli Manning vs. BAL: While consistent in his production, the other Manning has failed to produce stellar numbers this year. Temper your expectations for him even further against the Ravens and look for the Giants to do what they do best: run, run, run.

Joe Flacco @ NYG: The impressive rookie will have a reality check against the stout Giants pass rush. Needless to say, I think this will be a low scoring affair.

David Garrard vs. TEN: Garrard posted a great stat line last week, against Detroit. This week he faces the Titans, a completely different story. Combine this with the fact that Matt Jones is banged up and you’ve got a definite sitter.

Kyle Orton/Rex Grossman @ GB: It looks like Orton will play this week, but don’t expect him to have a good game against the Packers 3^rd ranked pass defense.

Running Back

Studs:

Frank Gore vs. STL

Adrian Peterson @ TB

Clinton Portis vs. DAL****

Joseph Addai vs. HOU

Matt Forte @ GB

Brian Westbrook @ CIN

Ladainian Tomlinson @ PIT**

Marion Barber @ WAS

Start:

Michael Turner vs. DEN: Burner could very well be on the stud list the way he has played this year. In his 4 games playing at home this year, Turner has averaged over 118 yards and has 6 TDs. Expect even bigger things this week against the Bronco’s 27^th ranked run defense. Burner is definitely the start of the week.

DeAngelo Williams vs. DET: Remember rule #1? Williams will continue his hot streak this week.

Ronnie Brown vs. OAK: Brown will post great numbers this week against the Raiders, who are ranked 29^th in rushing yards allowed per game

Deuce McAllister @ KC: Reggie Bush will be sitting out one more week so Deuce gets the cushy start against the Chief’s weak run D. The Saints do like to pass a lot, but I expect them to “run” down the clock in the 3^rd and 4^th quarters.

Sit:

Earnest Grahm vs. MIN: Easy bench call. Grahm, who has not played well since week 4, goes up against the 3^rd ranked Vikings run D. Combine this with the carries that “Cadillac” Williams will vulture and we’ve got a definite loser.

Ryan Grant vs. CHI: Despite playing well the last few weeks, Grant will struggle against the Bears tough run D. Expect the Pack to pass a lot, and Grant is not known as a very solid pass catching RB.

Maurice Jones-Drew vs. TEN: MJD had a great game last week against everyone’s favorite Lions. Temper expectations against the Titans.

****Clinton Portis vs. DAL: Portis is injured with an MCL sprain and is listed as day-to-day. Even if he does play, expect it to be in a limited role against a well rested Dallas defense coming off of a bye.

**LT @ PIT: I would start him anyway (because he is LT), but temper expectations against a very stout Steeler defense. If you have options with more upside, I might consider them over LT.

Wide Receiver

Studs:

Anquan Boldin @ SEA

Larry Fitzgerald @ SEA

Andre Johnson @ IND

Reggie Wayne vs. HOU

Brandon Marshall @ ATL

Randy Moss vs. NYJ

Steve Smith vs. DET

Greg Jennings vs. CHI

Roddy White vs. DEN

Calvin Johnson @ CAR

Santana Moss vs. DAL

Start:

Terrell Owens @ WAS: T.O. should bounce back this week with the return of Romo. It is slightly unpredictable how Romo’s pinky will hold up, but you gotta start him and T.O. anyway.

Marques Colston @ KC: He’s back from injury and will be put on the stud list next week after a big game this week.

Lee Evans vs. CLE: Evans struggled last week against the Patriots, but should find room this week against a Cleveland secondary that gave up almost 450 yards last week to Jay Cutler.

Hines Ward/Santonio Holmes vs. SD: Look for these two to have big games against the Charger’s terrible pass D, especially with the Steeler’s backfield banged up.

Antonio Bryant vs. MIN: The Bucs will have to pass a lot to beat the Vikings; expect Bryant to be an integral part of that passing attack.

Donald Driver vs. CHI: The Bears give up the 6^th most fantasy points to wide receivers, and Driver has been the focal point of the Pack’s passing attack, receiving more than 20 targets over the past 3 games.

Sit:

Devin Hester @ GB: Don’t expect much from Hester this week, who’ll be catching balls from a QB returning from injury or Rex Grossman and facing Green Bay’s third ranked passing D.

Chad Johnson vs. PHI: Expect this to be a sack fest, as the Eagle’s defensive line will give Palmer no time to throw the ball.

Bernard Berrian @ TB: After posting a big fat zero last week, Berrian should once again struggle against the 5^th ranked Buc’s pass D.

Chris Chambers @ PIT: Like Berrian, Chambers posted a zero last week, and should also struggle against the 1^st ranked Steel Curtain pass defense.

Ted Ginn Jr. vs. OAK: The Raiders suck (I think even Raiders fans accept this now), but Nnamdi Asomugha does not, as he continually shuts down #1 receivers. Don’t expect much from Ginn this week as he faces Asomugha, but all the other Dolphins should do great.

Alright, that’s it for this week. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions feel free to send me a message or post it as a comment. I’ll do my best to get back to you before tomorrow’s games. Good luck and happy trading!

Salahlipop Out.