Don't Sleep | Too Risky

Because we previously offered up 16 sleepers, I thought it only appropriate to break down 16 risky players as we discern whether they’re too risky or worth the risk. This isn’t so much a Sweet 16 as it is a Sweet & Sour Sixteen. This list includes those that you should take a chance on, despite their risks.

Worth The Risk

Shaquille O’Neal, Heat: There’s a lot of Shaq-hating going on in the fantasy world these days, but it’s cooler to love The Godfather in the twilight of his career. And what’s not to love about last year’s averages of 20 points, 9.2 rebounds, 1.8 blocks and .600 from the field? I mean, it’s not 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 3.0 blocks like his career year in 99-00, but roughly 20-10-2 is still rock solid. The buzzkill is the fact that Shaq will miss 20-30 games, that’s a given. However, Alonzo Mourning is also a given to average a double-double with three blocks while Shaq is out, so grab Zo for insurance and chill out.

Ron Artest, Kings: I swore off Ron-Ron for good when he forced his way out of Indiana last season, but I’m back on his bandwagon because I just think it’s going to work out with the Maloofs in Sacramento. (Did I really just write that? I must be crazy.) I also think the Dallas Cowboys, led by Terrell Owens, are going to the Super Bowl. (Did I really just admit in front of God and everyone that I believe in the NBA and NFL answers to Barry Bonds? Please, someone revoke my writer’s license. Oh yeah, I don’t have one.) Either you’re crazy, or you’re not.

Tracy McGrady, Rockets: T-Mac’s reputation has been smeared after missing 35 games a year ago, but I’m here to help repair that rep. If you throw out last year’s disaster and Tracy’s first year outta high school, he has averaged six DNPs over the middle seven seasons of his nine-year career. Freaks, you’ll be able to get a first-round talent in the second round of this year’s draft. I promise. Remember, when Tracy is right he’s good for 25-6-5-1-1.5 with two threes.

We'd all love for you to be healthy this year, Mr. AK-47. (Issac Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images)

Andrei Kirilenko, Jazz: I’m also here to help repair the rep of AK47, who has taken some hits after missing 54 games over the past two seasons. Of those DNPs, 41 came in 04-05 when nothing went right for Kirilenko or the Jazz. In the other four seasons of his five-year career, AK47’s games have dropped from 82 to 80 to 78 to 69. Yes, the trend is going the wrong way, but it’s way too early to label this 25-year-old “injury prone”. That said, one more injury-plagued season and we might have to rename him DNP47.

Marcus Camby, Nuggets: After setting a career-high with 72 games played in 03-04, Camby has morphed back into his old self, playing just 66 games in 04-05 and 56 games a year ago. Yes, that attendance is trending downward, and I can’t sit here and tell you he won’t play fewer than 56 games this year. But what I can tell you is that when Camby is right, he is invincibly dominant in fantasy leagues. To wit, last year’s averages of 12.8 points, 12.0 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.4 steals placed Camby among the top 20 fantasy players in 8-cat leagues.

Gerald Wallace, Bobcats: Some will look at the 27 DNPs and the unimpressive statistical history and assume that Wallace was a fluke of nature in 05-06. I’m here to tell you that those people don’t know what they are talking about because Wallace is a certifiable freak of nature. First of all, Wallace is a five-year vet at age 24, so none of us know if he’s truly injury prone. Second, last year’s five-cat line of 15-7-2-2-2.5 was ridiculous enough to power championship runs. Again, he’s 24 years old.

Emeka Okafor, Bobcats: I’m definitely worried about Okafor, who missed 56 games last year and a combined 65 over his first two seasons. That said, the 2005 Rookie of the Year has averaged a double-double in each season, including 15 and 11 as a rookie when he was basically healthy. I’m betting that Okafor takes this season a little more seriously, gets in better shape, and flirts with the 20-10 club. But I’m not betting more than a fourth-round pick.

Zach Randolph, Trail Blazers: The Blazers basically chose between Zach and Sebastian Telfair as the future face of the franchise, so Z-Bo has that going for him. Now he needs to prove, as he has said this summer, that his micro fractured knee is fully healed and ready to go. Count me among those who will be targeting Zach this year, searching for the 20-10 season he amassed in 03-04. I still believe in the 25-year-old lefty with the sweet touch even if he blocks only one shot a week.

Don't Sleep | Too Risky