Print RSS Feeds E-News Sign Up

By Guy Lake and Tom Lorenzo, TalentedMrRoto.com

Two fantasy hoops experts debate the reasonable expectations of recently emerging players.

No one denies that Ike Diogu has talent, but will he get the minutes down the stretch? (D. Clarke Evans/NBAE/Getty Images)

GUY: Well, I am glad I wasn't cheerleading my squad in the TalentedMrRoto experts' league on NBA.com's Ultimate Fantasy Commissioner. I would've been chanting, "Maybe Next Year, Guys!" Tom tells me that doesn't tend to fire up the troops. Last week I wrote that I was likely to miss the playoffs as just four of twelve teams make it and I was on the edge. With a strong win (7-2) over the estimable John Cregan I snuck in. My reward? I get to play Dave Gawron, owner of the league's best record. I beat him 5-4 two weeks ago, and am trailing 4-5 as of this writing. I may just pull this off yet. With that miracle in mind, we decided to hold off on projecting ahead to next year and dedicate this week's column to those of you looking at the championship week in your head-to-head playoffs. We will feature three players who have shown some serious potential and could help your teams secure the virtual championship that will make you the envy of men everywhere and the object of all women's desires. Overstating things? I think not. Those of you who have won leagues know what I am talking about.

TOM: I’ll be honest. In our experts league I may not have finished where I would have liked to. Some people may be content finishing at .500 since you don’t have to worry about the pressure of being tops in the league, while at the same time you don’t have to answer any questions about tanking. Me, on the other hand, I never wanted to be the Minnesota Timberwolves. No, but much like everyone else I was hit with old Johnny Injury one too many times this season. So I finished .500 and I take home a nice t-shirt as a parting gift all while losing the respect of my father who says, “Mediocrity has no place in the Lorenzo household. That’s more of a Weiss family thing (the neighbors).” And that got me to thinking; no way I ever let a Lake family member beat me again. So I figured I’d challenge Guy to a race around the world. First one back gets a sack of nickels. Each one signed by current United State’s Mint director Edmund C. Moy. One rule, Lake, automobile is our only means of transportation. Kinsey, fetch me my driving gloves! We begin the race right after we talk hoops.

Note: We have included the games remaining in each week of the championship round for each player in parentheses.

Walter Herrmann - SF/PF, Charlotte Bobcats (3,1)

TOM: Look at those locks! No, it’s not glam-rocker Sebastian Bach, it’s March’s Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Walter Herrmann. The Argentinean Bobcat had a fantastic March. At least as far as Walter Herrmann months are concerned. The 6-9 power forward averaged 12.1 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1 three pointer, and shot 58 percent from the floor for the month. With the Bobcats also eyeing the top prize in the 2007 NBA Draft, Herrmann is most likely going to continue to play a major role for the Bobcats as we head towards the finish line. Will he be productive? Oh I don’t know. So, let’s ask…..

Walter Herrmann … Are You For Real?

TOM: For Real. Much was made about the potential of Herrmann coming into this season because the 27 year old had played such a significant role for the Argentina National Team. He was a man among boys in this rookie class. He had already played several years of professional ball overseas and that tends to mean that he’s “ready” to step right in and play. Well, it didn’t really work out that way for Walt Herrmann. He spent most of the season on the bench and put up a number of DNPs for the lowly Bobcats. Herrmann, however, is reaching his stride. Not that the Bobcats are looking to win or anything, but Herrmann is playing almost 35 minutes per game in his last ten. As a fantasy owner in this point of the season you are just looking for healthy players who are going to log minutes. Enter Walter Herrmann. Walter is a nice post player who can put up a double-double on a given night and even give you a three pointer or two along the way. He’s also a very good interior shooter. Again, his future may be in question because the Bobcats seem content with Okafor, Wallace, May, Morrison, and their 2007 lottery pick playing the forward and center positions respectfully. But, for now, put your hair in a ponytail and take a look at the productive 27 year old in Charlotte who shot an impressive 4-5 from beyond the arc this past Tuesday.

GUY: Not Real. For championship week. This is has nothing to do with Herrmann's ability, just his schedule. Let me start by saying I love this guy. With apologies to Chris Kaman, the best hair in the NBA now sits on Walter Herrmann's head. The Herrmannator has been killing it for the past two and a half weeks. Since moving into the starting lineup he has averaged 19.8 points, 1.5 threes, 6.0 boards, 1.8 dimes, 0.5 steals, 0.3 blocks, and a scant 0.7 turnovers on 63.6 percent shooting from the field and 80 percent from the line. Where on earth did this guy come from? The same place that begat Matt Carroll. That is to say, the land of Adam Morrison's struggles. The Bobcats have had injuries aplenty but the real reason Herrmann has got his playing time is because they can't rely on Morrison. Herrmann has excelled from long range, hitting 47.2 percent of his threes in March. However, this rangy Argentinean has more to his game than long-distance shooting. He loves to drive to the rack and has simply enormous hands. He is great at palming the ball and moving it in midair to avoid defenders for dunks and finger rolls; just ask the Atlanta Hawks. There is a definite future for this guy. He is long, athletic, can palm a watermelon, and has no fear. Herrmann rebounds well and barely turns the ball over. He has scored 20 plus points in four straight games and I don't see that changing. So, why do I say he's not real? The four games on the Bobcats' schedule during championship week. Herrmann was a great add for this week (four games) but I would advise sitting him for the championship round. Unless you have no other options, the lack of games will probably hurt you. Next year, however, snatch this sleeper up near the end of your draft. You'll come for the flowing locks, but stay for the finger rolls and threes. I love his style. Once on the break in a Euroleague game, Herrmann threw the ball in the air, stripped off his jersey, caught the ball on the bounce, then dunked it. That, my friends, is style. You know I am drafting this kid next year.

More from Are You For Real? March 30: Diogu/Herrmann/Kinsey March 23: Thomas/Hayes/Udoka March 16: Jones/Kleiza/Hart Archives: Are You For Real?

Ike Diogu - PF/C, Indiana Pacers (4,2)

GUY: Ike Diogu is an intriguing championship week pick-up. He has had some very nice games when Jermaine O'Neal has rested his ailing knee and ankle. On Sunday, Ike went off for 18 points and a career-high 13 boards. When he has been given minutes, he has produced. The question, as we look ahead to the last week and a half of the season, is how many minutes will he see in the Pacer's final six games? In other words…

Ike Diogu…Are You For Real?

GUY: Not Real. It's all about the PT. Diogu has great scoring ability. His footwork and soft touch make him a natural low post scorer. He complements this with great touch from the free throw line. Additionally, his instincts and exceptional reach helps him get to rebounds that seem destined for taller players. He has all the ingredients to be a force in the paint. He has played in ten games where he has played 20 or more minutes. In those games he has averaged 12.6 points, 7.3 boards on 51 percent from the field. This just hints at his potential. The question for fantasy owners is will he see enough time to help them in the last games of the year? A lot depends on Jermaine O'Neal. If O'Neal plays, Diogu's minutes will hover around 20 per game. If O'Neal sits, Diogu will remain on the floor so long as his foul-prone defense allows. He averages 7.2 fouls per 48 minutes, which puts him just outside the top ten most foul-prone players in the league. It is unlikely this late in the season that Diogu will suddenly learn to stay on the ground and stop reaching. If his poor defense didn't force him to the bench so much, I would be a strong advocate for Diogu. I love his post presence and free throw shooting. When he learns how to play NBA defense, I think we are looking at a 20-10 performer. For now, look elsewhere for help. Yes, he will suit up for six games during championship week, but I doubt he plays much more than 20 minutes in any of them.

TOM: Not Real. I’m going to be a lot tougher on Ike Diogu, or some of you maybe more familiar with his birth name, Ikechukwu Somtochukwu Diogu, because he has the most potential of any of the players that we are covering this week. The former lottery pick was one of the main components in this blockbuster trade between the Pacers and the Warriors. Not at one point in this, his second season, have we been blown away by Diogu. The best game of his season came just this past Sunday against the Spurs where he put in 18 points and pulled down 13 rebounds. It’s hard to really evaluate Diogu at this point because I think he has the potential to be a 15 and 8 kind of guy next year. This year? He may very well help you out seeing that the Pacers are slipping, falling, and most likely not going to get up. Soon enough the towel will be thrown in and the Pacers are going to want to see something from guys like Diogu, Granger, and Shawne Williams. At 6-8, 250 pounds, Diogu is a bruiser underneath the basket and he might be the future starting power forward for the Pacers as they contemplate sending Jermaine O’Neal elsewhere next season. Take a look at Diogu if you need interior help in the playoffs, but know that night after night you never know if you’re going to get the 18 and 13 Diogu, or the 5 and 2 Diogu we saw Tuesday night. Not necessarily the kind of numbers you want going into the final round of your playoff run.

Tarence Kinsey - PG/SG, Memphis Grizzlies (2,2)

TOM: Alfred Kinsey once said, “When it comes to love, we are all in the dark.” Of Tarence Kinsey most NBA fans will say, “Who?” That’s right, this former Gamecock, most famous for being “down” with Renaldo Balkman, went undrafted in the 2006 NBA Draft. We wouldn’t normally be talking about this kid, except for the fact that he’s been averaging 18 points, 2.1 steals, 4 rebounds, 1 three, and shooting a notch above 50 percent in his last six. For those of us not graced with 82 televised local Grizzlies games, we have to ask….

Tarence Kinsey…Are You For Real?

TOM: For Real. “Why not?” was my original answer. However, at this point in the season that would just be too easy. Tarence Kinsey really has come out of nowhere. This late in the season we tend to see players get more run on lottery bound teams, so it comes to no surprise. What is surprising is who in fact is turning it up this late in the season. Yes, Tarence Kinsey went undrafted, and yes, the Grizzlies are checking the Celtics box scores each morning to see where they stand in the Greg Oden sweepstakes, but is Tarence Kinsey really this good? He can be. His 5 steals Wednesday night looked really nice for anyone trying to make a late surge in the steals category. For the remainder of the year Kinsey should log starter minutes as Mike Miller battle injuries and the team tries to lose by as few points as possible. A moral victory! Next year, though, I don’t think the Grizzlies are going to let Kinsey see 40 minutes of action at just about any point of the season. Gasol, Warrick, Gay, Miller, Oden/Durant looks like a pretty good line-up. Tarence Kinsey will most likely not be a big part of the Grizzlies future plans. So, take him for what he’s worth for the remainder of the season and ride him out, if you’re lucky enough to still be in the playoff hunt.

GUY: Not Real. The same problem that dampens Walter Herrmann's value affects Tarence Kinsey as well. Yes, he has been lighting it up in the absence of Mike Miller—who looks like he is probably done for the season—but with just four games to be played during the head-to-head championship week, I think owners are better off sitting him. Considering that most people had no idea who he was before last week, I hope this suggestion isn't too alarming. Those of you in deep league with few other options can stick with Tarence. He is good for more than just scoring. He plays excellent on the ball defense as well. He has a nice little streak of four straight games with two steals or more, including five rips against Phoenix on April 3 and four against Portland on March 29. Since moving into the starting lineup, Tarence Kinsey has averaged 17.8 points, 1.2 threes, 4.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists, 2.5 steals, 0.2 blocks, and 2.2 turnovers on 48.8 percent shooting from the field and 83.3 percent from the line in six games. I don't expect these numbers to diminish. The Grizzlies are getting great production from this undrafted player and, as my colleague Chris Cates pointed out late last week, this makes it easier on the Grizzlies to sit Mike Miller and his knee tendonitis. If Tarence's averages multiplied by four games is greater than what you would get from a replacement player in five or six games, then stick with him. Otherwise, bid adieu and look for someone like Jarvis Hayes or Bostjan Nachbar, who each have six games remaining or Salim Stoudamire, who has five in the last scoring period of the fantasy season.

TOM: Not sure if you’re ready for this race, Guy, but I made sandwiches knowing full well I get hungry when I drive. Tales from the road will reach all corners of the northeastern tip of Maine. What? they like a good road narrative there. Next week’s column is sure to be a gas.

GUY: Tom, I am revving the mighty, mighty Honda Civic up for the race. Faithful readers, I am not sure where next week will find me but you can be sure neither Tom nor I will miss the final column of the year.

Guy Lake and Tom Lorenzo are fantasy experts for TalentedMrRoto.com , which features free advice, news, stats and analysis for all fantasy sports. It was nominated for four FSTA awards, including best site. Contact them at guylake@TalentedMrRoto.com and tomlorenzo@TalentedMrRoto.com.

The views expressed by TalentedMrRoto.com represent only the views of the writers; they do not represent the views of the NBA or any NBA team.

Check out: Fantasy Article Archive and Schedule