Fantasy Expert Chat Archive

NBA.com fantasy expert Matthew Berry hits the keyboards every Monday at 2 p.m. to answer your fantasy basketball questions.

Matthew Berry is one of the top fantasy experts in the business and also writes for MLB.com and SportingNews.com and appears on ESPN. In addition, he is the author of the Draft Day Manifesto, which is featured at the NBA.com Draft Center. If it's fantasy, Berry does it and does it well.

Catch a live fantasy chat each Monday at 2 p.m.!

Moderator: All right. Let's get this party started.

Al (Rio): Hi Matt, I'm in the playoff final this week and I need boards and blocks: better Etan Thomas or Turiaf?

Matthew Berry: Go with Turiaf. He's going to get time with Kwame being rested during the end here. Plus fifteen boards yesterday against Phoenix!

Phil (Melb, Australia): Its pretty obvious to stay away from Memphis and the Cavs this week. But would it still be a safe choice to play LeBron? I feel like throwing in a guy like Jason Hart or Antonio Daniels instead. What should I do Matt?

Matthew Berry: You gotta go with LeBron regardless.

Ryan (San Francisco): What up Berry? Al Jefferson had a monster second half of the season before going down with this recent knee injury. Where do you see him going in next years draft? I'm thinking 5th or 6th round because of his center eligibilty and high ceiling.

Matthew Berry: I'm not convicned he'll have C eligibility in every league. If he's center eligible, I think fifth is correct. If not, probably 7th or 8th. Either way, he'll be a trendy sleeper in the preseason.

Joel (DC): Whats up, I know its early... but who are some sleepers I should be targetting for a breakout season next year? Guys like Rondo, Ariza, Hermann and Bynum stand out right now

Matthew Berry: I like all of those guys. It's always tough to say because you never know what will happen in the off-season. But you're right on track with those guys.

Josh (D.C.): Should I start Sheed this week? I have him at center but am worried about his pt this week. My other options are D. Gadzuric, M. Moore, or Damp.

Matthew Berry: I'd go with Mikki Moore here. Sheed is going to come off the bench. Plus, the Nets play a number of defensive "unminded" teams.

JJ (Seattle): Need to upgrade 3s, steals, and boards. I have Ford, Herrmann, Walton, and Bibby. All are killing me with inconsistency. Your thoughts on possible waiver pick ups: Watson, Stevenson, Gomes, Outlaw, N. Robinson, or Balkman. Thanks for the help!

Matthew Berry: I don't think any of those are upgrades over what you have outside of Herrmann. I'm surprised he's still available in your league. Grab him now. He's been the most consistent of them all.

g (toronto): which are the best (top 5?) all round guys in the league?

Matthew Berry: Hmmm. Wow. Tough question. I'd have to go with LeBron. KG. Dirk. Kobe. Gilbert Arenas.

Phil (Melb, Australia): Hey Matt, as many of the fantasy games are coming to the last week which players will get rested in preparation for the finals. I am worried about Nash, Stoudermire, Hinrich, Bosh and Iverson in particular. Thanks, and keep up the terrific work!

Matthew Berry: It's easy to be concerned. Especially with Nash and Amare. All you can do is keep up with the news, wherever you can get it. You'll have to keep up with it on a day-to-day basis. Once you find the information, you'll have to decide... is half a game of Nash better or worse than your bench options?

Toronto: What to do with al jeferson drop? add? is he gonna play this week?

Matthew Berry: It's the case for a lot of the Celtics player these days. It's hard to answer without knowing who is on your waiver wire. If he comes back and you're in need, take a chance. Hopefully, you have the bench available to compensate. Until you hear any good news, go another route.

Al (Rio): Better Outlaw or Balkman for steals and blocks?

Matthew Berry: In a vaccum, I'd go with Outlaw. Depending on needs, it differs. However, I like Outlaw here though,

Aaron (West Laf): Mr. Berry...has Jammy Nelson hit rock-bottom? Do you project him staying with Orlando and/or having any sleeper value next year? Worth dropping for a Tyronn Lue or Mardy Collins type at this point? Thanks.

Matthew Berry: In terms of rock bottom, I don't think his value gets lower. I still like him. He's still got potential. He's a guy you'd take a late flier on. Right now, I'd roll the dice with Lue. He's getting the minutes. He just put up 24-8-9 yesterday. It might be the time to ride that!

Jon (LA): Sayint they both come out, how early would you consider drafting Durant and Oden next year?

Matthew Berry: I'd probably take them in the sixth or seventh round depending on the team they were drafted to. However, I'd take Oden over Durant based on his center eligibility. It'll be interesting to see what transpires regardless.

Josh (Dallas): What's up Matt? Thanks for the love you beed disin me all year. 2 Questions: 1) What do you think about my PT these last 6 games (will AJ play me) and 2) Who is the better Josh? Me or that Smith dude in ATL. I got my pride, but dude is a freak.

Matthew Berry: I'm sorry Josh, but that "dude" in ATL is better than you. He contributes in more categories and doesn't have the same propensity for injury that you do. Certainly, in regards to your playing time, I'm concerned. Perhaps you should get back to practice instead of asking fantasy basketball questions.

Josh (plano): how do u feel about rondo's production? do u think he can keep it up

Matthew Berry: I definitely think so. Look, he's got the talent. Like a lot of incidents in this league, it's all about getting the minutes. Assuming he gets the minutes, then yes, he'll keep doing his thing.

Mike (Chicago): What's up Matt? Who do you think makes the best overall keeper option, Korver, Delonte West, Luke Walton, or Rajon Rondo? Threes would be nice, but I'm also looking at the assists, rebounds, and steals categories.

Matthew Berry: Delonte West is the guy here. I really like him a lot, especially in the cats you're going for. He's got the couple of years experience as well.

Ross (College Station): ricky davis or stephen jackson in h2h league. whos a better play down the stretch

Matthew Berry: I'd go Ricky Davis here. He's got a tough schedule. But it's not enough to offset the extra game here. It's a tough schedule, so you have to bank on the fact that Davis gets it done.

Mike (Cholame): Would you draft Tony Allen next year?

Matthew Berry: It really depends on how deep the league is. However, in a general, basic 10-team league... no.

Christopher (Los Angeles): Where should the 3 relevant fantasy players from the LA team be drafted next year, considering injuries and all? (I'm referring to Luke, Lamar, and Kobe. The Lakers are obviously LA's team.)

Matthew Berry: Kobe's going to go top five for sure. I think you'll see Lamar going fifth of sixth round. As for Luke, I'd say ninth or tenth round.

Alex (Detroit): I'm in the Championship and the guy has a nasty rebounding team, and unfortunately there are three reb cat. so now I'm thinking would Nene be a better play for production over people like Haslem, Biedrins,or Gooden?

Matthew Berry: Yes, go with Nene. Gooden has been on the boards nicely of late; however, since the Cavs only play twice this week, you have to go with Nene here.

gerald wallace (charlotte): where am i going to be drafted next year? im playing out of my mind right now, but ill prob get injured

Matthew Berry: I see you going in the third or early fourth rounds G-Force. You'd be a second round pick if you stayed healthy.

mike bibby (sactown): unless i get traded, i feel i shouldnt even be drafted until the 8th round, that about right?

Matthew Berry: No. I think you're a sixth or seventh round pick. Point guards are always more valuable. Just pick up that field goal percentage!

Jeff (Toronto): Caron Butler: Worth a late second round pick next year? Was top 15 for the most part of the year until he started getting hurt. He was my sleeper this year and I got him in the 8th round, but I don't think anybody will be sleeping on him anymore.

Matthew Berry: Well, you certainly won't get him that late next year. You'll probably get him around the third round next year. I don't think most people think he'll be able to keep that production up.

John (Flordia): How would u rank these 3 guards based on fantasy relevance? Daniels, Watson and Atkins. All on my waiver wire

Matthew Berry: I think you have them in the right order now. Daniels is getting the majority of the minutes with Arenas out.

Felix (Detroit): I'm in the finals this week and I'm thinking about rolling the dice with Mikki Moore over Ilguaskas due to the 6-4 game differential for the final week and a half. The team I'm facing is terrible at FT% so I think I can take the hit from dumping Ilguaskas for Moore. Should I do it?

Matthew Berry: Yeah, I'd go ahead and roll the dice with Mikki.

Loomer (Saginaw): Thanks for showing up for your scheduled chat Berry. Tell me, where does Barbosa go next year? Round 5-6, right? Should he go before KMart or Monta Ellis?

Matthew Berry: I'd say sixth or seventh round for Leandro. Assuming no one's role or team changes, I'd rather have Kevin Martin or Monta Ellis.

Luxse (Potomac): Who will do better across the board for the rest of the season? DeShawn Stevenson or Jarvis Hayes?

Matthew Berry: DeShawn Stevenson. He's been playing all year along side Gilbert Arenas. He'll contribute nicely, especially now that he'll have to step up with Caron and Gilbert out.

Sasha (Beantown): If Dwyane Wade develops his 3-point shot over the summer, does he become the overal consenus number 1 pick in fantasy? 28-5-8, 2 steals, 1 block, 50%-80% and (if developed) 1-2 threes. Nintendo Wiiiiiiiiiiii!!!!

Matthew Berry: No, I don't think he'd become the consensus overall. He'd certainly be top three though.

Rockets nation: yao ming the best center in the draft next year? with duncan at #2?

Matthew Berry: Assuming Dirk and Amare don't have center eligibility, I'd say yes.

Kenyon Martin (DEN): Am I playing next year? Am I draftable?

Matthew Berry: I wouldn't even risk it with the original K-Mart. He's broken my heart too many times. It hurts.

Alam (Irvine, CA): Hey Matt, do you think Josh Boone is a good play this championship week? He plays on days i have empty spots in my daily h2h league. I would have to drop players like Turiaf and Nate Rob to add him. Or do youthink I should stick with Ronny and Nate? Thanks for your advice throughout the season.

Matthew Berry: No, I think you stay put here. Boone had a hot streak during the end of March but has come back down to Earth since then.

shaman (Nashville): What do you think about Yao for next year? Injury concerns move him down to the 3rd round? I believe I would still take him in the late 1st - early 2nd... and trade him once he starts dominating. Good strategy?

Matthew Berry: I don't think you draft to trade in the first couple of rounds. I don't think you should use that pick to trade. I think he'd be third round simply based on the injury concerns. What happens if you draft him warly on then gets injured? Then you're stuck.

Anonymous (Tokyo): Will Josh Smith be worth a first round pick next year?

Matthew Berry: No, I don't think so. However, if he was still there in the late second, I'd jump all over it.

Luxse (Potomac): How high would you draft Gilberto next year?

Matthew Berry: He shouldn't last past the sixth pick in your draft.

Moderator: All right, folks. That'll do it for this week. Good luck in your playoffs and championships.

Fantasy Expert Chat Archive