Jan. 17 -- It was an eventful weekend for me. My Seahawks won a playoff game for the first time in 21 years, it failed to rain for the first time in a month, and the greatest American president in the past forty years was assassinated (although I called the fact they'd off him when I saw that he's starring in a new show on another network this Spring). After four hours of whirlwind 24 action, it's going to be hard to take it one hour at a time for the next five months.

Today's theme will be percentages. As in, there is a zero percent chance the Panthers will win in the deafening Qwest field next Sunday, especially with the league MVP actually in the lineup. There is also a 100 percent chance it's back to normal in Seattle because it's raining once again. The rest of the percentages discussed in this week's column will fall somewhere in between those, as I'll examine players' field goal and free throw percentages in depth to determine who really helps and hurts your team the most in the most difficult categories.

To make the analysis pertinent, I've only included players who average more than twelve field goal attempts or five free throw attempts per-game. This way we're only dealing with players who will actually affect your team's percentage.

Carmelo Anthony (46.6 percent, 18.8 attempts per-game) – The percentage isn't eye-popping, but Carmelo takes the eleventh most shots in the league, so this number seriously affects your field goals. That and the fact he's shooting 3.5 percent better this season than last season, and he just plain looks better, Carmelo's numbers have been a pleasant surprise.

Paul Pierce (49.1 percent, 17.6 attempts per-game) – Last season's 45 percent clip was much better than his career averages, but this season it's just ridiculous. With Ricky Davis playing as he is, it opens up the type of room and options to work with Pierce hasn't had in years.

Richard Hamilton, Steve Nash, Wally Szczerbiak (49.7,47.8 and 50.7 percent respectively) – Three guards that shoot tons while actually helping your field goal percentage. Hard to find, and worth mentioning.

Ricky Davis (46.5 percent, 17.6 attempts per-game) – Davis was once viewed as a selfish player, as he once purposely bricked and grabbed his own rebound to try to get a triple-double. But he's passing like crazy, and with a huge step forward in his overall game coupled with the scoring ability that's always been there, he's having his best season. Teams can't afford to double-team him with Pierce around, although I do think Davis' stats will dip just a little between now and the end of the year.

Jason Williams (46.5 percent, 11.8 attempts per-game) – Again, 46 percent is nothing great, but I mention him because he's a point guard and his career field goal percentage is, umm, 39.5 percent. The fact that he no longer hurts you in this category greatly increases his value, which doesn't quite offset this knee tendonitis that just won't go away.

Chris Kaman (51.8 percent, 61 percent in January) – I recommended Kaman all season long, and he's really paying off to those who drafted him late or picked him up at the beginning of the season. You can chalk him up for 14 and ten with a block and a half for the rest of the season, and his 76 percent from the stripe is an added bonus. Oh yeah, he'll make about half of his shots from the floor, too. Not bad for a draft day afterthought.

Cuttino Mobley (42.3 percent, 14.5 attempts per-game) – Cat's inability to really put it on the floor and score on a consistent basis causes him to rely on his jump shot, and although he's a great shooter, nobody's going to hit just jumpers with a hand in his face for an entire season at an impressive rate.

Ben Gordon – (40.2 percent, 13.2 attempts per-game) -- Gordon is a gunner. He was gunning off the bench, he'll gun more now that he's in the starting lineup, and he is not going to get much better in this category. He's one of those players whose value is deceiving, because you really have to ask yourself if the extra threes and points with some steals are worth the inevitable point or two that you'll lose in the field goal percentage category.

Antawn Jamison (41.8 percent, 17.1 attempts per-game) – He's been very inconsistent lately, saw the bench for the start of a few games, and is now considered a disappointment while starting the season on fire. His field goal percentage peaked when he was the sixth man in Dallas, but ever since coming to Washington he's a killer from the floor. If you didn't trade him during the first month of the season you're probably kicking yourself, and look for Jamison's struggles from the floor to continue.

Kirk Hinrich (40.9 percent, 12.4 attempts per-game) – He's played brilliantly lately, but is guaranteed to be a burden in this category. This number won't improve much, but it's hard to find a better combination of threes, assists and steals, so don't be quick to get rid of Hinrich unless you're dying in the category.

Elton Brand (76 percent, 8.1 attempts per-game) – He shot 68.5 as recently as the 2003 season, but now Brand is just fine in this category while always being one of the best at field goal percentage. Big men that put up stats like Brand without killing your free throws are rare, so cherish him if you own him.

Rashard Lewis (80.9 percent, 6.1 attempts per-game) -- Lewis was at 77 percent last season, but has upped his clip this year and is averaging two more attempts per-game, so the improvement has a real impact on your fantasy standings.

Caron Butler (87.2 percent, 5.5 attempts per-game) – He's been starting, scoring, and hitting nearly all of his free throws at a heavy rate. Butler is averaging 19 points, five rebounds and three assists over the past five games, with 2.8 steals while hitting 5 out of 6 free throws per-game. Those are the type of numbers Butler's always been capable of, and the steals are no aberration – he'll end up close to two per-game.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas (85.8 percent, 5.0 attempts per-game) – Z's a mainstay among the league leaders in both percentages, and has more value than any ranking will show due to the rarity of centers who shoot over 50 from the floor and 80 from the stripe.

Chris Bosh (80 percent, 8.1 attempts per-game)– Consider this the cherry on top.

Jamal Crawford (82.5 percent, 4.8 attempts per-game) – Crawford has stepped into his own lately, and his increased offensive assertiveness has led to increased trips to the line – he's at 7.3 per-game over his past five and rarely misses. The threes, steals and points are the first thing you notice when perusing Crawford's recent stats, but don't overlook his high volume of attempts and efficiency from behind the free throw line.

Pau Gasol (66.4 percent, 7.9 attempts per-game) – Pau's breakout season doesn't change the fact that he goes to the line – a lot—and misses about a third of the time. He has one of the most significant negative impacts upon this category in the game, and if you're dying in the category, Pau isn't going to get much better. Now might be a good time to trade him while his value is up in the clouds – even if he keeps playing well your free throws will likely improve, and if his numbers start descending toward his career averages, you sold him at the right time.

Jason Richardson (66.4 percent, 4.9 attempts per-game) – Baron Davis has brought out all the good parts of Richardson's game, but he can't aid him at the line. Even if he could, I'm not sure it would help much, since Davis stinks too. But the combination of his 66 percent clip and his high trade value makes him an ideal candidate with which to test the waters. Don't give him up for less than a top player, but don't be weary of getting rid of a guy when his value is higher than it's been in years.

Ruben Patterson: (62.1 percent, 5.2 attempts per-game) – Only owned in the deepest of leagues, Patterson goes to the line at a shocking rate, and isn't worth owning regardless of how desperate you are, since his minimal productivity in other categories will never offset his troubles from the stripe.

Dwight Howard (59.8 percent, 6.4 attempts per-game) – No way around it, this hurts. Howard is a rebound fiend, but is likely murdering your free throw percentage. He shot 67 percent last season, and since players typically improve their rookie year mark, I imagine Howard should pick it up between now and the end of the season.

Josh Whitling is a fantasy expert for NBA.com. His column Inside the Obscure Stats runs every Tuesday as part of the NBA.com Premium Scouting Report. Contact him at FutilityIF@TalentedMrRoto.com.

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