O'NEAL, GRANGER HOTTEST FANTASY PROSPECTS
Pacers’ 2007-08 fantasy league preview
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By James Morris | Oct. 30, 2007
Well, the preseason is just about finished and the Pacers haven't exactly escaped unscathed. Injuries tend to mount up on many teams when it comes to the final week of the NBA preseason. So, I am here to do a quick rundown of the players and see what we can surmise from what they have to show so far and what we can expect in the future. Players are listed in order of their overall fantasy value.
1. Jermaine O'Neal: O'Neal is a fantasy beast as always, but the uncertainty of him either staying or going has his fantasy owners worried from what I see in drafts. O'Neal is going at about pick No. 34, which puts him in the bottom end of the third round of 12-team leagues. Guys like Pau Gasol and Al Jefferson are going ahead of him right now and it may be because of O'Neal’s field goal percentage. Shooting at 43.6 percent makes O'Neal the fourth worst power forward among the players who were re-drafted from the 2006-07 season.
Fantasy Outlook: I do think O'Neal will benefit from others stepping up around him, but he just isn't one of the top fantasy power forwards as he once was. The 3rd or 4th round sounds about right when you look at the stats and take into account that he has a banged up knee.
2. Danny Granger: Granger is going to step up this season and really make people see him as a viable option at small forward for their fantasy team. Granger is being taken at about pick 70 (top of the sixth round), and I would take him even before that. Guys like Ron Artest, Mike Miller, and Ricky Davis are going before Granger and that is where you get lucky.
Fantasy Outlook: I spent some time watching Danny over the summer in Albuquerque, N.M., and I really do feel he is poised to break out this season. I look for Granger to take a more active role on the offensive end of the floor, but still retain what he learned on the defensive side last season. I wouldn't have a problem taking Granger as high as the fourth round this season.
3. Jamaal Tinsley: Now here is the guy I love to hate. I have had him in the past and he burned me every single year. So, when I saw he was the undisputed starting point guard for the Pacers, I was happy to see him lasting into the middle of the 11th round (around pick No. 134). I snatched him up in just about every league I am in, hoping for the same breakout I expect from Granger. So, what’s the problem you ask? Injuries follow this guy like flies to food.
Fantasy Outlook: I'm leery to anoint Tinsley as a sleeper because when I did in the past he never woke up! But, with him locked and loaded as the starter for the Pacers, I would say that he is pretty good No. 2 fantasy point guard for your team. Don't take him as your starter, but grab him near the end of the 10th or the start of the 11th rounds and see what he can give you from the utility spot for assists and steals.
4. Troy Murphy: Murphy is nursing an Achilles injury that has him likely missing opening night, which then means he is going to get off to a slow start for about a week or two. Murphy is going at about pick 105 (top of the ninth round) and I would even bump him down a little now due to the injury.
Fantasy Outlook: Murphy is a long way off from that 2005-06 season when he averaged 14 points and 10 rebounds per game. I was expecting big things from Murphy this season, but the Achilles problems have me recommending that you grab Ike Diogu or Jeff Foster as handcuffs if you take Murphy.
5. Mike Dunleavy: Dunleavy can go nowhere but up from last season. Dunleavy is going at about pick No. 103 (top of the ninth), and that is about right. He is going to be more of a role player for the Pacers this season, but he should add a couple of 3-pointers and a steal or two for you when your starting shooting guard has the night off.
Fantasy Outlook: Dunleavy is the starter in Indiana, but should be kept on the bench of your squad until he gives you a reason to put him in. He is a decent off-night option, but that is about it. I wouldn't let him go undrafted; so around the ninth or 10th round is where you can pick him up as a late round value pick.
6. Ike Diogu: Here is a guy in the same boat as Foster, only his oar is a bit bigger. I think this kid has some serious potential. His problem is that he can't put it together for a stretch of games. On Oct. 16 Diogu hit 7-of-7 shots from the floor and hit 5-of-5 free throws to score 19 points. But, that type of production will not happen very often playing as the sixth or seventh man.
Fantasy Outlook: Like I said, Diogu has some serious potential if he can figure out how to be consistent from one game to the next. If that happens, I feel he could emerge as a solid sleeper pick at the power forward or center spot on a lot of fantasy teams. I wouldn't pick him up just yet, but keep a close eye on him from game to game.
7. Jeff Foster: Foster is not really an option on most fantasy teams until either Murphy or O'Neal officially start missing time. The only place Foster holds value is in his rebounds and blocks. But, don't let his monster game on Oct. 19 fool you, as both O'Neal and Murphy missed that game.
Fantasy Outlook: Don't draft Foster unless you really have a lack of rebounds on your squad. Since there are only a few really good fantasy centers in the NBA, Foster can be a final round pick that provides you a good 10 rebounds on nights he sees enough minutes.
8. Marquis Daniels: Marquis Daniels looks healthy for the first time in a while, but previous health concerns temper my expectations for Daniels heading into this year. Granger is the obvious starter at small forward, but Daniels looks to be second in line. If he can stay healthy this season he could play a huge role for the Pacers, but that's a big if.
Fantasy Outlook: Daniels’ versatility will make him a solid late-round selection in deep leagues as he could help your team in steals if nothing else.
9. Shawne Williams: Williams has been suspended for the first three games of the regular season, but that has nothing to do with why you shouldn't take a chance on him.
Fantasy Outlook: Williams showed that he can ball with his 22 points, six boards, five assists and two steals on Oct. 20. While it is nice to see that effort from him, he just shouldn't be looked at until he starts seeing real minutes during the season. Stay away from him on draft night.
10. Kareem Rush: Rush just isn't someone you want to draft, even in the deeper fantasy leagues. He may provide you some solid depth at shooting guard in those deeper leagues, but I expect him to be on just about every league’s waiver wire.
Fantasy Outlook: No real value unless someone gets hurt. Leave Rush alone for now, but if Dunleavy should miss some time, Rush may matter in fantasy terms.
Others: If you end up with Tinsley as your starting point guard, go ahead and start thinking about handcuffing Travis Diener to him with your final pick. The rest are about the same as Williams and Rush. Nobody else really matters in fantasy terms so you can just not even do your research on them for now. Wait for a real injury or lineup shake before taking a chance on anyone outside of the top seven on any given NBA team. Draft centers and points early, take assists next, and then wrap it up with a small forward like Granger to round out your fantasy squad. You can always shoot me an e-mail shoot me an e-mail and ask your fantasy questions there. Follow me fellow fantasy players and I shall not lead you astray!
