It’s not always easy to keep perspective. Like when the 410 lb. orca whale purchasing $30-worth of Burger King for himself double-checks with the cashier that the soda he was served is Diet. But we here at Razzball know how difficult maintaining perspective can be, especially when you’re drunk and trying to sketch moving objects. So from now until the start of the season, we’re bringing you the 2010 Fantasy Team Previews, which will focus on each NBA team in hopes of painting a clearer fantasy picture. Who’s starting over who? Who might surprise you and who might make you want to hurl yourself off a bridge in a few months. Enjoy! Next up – The Milwaukee Bucks.
Gained – Corey Maggette, Drew Gooden, Jon Brockman, Larry Sanders, momentum
Lost – Dan Gadzuric, Charlie Bell, Primoz Brezec, a lot more money than they needed to
Probable position depth –
PG – Brandon Jennings, Earl Boykins, Kenyon Dooling
SG – John Salmons, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Michael Redd
SF – Corey Maggette, Carlos Delfino
PF – Drew Gooden, Ersan Ilyasova, Larry Sanders, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
C – Andrew Bogut, Jon Brockman, Brian Skinner
Probable D-Leaguers –
G – Tory Jackson, Darington Hobson, Chris Kramer, Billy Rush
F – Tiny Gallon
3 Concerns Heading Into the Season –
1. Is there any way I can erase Bogut’s jelly-arm from my memory and ensure it never returns?
Jelly Andrew’s arm starred in merry poppins late last season and the damn thing never healed properly, or at least hasn’t healed properly yet. It sounds like no one really knows how his mangled flipper is going to feel over the course of 82 games, but walking on the cautious side is the best option for everyone except Lou Reed. You can find him on the wild side.
2. What’s a “Michael Redd?”
He’s the guy that has missed 113-out-of-164 games over the last two seasons due to two major knee surgeries, including one that will keep him out of action until after the new year and has been completely (understandably) left behind in this team’s offense. It’s possible that Redd returns healthy, but even if he does, he’ll be nothing but a trade chip for the Bucks who might also waive him and put Redd to bed. Until he hits the floor and make a positive impact, you’d be cuckoo to consider wasting any picks on him.
3. Should my drafting finger have been shaking so much when I chose Brandon Jennings?
A little, sure. But your finger was shaking like grandma’s hand when she writes a check to the grocery clerk. Debit, grandma! Goddebit, it takes her so long to fill out a check! Why were you shaking? Was it because Jennings went from shooting .420 from the floor in November (bad) to .307 in February (tell my mother I loved her)? Or was it the 22 ppg in 34.9 mpg he averaged in November as compared to the 16.5 he averaged in 35 mpg a month later? Maybe it’s the fact that he was forced to do a lot of the scoring last season and a full season of John Salmons and Corey Maggette will take some of that pressure off? Wait. That last one is a good thing. Just as BJ’s efficiency improved in the last two months of last season, so will it improve with more tools to play with and an extra year under his belt. ( Welcome Google searchers looking for the BJ Tool Belt).
Fantasy Disappointment in ’10: John Salmons. He’s come out to high expectations in the last two fantasy drafts and disappointed until February in both seasons. He’ll end near his projections, but he sure won’t seem to be headed there before January.
Biggest Fantasy Contributor in ’10: Brandon Jennings. The Compton-born lefty spent the summer grousing about shoe endorsements and working on the weak parts of his game, most notably his ability to use his right hand. He’ll be better this season than he was last, but not quite as good as his November of last year. He’s not the right hand cause he’s the hand itself. He’s a brotha that’ll smother yo’ mother. He’s … straight outta Compton!
Deep Sleeper: Drew Gooden. He’s been paintin’ fences, waxing cars, breathing in through the nose and out through the mouth. And should see a fair amount of minutes at the four. That said, for now, his role will be limited as he has to share a lot of time with three other four. I like speaking in number codes.
