Talking Hoops: Big Men

Posted by Tom Blaz on 11/17/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: Larry Sanders, Nikola Vucevic, Byron Mullens, Andre Drummond, Emeka Okafor, Andray Blatche, Jason Thompson, Omer Asik, Derrick Favors, Kosta Koufos, Steve Novak, Brandan Wright

How did you do in your draft or auction? Have you had to dip into the free agency pool much yet? There are many strategies at play here. When is it too early to bail on a player and seek a replacement? If you wait too long, does the valid talent that slipped through get gobbled up? Is it better to wait and see how surprising talent develops, rather than jumping to changes too early? Lets take a look at the big men across the Association.

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Eastern Conference

Larry Sanders continues to surprise in Milwaukee, averaging more than ten ppg and nearly nine rebounds. Keep an eye on Samuel Dalembert, as the veteran seven footer is beginning to make some noise. When the Sixers grabbed Nikola Vucevic out of USC, many thought it was a reach. While Philly decided to move along, Orlando took a chance and Vucevic has been very consistent, with five double-doubles to his credit. Vucevic is taking advantage of a huge void in the Magic Kingdom with the departures of Ryan Anderson and Dwight Howard. Glen "Big Baby" Davis has also taken advantage of the opportunity. Byron Mullens was one of the top high school pivots in the country, landing him in the center factory known as THE Ohio State University. Mullens was buried in Oklahoma City, but those following closely saw a breakout coming with his performance in Charlotte in the Spring. Andre Drummond is the type of player that will burn NBA and fantasy general managers alike. Drummond has big time potential, but Detroit has made it clear that he will continue to backup Greg Monroe. Dreams of the Motown Twin Towers remain just that.... a dream. Why did Washington give up a first round pick and take on the fat two-year salary of Emeka Okafor? Wizards management considers the addition of Okafor and Trevor Ariza their free agents, saying no quality talent would willingly move to the Nation's Capital. This gives me the opportunity to remind everyone how the Wiz gave up the sixth pick overall two years ago for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. Miller and Foye endured one injury riddle season in the District, while Minnesota used the pick to draft Ricky Rubio. Jan Vesley was last year's high lottery selection, need I say more? Can we blame Andray Blatche's troubles on his time in DC as well? The Wizards paid Blatche to go away, but New Jersey so desperate for depth in the paint, unwisely is giving him a chance.

Add

-Larry Sanders MIL

-Nikola Vucevic ORL

-Byron Mullens CHA

Drop

-Andre Drummond DET

-Emeka Okafor WSH

-Andray Blatche NJ

Western Conference

DeMarcus Cousins was easily the most popular choice of "experts" evaulating bigs in the Western Conference. Make no mistake, when his head is on straight, Cousins is the closest thing in the Association we have seen to Shaquille O'Neal, well, since Shaq himself. While Cousins gets all the pub, journeyman Jason Thompson continues to plug along and put up strong fantasy numbers. Did Houston really want to pay Omer Asik the big bucks? He and Jeremy Lin were the backup plan to all the money carved out to land Dwight Howard or Pau Gasol as the search continues to fill the giant Chinese shoes of Yao Ming.  We knew Asik could contribute in a big way off the bench behind Joakim Noah, now we know, given the chance, he has what it takes to lead the Association in rebounding. Who will Utah trade? Al Jefferson can be had for the right price, but Paul Millsap reportedly is the "big" that the Jazz would prefer to move. Both Millsap and Jefferson are solid fantasy post players, but when you have an absolute stud like Derrick Favors waiting in the wings, its time to keep hoarding all that young talent. The Deron Williams trade got 'em going, moving Millsap or Jefferson will eventually take Utah to the top of the Western Conference. Kosta Koufos ? Really? I know I mentioned that the Buckeys crank out the big men, but isn't George Karl simply trying to motivate JaVale McGee? Denver paid McGee nearly fifty million dollars and itt wasn't to serve as Kosta's backup. Note: I absolutely love Charles Barkley and his love/hate relationship with Koufos. Did you pickup Steve Novak late based on the ridiculous amount of three pointers he hit as a stretch four last season? Perhaps your draft/auction was after opening night and his 17 point effort? I am sure you realize he hasn't topped six point in a game since then. With Rasheed Wallace showing signs of life and Amare Stoudamire due back during the Holidays, Novak is looking like dead weight on your roster. Brandan Wright was one of those all-world five star UNC recruits. Following a (brief) career in Chapel Hill, Wright was a lottery pick. Early returns this season indicated that Wright was finally showing his stuff. Considering Chris Kaman is now starting and Elton Brand is in a contract year (again) AND Dirk is returning soon, get some value for Wright while you can.

Add

-Jason Thompson SAC

-Omer Asik HOU

-Derrick Favors UTA

Drop

-Kosta Koufos DEN

-Steve Novak NY

-Brandan Wright DAL

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Tom Blaz is a writer for Fantasy Alarm and co-owner of The Recruiting Eagle a website focusing on Auburn University Athletics.