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NBA fantasy basketball: the “stud muffin” teams

Welcome to the second trimester of the NBA season, hoop freaks. I haven’t blogged about NBA Fantasy basketball for a while because—like many of you—my teams have been going through a roller-coaster this season, what with injuries to key players and the uncommon inconsistent rotations of many teams i.e. Sacramento, Phoenix, Milwaukee, etc. While as NBA Fantasy team managers we should be devoid of devotion to our real-life squads, we sort of tend to draft or even trade for players from a certain team, regardless of true standings or implied positioning.

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I’ve asked once on Twitter: which NBA team somehow has the most Fantasy studs in their roster? The immediate response by many is Oklahoma City. I mean, why not, right? They have arguably the best Roto stud in Kevin Durant as well as a much improved Russell Westbrook who seems to have found his inner Stockton this season (8.5 APG, 6th best in the league), although he still is being “Westbrick” shooting 41.2% FGs—his lowest since his rookie year. Serge Ibaka is still quite the stat stuffer with norms of 14.8 PPG on 57.2 % shooting, 8.6 RPG—all career bests, as well as the usual, mind-blowing 2.8 BPG. After this trio, however, Kevin Martin has the next set of good numbers which still aren’t eye-popping enough to merit mention. Miami has the same situation: three guys who dominate across the board, but no one else registers in the “stud” scale after James, Wade and Bosh.

There are Stud Muffin teams out there, boys and girls. And although their present win-loss card may not reflect the strength their individual players provide to us Fantasy owners, I’m quite sure you may have one or more of these guys in your line-ups; even if you are only participating in one league. If healthy, these squads can compose a daily starting roster altogether and could even win you a league-title. Let’s see how much of a debate this one triggers.

Here are the sportZtackle top five stud muffin teams in the NBA today with their projected power line-ups:

5. Brooklyn Nets

Deron Williams-PG

Joe Johnson-SG/SF

Gerald Wallace-SF/PF

Kris Humphries-PF

Brook Lopez-C

This is the only Eastern Conference squad on this countdown. The West has collected most of the studs for reasons I can’t explain. Just to let you know, there is actually a team in one of the leagues I’m in that have these five gentlemen in his roster. It’s a Standard Roto league and he is presently sitting at #2 with a grand total of -5 GPs overall. He is projected to win the title. Why the heck not? Williams may not be the all-around monster he was during his days under Jerry Sloan (or when Jerry Sloan was under him), but his 16.6 PPG with 1.7 3PG, 7.8 APG, 1.1 SPG in 36.5 MPG is still something that can bring positive results on a daily basis. Despite those numbers, many are still installing the former Illinois star as a Most Improved Player candidate.

It’s the guys around him that have really shined so far this trimester, though. Johnson (17.1 PPG with 2.1 3PG), Wallace (10.1 PPG with 1.0 3PG, 5.8 RPG, 1.5 SPG, 0.8 BPG), Humphries (7.3 RPG with a potential to average a double-double) and the surprising Lopez (18.9 PPG on 52.3% FGs and 72.7% FTs, 7.4 RPG and a career-best 2.3 BPG) will look good on any Fantasy squad. Their second unit of Andray Blatche, Keith Bogans, CJ Watson, Reggie Evans and MarShon Brooks have even been nabbed in several deep leagues. This line-up has even rejuvenated the franchise to the tune of 20-15 (which is three wins away from eclipsing their total number of wins from last season—and it’s only January). Humphries’ injury is temporary and it looks like PJ Carlesimo has the team humming at present. Five arguable studs in one middle of the road team is extraordinary. We’re just getting warmed up.

4. Houston Rockets

Jeremy Lin-PG

James Harden-SG

Chandler Parson-SF/PF

Patrick Patterson-PF/C

Omer Asik-C

It’s amazing how one player can change the direction and distinction of an entire franchise, right? Well the Rockets have experienced this more than any other team in the NBA, philosophically. Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon did it in the 1980’s, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley and Scottie Pippen in the 1990’s while Yao Ming, Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady did it in the early part of the millennium. But it hasn’t been since Moses Malone that Houston has truly felt a game-changer like Harden, and those fortunate enough to consider him as their second round pick in their Fantasy drafts this season are still reaping the fruits of The Beard’s labors. Harden has been logging career-highs absolutely across the board: MPG (38.1), PPG (26.4), 3PG (2.0), FT% (85.9), RPG (4.2), APG (5.3), SPG (2.0), BPG (0.5), and unfortunately TPG (3.5).

Harden owners will snub the last stat in favor of the abundance they receive from all other fronts. Many also took a chance on Lin’s late success from last season and hoped that it continues with his new team—and new contract. It’s actually not that far off: 12.1 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 6.4 APG, 1.9 SPG…and 3.0 TPG. These are still more than decent numbers from the PG position. It’s the emerge of Parsons (14.0 PPG with 1.8 3PG in 36.0 MPG, 6.2 RPG, 3.7 APG and 1.3 SPG), Patterson (a career-best 12.9 PPG on 51.1% FGs with a bonus 0.8 3PG, 4.8 RPG and almost a block a game) and Asik—with obvious career-highs in points (10.6 PPG), rebounds (11.4—fifth best in the NBA), minutes, steals, blocks and even FT% (his 55.6% is his least damaging ever). Houston’s record of 21-15 has them on pace of improving on their playoff-missing 34-32 card last season and despite Kevin McHale’s personal struggles this year, the Rockets not only have their best shot at the playoffs in the post-Yao era, but also a Stud Muffin team nomination at the end of the Fantasy season.

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3. Minnesota Timberwolves

Ricky Rubio-PG

Alexey Shved-PG/SG

Andrei Kirilenko-SF/PF

Kevin Love-PF/C)

Nikola Pekovic-C


Ah, the Twolves; suffering another injury-riddled season. They have another medical excuse for not making it to the post-season this year. Rick Adelman must be sick to his stomach in trying to cope with the “bad-beats” dealt to him and the franchise so far. As of now, they are at the .500 mark (16-16) but it’s looking like the second shelving of Love is sure to sink their ship earlier than anticipated.

If you look closely though, this line-up (if and when healthy) is not only one of the most potent combination in the league, but also the most international of all (move over San Antonio, Toronto and Phoenix). I won’t even mention its all-Caucasian nature. Love is easily one of the best all-around players in the NBA today. One writer even installed him as the new Ben Wallace-with offense. Despite his rough shooting before the second injury, Love—the lone American in the unit—was norming 18.3 PPG (on a woeful 35.2% FGs) with 1.1 3PG, 14.0 RPG (representing second best in the NBA), 3.4 APG and 1.5 SPG. He was worth the wait, but now owners will have to wait a little longer again (which may not be a luxury for those having him in H2H leagues). Rubio is also a patience-tester, but what he can potentially bring to the table is what is keeping his owners in prayer mode. Kirilenko was one of the biggest snubs in early drafts because of his absence from the NBA last season.

However, during the London Olympics, he showed that he was still in top form and this season—although the numbers are still a shadow of his usual all-star production—AK47 is still giving owners 13.3 PPG (his best scoring average since the 2005-06 season with Utah) on 51.6% FGs (a career-best), 6.8 RPG, 3.1 APG, 1.5 SPG and a “measly” 1.4 BPG—he’s averaging 2.0 BPG for his career. It’s Pekovic and Shved that have been the biggest revelations so far for Minnesota with “Pek” soaring to 15.9 PPG, 8.3 RPG, and 0.9 BPG—all career highs. The rookie Shved, on the other hand, has tossed in 10.8 PPG with 1.5 3PG to go with 4.6 APG and almost a steal per game. Alas, Love “may” miss extended time again (they really just have to put a splint on that finger ala Earl Monroe) and Rubio is still not in top form.

This stinks for the TWolves faithful. Minnesota actually has a bunch of potential studs who have just been either sidelined or slowed down by health or other issues: 2007 Rookie of the Year and former All-Star Brandon Roy (knee/s), Luke Ridnour (back/age), Chase Bundinger (Torn Left Meniscus), Derrick Williams (?) and Malcolm Lee (Hyper Extended Right Knee). If all these dudes were 100%, Adelman could have a team that can even rival his Portland and Sacramento rosters of the great past.

2. Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul-PG

Jamal Crawford-PG/SG

Caron Butler-SF

Blake Griffin-PF/C

DeAndre Jordan-C

I’ve already taken the liberty of eliminating Willie Green from this line-up. Look at it, guys. Even Kobe Bryant called this “a team that could go really deep”. The Clippers are even negating the presence of Vinny del Negro as their head coach. They have been on a tear (28-8). It’s Paul’s leadership (and studness) that have really propelled “the other Los Angeles” squad to greater heights thus far (17.0 PPG on 48.0% FGs with 1.2 3PG, 3.6 RPG, 9.3 APG and 2.6 SPG). We don’t have a stat in Fantasy basketball covering “clutch baskets”, “game-winners” and “intangibles” but if we did, Paul would probably be among the league leaders in that CAT.

Crawford—presently injured—was a sleeper-pick this season, but many forget his scoring prowess. He doesn’t need major minutes to log numbers like 16.5 PPG with 1.7 3PG and 1.1 SPG (attained over 29.0 MPG). Many forget he was the 2010 NBA Sixth Man of the Year and is poised to contend for that title again this season. Butler has been steady enough to merit a mention in this group, but traditionally he has been a solid across-the-board contributor in the Fantasy realm.

Griffin has taken more bionic pills this year, although his numbers are down from last season and Jordan has been the most pleasant surprise with upswings in points (9.4 PPG—career-best) and steals. His rebounds, blocks and FG% have remained consistently delicious, although we could all do without his atrocious 42.3% FTs. The Clips also have stud-on-the-rise Eric Bledsoe, injured-studs Chauncey Billups and Grant Hill as well as stud-in-limbo Lamar Odom. Can this team really go deep? If it were up to CP3, they would go all the way.

1. Los Angeles Lakers

Steve Nash-PG

Kobe Bryant-SG

Metta World Peace-SF/PF

Pau Gasol-PF/C

Dwight Howard-C

Are they old? I think Kobe was just diverting eyes from their record. San Antonio IS OLD, yet look at where they are in the team standings? New York IS OLD, yet… ditto. The Lakers are one of the oldest teams in the NBA—from a starting line-up perspective, yet look at what this unit could deliver if properly meshed. I proclaim Nash as the third-best point guard in the history of the NBA (behind Stockton and Magic and just slightly ahead of Cousy). His anemic numbers of 10.2 PPG and 0.8 SPG were garnered over just nine regular season games so far; so you know he’s going to improve on this. His current average of 8.8 APG is still gold.

Once he and Mike D’Antoni figure out how to make the offense work, the Lakers (15-20) are headed for a major run. But no run can be achieved without The Black Mamba as far as the Lakeshow is concerned. Bryant has been having a fiercely resilient 2012-13 campaign with averages of 30.5 PPG (his highest since 2006-07 and a present NBA-best) on 48.1% shooting (a career-best) with 2.1 3PG, 5.2 RPG, 4.8 APG and 1.5 SPG. MWP is hitting his stride now with 13.2 PPG (his best since his final year with the Kings) with 2.1 3PG, 5.8 RPG and 1.5 SPG. It’s the three-point makes that has endeared him to Fantasy owners so far.

The bad news for the Lakers is the recent sidelining of Gasol and Howard. Gasol (Concussion) is dragging in career-lows in PPG (12.2) and FG% (41.6) but that is still palatable because his 8.4 RPG and 1.4 BPG is still good. His 3.8 APG from the PF/C position is also still a booster. Howard (Torn Labrum) contributes 17.3 PPG on 56.9% FGs (and 50.8% FTs), 12.4 RPG (third-best in the NBA), 2.6 BPG (tied for fourth-best in the league) and his 1.0 SPG and it’s also very welcome. The bench of Antawn Jamison, Jordan Hill (Hip), Steve Blake (Pulled Abdomen) and Jodie Meeks (Lack of Minutes) can actually start for other teams and provide decent numbers, but it’s the core group of oldies that are bonafide Stud Muffins and hence the sportZtackle best Fantasy gang. On paper, they are old. On the court, they just look old. But once they decide to play as a cohesive unit and show the true value of their grizzled talents, they WILL make a strong push for the crown. For us in the Fantasy world, let’s just hope they all recuperate in time for them to still be factors in our line-ups.

Honorable mentions go to the Portland Trailblazers (Lillard, Matthews, Batum, Aldridge and Hickson), the Indiana Pacers (Hill, George, Granger, West and Hibbert) and the Milwaukee Bucks (Jennings, Ellis, Dunleavy, Ilyasova and Sanders).

What will the second trimester deliver for us Fantasy freaks? Will Derrick Rose, Andrew Bynum, Danny Granger and Andrew Bogut still make their ways back to reward our patience? Will the replacement studs keep their places in the rotations of their respective teams? The odyssey continues…

Editor's note: The blogger's views do not represent Yahoo! Southeast Asia's position on the topic or issue being discussed in this post.