[Foxsports] Off-season lowdown

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Off-season lowdown
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Steve Alexander /
Posted: 8 minutes ago



I am very tempted to express my thoughts on Larry Brown, the drama he's caused over the past several months and his attempt at trying to make the Pistons look like the bad guys in this whole thing. However, if you care about it at all, you surely have read one of hundreds of columns out there about Brown's actions. I will just say that he and Isiah Thomas are a match made in heaven, and I wish them the best in their future endeavors, which will likely take place as co-workers. I know Larry's in poor health and I also know he's a great coach, but the way he has handled himself recently, and treated the team he supposedly "loves," just wasn't right.

This week I'm going to take a look at several teams who have had a lot of action over the past month, improving, or at least changing, the look of their team through the draft and free agency.

Atlanta Hawks
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Unknown, SG Josh Childress, SF Marvin Williams/Josh Smith, PF Al Harrington, C Unknown

The Hawks lineup is obviously not set in stone, with the Josh's and Baby Al all able to play several positions and the development of Williams still unknown. And that's just for the positions that the Hawks actually have filled! Add in the suspense of whom their point guard and center will be, and you have a very interesting mystery. There is still a chance that Joe Johnson could end up in the ATL, and they could also land Eddy Curry, Samuel Dalembert or Tyson Chandler before this is over. They'll surely sign a point guard soon as well.

A starting lineup of Earl Watson, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Al Harrington and Samuel Dalembert, with Josh Childress, Marvin Williams and Salim Stoudamire coming off the bench actually looks pretty good. However, the chances of that all working out are slim.

I think the Hawks can get Curry if they are willing to take a chance on his heart. I think the Hawks want Dalembert, and may be able to get him if they make a huge offer. Same goes for Joe Johnson, who they've already made an offer to. I'm confident they'll find a point guard (and I think Watson may be the one), but a quality center is going to be tougher to land. The worst-case scenario for the Hawks is not landing a center at all. And in all likelihood, Johnson is headed back to Phoenix.

So that leaves them trying desperately to get Dalembert or Curry (both the Sixers and Bulls can match any offer) and securing a starting point guard. If none of that happens, look for Tyronn Lue to be back at point guard and Jason (gulp) Collier to be their starting center. I'm not sure why, but I have a gut feeling that Dalembert will be a Hawk. We'll see.


Cleveland Cavaliers
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Sarunas Jasikevicius, SG Larry Hughes, SF LeBron James, PF Drew Gooden, C Zydrunas Ilgauskas

How about that? Add Donyell Marshall as the sixth man, and the Cavaliers have put together a pretty remarkable summer. They went from a worst-case scenario of losing Z and missing out on the good shooting guards, to landing all-around fantasy stud Hughes and then (supposedly) getting a deal with Europe's best player, Jasikevicius and agreeing to terms with sharp-shooting Donyell Marshall.

I'm about 95% sure that Jasikevicius is going to Cleveland, although there are still reports indicating that Marko Jaric is headed there instead. From what I've heard coming out of Cleveland, Jasikevicius is the man, not Marko. With this lineup the Cavs now have one of the best team's in the East, with five fantasy-worthy players, including two possible first-rounders. LeBron is going to go top-three in almost all leagues (or at least he should) while Hughes' offensive prowess combined with his incredible steals numbers should make him a legitimate late-first or second round pick. It remains to be seen what Jasikevicius' value will be, but I suspect he should go somewhere in the middle to late rounds in most leagues.

They probably aren't done yet, as there are a lot of rumors about the Cavs wanting to move Drew Gooden for a better defensive presence inside. They will try to trade him for another power forward, but if they're unable to, look for last year's rookie sensation, Anderson Varejao to see a huge boost in minutes this season. Donyell Marshall will provide a three-point threat for the Cavs, and will also collect his share of rebounds and blocks as well. He should have a nice year, free from the wrath of my friend Sam Mitchell in Toronto.


Houston Rockets
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Bob Sura, SG David Wesley, SF Tracy McGrady, PF Stromile Swift, C Yao Ming

The lineup is not too much different that last year's, except that Stromile Swift should finally be able to have his breakout year while running with the Rockets. He should be the starting power forward and his athleticism and ability to run and dunk on the break, along with blocking shots should make the Rockets a very solid team, top to bottom. I really thought they would do something at the point guard position this off season, but it looks like they'll probably stick with injury-prone, but effective Sura and safe-and-steady Mike James.

It seems like I've been writing about Swift's upcoming breakout year for three years now, but this time it feels right. I'm guessing he should go around the fourth or fifth round in 12-team leagues, but let's see how his preseason goes.


L.A. Clippers
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Shaun Livingston, SG Cuttino Mobley, SF Corey Maggette, PF Elton Brand, C Chris Kaman.

Are the Clippers better this year than last? Some would argue no, because they lost Bobby Simmons to the Bucks and didn't land any prized free agents. However, getting Mobley was huge, as the Clippers needed an outside threat badly. Corey Maggette will play exclusively at small forward, which should mean good things for him, Kaman has another year under his belt and Elton Brand is Elton Brand.

Then there's Shaun Livingston. I love this kid and have him as a keeper in my main league. He's probably still a year away from completely breaking out, but he will be a very solid point guard. The Clippers made a mistake in the draft by taking Radoslav Korolev, but they will still come very close to making the playoffs this year if they stay healthy. There's also a lot of talk about the Clippers landing Bonzi Wells, who would likely be the sixth man.

As for where you draft these guys, here are my early guesstimates:

Livingston: Round 4-6, Mobley: Round 5-7, Maggette: Round 2-4, Brand: Round 2-4 and Kaman: Round 7-10.


L.A. Lakers
Projected Starting Lineup: PG ?, SG Kobe Bryant, SF Lamar Odom, PF Kwame Brown, C Chris Mihm

Not much to say here, except that I'm guessing Phil Jackson really wanted to land Antonio Daniels. Unfortunately for him, he's off to Washington, leaving the Lakers without a point guard right now. Earl Watson is too small for the triangle offense, and I wouldn't be surprised if Kobe is running the offense this year. We'll see. Kwame Brown is obviously the key to the team. If he has decided to get it together, they could make some noise, but if he's the Kwame we all know (and don't love) from the past, it's going to be another long season in La La land. Check out the Rotoworld.com draft guide for where to take these guys, as it is currently a big mystery. In case you're wondering, the current (and lone) point guard for the Lakers is Sasha Vujacic. No word on if Phil feels comfortable with him or not, but I'm guessing he doesn't.


Milwaukee Bucks
Projected Starting Lineup: PG T.J. Ford, SG Michael Redd, SF Bobby Simmons, PF Joe Smith, C Andrew Bogut

How different is this lineup from last year's? Very. Ford is apparently going to be healthy enough to run the team, and he was a triple-double threat every time out back in 2003 as a rookie. Obviously Redd and Simmons are good players, while Bogut is probably going to be somewhat disappointing in his first year. The Bucks will be better than they usually are, but I don't see them making the playoffs. Redd is a solid fantasy player, but realistically only contributes in threes and points.

Don't spend your top picks on Bucks. Simmons, Redd and Ford are probably fourth-rounders, while Bogut shouldn't be taken before the sixth or seventh round (at best). Joe Smith is always questionable from a fantasy standpoint, while Desmond Mason will likely be the sixth man and is also worth a mid-round pick, but there may be better options out there. If you end up with Ford, you should probably draft Maurice Williams as insurance against injury.


New Jersey Nets
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Jason Kidd, SG Vince Carter, SF Richard Jefferson, PF Shareef Abdur-Rahim, C Nenad Krstic

Look at that team! A virtual all-star team with Krstic and Jason Collins splitting duty at the five. The bottom line for fantasy teams is that RJ, Kidd and Vince will probably have less value this year than they historically do, since they will all have to share the ball. Add eef in the mix, along with a promising Krstic and you've got a classic 2004 Mavericks - Grizzlies cluster in the works. The Nets will challenge for the Eastern title, and Kidd, RJ, eef and Vince will get their numbers. But just don't expect them to be the type of numbers you're accustomed to from these studs.


Portland Trailblazers
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Sebastian Telfair, SG Martell Webster, SF Darius Miles, PF Zach Randolph, C Joel Przybilla

How many question marks are surrounding this lineup? A lot. But Portland wouldn't have it any other way right now. They will rebound from accidentally giving Shareef Abdur-Rahim away to the Nets and field a team that will (at least) be fun to watch. But they should be a couple years away from contending in the West.

Telfair will be a solid fantasy selection, but if you take him, you'll be looking over your shoulder at Jarrett Jack. Webster will be a nice draft pick in keeper leagues, but don't take him too early. It's going to be a long year of learning, although, if he's as good as John Nash says he is, he could compete for Rookie of the Year. This should be the season Darius Miles breaks out and Zach Randolph should continue to be Zach. Points and boards with no defense or blocks to speak of. Joel Przybilla was a nice fantasy surprise last year and should continue to be a solid producer this year. Travis Outlaw is worth a late-round gamble, as my people in Portland are predicting a breakout year from the guy with the perfect name in Portland.

Zach and Darius are both worth anywhere from third or fifth-round selections, while Przybilla looks to be taken in the early-middle rounds if he plays well in the preseason. Webster is worth no more than a late-round flyer, even though he'll probably start this year. Telfair should be pretty well locked in at point guard, making him a reasonable pick in the fifth or sixth-round.


Seattle Supersonics
Projected Starting Lineup: Luke Ridnour, SG Ray Allen, SF Rashard Lewis, PF Reggie Evans, C Robert Swift

What's wrong with that picture? Vladimir Radmanovic is not starting and Robert Swift is their center. Seriously ?Swift starting in Seattle is making New York's signing of Jerome James look like a steal. Ray Allen is a solid second-round fantasy pick, while Rashard Lewis should go in the third or fourth round this year. Ridnour is a solid third point-guard option on your team, while I don't see Evans or Swift being draftable in fantasy leagues. Radmanovic will probably make his way into the starting lineup somehow, or could compete for the Sixth Man of the Year award. I'd recommend taking Radmanovic in front of Ridnour, Swift and Evans at this point, but it's early. Their team (with a new coach in the form of Bob Weiss) hasn't gotten any better, but they haven't been beaten too badly this summer, except for the fact that Swift looks like their center. They'd be a lot better off if his first name was Stromile instead of Robert.


Washington Wizards
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Antonio Daniels, SG Gilbert Arenas, SF Caron Butler, PF Antawn Jamison, C Brendan Haywood

It will be interesting to see how the Wizards fare after losing clubhouse cancer, Kwame Brown, to the Lakers and all-around fantasy stallion, Larry Hughes, to the Cavaliers. The Wiz picked up Antonio Daniels, which will probably shift Arenas over to the two. Both guys are capable of playing either guard position, so it shouldn't really matter who technically is where. Butler could be the key to their season, as he either needs to breakout this year or simply be a role player. Haywood should have a nice year at center and Jamison should have a typical Jamison season, meaning points and rebounds. Daniels, Haywood and Butler look like middle-round selections in fantasy drafts, while Arenas is a solid second-rounder. Jamison makes sense anywhere from rounds three to six, depending on how things shake out this preseason.


New York Knicks
Projected Starting Lineup: PG Stephon Marbury, SG Jamal Crawford, SF Quentin Richardson, PF Mike Sweetney, C Jerome James

Luckily, the Knicks were able to sign Jerome James, meaning that rookie Channing Frye isn't going to have to be their starting center out of the gate. This team looks like it has two bangers and three shooters, which is a nice mix. There should be no shortage of rebounding opportunities for the two big men, and you can look for the Knicks to lead the league in three-point attempts. All five starters deserve fantasy attention, but only Marbury is a top-tier selection. But don't expect James to do what he did last year in the playoffs against Sacramento (his former team) consistently this season. While he's somewhat limited offensively, his defense and presence in the lane will be invaluable to the Knicks.

Larry Brown will probably clash with Marbury, as he'll try to get him to shoot less. Good luck with that one, Larry. Marbury's worth a second-round pick, Crawford and Q are nice middle-round selections, Sweetney's will be a decent ninth or tenth-rounder and James shouldn't be taken until most of the other centers are gone. Find a different center and let the Knicks fan in your league have James.


Reality TV
I don't know if any of you guys watch Big Brother, and I hope that you don't. But I got sucked in by my wife this year (hey, there's no hoops on) and have been watching it for a couple weeks now. If this "Eric the firefighter" guy isn't the most annoying thing I've ever seen on television, I don't know what is. He'll probably get kicked off the show by the producers before it's over, as he appears to be a paranoid and irrational hothead. The cast for the show is so annoying that I am getting out. I'll watch repeats of Summer League games from Vegas instead, as watching Big Bro is just too painful, especially given the fact it's on three times a week. But that's just my two cents. I'm pretty sure that Cops is still the best reality show on television.

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