Wow Cato at #12 with Dream at #16 , But Bryant Reeves at #15 ??? what's up with that? --------------------------------------------- There once was a time when centers were expected to carry and define their teams. But now, with just a handful of high-level centers in the NBA, the game has officially turned a corner. Swingmen like Vince Carter, Grant Hill and Michael Finley have become the cornerstones of their franchises, while versatile players like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber have defied the logic that big men cannot handle the ball and play on the perimeter. Sure, MJ marked the beginning of this transition, but it now seems complete. In fantasy, centers are the most difficult commodity to find. So it is important to draft a top-quality center early if one is available. Like we have said before, find out the positional designations in your league, because a player like Raef LaFrentz or Antonio Davis might be able to play forward and center, thus becoming quite valuable. There are an assortment of X-factors that come into play with the current batch of centers. It's risky to count on some of the young, developing centers like sharp-shooting John Amaechi, Kelvin Cato and Michael Olowokandi. Chris Mihm, though a rookie, seems a safe bet. Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon and Arvydas Sabonis are injury-prone and are well past their prime. Also, Matt Geiger is currently out indefinitely with an injured knee. So getting marquee fantasy stars Shaquille O’Neal or Alonzo Mourning almost guarantees a decent lineup. The trade of Ewing from New York to Seattle should not alter his projected production; expect him to be right at 15 ppg and 8 rpg. There are still rumors of a Dikembe Mutombo deal, but a trade will not decrease his value since he’ll go to a team that needs a center to play big minutes. If you are unable to land a good center early, another option is to at least get a specialty player. An example is Shawn Bradley, who is always near the top in blocked shots. Mutombo is perhaps the No. 1 specialty player in NBA fantasy. He scores little, but Mutombo was in the top two in rebounding, field-goal percentage and blocks last season. A versatile center like Vlade Divac is a great option. He is respectable in numerous categories, including assists and steals. And do not overlook Theo Ratliff, who is developing a decent post game to complement his rebounding and shot-blocking prowess. But the No. 1 thing to keep in mind is that O’Neal is considered by many to be the No. 1 fantasy player (we have him No. 2) and if you can get him, do so. He is simply dominating. TOP 20 FANTASY CENTERS 1. Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 2. Alonzo Mourning, Heat 3. Dikembe Mutombo, Hawks 4. Vlade Divac, Kings 5. David Robinson, Spurs 6. Patrick Ewing, SuperSonics 7. Theo Ratliff, 76ers 8. Arvydas Sabonis, Trail Blazers 9. Shawn Bradley, Mavericks 10. Elden Campbell, Hornets 11. Michael Olowokandi, Clippers 12. <color=blue>Kelvin Cato, Rockets</color> 13. Chris Mihm, Cavaliers 14. Vitaly Potapenko, Celtics 15. Bryant Reeves, Grizzlies 16. <color=blue>Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets</color> 17. John Amaechi, Magic 18. Matt Geiger, 76ers 19. Erick Dampier, Warriors 20. Ervin Johnson, Bucks ------------------ This signature space for rent call 555 ...
The writers for the Sporting News set up the guards pretty well, but not the centers at all. Here are my picks... TOP 20 FANTASY CENTERS 1. Shaquille O'Neal, Lakers 2. Alonzo Mourning, Heat 3. Dikembe Mutombo, Hawks 4. Hakeem Olajuwon, Rockets (fourth at the least) 5. Vlade Divac, Kings 6. David Robinson, Spurs 7. Patrick Ewing, SuperSonics 8. Theo Ratliff, 76ers 9. Arvydas Sabonis, Trail Blazers 10. Elden Campbell, Hornets 11. Kelvin Cato, Rockets (not badly placed, but better than Kandi) 12. Michael Olowokandi, Clippers 13. Shawn Bradley, Mavericks (all he can do is block) 14. Chris Mihm, Cavaliers 15. John Amaechi, Magic 16. Erick Dampier, Warriors 17. Matt Geiger, 76ers 18. Ervin Johnson, Bucks 19. Bryant Reeves, Grizzlies 20. Vitaly Potapenko, Celtics
This is fantasy league, not a ranking of the 20 best centers. Do they even consider defense? Having said that, seeing that Hakeem playing more than 10 minutes a game this year -- or even playing in, say, 70% of the games -- would be a bit of a surprise, he's lucky to be in the top 20 on any ranking of centers. ------------------ Winnifred Skinner is a slut.
Yeah, fantasy leagues are totally different from player rankings. Fantasies are mostly based on production stats. ------------------ www.rocketzone.web.com is no more.
Yeah, no crap this is based on stats. sure Shawn Bradley's good during the 12 minutes he can play in a game. ------------------
Hakeem as #4 on the list? DaneB, your loyalty to Dream precedes your grasp on reality. The man is lucky to be at #16 in the poll. Hopefully his rank will improve throughout the course of the season. ------------------ "Liberalism not only legitimizes envy, jealousy, ignorance, and the lack of moral standards, but it also makes these attributes virtues." --Drake Raft
p1s2, Everything you say makes me wanna punch you in the face. How can you say Hakeem is lucky to be sixteenth? I guess you hate for Hakeem is blocking reality from sinking into that thick skull of yours. ------------------
Rockeem, Careful with your choice of words. Crap talking aside, you may not know who you are talking to; this is the internet, isn't it? But you have no basis to say that I hate Hakeem. Do a search on my posts and llof for evidence of hate and you will find none. In Hakeem I see a once great center who decided to stick around for his own demise, and must now watch it. Yes, I do wish the Rockets had traded Hakeem. But you're nuts to say that hate the guy because I wish that we wasn't going to be wearing a Rockets uniform this year. He is a good man who improved himself throughout his career not only in skill but in self-consciousness and humility. But he isn't very good anymore as a player. And I think that it's objectivity that makes me see it this way, not a "thick skull" that you see me having. P1st,S2nd ------------------ "Liberalism not only legitimizes envy, jealousy, ignorance, and the lack of moral standards, but it also makes these attributes virtues." --Drake Raft [This message has been edited by Pass 1st, shoot 2nd (edited October 08, 2000).]
Well that shows just how much you know because Many people think Hakeem is 100 times better you think he is. To you, I guess, Hakeem is just some old sorry player who can't even walk up the court. The rockets should just sit his ass on the bench all year long and that would do us more good. That's what you think and that is just plain stupid. I don't have to tell you anymore, Hakeem will prove it with his play next year. ------------------
Rockeem, You're still putting words in my mouth. How'd your search for things that show I hate Hakeem? Since when did "not very good anymore" as I said when talking about Hakeem mean that I think that he is "some sorry old player"? I think we could have fared better without Hakeem after a trade than with him now or even two seasons ago. Would I bench Hakeem in favor of Cato? That depends on the match-up and on Hakeem's condition and ability as a result of his condition. If it's better for the Rockets to sit his ass on the bench, then we should do that even if fans and loyalists criticize them for it. But you make it sound like I want to see Hakeem stink it up. I don't like it, and I'd like to see Hakeem win the most improved player of the year award not just because we're paying him, but because I want him to do good sice the team would clearly benefit from that. But you've got me nailed on loyalty when it comes to Hakeem: I'd rather ship him away than pay or play him. But that is a hard conclusion to reach, and just because I have doesn't mean I should be punched in the face. Watch those words. You act as if I cursed your father. P1st,S2nd ------------------ "Liberalism not only legitimizes envy, jealousy, ignorance, and the lack of moral standards, but it also makes these attributes virtues." --Drake Raft
Swingmen like Vince Carter, Grant Hill and Michael Finley have become the cornerstones of their franchises, while versatile players like Kevin Garnett and Chris Webber have defied the logic that big men cannot handle the ball and play on the perimeter. Sure, MJ marked the beginning of this transition, but it now seems complete. Ummmmm... Didn't Magic Johnson start the big guard trend? ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
Cato is much better than Olawakandi. Divac is ranked higher than Robinson, Ewing and Olajuwon. What a mistake! Ewing, Robinson and Olajuwon are all legendary centers. Divac won't even make the hall-of-fame. ------------------
P1,P2 - Don't mind Rockeem. He's like friends with Hakeem or something cause they attend the same Mosque I believe. If you look at his post history you will find that he does nothing but (appropriate adverbs and adjectives elude me) lavishly and grandiosely lauds Hakeem as the greatest presence to grace the Earth.... EVER. The disturbing thing is that whenever he posts, I feel a near uncontrollable urge to lash out and rip our beloved Dream to shreads for his sub-par performance in recent history, just to beat down Rockeem and his bludgeon posting tactics. But the best thing to do is to suck it in, shut up, and let Hakeem do his thing this year. Hakeem is either going to blow us all away, and have a good season again, (by good season I mean something more than 10 ppg and 6 rb) which will make everyone ecstatic and he'll get a good sendoff. Or, he's going to struggle with his health, get poor numbers, and inhibit the offense. In which case we'll tearfully remember the great days, hang his jersey on the rafters, give him a huge standing ovation, and move on with the new era of Rocketball. Hakeem understands the nature of the game. Go back to his days at Fonde. He used to be the new guy. And he knew when it was his time, and the days of Moses Malone were coming to an end. This is Steve Francis's time. We all know that. And whatever happens this season with Hakeem, we all know that Rockeem is going to be pissed when he doesn't make the All-Star team, when he doesn't get a First Team selection, when he doesn't get a Wheaties box, shall I continue....? ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
RR - Heh... well true, but I'm guessing no. ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
Now, this has been bothering me the last few days or so, so I'll dive right into it. Let's go back to draft day #7-Chicago: Chris Mihm #8-Cleveland: Jamal Crawford #9-Houston: Joel Pryzbilla Chicago then traded Mihm for Crawford+cash. Why did Houston not set up a deal of Crawford for Mihm? Cleveland would not have taken Crawford (Andre Miller can play point pretty well, same for Brevin Knight). Cleveland would have taken Pryzbilla, if they didn't have a deal for Mihm waiting, and then Houston could've taken Crawford for Chicago. Chicago could have saved a little more money with the #9, than the #8... What would everyone's opinion of our big men be, if we had Mihm, not Collier. (Cato, Mihm, Hakeem, Taylor, with KT and maybe Rogers also getting minutes). ------------------ The Serious Police are watching. Follow the rules or be assimilated. Shandon is underrated.
I wish people would be a bit more rational about Hakeem... on both sides. I think that everyone was so upset about his play last year, that they're underestimating his abilities for this year. I don't expect too much, but I don't think that double digit scoring with 6 or 7 boards is out of the question. Last year sucked, but the year before he was still excellent. Of course, I can't imagine him doing better than 12, 8 and 2.5 (blocks). There's nothing wrong with being susceptible to old age. According to your logic Rockeem, Hakeem would still be playing when he's 83. Sadly, only Karl Malone seems ageless . ------------------ Shandon Anderson rocks. The lottery sucks. Playoffs 2001.
I don't see why Hakeem can't score in double digits again this season, unless the arrival of Mo Taylor makes THAT much of a difference. Despite everything last year, he still managed to squeak out 10.4 points, 6.2 rb, 1.4 assists, and 1.6 blocks a game. That's not TERRIBLE. But it's not great either. That's what I mean when I say a good season for Hakeem will be more than 10 points and 6 rebounds. A good season will be BETTER than he did last year. I can only assume and pray that he won't do WORSE.... ------------------ "There are three kinds of lies: Lies, Damned Lies, and STATISTICS..." - Mark Twain -
Darkhorse Maybe that is the MJ they were talking about ;-) Rocket River I'm partial to Dr.J ------------------
