Rockets - Fantasy Basketball Rankings and Projections

82. Luis Scola, Hou PF, C YEAR

GP MIN FG% FT% 3PM REB AST A/TO STL BLK TO PTS

 

Wow i didnt mean to do that but here's the stats I wanted to post up:

Luis Scola, Hou PF, C
REB: 10.7 AST: 1.3 STL: 0.6 BLKS: 0.8 TO: 1.8 PTS: 14.8

2010 Outlook: With Yao Ming expected to miss the entire season, Scola's fantasy stock is on the rise. Sure, there are still weaknesses in his fantasy game -- namely his inability to contribute much on the defensive end and his poor free throw shooting -- but Scola will be a quality option for points, rebounds and field goal percentage in 2009-10. When Yao went down in the playoffs, Scola was a force in the paint and showed the ability to handle double-teams down low. The Rockets will look for him early and often for offensive leadership and he could feasibly post 15-16 points with 8-9 rebounds per game.

Trevor Ariza, Hou SF
3PM: 1.1 REB: 5.8 AST: 2.3 STL: 2.1 BLK: 0.4 TO: 1.5 PTS: 14.4

2010 Outlook: Parlaying a solid postseason run with the Lakers into a 5-year, $33 million contract with Houston, Ariza figures to become a focal point of the depleted Rockets from day one. With more minutes and opportunities than ever before, the 24-year-old is primed for a career year. He turned heads during the playoffs when he averaged 11.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.7 3-pointers as a key role player for the world champion Lakers. Now as a key component in the Rockets offense, Ariza will receive more attention from defenders, which should lead to a depressed shooting percentage. Still, he should post career-high numbers in every category, particularly in steals where he'll undoubtedly be one of the league leaders.

 

Aaron Brooks, Hou PG

3PM: 1.6 REB: 2.7 AST: 4.0 STL: 0.8 BLK: 0.2 TO: 2.1 PTS: 12.9

2010 Outlook: After shipping Rafer Alston off to Orlando, Houston gave Brooks a chance to secure a spot as its point guard of the future, and the lightning quick then second-year guard didn't disappoint. Sure, he struggled at times, particularly with his shot selection, but showed plenty of promise and considerable upside with 16.8 points, 3.4 assists and 2.1 3-pointers in 13 postseason contests. With Ron Artest in L.A., Yao Ming out for the season and Tracy McGrady's health in question, the Rockets will look to Brooks for even more offense this season. As a full-time starter with few offensive weapons at his disposal, he should be able to duplicate his impressive playoff totals..


Shane Battier, Hou SF

3PM: 1.4 REB: 4.4 AST: 2.0 STL: 0.8 BLK: 0.9 TO: 0.8 PTS:10.3

2010 Outlook: As expected, Battier's stats suffered slightly due to Ron Artest's presence in Houston last season. His per-minute numbers remained fairly constant, though, and he figures to return to form for the decimated Rockets in 2009-10. Artest's departure spells additional minutes for Battier, and don't forget that the team will be looking for leaders with Yao Ming out of action and Tracy McGrady's status in limbo. That could bump Battier's points per game above 10 for the first time since the 2006-07 season. He's always been a solid, if unspectacular, source of steals, blocks and 3-pointers and that trend should continue in 2009-10. Look for Battier in the late rounds as a glue guy who can help stabilize the three aforementioned categories.

 

Tracy McGrady, Hou SG
3PM: 1.2 REB: 4.3 AST: 4.8 STL: 1.0 BLK: 0.4 TO: 1.9 PTS: 16.3

2010 Outlook: Although T-Mac has recently indicated that he is feeling healthy, it's hard to believe in his optimism, especially after he missed 47 games in 2008-09. Even when he was on the court, he wasn't his old self with just 15.6 points, 4.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.3 3-pointers on the season. Those are still decent numbers, so he can still be a valuable fantasy commodity if he is healthy. That's a big 'if' though, and we cannot realistically expect him to be ready to start the season, if at all. Still, if he falls too far in fantasy drafts, he just might come at a bargain price, as there's not much risk involved if you can scoop him up at the end of your draft.

Carl Landry, Hou PF
REB: 5.9 AST: 0.6 STL: 0.5 BLK: 0.5 TO: 1.1 PTS: 10.6

2010 Outlook: Landry becomes an intriguing option in the Houston frontcourt now that Yao Ming is expected to miss the entire 2009-10 season. Known for his strength and aggressiveness in the paint, Landry could start at power forward for the Rockets. After averaging 9.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in just 21.3 minutes a year ago, Landry could prove to be a solid option in deeper leagues for points and rebounds in his third professional season. He'd be a much more interesting fantasy prospect if he blocked more shots, but instead we'll have to look at him as a late-round role player for deeper fantasy formats.

 

Alright this post might seem irrelevant, but I wanted to show the stats that ESPN predicted for our main players. It's hard for me to believe that Ariza will average 14 points and Brooks will average just 12. I believe that Brooks will average at least 12 points and 15 points max. Tmac also averaging 16 points is pretty unbelievable. If he really is healthy as he says he is than I believe Tmac will average 20+ points. Maybe I'm just being optimistic, because I have Tmac and Ariza on my fantasy team.