NBA Season Wrap-Up = The NBA Finalists

2. Miami Heat
No Credentials Pre-Season Rank = 1
Fantasy MVP = Lebron James (duh)
            After being dismantled by the Spurs, it’s clear that Miami needs a reboot. What that entails is unclear, with The Big 1 featuring Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh having the option to test free agency this summer. Ultimately, everything hinges on what Lebron James decides to do. It’s unclear how much communication James has had with Wade or Bosh on this issue, as we predict there’s a 50-50 chance they do the same thing in unison. If Lebron acts on his own and decides to test the waters, we expect both Wade and Bosh to resign in Miami, as the only way they are getting another long-term deal is if it’s at a reduced pay rate. Our money is on that scenario occurring, with the Heat looking to horde cap space for the 2015 (when both Wade and Bosh come off the books) free agent class.
            In a vacuum, it would make the most sense for all three to opt out, with Lebron resigning for the max, Wade re-upping at reduced rate (think something along the lines of the $10.5 million Tim Duncan earned this year), and Bosh landing somewhere in between. It’s unlikely Carmelo Anthony joins forces with them (would make way more sense for him to go to Houston with Dwight Howard as his rim protector), but reducing Wade and Bosh’s salary would give the Heat to the opportunity to replenish their depleted bench. Ray Allen is an unrestricted free agent mulling retirement (can we get him on a plane to O.K.C?), Shane Battier is officially retired, and the Birdman/Haslem combo is probably on it’s last leg. We’re predicting that this summer will almost be as crazy as “The Decision”.



 



1. San Antonio Spurs

No Credentials Pre-Season Rank = 3
Fantasy MVP = Tim Duncan (seriously efficient in only 29 minutes per game)
            More than any other team in recent memory, San Antonio played the game of basketball as well as any club ever has in a NBA Finals. Normally rotations or shrunk, and star players are needed to carry a team to the promised land, but the Spurs were unselfish to the perfect extent, ending most possessions with open threes or quality looks in the paint.
            We’re operating under the assumption Tim Duncan and Greg Popovich will both return, which means the majority of the Spurs championship roster will remain in intact. Boris Diaw and Patty Mills are the only key contributors entering unrestricted free agency (sorry Matt Bonner), but with the salary cap expected to rise above $70 million, we’re expecting Diaw to return. Mills should’ve earned himself a starting gig somewhere with his performance in the playoffs (Indiana could sure use a point guard), but that wouldn’t be a devastating loss for the Spurs. The Western Conference will still be ridiculous next season, but with Kawhi Leonard’s Conference Finals MVP performance ushering the next generation of Spurs greats, we expect the Spurs to be in the thick of the title hunt again.

David Stern Can Go To Hell

     Get ready for a talking heads explosion on ESPN tomorrow. David Stern blasted Greg Popovich for resting the San Antonio Spurs' Big 3, saying that the Spurs would face significant . He sent Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili home instead of bringing them to Miami. Popovich also didn't bring along Danny Green, who's led the team in minutes during the first month of the season. Tonight's game was the Spurs fourth in five nights, and their sixth road game in ten days.
     What exactly can David Stern fine the Spurs for? Good planning? Miami hadn't played a game since Saturday, so even the best effort from San Antonio would've likely resulted in a loss. Stern is just pissed because Popovich rested his stars during a nationally televised game on TNT. I look forward to seeing what rule the NBA commish makes up on the fly so he can penalize San Antonio.

2010-11 NBA Fantasy All-Star Teams

            These are what the NBA All-Star teams should be based on fantasy rankings. Keep in mind that you won’t see Dwight Howard, Blake Griffin, or Rondo on this list due to their lousy free-throw % (missing free throws destroys your team if you are in a roto league. Fortunately for me, I am in a head-to-head league, and have both of those guys, so they have been monsters for me). In parentheses after each player’s name is their total season rank so far (as computed by Yahoo Sports). The ranks were pulled up Thursday evening.

Eastern Conference All-Stars

Starters

PG: Derrick Rose, Bulls (14)

            Rose’s breakout season in real life has also translated to the fantasy game.

SG: Paul Pierce, Celtics (8)

            Shooting 51% from the floor, 42% from 3-point range, and 85% from the free throw line. Throw in useful counting numbers, and Pierce is having the best all-around season (and most efficient season) of his underrated career.

SF: Lebron James, Heat (11)

            The King moved up three spots to 8^th in the rankings after his 51-8-11 line he dropped on Orlando last night.

PF: Amar’e Stoudemire, Knicks (6)

            Stoudemire has been a monster in New York. He scores, gets boards, blocks shots, and even hits free throws. Once the Knicks add Carmelo Anthony (which they will either before the trade deadline or during the off-season), they will be a power in the Eastern Conference.

C: Al Horford, Hawks (7)

            This is a guy no one gets excited about, but quietly produces in all stat categories.

Bench

G: Ray Allen, Celtics (18)

            Allen was picked at the end of the 6^th round in my league, and has produced late-2^nd round value. He thrives despite very low usage by the Celtics (only 12.5 shots per game) due to blistering percentages (51-46-86).

G: Raymond Felton, Knicks (24)

            Felton would’ve been in the All-Star game if not for being in a slump the past two months.

F: Josh Smith, Hawks (15)

            Smith has stepped up his game ever since he decided to stop chucking 3s at a 25% clip. Smith is the best shot-blocking small forward in the game.

F: Wilson Chandler, Knicks (29)

            This guy went in the 16^th round in my fantasy league (unfortunately, not on my team). He’s developing into the Knicks version of Shawn Marion (back when Marion was on the Suns, not the version that currently bricks jumpers for the Mavericks).

C: Elton Brand, 76ers (28)

            I couldn’t believe Brand was ranked this high. Having a nice bounce-back year after a couple of very injury plagued seasons in Philadelphia, but still is not justifying the ridiculous amount of money the 76ers are paying him.

UT: Kevin Garnett, Celtics (31)

            Garnett would’ve been much higher on this list if not for games missed due to injury. KG looked finished at times during the 2009-10 season. He deserves praise for returning to his old form (even if he’s completely crazy).

UT: Danny Granger, Pacers (32)

            Granger is the new Pau Gasol (pre-trade to Los Angeles) in the sense that he could never carry a team to a championship as the best player, but could absolutely put a team over the top if he were the second banana. He would be a fantastic swingman playing along side Chris Paul in New Orleans.

Western Conference All-Stars

Starters

PG: Chris Paul, Hornets (1)

            Chris Paul is amazing. He’s been wearing a giant knee pad all year, clearly doesn’t have the same explosiveness he used to have, but is still so efficient at running the offense in the half court that he is fantasy’s top player.

SG: Manu Ginobili, Spurs (5)

            Ginobili is whom I try to emulate when I am playing basketball. I have the awkwardness down, and even the herky-jerky dribbling style, but unfortunately I am not blessed with his ability to put the ball in the basket. It must be the bald spot on his head that gives him the magic power.

SF: Kevin Durant, Thunder (2)

            Similar to how Blake Griffin was put on this Earth to jump 12 feet into the air and dunk on people, Durant was constructed for the sole purpose of draining jumpers and getting to the free throw line. I wish that Oklahoma City would stick him in the post a little more, but in spite of that he is still one of the most entertaining players to watch in the NBA.

PF: Kevin Love, Timberwolves (3)

            Thank God that David Stern used Yao Ming’s All-Star spot to get Kevin Love into the game. Despite Minnesota’s poor record, a guy who averages a 20-15 (which hasn’t been done since Moses Malone) and hits 44% of his threes needs to be on the All-Star team.

C: Pau Gasol, Lakers (4)

            The White Swan is the most skilled big-man we have in the NBA. When this guy plays angry, there is no stopping him.

Bench

G: Deron Williams, Jazz (9)

            A damn solid point guard. I’m sorry, but that’s all I have to say about him.

G: Kevin Martin, Rockets (12)

            This guy went in the 7^th round in my fantasy league. Health is always a concern, but when he isn’t hurt this guy can flat-out score.

F: Rudy Gay, Grizzlies (10)

            This one of those guys that always does something. One night he might score 25 points. Another he’s grabbing 9 boards. Another he’s blocking 3 shots. He’s similar to Granger in that you’re probably not going to build a title contender around him, but he would be a great compliment to an elite player.

F: Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks (22)

            This guy would probably be in the top three if not for a prolonged absence due to injury. He hadn’t gotten much credit until everyone saw how awful the Mavericks were while he was injured.  

C: LaMarcus Aldridge, Trail Blazers (20)

            Aldridge is probably the winner of “biggest All-Star snub” now that David Stern has put Kevin Love into the game.

UT: Russell Westbrook, Thunder (13)

            I get tired watching Westbrook play, because it seems like he’s always barreling at full speed towards the basket. He’s the perfect compliment to Kevin Durant.

UT: Dorell Wright, Warriors (16)

            This guy was the one late-round gem I was able to unearth in my fantasy draft. I grabbed this guy in the 17^th round (if you’re into fantasy hoops, you may wonder why there even was a 17^th round. I run a league with each team having 20 players. A little big, but it kills the waiver wire). Similar to Gay, Wright is a guy who always gives you something.