Empty the Bench

By: Zachariah Blott

ETB contributor Zach Blott is back with the latest installment in our ongoing “The Kids are Alright” series, this time checking in with the Oklahoma City Thunder and everybody’s favorite young trio of Jeff Green, Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Be sure to check out the other articles from this series on the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and Philadelphia 76ers.

Why They’re Worth Watching: Kevin Durant. Russell Westbrook. Jeff Green. James Harden. This isn’t a bad list, and it’s probably three names longer than most people need. Durant is all but in the upper-stratum of players who the average fan wants to watch. LeBron, D-Wade, Kobe…who else are people more excited to see highlights of? Chris Paul? Dwight Howard? Carmelo Anthony? Steve Nash? The Durantula uses explosive drives and a spindly mess of limbs to throw down improbable dunks in traffic and to toss up long 3′s on his way to 27 ppg and the adulation of the entire Midwest.

Russell Westbrook photo credit: Icon SMI

Westbrook is possibly the smartest point guard who posts a sub-par A/TO rate (7.3-4.3), primarily due to his stellar defense. Green is the type of player who does a lot of things well, none of them great, and the result is actually really good. FreeDarko described him as “Jeff Green-ing his way to Jeff Green-ness” (down below the creepy black and white photo) – which makes sense when you see him play. Harden is the new kid on the block who is an extremely creative scorer, even without much athleticism. With a lot of learning left to do and only 17 minutes of burn per game off the bench, Harden is hitting 44% of his 3′s and has an absolutely sick 3.5-0.6 A/TO rate. Forgotten in this young group is 6-7 SG Thabo Sefolosha, a brilliant defender who is hitting the shots he’s been given up to this point (45% FG, 53% 3FG).

The team’s new-found commitment to the defensive end, including Durant’s, is helping the Thunder cut down on opponents’ layups and forcing them into 29% shooting from behind the arc. Throw in new backup C Etan Thomas, who is all defense, and Oklahoma City is sporting one of the league’s best Defensive Ratings (97.3 points per 100 possessions). By improving significantly on this end of the floor, the Thunder reached their 4th win 25 games sooner than last year (do the math – they really did start that poorly one season ago).

What’s the Plan?: Head Coach Scott Brooks talked to the players about defense in the offseason, and it’s working. The energy they’re putting into stopping opponents is resulting in a lot of turnovers and bad shots. The front office wisely added defensive stalwarts Thomas and Sefolosha over the past year, and been-everywhere PG Kevin Ollie is an intelligent veteran who brings a lot of value on and off the court to such a green team.

The more obvious plan is to pick up young, exciting pieces and let them mature. Durant, Westbrook, Green, and Harden were all top-5 picks over the last three drafts, and none of them has the foul scent of bust. As they continue to play together and learn the game, the Thunder should improve their record in each coming season. They have tons of money sitting around, so they could make a real push for a big-time free agent during the summer. What do they need? Time more than anything, but a true sharp shooter or two wouldn’t hurt. Neither would a decent starting center who can get the easy buckets.

Projecting the future in Oklahoma City, after the jump …

Read the rest of this article »

Detroit Pistons backup PG Will Bynum is officially, optimistically, measured as 6-feet tall and 185 pounds. Charlotte Bobcats C Tyson Chandler, meanwhile, is listed at 7-1, but on Tuesday night the dimunitive Bynum brought the house crashing down on the towering Chandler in one of the filthiest, most unexpected posterizations you’re going to see all season. After the game Bynum, who finished with 16 points and 4 assists in about 21:30 minutes, said he once tried to dunk on Chandler in high school, but missed. I’d say he’s made up for it.

This is why you watch NBA basketball, kids. Wow.

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

The Colts-Patriots tilt is going to be a fantastic game to watch. These are evenly matched teams. Unfortunately, the Colts will be rolling with rookie cornerbacks Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacey as their starters. With Bob Sanders also out for the season, that means we can expect plenty of opportunities for the Pats passing attack, and you can bet Belichick and Brady will be ready to pounce on the weaknesses – which lands both Randy Moss and Wes Welker squarely in our top ten this week. Expect big things from both.

We’re as upset about Calvin Johnson’s lack of production as you are, believe me. We mentioned last week that he was the biggest bust in fantasy football to date, and Johnson responded by catching 2 balls for just 27 yards in what should have been a great matchup at Seattle. He and Matthew Stafford should be almost fully healthy for this week, and if Calvin doesn’t bust out we’re going to be forced to slide Megatron a long ways down the rankings next week. And it’s a shame, because we love the kid and his skills: he’s easily one of the five most talented receivers in the NFL. He’s still at 12 this week though, and the matchup shapes up very well for Johnson.

The Vikings are unlikely to have Antoine Winfield again, and even if he does play Calvin is simply too long and athletic for the bruising 5-9 corner. The Lions figure to be down early, forcing them to throw early and often. Calvin was also seen having words with Stafford on the sidelines last week, and when a star WR bitches he usually comes out and has a big game. Stick with your second-round pick.

On the other side of the ball, you’ve kinda got to start all your Vikings receivers this week unless your imaginary team is extremely deep at the position. Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin, and Bernard Berrian face a Detroit Lions pass defense that is allowing 263 receiving yards per game and has given up an NFL-high 19 receiving TDs. That’s a huge number, and it’s even more startling when you take into account that several teams haven’t needed to pass much in the second half. This secondary is one of the worst units in football. All three receivers are unlikely to post huge fantasy lines, but fantasy football is about making smart gambles each week – this week it’s difficult to argue that any of these individuals doesn’t have a great shot to score and make big plays.

Start Lee Evans if you want to. I guess. The matchup is great, but Christ, I have no idea what that guy is going to do on a week-to-week basis. I just know I want no part of it and I won’t be held responsible when he leaves you sobbing on the men’s room floor. Again.

See also:
- Week 10 QB Rankings
- Week 10 RB Rankings
- Week 10 TE Rankings
- Week 10 DEF Rankings

1. Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals vs. SEA
2. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints @ STL
3. Vincent Jackson, San Diego Chargers vs. PHI
4. Randy Moss, New England Patriots @ IND
5. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE
6. Wes Welker, New England Patriots @ IND
7. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles @ SD
8. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
9. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
10. Chad Ochocinco, Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
11. Brandon Marshall, Denver Broncos @ WAS
12. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions @ MIN
13. Donald Driver, Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
14. Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
15. Mike Sims-Walker, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NYJ
16. Nate Burleson, Seattle Seahawks @ ARZ

WR rankings 17 through 42, after the jump…

Read the rest of this article »

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

It’s never a smart move to rely any individual member of the New England rushing attack–they’ll only break your heart–but there are points to be had here. Since the injuries Sammy Morris and Fred Taylor the Pats have leaned on Laurence Maroney, giving him 49 carries the last three weeks, and gotten solid results: 248 yards and 3 TDs. We can’t blame you for rolling with him this week – just don’t expect notorious cheater Belichick to be faithful.

If you’re rocking Chris Johnson, Ray Rice or Adrian Peterson this weekend you should be able to pencil in 20 imaginary points. The matchups at the top of the rankings are fantastic.

The week presents a number of sneaky plays. At 7-1 with a 40-year-old QB, a great offensive line and the second-best offense in football, the Minnesota Vikings figure to get up early on the Detroit Lions and then lean on their running game. Minnesota will have little reason to push their franchise player AP, so Chester Taylor could get a lot of run in the second half.

It’s a similar situation in New York, where the Jets host the Jags and may not have much reason to push 31-year-old Thomas Jones, giving rookie Shonn Greene a chance to inherit some second-half touches. And while Pierre Thomas has proven himself to be “the man” in New Orleans, Mike Bell continues to get carries while Reggie Bush his share of work in the passing game and inside the 20 – both are solid flex plays at pitiful St. Louis.

See also:
- Week 10 QB Ranks
- Week 10 WR Ranks
- Week 10 TE Ranks
- Week 10 DEF Ranks

1. Chris Johnson, Tennessee Titans vs. BUF
2. Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
3. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
4. DeAngelo Williams, Carolina Panthers vs. ATL
5. Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NYJ
6. Michael Turner, Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
7. Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers vs. CHI
8. Ronnie Brown, Miami Dolphins vs. TB
9. Pierre Thomas, New Orleans Saints @ STL
10. Ricky Williams, Miami Dolphins vs. TB
11. Steven Jackson, St. Louis Rams vs. NO
12. Joseph Addai, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE
13. Thomas Jones, New York Jets vs. JAX
14. Ryan Grant, Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
15. Cedric Benson, Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
16. LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles @ SD (Check Westbrook’s Status)

Running back rankings 16 through 42, after the jump…

Read the rest of this article »

Ranks Preview by Andrew Thell

As a programming note, we’re keeping the ranks previews relatively short this week in order to get everything set for Thursday’s “clash” between the Bears and 49ers. Be sure to get your lineups set in advance of that, nothing worse than forgetting you have Isaac Bruce locked into your Flex spot.

Speaking of that matchup, those of you extremely desperate for a spot starter or in two-quarterback leagues may consider Alex Smith. He’s far from a strong option, but Smith has quietly put up 6 TDs over the last three weeks and he’ll be at home on Thursday against a Bears unit that gave up 5 passing TDs (4 in the first half) with 0 INTs and just 1 sack a week ago. To say Chicago’s defense looks soft right now is an understatement. Just keep in mind that it’s a reach and don’t expect too much.

Vince Young is also another sneaky play. We have him all the way down at 18 for a reason, but there’s a decent chance Young puts up some rushing yards and scores on the ground against a Bills defense that has already allowed 12 rushing touchdowns and is ceding over 170 yards on the ground per game. Again, it’s a reach, but if you’re in need …

See also:
- Week 10 RB Rankings
- Week 10 WR Rankings
- Week 10 TE Rankings
- Week 10 DEF Rankings

1. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints @ STL
2. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE
3. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
4. Tom Brady, New England Patriots @ IND
5. Brett Favre, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
6. Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles @ SD
7. Kurt Warner, Arizona Cardinals vs. SEA
8. Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
9. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers vs. PHI
10. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
11. Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears @ SF
12. Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
13. Carson Palmer, Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
14. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle Seahawks @ ARZ
15. Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
16. Alex Smith, San Francisco 49ers vs. CHI
17. Matt Cassel, Kansas City Chiefs @ OAK
18. Vince Young, Tennessee Titans vs. BUF
19. Chad Henne, Miami Dolphins vs. TB
20. Davis Garrard, Jacksonville Jaguars @ NYJ
21. Jake Delhomme, Carolina Panthers vs. ATL

Drew Brees Photo Credit: Kevin Reece/Icon SMI

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

I was happy to draft Jason Witten towards the top of the fourth round (39th overall) on fantasy draft day this year. (His average Yahoo! draft position was 37th.) He’s been one of the most consistently dominant players at his position for the past 5 years, finishing second overall amongst TEs last year with 81 receptions for 952 yards and 4 TDs.

On top of that, he hasn’t missed a regular-season game since his rookie season in ’03, and with Terrell Owens having moved on to Buffalo, logic said that Witten could be in store for a career-best campaign.

But… meh. In The Year of the Tight End, Witten has been only good, not great, through 8 games. Oh, it’s not that he’s having a bad year, per se: he’s on pace for 88 catches for 782 yards and… 2 TDs. That’s where the letdown comes in: while guys like Greg Olsen and Vernon Davis have pulled down 3 scores in one game already, Witten has only found paydirt once while averaging a career low of 8.9 yards per catch. He’s currently ranked 14th overall amongst tight ends, at least in ETB’s scoring format.

I’m not necessarily going anywhere with this; just an FYI, I guess, that, um… sometimes fourth-round picks don’t pan out? That there’s still 8 more games for fourth-round picks to pan out? Let’s just get to the ranks.

See also:
- Week 10 QB Rankings
- Week 10 RB Rankings
- Week 10 WR Rankings
- Week 10 DEF Rankings

1. Dallas Clark, Indianapolis Colts vs. NE
2. Antonio Gates, San Diego Chargers vs. PHI
3. Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers vs. CHI
4. Tony Gonzalez, Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
5. Brent Celek, Philadelphia Eagles @ SD
6. Jeremy Shockey, New Orleans Saints @ STL
7. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys @ GB
8. Greg Olsen, Chicago Bears @ SF
9. Kellen Winslow, Tampa Bay Bucs @ MIA
10. Heath Miller, Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
11. Visanthe Shiancoe, Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
12. John Carlson, Seattle Seahawks @ ARZ
13. Todd Heap, Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
14. Dustin Keller, New York Jets vs. JAX
15. Tony Scheffler, Denver Broncos @ WSH
16. Brandon Pettigrew, Detroit Lions @ MIN
17. Benjamin Watson, New England Patriots @ IND

Ranks Preview by Brian Spencer

This is one week where the Minnesota Vikings defense shouldn’t be considered disadvantaged if their top cornerback, Antoine Winfield, still isn’t ready to return to the field from his foot injury.

Though the Lions played the Vikings relatively tough, all things considered, in the Vikings’ 27-13 win at Detroit back in Week Two, their offense never really got going. On the day, Minnesota recorded 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and a fumble recovery, which amounts to solid, if unspectacular, production in terms of fantasy football.

We wouldn’t be shocked to see the Vikings top all three of those totals at home this week, however, with Jared Allen being virtually unblockable these days, Lions rookie QB Matthew Stafford coming off a forgettable week in which he threw 5 picks at Seattle, and the team’s offensive attack being generally out of sync. It all adds up to a high probability for big plays and turnovers from a Vikings defense that still hasn’t put together a dominant performance in front of their hometown fans. Opportunity is certainly knocking this week.

Oh, and kind of Cleveland Browns head coach Eric Mangini to reinsert his previously benched and beleaguered bust quarterback, Brady Quinn, into the starting lineup just in time for a Monday night matchup with the Baltimore Ravens, eh? That guy truly is a genius.

See also:
- Week 10 QB Rankings
- Week 10 RB Rankings
- Week 10 WR Rankings
- Week 10 TE Rankings

1. Minnesota Vikings vs. DET
2. New Orleans Saints @ STL
3. Baltimore Ravens @ CLE
4. Denver Broncos @ WSH
5. Pittsburgh Steelers vs. CIN
6. Philadelphia Eagles @ SD
7. Green Bay Packers vs. DAL
8. Miami Dolphins vs. TB
9. Atlanta Falcons @ CAR
10. Buffalo Bills @ TEN
11. Dallas Cowboys @ GB
12. Cincinnati Bengals @ PIT
13. San Diego Chargers vs. PHI
14. New York Jets vs. JAX
15. San Francisco 49ers vs. CHI

- Orlando Sentinel – ETB favorite Hubie Brown talks Magic and Cavs. Man’s a treasure.
- Knicks.com – Eddy Curry working hard, looks slim, ripped. No, that was not a Mad Lib.
- Commercial Appeal – We knew Zach Randolph would hurt the kids in Memphis, but…
- wizznutzz – The Ike Austin CheesBoot, “a personal podiatric cheese-making device.”
- Yahoo! Sports – The Warriors are downright desperate to move Stephen Jackson.
- The Hoop Doctors – Who should (and probably won’t) be getting All-Star fan votes.
- Sham Sports – A brief history of the NBA luxury tax. Helpful tip: don’t fuck with it.
- TrueHoop – An inside look at the creation of the NBA’s All-Star ballot.
- Hoops Addict – Interviewing Ben Gordon about his documentary. About himself.
- Philly.com – Trouble Brewing? Elton Brand and Eddie Jordan do not see eye-to-eye on PT.
- Denver Post – JR Smith having second thoughts about that whole “my name is Earl” thing.
- Pioneer Press – The T-Wolves, 1-7 (shocker), could be looking to shake things up shortly.
- The AP – Heat owner Micky Arison has “every indication” Wade will stay. Shitty.
- NBA.com – All-Star voting starts today. Make sure Chris Wilcox gets in this year, folks.

By: Andrew Thell

“The Kids are Alright” series rolls on with a look at the Sacramento Kings, a team that finished with an NBA-low 17 wins last season but has some young talent worth keeping an eye on. Also from this series, don’t miss our take on the Detroit Pistons, Memphis Grizzlies, and Philadelphia 76ers … more to come.

Why They’re Worth Watching: After starting the decade with a string of elite seasons, winning between 55 and 61 games from 2000-01 through 2003-04, this team has been in freefall. Over the last five years they’ve won 50, 44, 33, 38 and 17 games. The 17-65 mark from a season ago was the worst in franchise history, and Sac Town is unquestionably in full rebuilding mode. Going into the season we all knew the Kings would be one of the worst teams in the NBA, if not the worst. Losing their leading scorer and highest-paid player in Kevin Martin in the first week certainly doesn’t help that prognosis, but perhaps it’s a blessing in disguise. Wins are not a priority right now. Developing talent and accruing ping-pong balls are, and the Kings should have plenty of opportunity to do both – while still showing distinct glimmers of hope.

The biggest reason I’m watching the Kings right now it to get a handle on and a glimpse of the 2009-10 NBA Rookie of the Year, Tyreke Evans. The guy is going to be a big name in this league for a long time. The absurd 22.2 field-goal attempts per game Martin had averaged on the young season have to go somewhere, and the leading beneficiary is young Mr. Evans, who now has the inside track on ROY honors after the injury to Blake Griffin. Even before the Griffin and Martin injuries Evans had a great shot at leading all rookies in scoring, but the rook responded to K-Mart’s first game absent with 32 points on 7-15 shooting (2-3 from deep), 16-19 (!) from the line, 3 boards, 7 dimes and a steal with just 2 turnovers – and he did it on the Utah Jazz defense, matched up against Deron Williams and Ronnie Brewer for a bulk of the game. He’s going to put up numbers.

Evans is a terrific athlete who can get to the rim at will and is capable of playing solid defense. He also played plenty of both guard positions both at Memphis and in high school, which is good because he’s going to be asked to do it a lot with Kevin Martin on the roster. He still has holes in his game, but Tyreke is a solid 6-6, 215-pound kid with a 7’3 wingspan, good instincts and a ton of upside. He’s a young man you’ll want to acquaint yourself with.

The future in Sactown up front is the young duo of Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes. The 6-11 Thompson has a strong offensive repertoire with decent range and plays with a lot of energy underneath. He can rebound and score around the basket, though it’s unclear at this point if he’s better cast as a four or a five. The tentative five of the future is Hawes, who has great shooting and passing skills for a young man of his size. These two could be a dynamic duo. Neither is the prototypical NBA center, but the way this league is going not many teams will have one of those in a couple years.

Also of interest up front is Donte Greene, a 6-10 second-year player out of Syracuse. A first-round pick in the summer of 2008, Greene is a hard worker who can score and clean the glass and oozes potential. He’s a long, athletic player who can finish around the basket and runs well, but will take time to adjust to the NBA level.

What the future holds in Sacramento, after the jump …

Read the rest of this article »

By Brian Spencer

“Aw, honey, look at that: the Pistons brought Ben Wallace back. Now isn’t that just too cute?”

When Wallace and the Pistons kissed and made up last summer in the form of a one-year contract for the veteran’s minimum, many thought the move essentially amounted to a flashy window display for a merchant struggling to successfully pitch their products. A feel-good story to energize the casual fan base, which after riding the team’s bandwagon for the past 6 or 7 years seem to be jumping back off it, one by one, as the inevitable mediocrity that accompanies the early stages of the rebuilding process sets in. He’ll sell a few extra tickets, they said, and it’ll be neat if he still has the ‘fro.

Judging by the cavernous gulf of empty seats at the Palace of Auburn Hills for the team’s first few home games, Wallace alone hasn’t been enough to pull legions of fans back to the arena. The trademark ‘fro he rocked during his dominant 6-year tenure with the team seems to be permanently retired. The man himself almost called it a day, too, after the Phoenix Suns bought him out of his contract before he even laced up his shoes in the Arizona desert.

He’s been to the All-Star Game four times, he’s been named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year four times (tied for the most in league history with Dikembe Mutombo), he’s won a NBA title; at 35 years old, nobody would have blamed Wallace for walking away from the game as a decorated player and a rich man.

But he didn’t. Instead, he came back to the house he helped build, and though he hasn’t yet put a significant number of butts in the seats, no longer fluffs his hair into a ‘fro, and will likely not lead this team back to the promised land, there are a few things that, surprisingly, he does apparently still have: hustle. Drive. Quick hands. An uncanny radar for rebounds. Defense. Cringeworthy free-throw shooting.

After 3 years split between the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers, Wallace’s Motown homecoming has been anything but lip service. He’s starting for the frontcourt-strapped Pistons, averaging 29 minutes per through the team’s first seven games. What’s more, he’s doing a lot of the things he used to do when the Pistons were regarded as one of the league’s top-three or four teams, and when he was recognized as one of the league’s best individual defenders. He is, to steal a line from the Pistons’ old marketing campaign, “going to work”, and so far he’s earning every cent of his paycheck.

More on Ben Wallace’s surprising resurgence after the break….

Read the rest of this article »