Pre-Season Fantasy Spotlight Part 1

Undervalued

        Omer Asik, should make a reliable starting center for the Houston Rockets in 2012-13. GM Daryl Morey signed Asik to a ludacrive offer sheet this offseason to steal him away from the Bulls, yet Morey still tried to nail down a new starting center by the name of Dwight Howard- and can you blame him? Without Howard, Asik is the unquestioned starter in Houston and has performed well in limited minutes thus far. The 7-footer is limited by a lack of strength, but should still produce a solid mark from the floor and rebounding numbers. As a center, you'd like to see lower turnover numbers, but those will come in time with more experience. However, Asik does offer the defensive impact on that side of the ball to fill the steal and block categories for fantasy owners.

        Don't sleep on Nick Young, a potent scorer transitioning into a new role as a reserve for the 76ers. Philadelphia moved both Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams this offseason and are in desperate need for a threat to score the basketball from the backcourt. Young has come off the bench to score 20+ points in both preseason games for the Sixers, but is a bit of a risk fantasy-wise if he cannot correct his perimeter accuracy; he shot just .371 last season, which was actually an improvement from the two prior years. But with Young's talent and athleticism, Coach Doug Collins should maximize Young's real and fantasy value.

        In the rookie class, Washington's Bradley Beal has plenty of value. Like mentioned above, Nick Young is no longer on the team, leaving behind his 15 shots per game to be had. Beal is the likely replacement candidate for Young and should have eligibility to play both guard spots with Wall out for some time. So far, the University of Florida product is averaging a team- and rook-high 15.7 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists. He is an asset to tally up the 3-point field-goals, a solid free-throw mark and Beal's rebounding numbers should be even better than this during the regular-season as he is playing just 27 minutes per game now.

Overvalued

        Tim Duncan is not anywhere as close to as good of a fantasy player as he is the real life star. His age is catching up to him and Coach Popovich will surely limit the 36 year-old vet in his 16th NBA season. His field-goal percentage dipped below .500 for first time in four seasons and his free-throw accuracy took a hit below .700 as well. No longer is he a consistent 20/10 guy. No longer is he even a consistent 15/10 player and that's no knock on Duncan, but know what you're getting when you draft the future Hall of Famer: ~ 15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.5 blocks and a field-goal percentage of .500.

        Jeremy Lin should be avoided unless your league awards points for jerseys sold. Lin is a ball-dominating point on a weak and young offensive team meaning Lin will certainly get his shots (and points), but will the focal point of defensive game plans against the Rockets. The turnovers will be high and the field-goal percentage will be low. And with so few weapons at his disposal and a slower offensive attack than the one he ran in New York, the assist totals will not be there for him this season. Let someone else draft Lin as their starter.

        Whether his offseason eye injury has something to do with it or not, Tony Parker has yet to play like his former All-Star self. Granted his minutes have been limited, Parker, he is shooting just .316 from the field in the preseason, well below his career mark of .548 from the floor. His quickness and court vision are Parker's two biggest assets, but in his 12th season and Cory Joseph emerging as a backup, expect numbers below Parker's historical averages and draft accordingly.


By NBA-DRAFT.com Staff Writer - 10 - 18 - 12