 | (03/01 16:00 PM) Hey everybody. I hope everyone is doing well. Thanks for joining us for our Fantasy hoops chat. We'll try to get you ready to set your lineups as we start to near the playoffs in most Head-to-Head formats...
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| (03/01 16:01 PM) Let's get to your questions...
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(03/01 16:01 PM) Will, Potomac Falls, Virginia - Hey Sergio, I have a H2H average based team and your advice has put me on top in our division. I am playing Blatche at C and Jamison at G,C,F. I also have Nene and Noah and am considering dropping Noah for Varejao for the last few games and the playoffs. Is this how you would play this week and would you drop Noah?
Thanks
(03/01 16:01 PM) Will, Potomac Falls, Virginia - Hey Sergio, I have a H2H average based team and your advice has put me on top in our division. I am playing Blatche at C and Jamison at G,C,F. I also have Nene and Noah and am considering dropping Noah for Varejao for the last few games and the playoffs. Is this how you would play this week and would you drop Noah?
Thanks
| (03/01 16:01 PM) One second folks, sorry for the delay... seem to be experiencing a minor technical glitch...
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(03/01 16:09 PM) Josh, Lancaster, PA - Hello Sergio. I'm in an average based h2h scoring league. Should I start Blatche or Kaman at center this week? Thanks!
| (03/01 16:10 PM) We just had a conversation about this with Jamey Eisenberg this morning when we were working on the rankings at center. We moved Blatche over Kaman coming off the monster week. Crazy? Maybe. But you can't argue the numbers Blatche is putting up right now. He may or may not be as good as Kaman or some of the other top centers in Fantasy, but they also aren't getting 25 shots per game like Blatche is on a team devoid of front court options.
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(03/01 16:11 PM) Will, Potomac Falls, Virginia - Hey Sergio, I have a H2H average based team and your advice has put me on top in our division. I am playing Blatche at C and Jamison at G,C,F. I also have Nene and Noah and am considering dropping Noah for Varejao for the last few games and the playoffs. Is this how you would play this week and would you drop Noah?
Thanks
| (03/01 16:13 PM) Thanks, Will! Glad I could help. Blatche is a popular topic right now and I understand why Fantasy owners are a little tentative about him. But you have to look at the situation he is in. He is getting ALL of the touches down low for that team and is putting up huge numbers. I think you are doing it right. Good luck the rest of the way.
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(03/01 16:13 PM) Conrad, Knoxville, TN - Give me a risk assessment on these guys (who unfortunately i own all in the same league): Monta, DWade, T-Mac? This is an avg-based league, so I just need one decent game out of them...I am planning on starting Monta & Tmac (BGordon is my bench option if I need to sit one of those guys) and I could start Dwade over TJ Ford or Hibbert if need be. Help me out of this injury hell called my team... Thanks as always!
| (03/01 16:17 PM) Hey Conrad. Those are pretty high-risk players, but in some way they all have been the last couple of seasons. As for the rest of the way, Monta won't be traveling with the team on its four-game eastern road trip so he probable won't be a good play in Week 10. T-Mac is going through some conditioning issues. That bugs me more than the knee, but it is something that he will be able to get over in coming games. After all, he hasn't played NBA basketball in a long time. Wade is back and with the Heat clinging on for life in their playoff hunt, I expect him to play through bumps and bruises the rest of the way. I would start Ford right now over Monta, but Wade and T-Mac I think are safe plays.
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(03/01 16:17 PM) thanvar, athens - Hello Sergio! You rock with all your great advice.
Who should I start? Bargnani with 3 games or R.Lopez with 4? I'm already gonna be 2 games less than my opponent's team and if I choose Andrea I'm gonna have 3 games less than him... What lineup do you propose? My team roster:
Conley, Lou Williams, Roy, Blatche, Jamison, Ty Thomas, D.Lee, Bargnani, R.Lopez, Delfino, C.Lee, J.Jack, D.Wade (injured)
| (03/01 16:18 PM) Thanks, Thanvar. Lopez is streaking and he's one of my starts this week, but Bargs still has the higher upside and is the better play. Don't go chasing games if you don't have to. Look at every lineup decision as a player-to-player matchup to see who you think will outscore who in a given week. Bargnani vs. Lopez, I'm going to take Bargnani every time even with one game less.
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(03/01 16:19 PM) mardy, cleveland - hey sergio.i know we take you for granted, but thanx a million.// i just picked up al thornton and drew gooden. do you think they'll be productive thru the playoffs ? thornton is a new starter w/out a track record & gooden has fizzled before. seeya ...
| (03/01 16:21 PM) Thanks for the kind words, Mardy. Oh man. I've been very high on both players in their new situations, so yes I think they'll be solid down the stretch. Thornton is in the same boat as Blatche, with the Wizards not having much else to rely upon -- especially with Josh Howard sidelined. And Gooden has established himself as a nice presence beside Chris Kaman in L.A. He fits well into that system and while he may not be 15-and-10 the rest of the way, 10-and-10 with some blocks is not out of the realm of possibility.
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(03/01 16:22 PM) killahill10304, ruggedstreetsofshaolin - Hey Sergio,
I made a monster trade just before our deadline (12 teams, weekly H2H, points). Tell me what you think. Gave up the uncertainty of CP3 and Noah for David Lee and Javale McGee. I had no center with Noah hurt. My team was stacked otherwise and Curry's emergence had offset the loss of Paul. (I don't have Collison). I can now start some combo of lee, dwallace, josh smith, melo, tyrieke, curry, and rondo. The trade was with a top rival in the lg. He has Collison. Figured if/when CP3 comes back, his minutes might be limited, cutting into both his AND Collison's value. With our playoffs starting in week 22, Paul may not be back at all. Noah sounds like he could be a problem the rest of the season. Sorry for the long question. Did I get ripped off?
| (03/01 16:23 PM) We think Noah could be shot the rest of the way, so if this is a seasonal format, I think you did well. CP3 could be out 2-3 MORE weeks and there is no certainty that he will be back at all. So despite his upside, I like your aggressive move to get better NOW with Lee. You have to make moves like that at this type of year in seasonal leagues. Can't stay put and HOPE that Paul gets back for what could be two weeks worth of games.
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(03/01 16:23 PM) Mark, Detroit, MI - Pick one to start next week in avg-based play: Hinrich, MoWill, or Camby? Thx
| (03/01 16:26 PM) Mo Williams is a sleeper in the whole Shaquille O'Neal situation. His shot attempts went down with Jamison joining the rotation and watering down the touches as another mouth to feed in the offense. Look at Williams' numbers in the three games prior to Shaq getting hurt and the two games since. He's ready to roll again.
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(03/01 16:26 PM) John Anthony, Punxsy,PA. - Hey Sergio once again thanks for your time. Ok in my one H2H points league i only have 2 losses and my guards are Ellis,Curry,Jennings and i was riding Hill but it looks like his run has come to an end. So i have now plugged Beno in there as Sac. said he would be starting. Now my problem is Hill is my backup. On the waiver wire here are the best guys available
Budinger,Mathews,Rodriquez,E.Watson,House,T.Douglas,Stackhouse,Sessions. So would you continue going with Hill as my backup or pick up 1 of the guys i mentioned who are on waivers. I am Forward strong and Center but my guards are starting to hurt me? Thanks.
| (03/01 16:29 PM) Hey John. I like Hill even with Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili both healthy, but obviously he won't be putting up No. 2 guard type numbers anymore. He'll be more of a stopgap measure and a fill-in No. 4 guard from time to time. So it isn't a bad move to stash a player who could blow up and become more than that down the line. I think that player could be Sergio Rodriguez. He isn't anything special at the moment, but he is starting at PG for Mike D'Antoni and getting close to 30 minutes per game. Once he settles in, his upside could be around 13 points and 7 asssists per game as a poor man's Jose Calderon. It's worth a shot for the upside, considering you aren't starting Hill anyway. Hill's upside is shot while Parker and Ginobili are healthy.
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(03/01 16:29 PM) Travis, Denver, CO - 8-cat roto: Pick 2 of these 4 to start next week: Morrow, CJW, BJennings, MMiller...I'm leaning towards the Warriors b/c of the extra game this week in addition to the absence of Maggette and maybe Monta for the first game. Also, I need help in FG% and Stls, so CJW is perfect for that and BJ has been killing my FG% lately...thoughts?
ps: of those 4 guards, are any of them worth dropping for Delfino, MThornton, SRodriguez, or George Hill? (in respect to my lacking categories, of course)
Thanks Serg!
| (03/01 16:31 PM) I like your reasoning with the Warriors, but do keep in mind that the matchups are all against tough defensive teams. With that said, the fact Corey Maggette, Andris Biedrins and Monta Ellis won't be around for the road trip should open things up for Watson and Morrow. Jennings is tricky, because of what he can offer you in assists, but I think you play the upside right now if you want to be aggressive and go with your Warriors, like you said. Good, aggressive choice.
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(03/01 16:31 PM) JJ, San Diego - Hello again, Sergio. My 4th guard spot each week has been a flip-flop between Flynn and Delfino. I like Flynn's upside better, obviously, but Delfino gets the steady minutes. In AVG league, who should I deploy this week? Finally, if AK is healthy enought to play; which 3 to start in AVG league: Landry / T. Thomas / Diaw / AK? tks!
| (03/01 16:34 PM) Hey JJ. I see your predicament. Obviously, the two games don't matter to you because of the average-based system, so we'll throw that out. Then you are looking at matchups. I don't like Minnesota's matchups (HOU, DAL) with the Mavs being a tough defensive team. The Bucks have a couple of favorable matchups against a Washington team that can't stop anybody. That may be the way to go. AK47 will be a game-time decision, so consider going with your alternatives. If he doesn't play, Landry and Diaw are your two best options. In fact, they may be your best options anyway.
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(03/01 16:34 PM) JR Huffman, Raleigh, NC - Since Blatche is only eligible at center and not eligible at forward it leaves me with this problem. Although it is a good problem to have. Which two would you start? Dwight Howard, Brooks Lopez or Blatche. It's hard to sit either of the top two centers for Blatche.
| (03/01 16:35 PM) Wow. The fact that you are even considering Blatche over those guys tells you how far he's climbed up the rankings. In fact, we've moved him all the way up to sixth among Fantasy centers in our rankings. With that said, ironically, he is behind both Lopez and Blatche. You have three of the top six centers in Fantasy hoops right now. If your trade deadline didn't pass, think about selling high on Blatche!
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(03/01 16:35 PM) Erik, Cleveland - Wats up Serg, I need your help deciding which one of these four forwards i should start this week; Casspi, Millsap, Gallinari, or Taj Gibson, I only have 1forward spot to fill for week 19, and I would greatly appreciate any help you can give me. I also need to know if its safe for me to play courtney lee and monta ellis this week, i'm in an average based league. Thanks.
| (03/01 16:38 PM) Noah could be out another game or two (or more) so Taj should see a boost in Chicago. Gallo has really hit the skids since the T-Mac trade, Casspi is very inconsistent and so Millsap. I'd go Gibson. As for Lee and Monta, I would definitely sit Monta since he won't be traveling with the team. Lee is not sure if he can play in Wednesday's game, so I'd consider healthy options there as well. Check out my waiver wire column if you haven't gotten a chance. Add T.J. Ford to the mix of possible options at guard if he is available off the waiver wire.
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(03/01 16:38 PM) Nate, LA - Which one do I sit this week: Tracy Mcgrady, Vince Carter, Brandon Jennings, or Mo Williams
| (03/01 16:39 PM) I would say it is between T-Mac and Jennings. Jennings is not doing much of anything on the scoring end. T-Mac seems like he could go for 20-25 points any night, but is just as likely to be a late scratch for a game. It's a tough one, personally I'd gut it out wiht T-Mac.
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(03/01 16:39 PM) Peter, Green Bay, WI - Hi Sergio! I am getting worried about Jason Terry's numbers now that Caron Butler arrived. Do you see the Jet's numbers picking up or do I look elsewhere for the likes of Lou Williams or Jameer Nelson? My H2H team lacks 3's if that helps any. Thanks for the help!
| (03/01 16:41 PM) I understand your concern, but Terry will still get 30-plus minutes per game and will eventually settle in at around 13 shots per game. With that said, I think Lou Williams and Jameer Nelson are too very hot targets off the waiver wire with the ability to help you in scoring AND assists. It's time to be aggressive folks. I'd rank them in this order going forward, Lou Williams, Jameer Nelson, Jason Terry...
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| (03/01 16:42 PM) Alright.. in the interest of answering as many questions as possible... let's keep the questions and the answers short from this point on.
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| (03/01 16:42 PM) We'll go rapid fire.
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(03/01 16:43 PM) Joe from Jamaica, Jamaica, Queens - Drop Marion for Morrow ?
| (03/01 16:43 PM) Wow. Aggressive. I've been talking about that all chat. I think you should make the moves that help you in the short term right now. The long term is out the window. With that said, I like Watson a little more than Morrow if he's out there. Yes, do it.
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(03/01 16:43 PM) mark, omah - Pick 2 out of 3: Devin Harris, Lou Williams, Eric Gordon
| (03/01 16:44 PM) Lou Williams and Gordon only because AI COULD conceivably come back this week, although unlikely. Gordon and Williams will be a toss up going forward.
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(03/01 16:44 PM) rick, rochester - Start Ariza or T-Mac?
| (03/01 16:45 PM) Both are a little banged up. I like T-Mac's upside more, but I love Houston's matchups this week. I see your predicament. TOUGH CALL. I'd go with T-Mac, who is more likely to post big stat lines.
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(03/01 16:45 PM) Brent, San Diego - Drop Magette for Marcus Thornton?
| (03/01 16:45 PM) It goes with the aggressive theme we've been going with today, but I think that may be too aggressive depending on the size of your league. Maggette could be back next week and is capable of No. 2 forward numbers.
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(03/01 16:46 PM) Garrett, St Louis - Hey Sergio - what do you expect from Randy Foye the rest of the way?
| (03/01 16:46 PM) Along the lines of what he has been offering recently. Good numbers here and there, but a lot of inconsistency. The Wizards to own are Blatche and Thornton right now. Foye will be a decent No. 4 guard the rest of the way, a letdown from the numbers he put up right after Arenas' suspension.
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(03/01 16:46 PM) Rocket, Texas - 4th G position Richard Halmiton, Kirk Hindrick, or sleeper T.J. Ford ?
Forward: Scola or Kevin Love or Rickard Halmiton ?
Thanks
| (03/01 16:47 PM) I'd go Hamilton, Ford Hinrich in that order. At forward, I'd go Scola if it's a cumulative league, Love if it is average.
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(03/01 16:47 PM) Mike, Chicago, IL - What 3 players should i sit this week?
Baron Davis
Jason richardson
CJ Watson
Tayshaun Prince
Darren Collison
Randy Foye
Sergio Rodriguez
| (03/01 16:49 PM) Rodriguez, Foye and either Prince or Watson. Both are starts in my start em and sit em, but based on your options, you can't sit Richardson or Collison right now and Davis is Baron Davis. Sit Watson. His matchups are tougher than Prince's.
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(03/01 16:49 PM) hoopsman, Boston - 2 of 3 Evans, Jackson, and Allen?
| (03/01 16:49 PM) Evans and Jackson.
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(03/01 16:49 PM) Dixiehts, Stuart, Fl - What are the chances of Monta Ellis playing this period?
| (03/01 16:50 PM) Poor. He's not on the road trip. They play four road games on the East coast and could keep him out until they get back like they are planning to do with Maggette.
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(03/01 16:50 PM) Ankit, Chicago - keeprs league..no draft round counting..keep rondo or westbrook?
| (03/01 16:50 PM) Tough choice. Rondo a smidge ahead of Westbrook at this point.
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(03/01 16:50 PM) Steven, Atlanta, GA - start BGordon or Hibbert in h2h, avg-based league this week? TY
| (03/01 16:51 PM) You can't start Gordon right now. He just doesn't seem healthy. Go with HIbbert.
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(03/01 16:51 PM) Fletch, Akron, Oh - Sergio I need to start 2 of these 4 for this week (H2H average pts): Conley, J. Jack, M. Miller and George Hill. Which 2? Thanks.
| (03/01 16:51 PM) Jack and either Conley or Hill. Hill hit a snag in his last game, but I still like his upside a little more than Conley this week, even as a reserve.
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(03/01 16:51 PM) ashton, bosh land - i got bosh should i start him or start gibson- he has looked good esp. with noah out, flynn or delfino, u ppl say bench delfino but he a has played well with salmons there, more like jennings slowing down, lastly down the stretch, beasely or gibson thanks serg
| (03/01 16:53 PM) Bosh is ruled out for one of three games. Any setback and he could be looking at just one game this week or maybe not even that. I would play it safe with Gibson. Flynn vs. Delfino, I would go Flynn in average-based league, Delfino in cumulative format this week. Down the stretch, Beasley over Gibson.
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(03/01 16:53 PM) Mike, IL - What 3 players do i sit this week?
Baron Davis
Jason Richardson
CJ Watson
Tayshaun Prince
Darren Collison
Randy Foye
Sergio Rodriguez
| (03/01 16:54 PM) Sorry. I answered this one already. I'll repost the answer:
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| (03/01 16:54 PM) Rodriguez, Foye and either Prince or Watson. Both are starts in my start em and sit em, but based on your options, you can't sit Richardson or Collison right now and Davis is Baron Davis. Sit Watson. His matchups are tougher than Prince's.
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(03/01 16:54 PM) Billy, FL - drop brand for Jason Thompson?
| (03/01 16:55 PM) That's a tough one because Thompson is banged up for at least another scoring period. I'd play it safe and stay with Brand.
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(03/01 16:55 PM) dj spook, chicago,il - hey sergio, ariza or deng?
| (03/01 16:55 PM) Deng for sure.
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(03/01 16:55 PM) Jake, NY, NY - Who to start this week, CJ watson, House, Sergio, Delfino, Gooden, Al Thornotn, Marcus Thornton. PLEASE RANK THESE GUYS!!!
| (03/01 16:56 PM) Let's rank em: A. Thornton, Gooden, Watson, M Thornton, Delfino, Sergio, House
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(03/01 16:56 PM) please help, chicago - Jeff Green or Vince Carter?? PLEASE HELP ME
| (03/01 16:56 PM) I like Oklahoma City's matchups a lot more. Green!
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(03/01 16:56 PM) SkitzleBBall, Istanbul Turkey - Al Thornton, Tyrus Thomas or Drew Gooden. Pick one for the week.
| (03/01 16:57 PM) Thornton.
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(03/01 16:57 PM) dick, NYC - Camby or Morrow
| (03/01 16:57 PM) No Monta or Maggette.. go with Morrow's upside over Camby's security.
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(03/01 16:57 PM) maxvar, Las Vegas,NV - Hello Sergio!
What you think who's gonna be better for my 4th G this week Foye or Nate Robinson or mayby F.Garcia
And my F position Should I start Taj Gibson in the place of Wilson Chandler who's out and nobody say's when He's back
I'm in the average ppw league
Thanks
| (03/01 16:59 PM) I'd go with Foye and Taj Gibson. I like Chandler more than Gibson, but nobody really knows what his personal matter is
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(03/01 16:59 PM) QUICK ONE, NYC - Caron Butler or Vince Carter. Help me Sergio pleaes
| (03/01 16:59 PM) If it's category-based, Caron, if it's straight up H2H, Vince Carter.
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(03/01 16:59 PM) Ernie, New England - Yi, Gallinari, or Richard Jefferson?
| (03/01 17:00 PM) Richard Jefferson looks like he is coming out of his slump.
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(03/01 17:00 PM) Jeff, NY, NY - HEY SERGIO...how would you rank these guys: CJ Watson, Al Thornton, Marcus Thornton, Delfino, House, Sergio Rodriguez.
Who would you rather have between Al Thornton, Gooden, Varejao, Dalembert? Rank these guys as well
THANKS YOU'RE THE MAN!, haven't seen you on twitter much lately
| (03/01 17:00 PM) Let's rank em:
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| (03/01 17:01 PM) A. Thornton, Gooden, Watson, M Thornton, Delfino, Sergio, House
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(03/01 17:01 PM) Mike, Connecticut - Thorton or Morrow this week?
| (03/01 17:01 PM) If it's Al, then Al Thornton. If it's Marcus then Morrow.
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(03/01 17:01 PM) Devin Harris, basketball hell, nj - My owner's feeling the sting of losing Joakim Noah and is thin at Center. There's an offer on the table to trade me for Andray Blatche. Good idea?
| (03/01 17:02 PM) Depends how desperate you are and how deep you are at guard really. This is how high Blatche's value is right now, folks.
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(03/01 17:02 PM) Jennifer, CHI - What 3 players do i sit this week?
Baron Davis
Jason Richardson
CJ Watson
Tayshaun Prince
Darren Collison
Randy Foye
Sergio Rodriguez
| (03/01 17:03 PM) Sit Rodriguez, Foye and Watson or Prince. I'd sit Watson.
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(03/01 17:03 PM) C-Note, Williamstown, WV - Pts, Ast, & Reb --> B. Haywood, A. Bynum, J. Nelson, & T. Young ... Pick 2 of the 4.
| (03/01 17:03 PM) Bynum and Nelson this week.
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(03/01 17:04 PM) Twinboi, Selma, Alabama - Why is it that Conrad from Knoxville can always get through with his questions and I can't tell me Serg before the rosters lock!!!!!!!!
| (03/01 17:04 PM) Not sure. Conrad does always get through. He's always the early bird to get the worm!. What is your question Twinboi!!!!
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(03/01 17:04 PM) Steve, Phoenix, AZ - I'm in an H2H Points average league and am agonizing over starting Chris Bosh this week. I'm pretty thin due to injuries and the alternative is probably starting Robin Lopez. Just need one solid game from Bosh. . . .
Thoughts?
| (03/01 17:06 PM) Jamey and I discuss this very same scenario in our podcast today. Check that out if you can. I don't think you can start him in cumulative formats, but you can take the risk in average-based play. The fact that the Raptors don't play again until Friday following Monday's game helps. Jamey is convinced he will play at least one game this week. It really depends on how much a 'zero' would kill you this week.
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(03/01 17:06 PM) Big Al, NC - Sergio - you are the man!! Who do you recommend stashing as a backup forward - average scoring league - Yi, Gallinari or Villanueva? Gallinari seems to have taken a major hit since all the Knicks trades - what do you think? Thanks buddy!!
| (03/01 17:07 PM) I think Ga
llinari is the player to stash because eventually, the Knicks will want to get him going again. Mike D'Antoni has said as much. He thinks one of the more important things the Knicks have to do the rest of the way is to develop him and Wilson Chandler. |
(03/01 17:07 PM) Dave W, Indianapolis - Who's a better start this week: Vince Carter or CJ Watson?
| (03/01 17:08 PM) VC is the safer bet. Watson may have more upside, but is more likely to tank than Carter.
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(03/01 17:08 PM) nick, philly - if you had to choose from these five to start one in a flex position who would it be?(this is because monte ellis and noah are out) Bargani, Parker, Rodriguez, Outlaw, or Okafor.
Also is it safe to say it is time to drop Noah?
| (03/01 17:08 PM) I wouldn't drop Noah unless you are in an extremely shallow league. As for the first part of your question, I'd go Bargnani.
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| (03/01 17:09 PM) Alright, LAAAAST question for today, folks... who will be the lucky one...
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(03/01 17:09 PM) Alex, chicago - hello, heard deng was a little banged up, schould i risk it and start him?Also t-mac or M.Thorton
| (03/01 17:12 PM) That's a good question for the last one to wrap up the chat with. Deng missed this mornings shoot around and is 50-50 for tonight's game. If it is an average-based league, I say go ahead and start him. He should play at some point during the three-game week. If it is a cumulative format, it depends on your alternatives really. As for T-Mac or Thornton, I'd go with Thornton.
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| (03/01 17:13 PM) That's all for today, folks. Good luck to all of you setting your lineups this week!
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