Bleacher Report - Articles by David Jensen

NBA Training Camp Primer: Central Division

David Jensen — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 16:17:29 -0400

Central Division

Detroit

Joe Dumars shopped the entire starting lineup over the offseason, particularly Chauncey Billups and Tayshaun Prince, but no good deals came his way. Hence this year's bad boys will look like last year's, except for perhaps some minutes played.

The power forward position is up for grabs, which means that either Amir Johnson or Jason Maxiell will earn a promotion. Johnson appears the favorite heading into camp.

The Pistons second unit was very impressive last year with future all-star Rodney Stuckey on display. Expect him to get more minutes cutting into the production of Billups and Hamilton.

Cleveland

The thing to be excited about is JJ Hickson. He looked very good during the summer; he has an NBA body and post moves already. It’s not out of the question that he wins the starting power forward position from Ben Wallace during the preseason.

The Cavs need an infusion of young talent in a major way. It also looks like the Cavs will be going small with Delonte West and Mo Williams in the backcourt. I would have liked to see Kirk Hinrich running the point, but odds are they couldn’t land him.

Williams is a shoot-first point and isn’t what the Cavs need; they need a floor general. Signing Chris Duhon might have been a better option than Williams. Williams is good player, but his role should be a sparkplug off the bench.

Indiana

Why they drafted Jerryd Bayless and traded him for Brandon Rush is total stupidity. Somebody needs to lose their job for that blunder.

Roy Hibbert’s upside is probably a defensive specialist off the bench. Jamaal Tinsley won’t be on the roster for opening day. Danny Granger is really the only thing to get excited about in a Pacer uniform. TJ Ford, Troy Murphy, Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster—all these guys are like a bowl of vanilla ice cream.

Chicago

The news around Chicago is the arrival of No. 1 pick Derrick Rose, and what to do with overrated Ben Gordon. I don’t blame the Bulls for not capitulating to his salary demands. He’s an undersized off-guard who can’t play point. He can score for sure, but guards who can score are a dime a dozen. Trade him if you can, but don’t sign him.

I still believe the Bulls should trade Hinrich for a shooting guard with some height. The Bulls have many pieces, but can’t put the puzzle together.

Milwaukee

The Bucks need Charlie Villanueva to crash the boards and play with some edge. He has had two memorable games; one as a Raptor against the Bucks, and one as a Buck against the Raptors. Charlie is a great guy, but he avoids mixing it up and disappears for long periods, or games, at a time.

He has worked his butt off this summer in anticipation of his second and last chance to make a name for himself. He knows coach Scott Skiles demands hard work and defense. I expect CV to meet the challenge and have a breakout year, not to mention he has a new contract to think about.

We know what we can expect from Richard Jefferson, Andrew Bogut, and Michael Redd. I believe Joe Alexander was a bad draft pick and his upside is a role player at best.

What to watch for in camp is if Luke Ridnour can stave off the assault of Ramon Sessions for the starting position. I say they split minutes.

The biggest thing for fantasy owners of Bucks players is that Scott Skiles is a fantasy killer. His rotations are random and he spreads the minutes around.

NBA Training Camp Primer: Atlantic Division

David Jensen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 13:01:13 -0400

I get more excited counting down days until NBA training camps open than any other time of the year. I have two fantasy keeper leagues on the go and I want to see how my current and future project players are going to perform. This will be the first of 6 articles focusing on each conference and what will be under my microscope.

Atlantic Conference

Boston Celtics

There isn’t much competition for playing time for the defending NBA champs and the Three Amigos. The players to watch are Leon Powe and Bill Walker. Leon Powe dropped to the second round two years ago because people felt he was an injury risk and undersized. If Perkins or Garnett miss any time Powe will fill-in admirably.

Bill Walker was a top Rivals recruit going into college two years ago. Injury fears dropped his draft stock to the second round as well. He will be interesting to watch. Don’t expect fireworks this year, but he has all-star talent. But then again, so does Gerald Green.

New Jersey Nets

Very few teams have as many question marks when it comes to distribution of minutes as the Nets. Sean Williams caught the NBA by storm with his freakish athleticism early in the year, then he was invisible after the break and wasn’t that impressive during the summer.

I’m really beginning to feel Lawrence Frank is not good at developing young players—he didn’t exactly succeed with Marcus Williams. Yi Jianlian is intriguing, but once again, he didn’t even look good in the Olympics and everybody looks good in the Olympics!

Brook Lopez looked good in the summer and should have a good chance at starting in the post. I can envision Yi at SF, Boone at PF and Lopez at C to start the season. Chris Douglas-Roberts, Bobby Simmons, and Sean Williams could provide firepower of the bench.

Of course, if the starting unit can’t provide enough scoring, Simmons could start at SF with Yi moving to PF and having Boone, Williams, and Douglas-Roberts coming off the bench.

New York Knicks

Just read today that the potential deal to send Randolph to the Knicks is squashed. Donnie Walsh, wake up dude! I don’t care if you have to throw your mother in the deal, get rid of Randolph now! Just be happy teams are interested, that is amazing in itself.

The big news out of New York is that Wilson Chandler has turned from potential to a star in the present. The Knicks starting unit as of now looks like Duhon at PG, Crawford at SG, Chandler at SF, Randolph at PF and David Lee at C.

If Randolph is shipped, move Lee to PF and Curry to start at C. The team should have shipped Randolph and had Milicic at PF and Lee at C. I’m not impressed at all with Gallinari, if he helps at all it may be three or four years from now. He has “bust” written all over him—Jason Thompson or Marreese Speights would have fit in beautiful.

How things unfold in Knickerbocker land should be exciting to watch in the next 3 weeks, but make no mistake, Marbury and Randolph should already be gone. At this point they are only distractions, which is the biggest asset they have always brought to the table.

You won’t be impressed with Gallinari this fall, but New York will fall in love with Wilson Chandler.

Philadelphia 76’ers

Not much to watch for in Philly training camp. It will be fun to watch Marreese Speights develop as an NBA player, he has many similarities to Amare Stoudamire. They have a solid starting unit and quite the energetic second unit with Lou Williams and Speights.

Toronto Raptors

The one word that comes to mind when I think of the Raptors this year is boring. Perhaps because they have no rookies with upside and Bargnani hasn’t exactly given us that much to be excited about after two years.

I suppose the thing to watch for in camp is if Bargnani has improved. The biggest question surrounding the Raptors will play out during the year, can Jermaine O’Neal stay healthy, and how good is he now even if he is healthy.

NBA Training Camp Primer: Atlantic Division

David Jensen — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:28:15 -0400

I get more excited counting down days until NBA training camps open than any other time of the year. I have two fantasy keeper leagues on the go, and I want to see how my current and future project players are going to perform. This will be the first of six articles focusing on each conference and what will be under my microscope.

Atlantic Division

Boston Celtics

There isn’t much competition for playing time for the defending NBA champs and the Three Amigos. The players to watch are Leon Powe and Bill Walker.

Powe dropped to the second round two years ago because people felt he was an injury risk and undersized. If Kendrick Perkins or Kevin Garnett miss any time, Powe will fill in admirably.

Walker was a top Rivals recruit going into college two years ago. Injury fears dropped his draft stock to the second round, as well. He will be interesting to watch. Don’t expect fireworks this year, but he has All-Star talent. But, then again, so does Gerald Green.

New Jersey Nets

Very few teams have as many question marks when it comes to distribution of minutes as the Nets.

Sean Williams caught the NBA by storm with his freakish athleticism early in the year, then he was invisible after the break and wasn’t that impressive during the summer. I’m really beginning to feel Lawrence Frank is not good at developing young players; he didn’t exactly succeed with Marcus Williams.

Yi Jianlian is intriguing, but, once again, he didn’t even look good in the Olympics and everybody looks good in the Olympics! Brook Lopez looked good in the summer and should have a good chance at starting in the post. I can envision Yi at small forward, Josh Boone at power forward, and Lopez at center to start the season.

Chris Douglas-Roberts, Bobby Simmons, and Sean Williams could provide firepower of the bench. Of course, if the starting unit can’t provide enough scoring, Simmons could start at small forward with Yi moving to power forward to instead have Boone, Williams, and Douglas-Roberts coming off the bench.

New York Knicks

I just read today that the potential deal to send Zach Randolph to the Knicks is squashed. Donnie Walsh: Wake up, dude! I don’t’ care if you have to throw your mother in the deal, get rid of Randolph now! Just be happy teams are interested, that is amazing in itself.

The big news out of New York is that Wilson Chandler has turned from a guy with potential to a star in the present. The Knicks starting unit as of now looks like Chris Duhon at point guard, Jamal Crawford at shooting guard, Chandler at small forward, Randolph at power forward, and David Lee at center.

If Randolph is shipped out, move Lee to power forward and Eddy Curry to start at center. The team should have shipped Randolph and had Milicic at power forward and Lee at center.

I’m not impressed at all with Danilo Gallinari; if he helps at all it may be three or four years from now. He has “bust” written all over him. Jason Thompson or Marreese Speights would have fit in beautifully.

How things unfold in Knickerbocker Land should be exciting to watch in the next three weeks, but make no mistake—Stephon Marbury and Randolph should already be gone. At this point, they are only distractions, which is the biggest asset they have always brought to the table.

You won’t be impressed with Gallinari this fall, but New York will fall in love with Chandler.

Philadelphia 76ers

Not much to watch for in Philly training camp. It will be fun to watch Marreese Speights develop as an NBA player; he has many similarities to Amare Stoudamire.

They have a solid starting unit and quite the energetic second unit with Lou Williams and Speights.

Toronto Raptors

The one word that comes to mind when I think of the Raptors this year is "boring." Perhaps because they have no rookies with upside and Andrea Bargnani hasn’t exactly given us that much to be excited about after two years.

I suppose the thing to watch for in camp is if Bargnani has improved. The biggest question surrounding the Raptors will play out during the year: Can Jermaine O’Neal stay healthy, and how good is he now even if he is healthy?

NBA Conspiracy Theory: Celtics, Lakers Back on Top

David Jensen — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 07:48:03 -0500

Is it just a coincidence that the Lakers and Celtics are back on top of the conference charts, or has there been some collusion going on?

Trades involving, directly or indirectly, Kevin McHale, Danny Ainge, Mitch Kupchak and Jerry West have vaulted their alma-matters back to the Chamelot days.

Don't get me wrong—whether it's just vain imaginings or there's truth in it, I'm all for it!

I grew up in the Chamelot days of Bird vs. Magic. Basketball was never the same before or after, and the league sure could use it.

Memphis (Jerry West) basically giving Pau Gasol to the Lakers (Mitch) for a cheerleader and an autographed Kobe Bryant jock strap. Kevin McHale and Danny Ainge bringing the Big Ticket to Boston. I don't know? It may not be the Book Depository and the grassy knoll, but definitely food for thought.

That being said, arn't we all happy that "It's On" again. Lakers vs. Celtics—it's Fantastik!!!

What you say?

Diamonds in the Rough: Second-Half Fantasy Hoop Gems

David Jensen — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:35:35 -0500

I have been a member of a hoops keeper league for some 12 years now, pretty much with the same owners who started.

The league is unique in that we keep all our players from year to year, not unlike the NBA, and probably the closest thing to the “real thing” in fantasy terms.

This time of year, most owners know if they are or are not playoff material.

Some teams are willing to give up young talent for an over-priced veteran to help them down the stretch. Teams are looking for those rare gems to sign for the league minimum that may help them the next season. In the past names such as Gilbert Arenas and Josh Smith could be picked up for nothing in keeper leagues and those savvy owners have a grin from ear to ear today.

The key isn’t just combing the box scores to find the player that is playing well, the key is knowing every organization, where they are in the standings, etc… Basically reading every newspaper column that involves any player you have on your radar.

Hence, here is who I will be watching the second half of the season. My team is a perennial contender that never rests on their laurels, and I’m always looking for that next Arenas or J Smoove.

Eastern Players, in no particular order:

· Leon Powe: already can ball when given the minutes

· Glenn Davis: I like Powe more… Davis is more of a risk

· Carlos Delfino: could develop into a poor man’s Ginobili

· Seam Williams: Great Upside, be ready to be patient

· Marcus Williams: Has been written off with the acquisition of Harris, but if Harris gets hurt, maybe, possibly?

· Thaddeus Young: should be owned and stashed in all keeper leagues

· Mardy Collins: He was impressive during the last few weeks last year. If the Knicks are eliminated mathematically don’t be shocked by a repeat performance.

· Rodney Stuckey: Looks like a winner when his opportunity comes. Powerful, quick and skilled.

· Amir Johnson: Kind of like Sean Williams, raw with oodles of talent. Remember Jermaine O’Neil?

· Thabo Sefolosha: Locked into a starting role and has the Bulls thinking they can part with Ben Gordon. Risky pick but potentially satisfying.

· Charlie Villanueva: Could very well start the remainder of the year. He should already be owned.

· Acie Law: Mike Bibby is not the player he once was

· Dorell Wright: Grab him yesterday; I grabbed him near the beginning of last year. Don’t be worried about the return of Haslem… Dwayne Wade is slated for a lot of PG play when healthy, and Wade will be shut down at some point.

Western Players, in no particular order:

· Anthony Carter: Good short term player for your playoff run this year… unless the Nuggets upgrade in the next 24 hours.

· Robert Swift: has had his moments before injury problems

· Mouhamed Sene: In D-League now, but could be the best of the 2

· Earl Watson: good possible pick for a team making a playoff run. Seattle will be giving everyone a look, but Watson continues to demand minutes with his play.

· Craig Smith: Flashes of brilliance, doesn’t do much besides rebound and score

· Gerald Green: Could be one of those “potential guys” forever

· Jordan Farmar: The kid has got game, he just needs the opportunity. Opportunity always comes.

· Spencer Hawes: Skilled big man on a rebuilding team

· Hilton Armstrong: If Chandler goes down, this does happen from time to time.

· Aaron Brooks: good player to stash for next year… maybe

· Carl Landry: good player if Scola goes down