Fantasy Hoops Roundtable: From Bust to Trust

Time for another fantasy basketball roundtable.

Brian of EmptyTheBench.com was responsible for this week’s Fantasy Hoops Roundtable debate topic.

Click here to see the full article.

This Week’s Topic:
Who’s the biggest bust of last summer’s free-agent class, and what will it take for him to turn it around next season?

My Response:
The biggest bust of last summer’s free-agent class is Ben Gordon.

He signed a five-year $55 million contract to give the Pistons a scoring punch. The Pistons were 28th in the league with 94.2 ppg last year.

Gordon posted averages of 21.4, 18.6, and 20.7 of the Bulls the past three years. Logic would say adding a scorer of his magnitude would improve your offensive output. Unfortunately, the Pistons slipped to 29th in the league with 92.4 ppg (as of March 1st).

Gordon has missed 19 games and is averaging a career low 14.3 points. Not only that, his field goal percentage, free throw percentage, steals, and assists are down. His three-pointers made, three-point percentage, and rebounds are also career lows.

So how is he going to turn things around next year? Getting healthy would help. Of course, that’s not really something a player can control. Gordon just needs to finish this year on a high note. Build some momentum and confidence. If he has something positive to focus on during the long offseason, it should help him prepare.

Also, having Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince healthy would help Gordon figure out his role. It’s hard, especially when you go to a new team, to really lock in when you don’t get to practice and play with your top guys for an extended period.

I do think Gordon will be better. He’s too good of a scorer not to.

Panelists
Brian of EmptyTheBench.com
Ryan Lester of LestersLegends.com
Nels of GiveMeTheRock.com
Tommy of HoopsWorld.com
Jeff/Tom of Damn Lies & Statistics