FANTASY FURNACE

We’re just about a week away (next Tuesday) from the start of another NBA season. Unlike last year’s NBA lock out, this year the season will be starting ‘On Time’ . Stay active on the waiver wire and look for our pickups to help you through the season. Good luck with your team(s)…

Spencer Hawes-C-76ers- With the stunning addition of ex-Laker Andrew Bynum in the off-season, Hawes will move over to Power Foward full-time. His nice mid-range shooting makes him a perfect fit in this front court. Playing just around 25 minutes a game last season, the 7 footer garnered 7.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks a game; numbers which are sure to improve into the 12.5/8.5/1.75 range as the starting PF.

#00 Spencer Hawes, with the arrival of Andrew Bynum, should see a boost in his numbers this season. Photo: zimbio.com

Nicholas Batum-F/G-Trail Blazers- This talented 23 year old has improved every year since coming into the league after playing in France in the ’07-’08 season. Expected to take on a larger role this year, Batum, who can fill the majority of a stat sheet in almost every category, is destined to have a breakout ’12-’13 season. We project him to finish with around 17 points, 5 boards, 2 threes, 1 steal and 1 block per game. He should be picked up in the 2nd -3rd round.

Ersan Ilyasova- F-Bucks- Now entering his fourth year with the Bucks, the 6′ 9″ forward takes over the starting role and should see his numbers, which skyrocketed after the All-Star break last season, ascend nicely from last year. Somewhat of a poor man’s David Lee with 15/9-15/10 a night. Plus he will put up an occasional three and his very good FG and  FT percentages make him a solid mid-round pick.

#7  Ersan Ilyasova, one of our Must Adds after the All-Star break last year, was a beast and as a starter should make a nice sleeper pick this season. Photo: sporlog.com

Jeff Teague-G-Hawks- Even with the addition of Devin Harris, the loss of Joe Johnson to Brooklyn will turn Teague into a more traditional PG and his numbers should surge. He is another candidate for a breakout year; something like 17 points, 5.5 assists, 1.5 steals and 1 three per game would not be that out of line for the 24 year old in his fourth year with Atlanta. Danny Ferry, Hawks GM is really high on this kid and  with Smith and Horford as the only other true scorers on the team, we look to Teague for boosts in points & assists. He’ll make for a solid 3rd round pick.

Jonas Valanciunas-C/F-Raptors- Probably the second best rookie in the league this year, we’re touting the big guy from Lithuania because he can bang the boards with the best of them and will work well along side Andrea Bargnani. For those of you who are familiar with Bargnani, he is a bit injury prone (his calf is healed now) and should he miss any time on the floor, Valanciunas would pick up the slack. We see the rookie turning in 8-10 points & 8-9 rebounds with a couple of blocks a game. His free throw shooting is typical for a European player so you won’t lose out with that category either. Consider him a low risk-high reward pickup somewhere in the later middle rounds. In deeper leagues he’ll make a serviceable second center. Keep your eyes on him this year as he might even average a double-double by season’s end.

#17 just to the right of Dirk Nowitzki, Valanciunas can be a rookie of the year candidate if he plays up to his ability. Photo: newshopper.suelkha.com

Mo Williams-G-Jazz- With the aforementioned Devin Harris gone, Mo will be the starting floor general once again like he did so successfully in Cleveland where in his first three years there he amassed 17.8/4.1, 15.8/5.3, and 14.0/6.6. His numbers should rival those for the most part, but Williams also brings at least 2 threes and one steal a night and is close to being a career 90% free-throw shooter. With Al Jefferson and Paul MIlsap to feed the ball to, we think they’ll be a rise in his assists and threes (he’ll be their best three point shooter on the floor). A can’t lose mid-round pickup for your second PG.

Kawhi Leonard-F-Spurs- Leonard, a great draft choice of the Spurs in 2011, can do almost everything on the floor and with his extra time at the three this year his numbers should and will spike across the board. He can rebound, get you steals and knock down a nice amount of threes, filling your stat sheet rather nicely for a late mid-round pick (around the 5th-6th rounds). With the veterans on the Spurs needing as much time off during the regular season, expect Leonard’s minutes to increase from 24 last year to around 30. His FG% and FT% is more than adequate as well. The second year forward is a major sleeper candidate for us.

#2 F-Kawhi Leonard drives the lane in this shot and will drive up his numbers as his minutes will increase this season. He frequently will give the older starters a blow while filling up most of your stat sheets. Photo: msn.foxsports.com

*Honorable mentions:

Paul George-F-Pacers

Klay Thompson-G-Warriors

Rodney Stuckey-G- Pistons