For fantasy basketball purposes, this would be very good news for Emeka Okafor. While he seems to have hit a production ceiling with the Bobcats, he could become a much more efficient player if put next to Chris Paul. As we’ve seen with Chandler, Paul is very good at setting up easy shots for his bigmen.

On the other hand, Chandler going to the Bobcats would rob practically his entire fantasy basketball value. Considering that Chandler is trying to overcome a couple of injuries and recently failed an NBA physical, he likely wouldn’t be worth drafting in fantasy basketball if this trade goes through.

If the Bobcats make this move, it’ll likely be due to economics. Chandler has much less money left on his deal compared to Okafor.

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In the fantasy basketball world, Posey hasn’t been too valuable this season. He’s averaging 8.9 points and 4.9 rebounds per game, while shooting 41.4% from the field and 37% from the three-point line. More than half of his field goal attempts come from beyond the arc.

With Posey out, expect Julian Wright and Rasual Butler to get most of those minutes. Wright has a high fantasy basketball ceiling, however he is so inconsistent that he’s difficult to depend on. Butler doesn’t have much fantasy upside, even if he plays extended minutes.

Posey’s injury is just another in a long line of injuries for the Hornets. They are also currently without Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic, two players who were vital to their impressive playoff run last season.

Once the Hornets return from their current road trip, they will determine if Posey requires more time to mend.

Here is the video of Posey throwing the basketball at the ref and getting ejected in a Hornets versus Knicks game:

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While none of the players involved in the trade are household fantasy basketball names, Antonio Daniels had been valuable in recent years and Mike James was viable not that long ago. Now with the Hornets, Daniels likely won’t have the playing time to be worth much fantasy-wise. The only way he’ll be valuable is if Chris Paul goes down for an extended period of time and he’s given the starting spot. Even then, Daniels is up there in age and his declining athleticism may not allow him to play as well as he’s played in recent seasons.

James is another veteran player, however his situation is much different. With Gilbert Arenas sidelined for at least another month, James could conceivably work his way into a starting gig while Arenas is out. James hadn’t been playing for the Hornets but he’s a player always looking to shoot the ball — which makes him an interesting fantasy prospect if given minutes.

While he has dynasty value, Crittenton doesn’t have much redraft value. The Wizards will give him minutes here and there but it is doubtful he becomes an everyday cog in Washington’s rotation.

Photo credit: Newscom

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Chris Paul, New Orleans
Although he turns the ball over more than three times a game, he easily makes up for it by posting more than 11 assists per game. In fact, Paul is the only player in the NBA who is currently averaging double-digits in assists. At 11.8 assists per game, there’s little to suggest that Paul will slow down anytime soon.

Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
Not only is Calderon second in the league in assists at 9.5, he amazingly turns the ball over only 1.9 times per game. Last year he put up a similar ratio for the entire season, so this stretch is definitely not a fluke for Calderon. The Raptors point guard knows how to create shots without turning the ball over.

Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
Billups went to the run-and-gun Nuggets and has turned around their whole culture. Now Denver takes good shots each possession and they don’t make nearly as many mistakes. Billups averages 7.2 assists and only 1.6 turnovers to give him an assist-to-turnover ratio of better than 4-to-1.

Chris Duhon, New York Knicks
Don’t look now but Chris Duhon is doing his best Steve Nash impersonation in New York. Playing for Mike D’Antoni, Duhon has been asked to create as many shot opportunities as possible. In his last five games, Duhon is averaging more than ten assists per game — including games of 23 assists and 13 assists in back-to-back affairs.

Photo credit: Newscom

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Against the New Orleans Hornets, the Portland Trail Blazers center had 11 points, 11 rebounds and four blocked shots in 24 minutes of action. All things considered, it was a great game by Oden and puts him right back on the fantasy basketball radar for 2008.

If you are worried about his mobility or his athleticism, check out the Greg Oden video at the end of this entry. As you can see in the video, he’s still explosive and has the potential to be a dominant defensive center.

Fantasy basketball-wise, Oden’s games in upcoming weeks will likely be hit or miss. The biggest reason being that he’s coming off the bench behind Joel Przybilla. Although he will undoubtedly reclaim the starting spot at some time, there are hints out of Portland that they may ease him back into the spotlight via a bench role.

If you can trade low for Oden, do so now. If he starts playing big minutes, he’s a double-double with 2+ blocks per game waiting to happen.

Here is the Greg Oden video of a huge block against the Hornets:

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2. New Orleans Hornets
For the second straight year, I expect the Hornets to finish with the second best record in the West.

3. Houston Rockets
There’s no denying the Rockets got better in the offseason — and they were already pretty darn good.

4. Utah Jazz
The Jazz may be the sleeper team in the Western Conference that is capable of finishing in the top two.

5. San Antonio Spurs
Without Manu Ginobili in the lineup, the Spurs will struggle to have their usual regular season success.

6. Phoenix Suns
It’ll be interesting to see how the Terry Porter will be able to transform this team in his first year as coach.

7. Portland Trail Blazers
The Trail Blazers have playoff aspirations. They should be able to make it as long as they stay healthy.

8. Dallas Mavericks
Without Avery Johnson, the Mavericks will have to face the harsh reality that they simply aren’t that good.

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2. Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe Bryant and company will once again try to win the Western Conference. Adding Andrew Bynum to a team that almost won it all without him is a scary thought.

3. San Antonio Spurs
It’s easy to forget about the San Antonio Spurs but when it is all said and done, the Spurs are seemingly always there in the end giving it their best shot.

4. New Orleans Hornets
The addition of James Posey makes the New Orleans Hornets a team that is very capable of winning the West and going on and taking home a title.

5. Houston Rockets
On paper, the Rockets might be the best team of them all. Ron Artest could be a force if he stays sane and the Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming duo should be better than ever.

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5. Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
If the Rockets can live up to their lofty expectation and Tracy McGrady can stay healthy all year, T-Mac has a chance to be in the MVP running. He’s an immensely talented player who could impress a lot of voters this season. Staying healthy will be a challenge, however.

4. Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
In the Olympics, no player looked as surprisingly good as Dwyane Wade. Wade looked like it was the 2006 NBA Finals all over again. If he can remain healthy and lead the Miami Heat back into the playoffs, he should get a few MVP votes.

3. Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers should once again be very good. Kobe Bryant should once again be very good. The only thing that is a negative for Bryant in the MVP chase is the fact that he won the award last year. The MVP voters could be wanting to give it to someone new.

2. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Many NBA experts thought that Chris Paul deserved the MVP last season. If he can have another great season and help the Hornets achieve their lofty goals, there is no reason to not expect CP3 to be near the top of the voting again.

1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
The time has come for LeBron James to win the MVP award. He’s arguably the best player in the league who hasn’t won the MVP and after a strong Olympics showing, he should be primed and ready to take home that trophy this year.

How good can LeBron James be in the 2008-09 season? MVP good?

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1. Boston Celtics – The defending champs are the team to beat.
2. Los Angeles Lakers – The Lakers with Andrew Bynum will be tough.
3. San Antonio Spurs – The Spurs always seem to lurk near the top.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers – With the addition of Mo Williams, watch out.
5. New Orleans Hornets – James Posey will add a mean streak in NO.
6. Detroit Pistons – The Pistons should once again win a lot of games.
7. Houston Rockets – Ron Artest could make the Rockets great.
8. Utah Jazz – The Jazz might be a tad overrated heading into 2008.
9. Phoenix Suns – The window is closing fast for the Suns.
10. Orlando Magic – Dwight Howard will make sure the Magic win.

Here is a Dwight Howard highlight reel video:

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PG Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
For the 2008-09 fantasy basketball season, Chris Paul was the best player in the world. He had an amazing season and was a godsend to all of his fantasy teams. Going forward, Paul should remain the best fantasy point guard for a long time to come.

SG Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
Manu Ginobili doesn’t play big minutes. Heck, Ginobili usually doesn’t even start. However, when he’s out there on the court, Ginobili just knows how to make things happen. While he can be a mistake prone player, he’s also capable of getting as hot as anyone.

SF Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics
Life is good for Paul Pierce right now. First he won the championship while bringing up the Finals MVP. Then Pierce got pulled over and passed three straight sobriety tests. Out of the Big Three for the Celtics, Pierce has the brightest future.

PF Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
Although he has struggled with injuries in the past, Amare Stoudemire has emerged as a very good fantasy basketball player. Playing next to Shaquille O’Neal should open up his game and allow him to do big things in 2008-09.

C Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers
Marcus Camby is far from the best fantasy center in the NBA. However, Camby is unique in that he concentrates on blocking shots, rebounding and passing the ball. Every fantasy team can use an unselfish player such as Camby.

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