Weekly Top 10 Pickups

I always hear guys complaining about how bad their fantasy basketball teams suck, but they never do anything about it. This board of ten guys will be made weekly to help you guys know who to pick up and why. Once a player becomes 'mainstream' and is taken in most of our leagues, they will be ineligible to be on the next weekly pickup board and another player will replace him.

With that let's go shopping boys and girls:
1)Darko Milicic - After a mysterious injury report on Tony Battie, Milicic has had the chance to start the last 3 games. After averaging just 7.9 points and 5.2 rebounds a game for most of the season, he has taken his new starting position to heart averaging 10.0 ppg, 6.25 rpg, 2.6 bpg, over 31 minutes. As long as this guy keeps starting you want him in there. And don't look now but after 43 % FG for most of the season, little Donnie Darko is finally learning how to shoot with a 52 % FG in the last 5 games. Long story short get him if you can.

2)Steve Blake - Denver Version. And if you didn't know that Blake got traded than welcome back to reality. Blake is finally settling into his new home averaging 11.8 ppg on 47 % FG and 9.3 apg (almost 6 more than his 3.9 season avg.) As Blake stays in the starting lineup because of A.I.'s injury just be weary of his turnovers. He is a great small guard pickup. He's almost like a little white Earl Boykins.

3)Devin Brown - This undrafted gem is brought to you by the back surgery of Peja Stojakovic. He has started every game for the Hornets since the beginning of the year and is averaging 13.9 ppg, 1.9 three pointers, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 apg, and almost a steal per game in the last month of his play. He has made something from downtown in every game in the last month and scored in double digits in every game except one, which are both stats that help you to understand his consistency. With all of those positives, you can get past the fact he is shooting 44 % FG in the same time frame.

4)Jose Calderon - Calderon has been very important to the recent Toronto surge of wins averaging 13.2 ppg on 56 % FG and 8.5 apg in the last ten games. Not too much to say about him, other than he has been a very reliable fantasy point guard recently.

5)Andray Blatche- Blatche can give big punch, hug, or whatever he prefers to teammate Etan Thomas for punching fellow teammate Brendan Haywood. Thomas was suspended two games and is giving Blatche a chance to start and play. Even so in 4 games since a recent string of injuries Blatche has averaged 7.25 points and rebounds per game. Keep the punches coming Etan Thomas.

6)LaMarcus Aldridge - Breaking News out of Washington where the story of the game was not Gilbert Arenas, but instead another younger rookie. Aldridge scored 18 points on 9-13 shooting, grabbing 10 rebounds and solidfying that his play will demand more minues while Raef LaFrentz is out with strained right calf. If nothing else at least keep an eye on this former Longhorn.

7)Paul Millsap - This Utah Jazz rookie has really come on to the scene with Carlos Boozer out with an injury. Tonight in the Jazz's OT win against the Knicks he logged over 37 minutes of action, his most of the season. He has averaged 12.6 points, 1.5 blocks, and 9.6 rebounds over the past 6 games. Call it coincidence if you want, but Millsap is playing great and the Jazz are on a 4 game winning streak, including wins over San Antonio, Phoenix, Chicago, and the Knicks tonight.

8)Brent Barry - Barry has started the past 5 games and is doing his classic Barry stuff. 10 ppg, 2.6 three pointers per game, and with great shot selection shooting on the dot 50 % FG.

9)Jason Kapono - you may be wondering where James Posey has gone in the world of fantasy basketball. Well, Kapono is the new Posey. Over the past month Kapono has averaged 14.6 ppg, 2.5 three pointers, 3.6 rebounds, all while maintaining a 54 % FG. Now is that P-O-S-E-Y-L-I-C-I-O-U-S or what?

10)Jorge Garbajosa - At the very end of the board this will be the most controversial name on this list. A lot of people may argue that Garbajosa has been around all season and therefore is not 'pickup' material. This may be true but look at his stats from Jan 2 - Feb 3 - better yet I will tell you them. In 14 games he shot 40 % FG or below in 11 games and averaged a measley 5.9 ppg. Since than how has he done, you may ask. He hasn't exactly been reborn in the last 4 games, but he has shot a combined 17-34 (50 % FG), made 1.75 three pointers per game, and 11.5 ppg. If you absolutely refuse to pick him up, at least keep an eye on Garbajosa.

If you agree or disagree with us we want your feedback - realfantasynba@gmail.com

1) Darko Milicic
2) Steve Blake
3) Devin Brown
4) Jose Calderon
5) Andray Blatche
6) LaMarcus Aldridge
7) Paul Millsap
8) Brent Barry
9) Jason Kapono
10) Jorge Garbajosa