Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon to you all. Now that the Super Bowl's over, just one less sport on the radar for a bit. Let's chat fantasy hoops.

Garrett: Chico, CA

All things equal, who wins in a trade of Lamar Odom for Tony Parker? Thanks.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:02 PM)

I'm assuming you're asking because of Bynum going down, but Parker will still be the better player, even if Odom picks up his level of play without Bynum.

Jay (NJ)

can you rank these pg's who are available on waivers...Blake, Conley, Ford, Chalmers, Telfair.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:05 PM)

Ford is a strong No. 1 for me, even though his assist numbers aren't what many hoped. After that, it's a lot tougher, because they're all underwhelming in many aspects. Conley is being given an opportunity and he's doing well with it so far, so if you need the assists more, I'd go with him over Chalmers, then Blake and Telfair. I'm not big on Bassy.

Phoenix (Lanai City, HI)

Who is the better PG for the rest of the year: Hinrich or Stuckey?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

It really depends on your needs from that PG slot, Phoenix. The only way I'd go with Hinrich is if you need 3s desperately, since Stuckey's game doesn't extend out that far just yet. But right now, there's no doubt Stuckey's the better fantasy player.

Johnny (Norwalk)

HELP.....I just lost Bynum. Have you heard how long he might be out? Would I be making a good move by dropping him for either Boozer or Kaman?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:10 PM)

8-12 weeks is the word, so that's pretty much the rest of the fantasy season (even if it's only 8 weeks. So picking up either big man would help you get SOMETHING sooner.

Kyle (OH)

WHo should i start this week? Carmelo ANthony or Allen Iverson

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:12 PM)

'Melo, since he plays one more game than AI ... and you could argue he's the better start anyway.

Mel (Novato, CA)

What do you think of Mike Conley? Do you like him more than Lou Williams for the rest of the year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

If all things remain as they are now, which is Conley getting more minutes and more being asked of him, I like Conley more in fantasy the rest of the way. I like Williams more as a player, but until he gets 30+ minutes regularly, and more is asked of him, Conley should be the more consistent producer.

Craig - Pasadena

Do we think Deron Williams is gonna be out for a few games this week, or just Monday?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

Wish I knew more beyond tonight, Craig. I've heard it's a "moderate contusion", but at least Utah doesn't play again until Thursday, so I'm holding out hope that Williams returns for that game.

Vivek P atel (NYC, NY)

Need help at center. My only center was Bynum. Should i get Turiaf or Nick Collision??? SAD TIMES ALL AROUND

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:16 PM)

Collison will provide more statistical diversity. Turiaf is really only good for blocks, albeit very good.

Michael, (Milwaukee, WI)

Can I drop Bogut for Brook Lopez? I could use some better FT% and he's been hurt too much

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

Right now, Lopez is the better fantasy player, so I can see that, if you're concerned about Bogut's health. If Bogut's your worst player, that's a pretty good thing as well, Michael. But if A/TO is a category, keep in mind Lopez's poor numbers there.

Gerald Wallace "CRASH"

Approximately how long will he be out?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:20 PM)

The team hasn't given a timetable for his return, but Larry Brown did say he didn't see him returning "anytime soon", so I would think that means he'll be out at least this week, but obviously could be much longer. As usual with Wallace, you'll just have to stay tuned.

Bruce (Trenton, NJ)

Who would you rather have going forward in a keeper league, Kevin Durant or Kevin Martin?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:21 PM)

Not even close here. Durant, because of the many things he can do, and very well.

Matt, Atlanta, GA

Gay + Conley or DHarris + Battier for the rest of the year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:23 PM)

While Devin Harris is the best player in this foursome, Battier is clearly the worst. I'd rather have two players who can contribute nightly, so I'd go with Gay/Conley. Battier is getting huge minutes and still not doing much, fantasy-wise.

Jeff(Pittsburgh, PA)

Danny Granger? Sell, hold tight? What do you think?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

I know his knee's giving him trouble, but if I'm selling him, I still have to get a stud in return. And with his health in question a bit, I'm not sure someone would be willing to do that on this very day. I expect him to be fine, especially if the team can play it smart with him and make sure he gets well. The fact he made the All-Star team actually works against him getting much-needed rest.

Ricky (Chicago, IL)

Help, my fantasy season is doomed. Any free agents that can replace Bynum's production of double-doubles, 8+ REB/G, .558 FG%, .703 FT%, about 2 BLK/G, and a steal every other game?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:28 PM)

Sorry about the delay. Server is cranky at the moment, apparently. Unfortunately, there's not likely to be one player who can replace all those cats for you. But guys like Andrea Bargnani (available in 35%) and Charlie Villanueva (30%) are still out there in a bunch of leagues.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

And if they're not available in your league, you'll have to dig deeper for the likes of Brook Lopez (available in 40%) or Jason Thompson (85%), or Kevin Love (30%) to plug at least some of the holes.

Alex from Los Angeles

Hey Keith, I'm breaking my head trying to figure if this trade is worth it. I would be giving up J-Rich and Amare for Caron Butler, D Rose, and O'neal. It looks good but still haven't pulled the trigger. Any help?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

If it's Shaquille O'Neal, it would probably be worth it. (not sure about your FT% situation). Jermaine, not as much, since he's having a hard time staying healthy. J-Rich hasn't been able to get on track, and if he can't this week with the Suns' easy schedule, then it's not a good sign.

Jason (Cincy)

Any chance Al Horford or DJ Augustine will be back this week?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:33 PM)

Horford could actually return as early as Wednesday, but it may take a few games to get back in the swing of things. Augustin's likely not back until next week at the earliest.

eddie (PHX)

is eddie house a good play this week?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:34 PM)

Only in the deepest of leagues, and against teams who don't defend the 3 very well. He's way too streaky and doesn't help anywhere else. I stay away from him, personally.

Justin - Arizona

Currently sitting in third place (2 games out of first) with injuries to AK47, Gerald Wallace and Shawn Marion. Do I make a panic move and trade Chris Paul for Caron Butler + Devin Harris or stand pat and wait for my guys to eventually get back on the court?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:37 PM)

Since you're so close to first place, and apparently still in good shape to make the playoffs, I'd be less apt to pull the trigger on trading a stud like CP3. At least in the scenario you present, Butler and Harris are strong players who can help in multiple categories, and only in FG% and assists do they come up way short of what Paul provides.

lance

Hey Keith, I just traded Baby Al Harrington for Milsap...do you think Boozer will come back and destroy Milsap's numbers?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

I'm not convinced he will destroy them, because I'd like to see how Boozer looks when he gets back on the court first. He's taken a while to come back, and it's always possible he has a setback.

Jeff (Maine)

can you please clarify what exactly a deep league is? 12 teams, 15 cats, 13 players per team... is that deep?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:41 PM)

Good question, Jeff. Deep leagues can refer to the number of teams (more than 12 teams) or it can also refer to how deep the rosters are. But generally, I consider deep leagues to be those of more than 12 teams, since roster sizes are usually not too different in many leagues.

cArLoS CA

Villanueva is on the wire. I have Boris Diaw, Mike Dunleavy and Rodney Stukey. Should I drop one of them for Villanueva?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

If you need more help on the glass or even blocks, Charlie V would be an upgrade from Stuckey, if he can keep it up. Stuckey is more of a what-you-see-is-what-you-get guy right now. What he's done as a starter is pretty indicative of what he'll likely do the rest of the way. Villanueva isn't such a sure thing, as I'm sure you're aware.

Vivek P atel (NYC, NY)

how about Spencer Hawes or Nick Collision to replace Bynum??? Will Brad Miller get traded??? Thanks,

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

In some leagues, those will be the best available bigs. If Brad Miller gets traded, and the Kings don't get another big fella back, I'd like Hawes a bit more. But right now, Collison's the one with the greater opportunity, so I'd side with him at the moment.

Greg (CT)

Keith my man, would you trade baron davis for Hedo?...or would you stand pat and hope he plays like last year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:49 PM)

While I'd like to think Baron starts playing like last season, I'm a realist. And this Clippers team is going nowhere and Davis knows it. He just doesn't seem like he's willing to lay it all on the line for this team, and given his injury history, I wouldn't be surprised if he dealt with them all season. I think I would do that deal, since Turkoglu passes enough to help offset the loss of assists by losing Baron, but he still contributes in many other categories.

Morris (Detroit, MI):

Charlie Villanueva and Monta Ellis are both free agents... who should I pick up?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:50 PM)

Villanueva, since he's in a better situation right now. The team really needs what he can provide. And Ellis is dealing with some soreness in that ankle, which has to be expected after coming back from such a serious injury.

Steve (OH)

Keith, would you start Lamarcus ALdridge or Greg Oden for this week's matchup????

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

Gotta go with the safer option, which is Aldridge, Steve.

Ignacio J. (PR)

Is Mo Williams a "droppable" fantasy player in a 10 team league? I feel like he's efficient yet extremely limited this year in fantasy terms.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:52 PM)

I don't think he's droppable. He may not be a stud, but he's picked up his scoring of late and helps enough to be rostered, even in the shallowest of leagues.

Tom (NYC)

What do you think of Elton Brand for the rest of the year?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:53 PM)

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't at least a little bit concerned, since he's had a hard time getting back into the flow with the 76ers. That team was playing so well without him, I think it will take some time for them to get back on a page with Brand in there. And that's not to mention that Brand's not physically ready to handle 30+ minutes every night right now, especially on back-to-backs.

Chris (DC)

Will Nick Young ever become a worth while fantasy player this season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

Young's too one-dimensional in my mind to become a huge threat, except in deep leagues, Chris. If he rebounded more, that would certainly help, but he simply doesn't.

Jim

Given that the Toronto Raptors play the least amount of games from here on in, and don't play many in fantasy playoffs, what names should I target in/if trying to move Calderon and/or Bosh?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:57 PM)

It's always hard to answer specific questions regarding who to target, because a lot has to do with the owners in your league willing to part with them, but I'll say this: look at the Player Rater, go to the averages link and find players who you feel are comparable and don't settle for less. Let the other owners in the league figure out that the Raptors have fewer games, which is why you're looking to deal them.

John (Austin, TX)

Are you playing TJ Ford over Monta this week and going forward?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:59 PM)

Right now, I'm playing Ford over Monta until Ellis shows his ankle is responding well on a night-to-night basis. It's affecting his entire game at the moment. And since the Warriors have so many willing shooters, the team can afford to ease him back into his old role.

Tom (KC)

Are you at all worried about Joe Johnson shooting a Jason Kidd like FG% over the last month? He has been to FG% like what Howard is for FT%.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:00 PM)

Yeah, he's really struggling with the shot. At some point, all those minutes have to take a toll on a player. He's more of a low-40s to mid-40s shooter, so I expect him to get back to that, but nothing more.

Ben (Oakland, CA)

Keith, a buddy of mine offered me Josh Smith and Kaman for Durant and Kirilenko. Even though I'm in desperate need for blocks, I'm not convinced that Kaman will be back anytime soon. What is the prognosis for AK47?

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:02 PM)

I wouldn't do that, Ben, because there's no guarantee that Kaman will remain healthy even when he does come back. Those foot injuries can be tough to overcome. That being said, Kirilenko won't likely be back before March, so plan accordingly.

sam (boston)

sorry to go to this subject again... what is, in your mind, a reasonable deal for Deron Williams? Just trying to get a feel for his value

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:03 PM)

Well, I think Williams is a top-5 point guard when he's right, so you that's the kind of value you should look for in return relative to other positions.

Keith Lipscomb

  (4:05 PM)

That's all for today, everyone. Thanks for the questions, and we'll do it again next week! Take care.