Keith Lipscomb

  (3:01 PM)

Good afternoon! All-Star weekend is over and now it's time to get set for the final month of the fantasy regular season. Let's talk hoops.

Claus (Frankfurt, Germany)

D.J. Augustin or Mike Conley for the rest of the season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:02 PM)

While I think Augustin is the more dynamic player, and should score more, I like Conley more the rest of the way, especially if the Bobcats don't deal Raymond Felton. Conley provides more help in the harder-to-fill categories of assists and steals, and has a stronger hold on big minutes.

DC

Lipper! Who has the most value rest of the season-- Yi or Darko?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:04 PM)

It's gotta be Yi. The only way Darko could have more value to a team is if the only category in which it needs help is blocks.

Bob (Bristol)

Keith, Help! Dynasty league, 20 teams, Amar'e or Tyrus Thomas/G Wallace/Charlie V yes, all 3 is the demand for Amar'e. are any of these guys going to be "stars" and what are your thoughts on the deal?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:07 PM)

Interesting deal, Bob. I don't think any of those players will develop into the star that Amare is, even considering his dip this season. Thomas has a great deal of upside, but I don't see his offensive game improving enough to be a top scorer like Stoudemire can be. All that being said, if your team is in need of quality depth -- and which team in a 20-team dynasty league isn't? -- I can definitely see why you would consider pulling off this trade. Pretend it's a 3-for-3 trade, inserting the two players you'd either be dropping or throwing in, and decide whether the added depth is worth giving up the star power. I'm thinking it just might be.

Derek (NYC)

Can I expect anything from Arenas for the rest of the season?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:08 PM)

I've heard he may come back for the final 15 games on a more limited basis, but I really don't think you can expect much. If he gives you something, great, but I have no expectations for him at all, personally.

Randy (St. Paul)

Is Russell Westbrook ever going to stop turning the ball over?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:11 PM)

No, Randy, I think he's providing an A/TO right in line with what I expect him to do the rest of the way. Keep in mind that he's more of a scoring, penetrating point than a facilitator. He didn't have a 2-to-1 A/TO in college, even, so this is about what you'll get.

Rob, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Good Afternoon, is Mike Dunleavy a smart play this week in a 12-team averages format? The alternative is Mike Miller. Thanks and Regards

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Rob, I haven't heard anything new on Dunleavy over the weekend, but I think Miller's the safer play. There's no guarantee Dunleavy returns this week, and even if he does, he may not be at full strength, so he could wind up hurting your average in that respect if he has to leave early.

Brandon (IL)

When can we expect to hear something on Amare?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:13 PM)

Hi Brandon, if you're speaking in regard to a trade, there's only a few days left to deal him, so at least you won't have to wait long, one way or another.

jason (windham, me)

Will Granger shut it down before the season is done to rest his bum knee?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:15 PM)

I have to admit that is a possibility, if it continues to give him trouble in the second half. But Granger's a pretty tough player, who is already playing through pain, and still putting up numbers. I expect him to do so for as long as he can. But it definitely wouldn't surprise me if he took a couple games to rest it at some point.

Nate (Granbury, TX)

I need FG% and steals. Deal Monta Ellis and M. Gasol for Rondo? Thanks!

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:18 PM)

Well, there's no question Rondo would be a huge help in steals and assists in comparison to those two players. But Gasol's a 50% shooter, and Ellis shouldn't shoot this poorly the rest of the way. It's definitely a fair deal, especially when you consider the possibility that Ellis could always have something flare up with that ankle.

Jamie (Tulsa, OK)

Should I drop Rodney Stuckey for a guy like Joakim Noah or Azubuike, or even the Birdman? I just feel like we've seen the best of Stuckey thusfar and I can't get anything for him in a trade.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:22 PM)

Jamie, I wouldn't do it for someone like Azubuike, who doesn't necessarily offer any more in value, unless you need the additional 3s and a dash of blocks. But if it's strictly to improve on the glass and blocks, I can see why you'd try to get one of the bigs. Stuckey doesn't help in 3s and is more of a 14-5 guy in points and assists, so it really depends on your needs. Sounds like you need the blocks from the choices you've given.

PDP (La Puente, CA)

Anything new on the Tyson Chandler front? Is he going to give it a go this week?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:24 PM)

Chandler was supposedly a game-time decision in the Hornets' final game before the break, so I would expect him to return this week, with another week of rest under his belt.

Nathan (U park, MD)

20 team keeper league I gotta an offer Amare for Kobe and Rashard I gotta do it right. there are 13 cats and 3 of them are rebounding related.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:25 PM)

I'd have to say yes, you have to do it, not knowing if you're just trying to win this year or for the future. But Kobe for Amare would be a win for you in my book, so adding Rashard is icing on the cake.

Troy (Chicago)

Do you expect to see Mike Miller's numbers improve (overall/3's) now that Jefferson is done for the year? I'm really hoping to improve on 3's

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:28 PM)

You'd sure like to think Miller's overall numbers would improve, wouldn't you, Troy? He just hasn't been himself all season, really, but the team will need to make up Jefferson's scoring somehow. The problem is the Wolves don't have a post presence anywhere close to Jefferson, so it's going to put more pressure on the perimeter players, which means they'll shoot an even worse percentage, in my opinion.

John (LA)

Should I trade Baron Davis for Jason Thompson. I can no longer stomach losing FG% every week thanks to Baron.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:30 PM)

John, I totally understand your concern about Baron's shooting. He's a killer in that category, but he still provides value in other categories, so I think you should be able to do better than that in a trade.

Joel (St. Louis)

Picked up Kaman and dropped Tyson Chandler. Wanted the blocks. Good move?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:32 PM)

Joel, what worries me is the number of times Kaman's return date has been pushed back. If I knew he'd be back and ready to roll this week, I'd like it. But since it's a mystery, I'd prefer Chandler, who can block some shots, just not to the level of Kaman when he's healthy, of course.

Jared (SC)

I made a trade acquiring Al Jefferson just two days before his injury. I am now in trouble with the PF/C position. It is scarce and I had to pick up Bonner off of waivers. Should I be looking at Chandler as a replacement for AJ?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:35 PM)

That's probably a good idea. At least he can help you on the glass, although he doesn't have a major impact in any one other area, even FG%, since he doesn't take a bunch of shots. But if he can block you 1.4 shots per game the rest of the way, I think you'd take that.

Troy (Chicago)

Do you have some recommendations on player who are considered sell high guys? Buy low guys?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:39 PM)

I'm not sure how deep your league is, Troy, but a couple players who have stayed healthy for the first time in quite a well are Yao and Nene. I have a special place in my heart for Yao, but I am a realist and know that he's working his way toward 60 games, which is a mark he hasn't reached in a while. Nene, on the other hand, has also had a difficult time staying healthy and if you can find someone willing to give you something nice, it's worth listening. On the buy-low end of things, I like Carmelo Anthony to have a big second half, and I expect Lamar Odom to continue to attack the glass, although his buy-low period has likely passed.

Alice (Texas)

Staying with the Chandler theme. Do you like Kevin Love better?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:40 PM)

I think Love is a better bet to average a double-double the rest of the way, but keep in mind that he won't offer much in the way of blocks, and I think his FG% will be affected by the loss of Jefferson.

Drew (Ill)

You say Chandler is a decent pickup. Who would be the best of these guys? Chandler (of course), Love, Marc Gasol, Hawes, or (injury prone) Gooden?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:43 PM)

If you're not worried about blocks, Love is going to get huge minutes and will put up about 13 and 10 the rest of the way, in my mind. When I say Chandler's a decent pickup, it's in leagues in which blocks are scarce and you're hoping he returns to his former level. Like Gooden, it's hard to say how long they'll stay on the court. Love is safer than both of them for that reason. And I like Hawes more than Gasol, because I think the Kings want to get a longer look at him the rest of the way. Just a hunch.

Scott (NY)

Jarret Jack or Charlie Bell?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:45 PM)

That's a good one, Scott. I think the Bucks want to play Bell as many minutes as he can handle. If you need 3s and steals, I like Bell better. Jack will provide scoring punch occasionally, but his assists aren't as good as many think. I think I'd side with Bell the rest of the way.

Steiny (NYC)

Who will have a better second half. Kevin Love or Tyrus Thomas?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:48 PM)

I think we all know what I expect Love to do by now, but I think the possibilities for a guy like Thomas are so much greater. You'll have to deal with lots of inconsistency, but what he can provide in steals and blocks, to go along with the possibility of big games every now and then is too much for me to pass up. Love will grab more rebounds the rest of the way, but I'll go with the upside, just in case Gooden remains out for even longer.

J-Smoov (Atlanta)

Will I EVER start blocking shots at a 2 per game clip like all my owners are begging for?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:51 PM)

Two per game? I think that's a possibility, but it appears he's not getting anywhere close to the nearly three per game we were getting in recent years. This is something I can't quite figure out, really, since it's simply a matter of aggressive play and strong help-side defense.

Ronny (St. Paul, MN)

I lost Al Jeff, Bogut, Bynum, and Brand as my big men. Who should I pick up?

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

Well, I'm not sure who's out there in your league. You've been dealt a tough hand with all those injuries, Ronny. I'd look for some upside in the form of Spencer Hawes. Or if Andris Biedrins goes down again, Ronny Turiaf could help you out as well. He's a nice help in blocks regardless, but won't get huge minutes unless Biedrins isn't around.

Keith Lipscomb

  (3:55 PM)

All right, everyone. I've got to run a few minutes early today, but thank you for the questions. Have a great week!