Fantasy Basketball: 2012-13 Baller Mind Frame Mock Draft – Round Three

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I take the fantasy basketball reins back from Eric Andrews, who handled the Baller Mind Frame Mock Draft end of round review for the second round and I get to have fun once again criticizing other people, which just makes me feel better about me. In any case, read on, good readers.

Here are the particulars: ROTO, 12-team league, standard nine categories (points, assists, rebounds, FG%, FT%, three-pointers, steals, blocks, turnovers), roster (PG, SG, G, SF, PF, F, C, C, Util, BN, BN, BN, BN).

Third Round Results:

1. Jason Hahn (@FBasketballBlog) – Ty Lawson, Denver Nuggets
61 G; 16.4 PPG; 6.6 APG; 3.7 RPG; 48.8 FG%; 82.4 FT%; 1.2 3PTMPG; 1.3 SPG; 0.1 BPG; 2.4 TOPG

Lawson is one of the Association’s best young point guards that doesn’t get the hype. For example, whose overall numbers would you rather have – Lawson’s or John Wall’s? And Lawson isn’t too far away from being right there with Kyrie Irving or Brandon Jennings, both of whom were taken before him. In fact, I’d rank Lawson second among the aforementioned lead guard quartet. Consider that jumping jacks, Javale McGee and Kenneth Faried are going to be running with Lawson on the break, as well as newly-acquired Andre Iguodala, who’ll also enable Lawson to move without the ball and spot up… scary. It’ll make you want to hide under your bed. Obviously, I dig this pick big.

2. Chris Towers (@CTowersCBS) – Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
65 G; 14.6 PPG; 3.1 APG; 8.9 RPG; 48.2 FG%; 74.8 FT%; 0.0 3PTMPG; 1.0 SPG; 1.9 BPG; 1.9 TOPG

I’m a big fan of Gasol and while he doesn’t post big overall numbers, he’s as steady as they come for a C1. There aren’t any weaknesses anywhere in his game, other than Zach Randolph taking up Gasol’s space, although that problem is slowly fading away. The dimes you get with Gasol from the center spot will help your fantasy basketball squad, no question. Gasol is also that rare breed of center that can get you points, boards, and defensive stats at a good clip. Plus, he’s basically been consistent his whole career and a player you can rely on. I had delusions that Gasol would fall to me in this round. Obviously I was Cheech and Chonging it up with that thought.

3. Eric Andrews (@aka_MR-FANTASY) – Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia 76ers
60 G; 18.7 PPG; 1.4 APG; 11.8 RPG; 55.8 FG%; 69.2 FT%; 0.0 3PTMPG; 0.5 SPG; 1.9 BPG; 2.5 TOPG

Bynum could very well end up being a great value pick here, especially in a two-center start league. However, I’ll assume he dropped, more like tripped and recovered, in this mock because despite being the second-best center in the league according to last year’s numbers, there are still some durability issues. Check his career games played stats and you’ll see he’s only played a full season once in his seven-year career and never came close to sniffing anything close in his other season other than last year. However, consider last season was a shortened season and Bynum’s desire to get the Kobe Bryant treatment for his knees (plasma therapy) in Germany and a red flag needs to be raised. However, again, this could turn out to be a great value pick if Bynum is over the injury blues that has plagued his career.

4. Eric Mack (@EricMackFantasy) – Greg Monroe, Detroit Pistons
66 G; 15.4 PPG; 2.3 APG; 9.7 RPG; 52.1 FG%; 73.9 FT%; 0.0 3PTMPG; 1.3 SPG; 0.7 BPG; 2.4 TOPG

I’ve been a Monroe fan since his days at Georgetown (I’ve been a Big East guy since the mid-1980s) and am happy to see him succeeding in the L. He improved his numbers from his rookie season and I expect another production jump in his third season as long as Monroe gets the rock because there was a three-shot attempts dip per game after the All-Star break (13.1 to 10.4), which brought his scoring average down despite shooting better (51.3% to 53.3%). Monroe uses his smarts to get position on the block to get buckets and boards as he isn’t athletic, especially like teammate Andre Drummond, but he’s effective. You can look past the lack of rejections here because Monroe will be good everywhere else. Really like this pick here. Steady like Gasol above, but in his own way.

5. Nels Wadycki (@GiveMeTheRock) – Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings
51 G; 18.7 PPG; 1.9 APG; 3.7 RPG; 43.8 FG%; 86.5 FT%; 2.1 3PTMPG; 1.4 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.6 TOPG

I didn’t know how the logjam at the guard positions for the Sacramento Kings would work out last season and I thought that Thornton would suffer the most, but he did really well. Duh. He was a must-have off fantasy basketball waiver wires a couple of seasons ago when he was traded to the Kings as Thornton went off like a madman. Last season’s numbers were relatively the same, but with a fewer less points, less assists, and less games played. However, in his three NBA seasons, at this point it’s hard to say a player like Thornton is an injury risk, so no worries there. If anything, he’ll need to worry if Jimmer Fredette starts to blow up on the court. Yeah, okay, so Buckets has nothing to worry about.

6. Patrick Madden (@PatrickAMadden) – Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors
47 G; 14.3 PPG; 6.6 APG; 4.6 RPG; 40.9 FG%; 86.4 FT%; 1.7 3PTMPG; 1.6 SPG; 0.3 BPG; 2.8 TOPG

Lowry has built a reputation off of 22 post All-Star games a couple of seasons ago when he averaged 16.8 points on 43.5% shooting from the floor and 85.0% from the charity stripe, 7.3 assists, 4.5 rebounds, 2.5 triples, and 1.1 steals. However, what has he really done after that?  Last season, in 32 pre All-Star games Lowry was close to his hype half-season as he scored 15.6 points while hitting 41.7% of his shot from the field and 87.2% from the line, 7.6 dimes, 5.3 boards (what?!?!), 1.8 treys, and 2.0 rock rips. Then a bacterial infection hit Lowry and he never came back the same as in 15 post All-Star games, stats dropped to 11.4 points, 38.5 FG%, 84.6 FT%, 4.4, 2.9, and 0.7 steals. Of course, you can blame 10.5 less minutes per game too because of the presence of an effective point guard in Goran Dragic. Luckily, Lowry goes up to Toronto with no worries of an effective point gu… oh wait. I’d temper expectations from Lowry because Jose Calderon will be there, back-up or not. It might take until the trading deadline before Lowry maximizes his talent and time.

7. Aaron Bruski (@AaronBruski) – David Lee, Golden State Warriors
57 G; 20.1 PPG; 2.8 APG; 9.6 RPG; 50.3 FG%; 78.2 FT%; 0.0 3PTMPG; 0.9 SPG; 0.4 BPG; 2.6 TOPG

Is it just me or is David Lee one of those players that we are all just waiting to fall off from season-to-season? It’s like no one can believe he’s a potential 20/10 player, although he’s already done it once in his career and came really close last season (20.1 PPG/9.6 RPG). Lee has always shot over 50.0% from the deck and is a career 77.7% shooter from the line. He gives pretty much nothing in the way of defensive stats, but the man is really good! And the best part is that Lee qualifies as a center. He’s basically what the previously drafted Greg Monroe hopes to be, although Monroe has a little more upside. In any case, I like the Lee pick here and really thought he’d be a strong candidate that fell to me in this round.

8. Tracy Fay (smartly, a Twitter Luddite) – Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets
40 G; 14.2 PPG; 1.3 APG; 10.4 RPG; 62.3 FG%; 70.9 FT%; 0.1 3PTMPG; 1.4 SPG; 4.7 BPG; 1.0 TOPG (Kentucky)

This was an interesting pick because it’s hard to really gauge what Davis’ value will be, or even his preseason expected value because training camps haven’t opened yet. However, if there’s one thing we know, it’s that Anthony Davis is a fantasy basketball beast in the making with his combination of skills to block and board the rock. However, how effective will he be this season? Well, one thing is for sure, he’s going to get a lot of opportunities to grow as a player and make his mistakes. The not-so-magic formula in fantasy sports is to have a guy that plays a lot to maximize the potential for production. Or simply stated, PT = Production, theoretically. It’s kind of the Moneyball rule of fantasy. I expect Davis to average almost a double-double with at least a duo of shot blocks, which would make this pick kind of awesome in a league like this one.

9. Brian Flood (@BrianSFlood) – Joe Johnson, Brooklyn Nets
60 G; 18.8 PPG; 3.9 APG; 3.7 RPG; 45.4 FG%; 84.9 FT%; 2.1 3PTMPG; 0.8 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 1.9 TOPG

Johnson gets a bad rap because he truthfully owns the worst contract in the history of the NBA, but it’s not his fault. It’s not like JJ is a scrub in any way, shape, or form… it’s just that he’s not LeBron James, that’s all. In all seriousness, this is fantasy basketball, you are not paying Johnson a ridiculous contract amount unless you go crazy at your auction draft. What’s important is the production and the strong sample size in knowing that JJ could get back to being a 20-point scorer in the Association once again, especially with Deron Williams playing point guard on the team. Also, a change of scenery was needed and despite being in New York, the media capital of the world, it’s quite possible that Johnson stays under the radar because of the presence of D-Will since it’s his team. The pick here seems just about right for the value JJ brings and will probably end up doing by the end of the season.

10. David Klyce (@HoopsKlyce) – Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers
62 G; 18.7 PPG; 1.8 APG; 5.0 RPG; 41.6 FG%; 87.3 FT%; 2.0 3PTM; 1.0 SPG; 0.6 BPG; 1.8 TOPG

Granger was once a star on the rise because of his outstanding skill set that started to blossom several seasons ago, soon after he hit the L. However, the last four seasons has seen Granger’s stats steadily fall downward in several categories. It seems like Granger’s peak passed some time ago and at only 28-years-old, he’s on the decline. Add in the importance of Roy Hibbert, emergence of Paul George, veteran effectiveness of David West, and solid production from the bench, and  Granger’s opportunities could very well take a more substantial hit this upcoming season. It’s not to say he won’t do well, but I thought another player could potentially produce more and provide more value. BUT, it must be said that Klyce has been doing this for a long time and I’ve learned it’s never a good idea to doubt The Klyce Man!

11. Dennis Velasco (@BallerMindFrame) – Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
65 G; 19.0 PPG; 2.3 APG; 6.4 RPG; 45.5 FG%; 79.1 FT%; 0.8 3PTMPG; 1.5 SPG; 0.8 BPG; 2.5 TOPG

Relative to what I said about Granger previously, I think Gay would have been a better choice, but who knows? At this point in the game, so early before training camps open, I could eventually look like an idiot. Or rather more of an idiot than I already am. However, I took Gay because I really like his ability to score as well as being the team’s number one option. The departure of O.J. Mayo will just further cement that Gay is the man on the wing. One thing I wish Gay would do more of is hit threes, something that the aforementioned Granger does very well. However, the points and solid dimes and boards from the small forward position, along with his ability to contribute to the defensive stats makes me a happy fantasy basketball camper.

12. Erik Ong (@FantasyHoopla) – James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
62 G; 16.8 PPG; 3.7 APG; 4.1 RPG; 49.1 FG%; 84.6 FT%; 1.8 3PTMPG; 1.0 SPG; 0.2 BPG; 2.2 TOPG

Could this be Harden’s last season with the Thunder? It’s a definite possibility, but if you want to think as a selfish fantasy basketball manager, Harden moving would likely be best to have him on the floor a lot more, which equals more production. But, that’s only for you greedy mofos to think about. As it is, Harden produces plenty, even in limited minutes (31.3 per game last season) and his contribution is scattered among all categories other than blocks, but Harden is a guard, so who cares. Beard is a solid pick here to cap off the third round.

Don’t forget to read all of the Baller Mind Frame Mock Draft End-Of-Round Reviews!

You can contact and find me on Twitter @BallerMindFrame or e-mail me at [email protected].

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