Monday, December 31, 2007

2008 Bold Predictions: SOUTHEAST DIVISION

ATLANTA HAWKS

Al Horford

In my book, he is by far the most consistent rookie. Horford is currently averaging a near double-double with 9.2 points, 9.5 rebounds together with rare statistics 0.9 steals and 1.1 blocks per game. If I where you, I would trade up for this rookie because I predict Horford will go averaging as high as 14 points, 10 rebounds per game in the 2nd half of the season.

Acie Law

So far Anthony Johnson is the main floor leader for the Hawks but expect this tenure to end soon because since the start of the season, the Hawks has named Acie Law their point guard of the future and you got to expect that in one point or another in the season Law will breakout. If you are in a deep league and have a roster spot available, I suggest you give Law a chance.


CHARLOTTE BOBCATS

Emeka Okafor / Gerald Wallace / Raymond Felton

Okafor, Wallace and Felton have been performing below expectations this season. One of the reasons is the Bobcats off-season acquisition of an immediate scorer Jason Richardson. I believe the Charlotte Bobcats has a chance to make the playoffs this year if Okafor, Wallace and Felton play better and up their statistics by a notch. They haven’t performed up to their potential yet!

Nazr Mohammed

Through out his career, Nazr wasn’t known for his consistency. He can show off some good line of statistics here and there but that’s about it for the 30 year old journey man. I now declare that Nazr Mohammed’s 11.7 points with 9.4 rebounds per game is a fluke! Sell him high now before his value runs out!


MIAMI HEAT

Alexander Johnson

Last season while in Memphis, Johnson showed glimpses of what he can do. He would sometimes show case 3 blocks and 3 steals in some games. At one point or another, Johnson will be worth a look in deep leagues especially with the Heat struggling, Mourning retired, Shaq always injured, and Blount just too old and inconsistent.

Trade

With the way the Heat are playing (8-23) even with Dwayne Wade healthy, and with rumors circulating like crazy, with comments such as "high paid prostitutes" from Jason Williams, it’s almost inevitable that a trade will happen soon and this trade might include the grumbling Jason Williams, disgruntled Smush Parker and spot-light hugger Ricky Davis.


ORLANDO MAGIC

Hedo Turkoglu

Considered one of the biggest breakouts and steals this season I expect Hedo Turkoglu to continue to play this good all season long and will reach - for the first time in his career - an average of 20 points per game. Congratulations to those who drafted the forgotten Hedo Turkoglu in your drafts. I suggest you to keep him until the end of the season.

Jameer Nelson

Bad basketball, family issues and add it with the threat of Carlos Arroyo getting his starting job. The state of Nelson now is in jeopardy but don’t make that scare you. Rather, look at this as an opportunity. Nelson is at the lowest point in his career right now and is an excellent buy low candidate. He will come out in the 2nd half of the season and will explode. You don’t believe me? Check out his game logs throughout his young career, he always comes back and surprises people in the 2nd half of the season.


WASHINGTON WIZARDS

Andray Blatche

Blatche, even with limited minutes, has fantasy value in deep leagues due to his consistent blocking ability and the capacity of sometimes giving its owners all-around games. I have Blatche in two of my 20-team leagues and have no plans of dropping him for anyone soon because I can see that Blatche’s will be given more minutes and will have a bigger contribution in the Wizards’ rotation and will go on and average 9 points, 7 rebounds, 2.5 blocks in 2008.

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