Well here’s my first go at this blogging thing- I’ll follow Ray’s lead with a breakdown of my own draft. Just a little background for those of you out on the Web- I am one of the few participants in this league who is not a Georgetown grad- I am a proud University of Maryland Alumnus. In addition, I have won this league twice (back to back years- 2002-2003, 2003-2004 season) and have made the playoffs a total of 4 times out of 6 seasons of my participation so far.

I think I had a pretty respectible draft this year and I could see most of these guys as being hard to drop.

Round by Round Analysis-

Round 1, Pick 8: Dwight Howard
Thought I would switch things up a bit this year and go for more younger, power players especially since I had no shot at LeBron, CP3, Kobe, etc. Howard is a beast in FG%, Boards, Points, and Blocks who is young and improves every year. If only he could hit those free-throws…

Round 2, Pick 13: Al Jefferson
Maybe a little bit of a stretch here but again another young, powerful player with improving numbers. Good centers are hard to come by (espcially in 2 Center leagues such as ours) and this continues to sets me up well for FG%, Boards, Points, and Blocks.

Round 3, Pick 28: Yao Ming
I know he has had injury issues the past 3 years, I know I really was already set at center, but I just could not resist. Is a fantasy monster when healthy (escpecially at Center) and may give me some trade flexibility down the road.

Round 4, Pick 33: Andre Iguodala
I love getting this guy here at this point of the draft- his scoring could down a little with Brand around but assists may go up- and I need some assists starting about now in this draft. Can be an 8 category contributor- great value at this pick.

Round 5, Pick 48: Hedo Turkoglu
I also love getting this guy here at this point of the draft as well: solid multi-category contributor who fits in nicely with uptempo Magic team.  Similar point foward do-it-all type to Iguodala (though less steals, blocks). Question is- can he replicate last years career numbers?

Round 6, Pick 53: Mike Dunleavy
Very similar to Turkoglu- which is a good thing- but I didn’t pay enough attention to the reports on his knee- this could be a problem- we’ll see… and again like Turkoglu will last year be an aberration or the beginning of a very positive trend up in numbers?

Round 7, Pick 68: Tony Parker
Maybe a little high for this guy especially since he is not a huge assist guy but I needed a point guard at this point and he helps with points and FG% and should have better numbers this year at least in the early part of the season with Ginobili hurt and the ever aging core of players around him. “Been around forever” but still only 26.

Round 8, Pick 73: Zach Randolph
One of those guys that is a guilty pleasure to have on your team from a fantasy perspective if you can afford his dearth of assists, steals, and blocks because he is such a selfish player (and therefore fun to watch).  Could have a monster scoring year this season under the Knicks new system- will get tons of boards- decent FT% for a big man- may see a few more 3’s out of him as well.

Round 9, Pick 88: Raymond Felton
I have this weird and annoying (to me) habit most years (with the exception of last year when I took Nash in the 1st and a few years back when I got Marbury in the 2nd) of taking PG’s late (see Parker 7th round and now Felton 9th). But It usually seems to work out for me somehow- Felton could actually be a very good value here IF Larry Brown doesn’t loose his mind and bench him or drastically reduce his minutes- which could happen…

Round 10, Pick 93: O.J. Mayo
Even though its round 10 this is one of my key picks I believe. I have never drafted a rookie in fantasy baseketball in any league ever until this year- again going with the youth is king philosophy this year. He could be a nice source of 3’s, points, steals, boards (for a guard), and possibly assists depending on how much offense Memphis runs through him. FG% could be bad- and he will have rookie struggles but if I can afford to be patient he could be a steal here.

Round 11, Pick 108: Kirk Hinrich
Decent pick this late even though minutes and role in flux this year with drafting of Rose and crowded backcourt. Might get traded which could help- used to be very solid 2nd PG- may play more SG this year.

Round 12, Pick 113: Tayshaun Prince
Finally I have a Piston on my team! (favorite real-life team). Though he’s not great I am a little surprised he was still available here- solid 12th round SF value for points, boards, assists, %’s, even 3’s.

Round 13, Pick 128: Kenyon Martin
IF he plays as many game as last year could be a steal here- Denver will count more on him with Camby gone. Can’t hit Free Throws anymore (never was great- but lousy now) but pretty much conceeding that category anyways at this point.

So there you have it- I think I have pretty decent team considering I had to start with the 8th pick. Hopefully I can make couple of trades as the season goes along but I’m feeling pretty good about a return to the playoffs.

Comments Welcome.