By The Answer Man

The Answer Man has been participating in fantasy basketball leagues since a time you couldn't get a Golden State box score on the East Coast for two days. Harldy mattered, Timmy got hurt halfway through the season and my team was trashed. I've won a few, lost a few, and comeback from some huge deficits. I am here to answer all your fantasy basketball questions.

Stuck In The Middle With Yao writes: I seem to be stuck in the middle. I've got KG, Yao, and GP carrying my dead weight (Bradley is my "other" Center). It seems like the only way to get an impact player is to trade an impact player. I want to improve, but don't want to risk my mid-level standings to do it.

Thanks, Answer Man, you rock.

Answer Man: Required to start 2 centers? My condolences.

Accept this, do not need a superstar or even an All-Star to be an "impact player" just a guy who does 1 or 2 things well.

Two words for you. Bottom-feed. To get talent look to the bad teams in your Fantasy League and the NBA.

In your fantasy league, there are guys who 1) are panicking at their standings; 2) will try anything; 3) think you are smarter and 3) have gotten so bad, they have just given up. These guys all drafted one or two good players early on. They can be yours. You do not want to take advantage, because other teams will be hesitant to deal with you in the future, but you can still pillage them.

The best way to attract disinterested or uneducated owners is by flashing big names at them. Use the guys in your lineup whose reps are bigger than their stats (can even use Jordan) to get guys who stats are bigger than their names.

Everyone knows Mike Bibby from last year, but we all foget he is a regular season dud (12+ points, 6+ assists)...no one knows Ricky Davis, Eddie Jones, or Rip Hamilton. Their stats are comparable or better but no one will object, because you are giving up MIKE BIBBY, Mr. Clutch against the Lakers...the next big thing!!!! Get my drift?

Everyone has heard of Rasheed Wallace. He's often mentioned with Webber and KG, but he ain't Webber or KG, not be a long shot. His 18 and 7 isn't as good as Elton Brand's 18, 12 and 2.5 blocks per game or even Troy Murphy's daily double-double.

In the NBA bad teams produce the most opportunities for fantasy free agents to excel. In Dallas, LA, Indy, NJ, and Sac, the lineup and the minutes are pretty well set. However, in Chicago, Cleveland, and Denver, and Miami they use a different lineup every night. Pay careful attention. Watch for a Free Agent in your league to suddenly catch-on these teams and snag him.

Can find a decent scorer, rebounder (Boozer, Jerome Williams), stealer (Junior Harrington, Nene Hilario, Caron Butler) and even passer (Rafer Alston) on these teams because the opportunity to produce numbers is there.

Finally, look out for injuries. Keon Clark will be huge while Webber is out.

Submit your questions to the Answer Man at ANSWERMAN@insidehoops.net


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