Bobman's NBA compendium: Week 7.

With all the Oscar contenders likely being released this month, I thought I'd get in a little early with some of my NBA award picks (way below).

It's the time of year when analyzing your whole year is a good idea - in preparation for the year ahead...

It's exciting.

It's also a good opportunity to start thinking about your endgame.

If you're doing pretty well in the standings, maybe you should hold an injured player who can help you later. Somebody like a Kevin Martin or a Terrence Jones.

It's also a good idea to think about future NBA trades. Thinking about the guys most likely to move could open up opportunities on the team down the road. Never a bad idea to think a month or 2 ahead. Big wins require big moves...

So plan your Boxing Day movie binge, circle the NBA's headcases and let's look for opportunity around the NBA...

Miami Heat injury report:

Josh McRoberts had just gotten his starting job back. Now it's looking like McBob is out for the year.

The Fantasy implications are a little strange. While Shawne Williams looks to get his starting job back, it's unclear how many touches he'll get. Throw in nagging injuries to Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, and we could have an OKC 2.0 situation coming...

Shabazz Napier has been yoyo-ing between the NBA and the D-league. So it's possible he could get more usage - with 60% of the starters out for awhile. There is major usage available for the Heat right now - and it could go ANYWHERE... Deng will likely become a major Fantasy player in the short term, but everyone else is a question mark right now. There is opportunity in Miami though. Pillage away...

ADDS:

C.J. Watson, IND, PG (11% owned in Yahoo leagues)

The volatile Pacers are giving everybody a shot. Perennial backup C.J. Watson is conjuring the spirit of his Golden State days. Do we have another Lou Williams situation here? After returning from injury, Watson looks good. Been playing about 30 MPG the last few games, getting over 10 PPG, two 3PM, 5+ assists/game. You could do worse in deep leagues, and with the PG situation far from solidified in Indiana, Watson's usage could increase as the season progresses. A definite add in deep leagues, and could be standard-12 relevant soon...

ADVANCED STATS:

1. Harrison Barnes is #7 in the NBA in true shooting % (.632). Can somebody say 'breakout'?

2. Super rookie (and swing) K. J. McDaniels is currently #10 in the NBA in block % (5.0). He's gonna be scary good in Fantasy. Sell your mother to get this guy in a dynasty league.

3. Gerald Green is currently #14 in the NBA in USG % (28.2). I need to see WAY more production from a bench player if you're gonna give him so much usage...

Early award candidates:

From a Fantasy Basketball perspective, I gotta break it down like this...

MVP: Steph Curry

6th man of the year: Lou Williams

Rookie of the year: K.J. McDaniels

Comeback player of the year: Pau Gasol

Most Improved: Jimmy Butler

Players who could benefit if a rumoured trade happens this season:

1. Nick Young, LAL. If Kobe moves on, NYJ could become the alpha dog.

2. Tim Hardaway Jr, NY. If Melo gets traded, the next Hardaway's usage could go through the roof.

3. Bojan Bogdanovic, BRK. If Brooklyn starts again - shipping out D-Will, Joe Johnson, Brook Lopez, etc - Bojan could blossom into an NBA star...

4. Marcus Smart, BOS. It's only a matter of time until Rondo finds another team. If it happens this season, his replacement is ready...

5. Cody Zeller, CHA. Looks like Lance Stephenson is as good as gone. Can the better Zeller step up? Different positions, but usage will open up all across the board...

6. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, DET. All the big names are on the block in Detroit, so KCP might get a chance to jack up even more shots in the future...

7. Tyler Ennis, PHX. If Eric Bledsoe was resigned as trade bait, Ennis could ball. He's looked good in limited minutes...

So there are some early award picks, some trade candidates and a little bit of strategy.

Denzel's gotta win another Oscar soon, right?

If not, the voting is rigged.

When's that Michael Jordan movie getting made?

Denzel better start working on his jumper.

Bobman