Vince Carter's injured ankle got Antoine Wright some playing time Monday - how much more could be in store?

Another week gone by in the young NBA season, and still too early to officially decide a team’s season is over (unless you play in Minnesota). Nevertheless, I have sifted through the muck to uncover some fantasy insights for you loyal readers. Heading into next week, shoot me an email at htricker@yahoo.com to have your questions featured in the column.

Three Who Have Impressed

Antoine Wright, New Jersey Nets

Week Three Games: 11/14 - @ Boston; 11/16 – Orlando; 11/17 – Miami; 11/19 - @ Utah

Given that Wright will be starting in place of Vince Carter for Monday night’s game against New Orleans, this pick may be too late. Wright has come on fast through six games, scoring 11.8 pts/game making over 50% of his shots. He is finally delivering on the promise that made him the semi-high (15) first round pick of the Nets in 2005. Get him quickly, with Carter out indefinitely; his career could jump to a whole new level. Jason Kidd is a better reference than I am, though:

"Antoine's been huge," said Kidd. "I don't want to say he's under the radar, but he's making shots, making all the right plays, not settling for the jump shot. He drives it. But the biggest thing is he's playing some great defense."

Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets

Week Three Games: None – Injured until at least mid-November

If you miss the boat on one young Nets guard, don’t beat yourself up about it too much, there’s another one quietly resting on their inactive list. The 22nd overall pick in the draft was a steal for the Nets last year, only slipping so far because he supposedly stole a laptop or two. Though his numbers were not overly impressive with 6.8 pts/game and 3.3 steals, he is one of a few young players who actually ran a top-flight team in college. If you have an open spot on your IR, stash Williams there, then wait for Jason Kidd’s creaky knees to give way, and then you will thank me.

Jamario Moon, Toronto Raptors

Week Three Games: 11/14 – Utah; 11/16 – Indiana; 11/18 – Golden State

You’ve probably never heard of Jamario Moon, at least I hadn’t, until he finished two sick alley-oops against the Bulls over the weekend. It was the first game he started, and he finished with 12 points, 6 boards, 3 steals and a block. Putting up the kind of all-around fantasy performance that made Fantasy owners fall in love with a former Raptor, Doug Christie. Moon faces competition for playing time at the 2/3 spots from other Raptors, but, if he wins out, he could benefit from defenses focusing on Bosh, Ford and Bargnani. If you have a flexible roster spot, he’d be worth a shot.

Three to Digress

DeShaun Stevenson, Washington Wizards

Following his break-out season last year, scoring 11.2 pts/game, shooting over 46% from the field and starting all 82 games, many expected big things of the former high school draft pick. Alas, this year has been a bitter disappointment. He’s still starting, 6-for-6 so far, but only shooting 25.7% from the field and not really contributing on other parts of the floor, you have to wonder how long before he rides the pine for a long time.

Antoine Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves

This one was not hard to see coming: Walker, a player who could barely get motivated to play on a championship team, playing for the worst team in the league. He has not failed to disappoint, putting up only 3.5 pts/game with 3 boards in 13 minutes. The real question is, will we ever see the “Walker Wiggle” a.k.a. “The Shimmy” again?

Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors

Although I still feel that trading Jason Richardson for Wright was the right move, Wright has so far not lived up to the expectations of being the #8 pick in the draft. Despite his team’s winless start, Wright has only been on the floor for 4 minutes. I would only pick up Wright in a deep keeper league. All hope is not lost, another tweener forward from Chapel Hill, Marvin Williams, is playing quite well for the Hawks these days after a slow start to his career.

Reviewing Last Week

Impressed
Derek Fisher – 10 pts/g, 6 assists/g, .467 FG% in 2 games. Average Call.
Martell Webster - Scored 17 and 20 against the Hornets and Grizzlies, but only 2 against Dallas. Average Call.
Rajon Rondo – Eight steals and 16 assists in three games. Be patient. Undecided Call.

Digress
Stephon Marbury – Averaged 16.3 points and over seven assists in three games. Bad Call.
Gilbert Arenas – Shot 37% from the field in three games, people must be reading my columns. Good Call.
Ben Wallace – Saturday against Toronto: zero points, five boards, one block, and benched for entire second half. Good Call.