In his own head, Charlie has been a fantasy General Manager for years. Unfortunately, real NBA teams did not return his calls when he applied to be their "real" GM. Following his rejection, he has spitefully chosen to share his knowledge with the world. For more from Charlie, visit his blog.
In homage to this past Sunday's 80th Annual Oscar Awards, this week's Charity Stripe picks will be somewhat movie inspired. The category will be Power Forwards, and look for a movie quote or two spliced into my analysis. Although Jon Stewart's hosting may have been a disappointment, I assure you, this week's column will be nothing less than world class.
With that, let's take a stroll down the red carpet and get to the nominees.
3 Who've Impressed
Luis Scola Houston Rockets Fantasy Eligible Positions: SF, PF
I don't know if you believe in coincidences, but the crack team here at the Charity Stripe earns their daily bread debunking them. Such as, the Houston Rockets are currently the hottest team in the NBA, winning their last 12 in a row. Some have credited the strong play of superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming for the surge. A few who dig a little deeper have happened to notice the streak has coincided with Luis Scola finally playing well enough to claim the starting PF spot for himself. Coincidence? I turn to my good friend, and resident Charity Stripe prophet Morpheus here,
“All of our lives, we have fought this war. Tonight I believe we can end it. Tonight is not an accident. There are no accidents. We have not come here by chance. I do not believe in chance. When I see three objectives, three captains, and three ships. I do not see coincidence, I see providence.”
Twelve starts, twelve wins? Do I really have to spell it out for you further?
Scola is the one and only reason for the Rockets success. Shooting a sizzling sixty-two percent from the field, he's been averaging over 11 PPG and 6 RPG. Look for his numbers to only sky-Rocket as he leads Houston to the moon and beyond. Pick him up now, and don't be put it down to coincidence as your team starts climbing up the standings with a vengeance.
Charlie Villanueva Milwaukee Bucks Fantasy Eligible Position: PF
Many fans seem to forget, remembering Charlie only for his lack of eyebrows, but back in high school he was one of the most highly regarded players in the country. After a ho-hum career at Connecticut, he was selected by the Raptors, and his rookie season was highlighted by a game where he scored over 40 points.
After being traded for T.J. Ford, his first year in Milwaukee was marred by injury, and then this year's been largely wasted for him, playing behind Yi Jianlian. Rumors are Bucks owner, Senator Herb Kohl promised Yi the starting spot as part of his conditions for coming to the lovely American metropolis of Milwaukee.
Push finally came to shove for Bucks coach Larry Krystkowiak, and he finally did what he should've done from the beginning and put the more talented Villanueva back into the starting five.
In the seven games Charlie's played since, he's been averaging just a hair under 14 PPG and 8 RPG. Villanueva is a serious talent that's been hidden from fans for a myriad of reason, not the least of which are playing in two absolutely dead end NBA media markets. If you need some help from the 4-spot to close out your year, Charlie's your boy.
Udonis Haslem Miami Heat Fantasy Eligible Position: PF
Unlike the other two players I'm recommending this week, Haslem has been starting for the Miami Heat for the past three and a half seasons, until now. He returned from an injury Saturday and will probably come off the bench for the remainder of the season as his starting spot has been taken by the Matrix - not that Matrix, Shawn Marion.
So far this year, Haslem's been averaging just under a double-double, at 12 PPF and 9.3 RPG. Despite his demotion to the second unit, don't look for his numbers to dip as he is the only valid NBA player the Heat have to backup Marion and Mark Blount. He's probably available in your league, and you should pick him up. If you're actually one of .0023 people who take my advice, he's the best bet of the three who've impressed this week to put up solid numbers down the stretch.
3 To Digress
Yi Jianlian Milwaukee Bucks Fantasy Eligible Position: PF
“There is a flip side to that coin. What if you do got me boxed in and I gotta put you down? Cause no matter what, you will not get in my way. We've been face to face, yeah. But I will not hesitate. Not for a second. “
- Neil McCauley, from Heat
The flip side to Charlie Villanueva's rise to glory is Yi Jianlian's numbers will go down, down, down. He hadn't been doing much anyway this year, but the NBA's 2nd best Chinaman will do even less as the Bucks season slips away. If he's on your roster, pawn him off on one of your friends with the Yellow Fever. Tell him how you've been absolutely killing it with the Asian girls at bars, bragging about how you “own” Yi. Believe me, this will work and you will net yourself a nice return for what has now become a fantasy obsolete player.
Keith Van Horn New Jersey Nets Fantasy Eligible Position: PF
I know a lot of you out there are ecstatic over the best looking white dude in high socks' return to where his career began: Dirty Jerz. You're probably expecting a return to Keith's early days when he averaged around 20 PPG over his first three seasons for the Nets. I'm sorry to inform you that simply will not happen. For one thing, Keith is simply too old now to rock the high socks, so his Moro is gone. Less importantly, he was only included in the Kidd trade as salary filler.
Don't think this doesn't hurt me too, though. I am not joking when I say I have multiple Keith Van Horn action figures appreciating in value right now in my closet. Just wait till about the 2030's when high socks come back in vogue. Keith will be funding my retirement. I mean, the Nets will be paying him $4 million the next few months to do nothing. Just think how much that $4 million will be by then.
Kevin Garnett Boston Celtics Fantasy Eligible Position: PF
If you've read this much and didn't already think I was completely off rocker, you probably can confirm it now. And while I do identify with many characters from the Ken Kesey novel inspired, Oscar winning film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest,” I am actually serious in this pick.
Since returning from his injury, Garnett's minutes have been below his seasonal averages, and I expect them to continue to decline. I do not recommend moving Kevin because his skills have declined. On the contrary, he's probably been playing some of the best ball of his career this season.
I am telling you to trade him, because the Celtics are going to coast into the playoffs. Not only do they want to keep Kevin on the bench to ensure a full recovery and prevent further injury; Celtics coach Doc Rivers is smart enough to realize you need a bench to win an NBA title. To that end, he will do everything in his power to get minutes for Leon Powe and Glen “Big Baby” Davis.
Those young players need the minutes a lot more now than Kevin does, to gain experience and prepare themselves for the big roles they have to play if Boston is to become the team of destiny many Beantown fans believe them to be. In any deal with KG, you should be able to fill all the holes in your roster. Though I know it'll be hard, trust me, moving him is the absolute best thing for your own dreams of Championship glory.
In his own head, Charlie has been a fantasy General Manager for years. Unfortunately, real NBA teams did not return his calls when he applied to be their "real" GM. Following his rejection, he has spitefully chosen to share his knowledge with the world. For more from Charlie, 