How many Pistons are too many Pistons?

2006-01-25T13:51:00.000-08:00

Stephen from Los Angeles writes in...
Currently I have three Pistons on my 10 man fantasy team (14 counting reserves). Is that too many players from one team?

Great question Stephen. A little more detail would be nice, but hey, we'll make do.

So many times in fantasy sports you can live and die by weighting your team too heavily with players from one organization, but this is an interesting case nonetheless. When you're talking about the Pistons I think it really depends on who you have on your team. Currently I have three basketball teams and the one team that is performing best has three Pistons on the roster (Rasheed Wallace, Ben Wallace and Rip Hamilton). But let's break down the Pistons from a fantasy perspective a bit more.

Rasheed Wallace (PF,C) - This guy is having a career year under new head coach Flip Saunders and seems to have cooled his temper a bit as well. Wallace has hit 80 three pointers so far this season and is averaging 15 pts and over 6 rebounds per game. Those kind of numbers make him a top ten player in all formats. Hear me now, Rasheed Wallace equals STUD!

Ben Wallace (PF, C) - Mr. Wallace doesn't necessarily possess the scoring touch (8 ppg) that Rasheed does, but should you choose to come into his neighborhood you will get outrebounded, simple as that. The guy's a machine. In many formats you will find Big Ben the second ranked Center ahead of names like Duncan, Ming and O'Neil. Even if he's wearing a cardigan sweater, Ben Wallace equals STUD!

Chauncey Billups (PG) - Many are calling this the year of Chauncey Billups and if the Pistons are able to keep winning at their current rate CB may just end up with the MVP trophy. His numbers are solid across the board (19ppg, 3.2 rebounds, 8.6 assists) putting him near the top 20 in most formats. His 85 turnovers are low for PG's and won't hurt you as much as some of the more flashy players. Chauncey Billups, the sweetest name in all of basketball, equals STUD!

Rip Hamilton (SG) - Ol' Rip is quietly having a career year as well. His 21 ppg combined with 3+ rpg and 3.2 asst make him a solid addition to your SG position in leagues with 8 or more teams. I would also look for Rip to have a rotund second half and really start to heat up as the playoffs get closer. The man behind the mask equals STUD!

Tayshaun Prince (SF) - Compared by many to Scottie Pippin, SF Tayshaun Prince is not having the year the Pistons were hoping for when they gave him a health contract extension. He is, however, turning into one of the toughest defenders in the league. Unfortunately fantasy doesn't reward you for guarding your opponent well. While he does have the Pippin potential, Prince is positively a fantasy DUD!

I hope that answers your question Stephen, and remember, if you have a question, a comment or just a pic of some hot Miami Heat dancers, just send them over to dudsandstuds@gmail.com.

Basketstud

Midseason Stars with Hockeystud!

2006-01-24T14:52:00.000-08:00

When you talk about duds and studs in hockey right now there are some glaring prospects that are showing you why they’ve either got it or they don’t, uh, got it.

Studs:

Goalie Thomas Vokoun is playing lights out for Nashville and is the big reason that they are having the success they are having. He may have fans in Nashville chanting MVP by the time this is all said and done.

Left wing Alexander Ovechkin is the human highlight reel of hockey right now and is doing the impossible by stealing the spotlight away from fellow rookie Sydney Crosby. One thing that hurts him is the fact that his team sucks. I mean they suck bad. If you need +/- steer clear of him or trade him for anyone on Ottawa’s team. But if you're looking for goals and assists, AO just might be your box of Good & Plenty. Just pick up a box and let the good times roll.

Duds:

Jaromir Jagr is normally a stud but if his Rangers are going to compete in the East this season he needs to put up more than two assists like he did last week. Jagr has put up monster points though, so expect the Rangers to bring in more help for Jagr before the trade deadline.

Even though Marty Turco will be representing his country in the Olympics he really has to start thinking about taking care of things at home! He has been pulled 3 times in the previous seven games. He has never had a lower save percentage in his career than the .895 he has now.

Got a question? Send it to dudsandstuds@gmail.com.

Duds & Studs

How many Pistons are too many Pistons?

Midseason Stars with Hockeystud!