8/23/2004 02:16:10 PM|||Shep|||More slow times in the offseason. This is the reason I took it upon myself to fill in this time with fantasy news. I'm like those FOX shows that ran during the summer last season (not in quality, but in the idea that I'd fill in when times got lean for addicts like me)... While everyone else has already given your their thoughts and flown off to some sunny island, I am here to bring everyone with a browser or RSS reader analysis to prepare for the coming fantasy basketball season. I even turned down a request to play in a fantasy football league so I could focus on my core competency (well, that and I've got enough other things to do already anyway).

So, without futher preamble, here's more on of the top scorers from last season.

11. Shaq: Stud. Unquestionably going to be awesome in Miami. 21.5 ppg last season... Sky's the limit. And now that he's not a Laker, I can pick him with a clear conscience.

12. Carmelo Anthony: Level. K-Mart's arrival will probably take away some look that Carmelo got last season, but at the same time, he will become more mature as a player and is still the Nuggets #1 option. Also have to factor in that he's only a 2nd year player and he's playing in the Olympics during the offseason. Could be some tired legs by the end of the season...

13. LeBron: Increase. Despite the addition of several shooters around him, LeBron only set the bar last season. Like Carmelo before him, he is playing the Olympics. It might have an effect on his scoring towards the end of the season, but if Cleveland is fighting for a playoff spot, he'll get his points.

14. Corey Maggette: Increase. Kerry Kittles can probably take over the share of the scoring load that Quentin Richardson left behind, but there's also the possibility that Elton Brand and Corey Maggette will step in to fill some of that void.

15. Stephon Marbury: Level. Stephon will perform. There is not a lot of chance for him to increase, especially with Jamal Crawford on the team, but he will be the same scoring point guard he's always been.

16. Jermaine O'Neal: Level. Swap out Al Harrington for Stephen Jackson and what do you have? Jermain getting another 20 ppg. Nothing new here.

17. Zach Randolph: Increase. Zach has just about reached his scoring threshold as it stands. The Blazers aren't done playing Let's Make A Deal, so future trades could impact how many looks Zebo gets; as it stands now, though, he'll likely get a few more buckets than last season.

18. Sam Cassell: Decrease. After his back problems in the playoffs, not that Minnesota picked up Blake Stepp, a PG, in the draft. They also re-signed backup PG Troy Hudson. I would expect the T-Wolves to take it easy on the minutes with Sam to make sure he's healthy come next June.

19. Shawn Marion: Level. The addition of Q-Rich and Stevie Nash don't bode well for Marion's scoring output. However, he's not afraid to pass the ball, and so I would expect an increase in his assists despite having a new PG on the team. The Suns should be a hugely fun team to watch as their lineup of Matrix, Q-Rich, Stevo, and Stud-emire (does he have a real nickname?) run up and down the floor all day. Marion also grabs boards, steals, and blocks shots. Just in case your league counts those.

20. Jason Richardson: Increase. Increase like crazy. Even with Troy Murphy healthy and Mikey Dunleavy maturing, someone has to fill in for NVE, Erick Dampier, and - dare I say? - Brian Cardinal. That's a lot of points that Eduardo Najera is not going to be picking up. And there is no one on the Warriors who has proven they can score like J-Rich. He's not bad if you're looking for rebounds (6.7) or assits (2.9) either. Both of those number will be consistent.

Count it.|||109328863022911899|||More Scorers (11 - 20)