Ah, my
favorite time of the year is here. When hype meets reality. You have
drafted your fantasy basketball team and rather than taking the mediocre
veteran with no potential for growth, you have taken a chance on the
flashy rookie or the "next big thing." Have you struck fantasy gold?
Probably not. In a month, you are going to find that your fantasy
team resembles those ratty-old tennis shoes you refuse to throw out.
And looking back at the draft board, you wish you had taken the PJ
Browns of the world instead of Dajuan Wagner so you could at least
duct tape those ugly, ugly shoes. But every year one or two players
will breakout like Chip Douglas at a Karaoke Jam, so let's disect
the enigma of the sleeper.
THE 4 INGREDIENTS
TO A SUCCESSFUL SLEEPER
Talent
and Athleticism - In order to rake in the fantasy stats, a player
must be everywhere. Sleepers usually do not score 25 points a game,
but they do most everything else. If you want to be a sleeper and
you can't score, then you should grow an afro, wear a headband,
and change your name to Ben Wallace. In other words, rebounding,
block shots, and steals can easily outpoint 25 shots, 25 points
per game.
Change
of Scenery - Players who go to awful teams just for the money are
destined for great fantasy stats. It's better to be a big fish in
a small pond, then lost in the land of the Sacramento Kings.
Money
is Motivation - If you're a free agent next year, wouldn't you be
more selfish with the ball? Selfishness equals fantasy success.
Past
Success - Always keep an eye out for past performances. If a player
occasionally racked up 15 points and 15 rebounds with a few blocks
and steals last year, then maybe with more minutes and maturity
those rarities will become more frequent.
MY TOP
10 SLEEPERS FOR 2002-2003
DARIUS
MILES, Guard/Forward, Cleveland - Like a Yuengling beer, he
has only the finest fantasy sleeper ingredients brewed to perfection.
My eyes lit up when I heard John Lucas was thinking of running him
at the point at times. Even if he doesn't, that kind of talk means
the offense will be centered around him. And with 35-40 minutes
a game, that Mark King-esque wing span of his will rack up a lot
of blocks, steals, and rebounds.
CHAUNCEY BILLUPS, Point Guard, Detroit - The ugly Pitino
era in Boston started with this guard from Colorado. It pains me
to put him on this list, but facts are facts. Detroit needs someone
to score and someone to dish the rock. Billups will get his 2-3
3 pointers a game in an 18 point effort. He will get his 6-9 assists
a game. He will get his 4 rebounds and he will get his steal or
two. So Chauncey, as much as I loathe your history, you will do
well this year.
KWAME
BROWN, Forward/Center, Washington - The leader of the second
year wonders. I predict that those high schoolers from last year
will flourish given the right opportunity. Kwame is in the right
situation. He is being tutored by the New York connection of Ewing
and Oakley and will get the minutes. While he may not score a lot,
he is tall and agile enough to beat Brendan Haywood to the rebound.
ANDREI
KIRLENKO, Small Forward, Utah - I thought I'd never see the
day when the Stockton to Malone connection was coming to an end.
Face it. I'm tired of it, our league is tired of it, and Salt Lake
City wants a championship team. While the Russian boy wonder may
not bring championships, he will slyly block a lot of shots, get
his share of rebounds and score 15-18 a game. Can you say the Russian
Shawn Marion? I'm having a tough time picturing a Russian Shawn
Marion, but if one exists he looks like this skinny Russian fellow.
GILBERT
ARENAS, Point Guard, Golden State - People have been praising
this guy's potential for assists, well maybe just Evan. I wasn't
convinced until the 33 point, 12 assist performance in the preseason.
Now, this guy will NOT be scoring anywhere close to 33 points this
season, but you're counting on those 9-11 assists a game. He has
the talent, but if given the permanent starting job then he has
more than enough opportunity to succeed.
NENE
HILARIO, Forward/Center, Denver - I'm excited about this guy
for a number of reasons. First, his last name is Hilario. The world
has a lot of Nene's, but we don't have too many Hilarios. After
looking at this guy, he has all the makings of a He-Man of the frontcourt.
He can block shots, will get his steals, and rebound on a team that
has no one. You tellin' me you think Juwan Howard will gobble up
all those missed shots in Denver? Puhleaze...Nene will get the opportunity
to thrive.
DREW
GOODEN, Power Forward, Memphis - I was excited to see those
gaudy preseason numbers, but will he get enough minutes in that
crowded frontcourt? I dislike rookie sleepers, but this guy might
just be the real deal.
JAMES
POSEY, Guard/Forward, Denver - He showed some promise last year
with the exit of Van Exel. Will he take advantage of the talent
void in Denver and become more consistent? He's a free agent at
the end of the year, so wouldn't you try to shine in the thin air
of Denver.
COREY
MAGGETTE, Guard/Forward, LA Clippers - Ah yes, Mr. Maggette.
I stood in awe as you towered over the competition, majestically
slamming the ball in Cameron Indoor our Freshman year and your only
year. Even after your brief Duke education, you must have learned
that your performance this year will determine how much money you
will receive in the offseason. I think you wrote about that once
in UWC (Ed: UWC is the introductory writing course required of all
freshman at Duke). That's why I rank you in the midst of the sleeper
pack.
TIM
THOMAS, Power Forward, Mil-ee-wau-kay - He's pretty low on this
list, because it should be obvious to all that someone will need
to fill Glenn Robinson's 18 point, 8 rebound, 4 assist void. Just
as long as Jay Fiedler's quasi-brother, Anthony Mason, sticks his
fat head somewhere else, Tim Thomas will get 80-110% of Robinson's
past stats. I'm still not sold on him but I am not going to be the
first one to go against him. Heck, he's on my fantasy team. He better
do well.
THE ANATOMY OF A SLEEPER