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NBA stock market

Yeah, yeah, forgive the cheesy fantasy article/stock market analogy. This entry is going to regularly focus on players to either "buy low" or "sell high" in your fantasy basketball league.

Buy Low:

Martell Wesbter, F (POR): You and a ton of other people are going to click away and add Webster to your roster after opening night, and rightfully so. I added him during the preseason when he was tearing it up, averaging 18.0 points per game along with 2.8 three-pointers, and watching him last night against the defending champion San Antonio Spurs just further reinforced my belief. He played 39 minutes -- the most out of any Trail Blazer -- and scored 21 points (9-of-15 FG), including three three-pointers, three rebounds, an assist and a block. He looks like he will be a solid source of points and an excellent source of threes -- I'm not sure what to expect in the other categories but he is definitely worth owning.

Joel Przybilla, C (POR): One thing stood out to me watching the Portland Trail Blazers last night: they have no muscle at center outside of "Ghostface" Pryzbilla. That means you pick him up immediately. As long as he's healthy, he's a double-double threat and good for two blocks per game. Playing in the Western Conference, the Trail Blazers can't leave LaMarcus Aldridge or Channing Frye to bang with any bigs, so Ghostface is going to see a lot of playing time.

Jason Williams, PG (MIA): Similar to Portland's situation at center, the Miami Heat have no other options at point guard besides Williams. Yes, that is a shot at Smush Parker, who is a backup at best and can not create consistently for others. "White Chocolate" is a playmaker and as long as he's healthy, will be a healthy source for assists. Now that Antoine Walker is gone, the Heat will get to split up the 30 shots per game that he sucked up, and that fact combined with Dwyane Wade's injury, means that White Chocolate should be decent for points in the early going as well.

Rafer Alston, PG (HOU): You were probably deterred from drafting Alston when the Houston Rockets acquired Steve Francis, Mike James and Aaron Brooks. Or maybe it was the fact that he stabbed someone. ... But regardless, Alston is the starting point guard in Houston and the guy most capable of running their offense. Alston ranked in the top 11 in three-pointers and steals per game last year. With the offense opening up in Houston, expect him to be legit as long as he doesn't relinquish the starting role. New head coach Rick Adelman has already cut Francis out of the rotation, which is a vote of confidence for Alston. Alston may look inconsistent, but ignore his game-to-game box scores and focus on his averages.

Ronnie Brewer, SG (UTA):
Not that I'm strictly focusing on guys from opening night, but I just like to see good preseason play continue once the games mean something. Brewer averaged 17 points per game and 2.3 steals per game in the preseason, but more importantly for Jerry Sloan, he played solid defense. Brewer worked hard in the offense to become the answer for the Jazz at shooting guard and he's developing into a nice sleeper. Mehmet Okur is dealing with cartilage damage in his right foot, which is an injury that will linger and will eventually create the necessity for a third scorer outside of Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer. Brewer appears to be that guy right now.

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About this blog

Dave Golokhov
Fantasy sports are to Dave Golokhov what a lack of power is to the Orioles lineup; it is not just a hobby, it is a way of life. Dave has been a fantasy expert for Rotowire and hosts a weekly fantasy show on Saturdays at 12 p.m. EST on Hardcore Sports Radio, Channel 186 on Sirius Satellite Radio. From draft day decisions to waiver-wire watching, he'll be the fantasy version of your fantasy Dr. Phil: just ask the questions and he'll dole the advice. E-mail Dave
Dean Jones
Dean Jones Jr. is a Web producer at baltimoresun.com. Thanks to fantasy sports, he is able to make decisions that he wishes the Orioles and Ravens would make for their teams. He will be a regular contributor to the fantasy blog.
E-mail Dean
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