NBL Dream Team selections

It’s that time of year again when would be fantasy kings kick off their season, pouring over every game and every depth chart like they were running the club.  With the NBL Dream Team opening up, it’s time to put your fantasy money where your mouth is for another year.  If anyone is interested I have a public league open so anyone can join, the code is 460678.

Here are my picks for good value as well as players you might want to steer clear of for various reasons.

Forwards

Good value

Matthew Knight, Perth Wildcats ($130,300) – He can also put selected as a C but having him here will open up money for a top notch five.  Knight is the only player on their roster that can give the Wildcats substantial minutes at centre so he will see plenty of court time.  If he goes down with injury he has enough value to get someone of similar status.

Shawn Redhage, Perth Wildcats ($127,900) – Redhage may have had a poor last season which is why his price is lower than usual but he looks ready to go this campaign.  He has his fire back and going by the games in the pre-season tournament he will again be a force in the league.

Oscar Forman, Wollongong Hawks ($126,100) – The lanky perimeter shooter caught fire at the end of last season and a lot of Wollongong supporters will be hoping it continues into this one.  He can fill up the bucket with very good efficiency even with his outside shooter which makes his Dream Team score look much better than it should be.  With Adris DeLeon and Lance Hurdle kicking him the ball Forman should be in for a massive season.

Not so good value

Will Hudson, New Zealand Breakers ($121,200) – A standout for the Gold Coast Blaze last season he jumps to a team filled to the brim with talent.  Coming off the bench behind Mika Vukona and Alex Pledger will see his minutes reduced making his output less than someone of his status.  His price is a bit too much to warrant starting him on a Dream Team.

Curtis Withers, Townsville Crocodiles ($116,700) – He may have all the talent in the world but having a 203cm guy who will be playing a fair portion of his minutes at centre is not someone I want on my team.  Withers is a high risk, high reward kind of player so if you want to take the leap I won’t judge you, but don’t come crying to me when he gets out-rebounded by taller opponents.

Dillon Boucher, New Zealand Breakers ($68,200) – Boucher is someone every team wants and every team doesn’t want to play against.  He does all the dirty work: takes charges, gets into opponents heads and is just a nuisance to the other team.  Unfortunately for Dream Teamers none of what he does great shows up on the scoresheet so his DT scores are usually low.

Centres

Good value

Alex Pledger, New Zealand Breakers ($114,100) – The biggest man in the league is also one of the best bargains.  He will be starting for the Breakers which will give him ample minutes to produce and his growth as a player will continue into this season.  At only $114,100 he is a great, cheap starting player so you can splurge on others in your team.

Ben Allen, Townsville Crocodiles ($43,500) – When someone who is valued at forty three and a half thousand puts up 13 points and 14 rebounds in a game he is sure to be a bargain.  Sure it was only in the pre-season tournament but his form continued back into the off-season playing for Ipswich.  I hope he can continue his form because he is on my Dream Team.

Daniel Johnson, Adelaide 36ers ($180,200) – He may be super expensive and he doesn’t do enough on the defensive end but he puts up points in a hurry and he grabs rebounds.  With Luke Schenscher helping him out I’m sure DJ will again be up the top of the efficiency ratings.

Not so good value

Cameron Tragardh, Cairns Taipans ($151,200) – With a new team and a new coach Trigger is going to have some trouble adjusting to a squad that he isn’t the top dog.  This Taipans team is all about defence and Tragardh wasn’t the best defender at Melbourne.  He won’t get as many touches either which puts the $151,200 price tag out of most people’s budgets.

Luke Schenscher, Adelaide 36ers ($126,300) – On paper he should be at the top of the list but he just doesn’t do enough with the skills and height he has been given.  Maybe Johnson can bring out the best in the Big Red.

Pero Vasiljevic, Adelaide 36ers ($72,500) – Similar to Will Hudson’s situation he is placed behind two good front court players and won’t get enough playing time to produce.  Even worse for Pero is that he is no way near as good as Hudson so even when he gets minutes he won’t give the numbers as Hudson would.  Steer clear.

Guards

Good value

 Adris Deleon, Wollongong Hawks ($157,900) – 2Hard2Guard may have started poorly with the Blaze last season but when he get it together he was fantastic.  Wollongong will be looking to Deleon to lead from the front which means he will have the ball in his hands a lot.  Not as expensive as he should be so snatch him up quickly before the price rise.

Jason Cadee, Adelaide 36ers ($62,500) – Even though he won’t be starting for the 36ers I can picture that the team will be running with Cadee at PG and Adam Gibson at SG for a good portion of games which will give Cadee an excellent opportunity to put up some nice numbers.

Jamar Wilson, Cairns Taipans ($151,000) – He may have some more help this season but Wilson definitely still has the green light to take this team and carry it to the finish line.  I can see Deleon and Wilson being quite similar so Wilson is a better buy, being $6,900 cheaper.

Not so good value

Kerry Williams, Cairns Taipans ($43,500) – Williams is probably the league’s biggest enigma.  He shows some flashes of potential but really isn’t much of anything.  He may be one of the cheapest around but don’t look for him to be a bargain, he won’t make you happy.

Cedric Jackson, New Zealand Breakers ($191,300) – It may be hypocritical to place the best player in the league in the ‘don’t buy’ category but look at his price!  That is just too steep a price to pay, even if he doesn’t produce at MVP levels.

Corin Henry, Sydney Kings ($116,700) – It is only early as the season hasn’t started yet but the pre-season games he has been in he has stunk it up.  Having a short PG that doesn’t pass much and is a chucker is not someone you want on a Dream Team.  It may be a adjustment time for him and he may turn the corner but right now do not buy.

So they are my picks for bargains and don’t buy players so if you think you can beat me join my league and we can have some fun.  Only two weeks until the season starts!