Draft Strategy - Part II

#3: O.J. Mayo: Mayo is a player that will put up good rookie numbers. His 3-point stroke in preseason has been surprising. It looks as though Mayo is ready to challenge for the rookie of the year award. It is not only Mayo's 3-point shooting that should attract your fantasy eye but he also has shown that can drive to the mid-range jumper, and also go to the foul line. If Mayo is not content with shooting 3's (like some of his other rookie class members, ex- Eric Gordon, Donte Greene, to be discussed later) and uses more of his game he will surprise many fantasy owners. On top of that Mayo will likely start for the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies will need scoring, and Mayo will get his opportunity to become one of their main scoring threats. He will also likely get open shots from the double teams and extra attention of Rudy Gay. O.J. Mayo is definitely a player to take a chance on earlier than the late round. O.J. Mayo may be a rookie sleeper but he is a not a hibernator. Pick him up -around your third-to-last round. He may surprise you. #2: Greg Oden: The NBA considers Oden to be a rookie this season so I will insert Oden into this list as a rookie. Oden will get many attempts on a young Blazers team. He will get you a little less than ten points, rebounds here and there, a couple assists from a few double teams, a block or two, and plus he's not bad at free-throws like many centers tend to be. However, Oden is paired in a frontcourt with scorer Lamarcus Aldridge and will not be as good as expected during his first year, partly due to playing on the west. Hence the number one rookie you should draft is... #1: Micheal Beasley: Beasley will receive attention in drafts. Depending on the IQ of your league he could go anywhere from 5th round to the last round. Where should you draft him, you may ask? You should draft him around the 5th to 7th round. If he slips past that far, take him with a grin and laugh at your competition, figuring it will be a fun season. Beasley is just about a lock to be a starter with Miami. Beasley appears to be already put into a steady starting position with Miami, either starting night or a few weeks after starting night. With a healthy driving Wade, Beasley should do fine in his rookie year. If you get 10 points and 7 rebounds from Beasley he will have been a good pick at that position. Any more than that (a good chance) should result in you being happy from taking the risk. Players not to draft: Russell Westbrook: Westbrook may score a couple points here and there, but as a point guard he will not do very well. He will also be splitting time with other guards. Don't draft him. Donte Green: Green put up 40 points in a summer league game, however don't be fooled by summer league. Donte Greene will not play many minutes for the kings, and did not play well in preseason, don't draft him. Jerryd Bayless: Bayless will be a good point guard for the blazers. But according to them, he is not ready yet. He will have too much competition for his minutes also. Hope this information helps with your draft, good luck!