The Way Toben Sees It

Late Round/ Free Agent Wire Players

Mehmet Okur F/C Pistons: Now we all know about Darko, but Mehmet is the one will get the start this year. He will have to share some minutes with the new kid, but his numbers will out-weigh Darko�s. Think of Okur as a 21-year-old Sabonis. He can pass, shoot, and rebound; he is ugly, and he is not very mobile.

Nazr Mohammed F/C Hawks: You remember Nazr from Kentucky, never that good but big and good enough. Well I am not sure that has changed, but in the preseason he has been in a position battle with the ever-injured Theo Ratliff. His numbers have been good so far, but it is only the preseason. I only noticed his numbers because one of my teams is looking bad (in my defense I had computer problems and could not enter the live draft) so I was looking for a center and found him. Nazr is someone who I would suggest to kick to the curb at the first sign of trouble.

Dwayne Wade G Heat: Rookies never really work out, but Wade will get the starting nod, and since he will be at point his numbers are bound to be all right. He is a good pick-up in keeper leagues, and might be worth a bench spot in most leagues, especially in deep leagues.

Zach Randolph F Blazers: If you have drafted and Zach is not on a team already, then grab him and make fun of everyone else in your league cause they all suck and winning will be a piece of cake. Randolph�s potential is not well hidden, and most people know he is going to be great, not good, great, so if you haven�t drafted yet definitely get him. If the 10th round has come and he is still on the board, snag him.

Chris Bosh F Raptors: I repeat my usual distaste for rookies, especially tall skinny teenagers who will start playing at the 4 because they don�t yet the skills required of their eventual position, the 3, but Bosh has been another stud in the preseason. If anyone saw my comments about Bosh last year, just after the draft, I said he would suck. His preseason numbers have not sucked, so if you are looking for a FA pick-up, he may be your guy. I am still wary though.

Kwame Brown F/C Wizards: Remember when Kwame was the man for about ten minutes in the start of last season? Well I am banking on it happening again. I love Jordan and all, but in last year�s question of whether Jordan was helping or hurting the organization? I personally came down on the side of hurting (I am sure Michael is devastated). I think Kwame will have outstanding games intermixed with crap games, but I think he will benefit from the lack of pressure because of the new hyped rookies (LeBron and Melo) and MJ�s departure.

Mike Dunleavy F Warriors: Now that the logjam in forward position has been cleared up, and Dunleavy has the starting spot, I expect him to prove his worth. I do not think he will ever be worth the third pick in the draft, but he will be worth a spot on your team.

Al Harrington F Pacers: Two years ago Harrington was about to blow up, and the he got hurt. Last season he was up and down, were his minutes. He has scored 40, and grabbed more than 15 boards a few times. His is another high schooler waiting to break out and with the worst coach in the NBA, Thomas, gone and Rick in, I for see good things

Quentin Richardson G Clippers: I was a big Q-dog fan at Depaul. With Miles, Piatowski and Odom gone, he and Maggette can play at the same time, and that will be good. I think he will average around 15 ppg, so that alone is worth a gander.

Troy Murphy F Warriors: Murphy was like 4th in the league in rebounds last year, so he is not too much of a sleeper, but if you haven�t drafted yet, he is worth a decent pick. He is a hard worker who likes to score, but it has not been his place to do so yet. In college he led the Big East in scoring (despite having my boy Troy Bell to compete with) , and look for his points to go up now that Antawn isn�t chucking up 25 a game.

Others: Keon Clark, Erick Dampier, Desmond Mason, Marcus Banks, Vin Baker, Mike James (who knows who the Celts will play?), Hedo Turkoglu, Marcus Fizer

I have heard others name possible sleeprs, and I want to name a couple that I would watch out for, despite what peolpe are saying.

Sleepers to watch out for:

Stromile Swift F/C Grizz: I think Stromile has some real potential, but his place in the line-up will hinder his playing time. Gasol is the firm starter at the 4, and Wright is the starter at the 5. He will probably back both of them up, meaning he will get 20-25 minutes a game, but he is not good enough to have if he sees limited time. That being said, if either Wright or Gasol go down, I would grab Stromile in a heartbeat.

Danny Fortson F Mavericks: 4 days ago I would have said Danny would be a steal, grab him, especially in head-to-head leagues, but that was before Antoine (Walker). Now Antawn (Jamison) is coming off of the bench, which makes Danny number 7, or 8 depending on where Najera fits in, and Josh Howard will get a few minutes. Unless Fortson can play the center position, which is not out of the question considering Bradley has the spot now, he won�t have the pt to do anything fantasy wise.

Tyson Chandler F/C Bulls: Now for this I am going more with what a friend of mine tells me, than what I know for sure. Tyson�s potential is high, but because people think Curry is ready this year people think that Tyson is ready too. From what my buddy tells me (big Bulls fan and fantasy nut), Tyson is still a year away. Considering all the SF/PFs on that team trying to prove themselves, if Tyson doesn�t get it going early, he will get the bench quickly.

Darko Milicic F/C Pistons: I haven�t actually seen anyone saying he will be a fantasy sleeper, but he is getting taken in all of my drafts, so I say no! Maybe he will be good, but give it a little time. He is barely 18, 7 foot something, 94 lbs., speaks no English (a definite factor in coachablility) and can barely read�Etrue story. He will start the season playing ten minutes a game and end it playing 8.

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