If you want to thrive in fantasy sports, you must be willing to prey upon the weak. As you read this, a cheetah somewhere on the African plains is looking to nab a limp gazelle lagging behind its herd. Also at this very moment, NBA general managers are circling Danny Ainge like hyenas in hopes of tearing what flesh remains from his carcass. Mark Cuban initiated the frenzy by violently snatching Antoine Walker. Charlotte then joined in, ripping away coach’s dream Eric Williams and leaving behind coach’s nightmare Ricky Davis. Not to be left out, Joe Dumars used Danny Boy to clear over $3 million off his books by swapping Chucky Atkins at $3.9 million for Mike James (essentially the same player) at $638,000. Is this really the same tough guy who tackled Tree Rollins? If I were an NBA GM, I’d be offering Cherokee Parks for Paul Pierce right about now.

What can fantasy owners learn from all of this? When the Danny Ainge of your league is exposed, it’s not only your right to pillage him, it’s your responsibility. Failing to take advantage of such a rare opportunity would be like the cheetah opting to starve rather than accept the easy meal that the wounded gazelle represents. And remember, if you don’t capitalize, someone else will--at your expense. In my league, my archrival The Thief is always lurking in the tall grass, waiting for any opportunity to pounce on a feeble owner. If I am not out there stalking prey right along side him, I’ll be watching him build an empire. So, if your league’s trade deadline has not yet passed, make like Winona Ryder, and start pilfering!

SELL HIGH

Mike James
He’ll be backing up Billups in Detroit.

Memhet Okur
With Rasheed in town, Okur’s value will drop like Sprint PCS stock.

BUY LOW

Ricky Davis
The aforementioned headache should see more time in the second half. Last year, he was a fantasy stud, averaging 20.6 points, 5.5 assists, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 steals. If he can get anywhere close to that form, he’ll be an asset huger than the Balrog.

WAIVER WIRE

Derek Anderson
Over the last week, he’s averaged 17 points, 2.8 threes, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 steals. Enough said.

Al Harrington
I drafted Harrington in the hope that Artest or Jermaine O’Neal would miss time. Well, the gamble has paid off now that Artest will be out for the remainder of the regular season. Unfortunately, Al is nursing a sore knee himself (as evidenced by his six point outing last game). However, that could be a blessing in disguise, if it buys you more time to grab him out of the trash. Al is capable of dropping 30 on any given night, and if healthy, will be a top 50 fantasy player the rest of the way.

Keon Clark
Just a reminder: He’ll be back soon! Grab him if you have yet to take my advice. Chances are your center spot has been a void like Michael Jackson’s childhood. Clark might just be your Neverland Ranch.

Chucky Atkins
Although he is slated to start for the C’s (which, of course, now stands for “Circus”), Atkins is probably available in your league, as most don’t remember his solid fantasy contributions prior to Chauncey Billup’s emergence. In 2000, he averaged 12 points, 4 assists, 1.5 threes, and just under a steal in less than 30 minutes a game. The only question is how much time he will lose to rookie Marcus Banks.

Chris Crawford
Like Prince at the Golden Globes, Crawford has come out of nowhere to put up 56 points, seven steals, and 17 boards in his last three outings. With Abdur-Rahim (and Rasheed Wallace) gone, he should continue to have value.

Alvin Williams
Thus far, Williams has had as disappointing a season as 24. Jack Bauer usually comes through in the end, though, and hopefully Alvin can do the same. With Jalen Rose and Vince Carter out for significant time, Williams has a chance to regain last year’s form of 13 points, 5 assists, and 1.4 steals.

Joe Smith
The former college player of the year is putting up sufficient numbers as of late, averaging about 12 points and 11 rebounds per game. That is serviceable in a league with as many quality centers as the Boston chapter of the Danny Ainge Fan Club has members.

Feel free to send comments to Jonathan Gangi.