Fantasy Quidditch?

Hosens acquire young wizards, drop marbury, rhino

The Hosen picked up JaVale McGee and Andray Homunculus Blatche, dropping Marbury and Craig 'Rhino' Smith. The Wizards fired their coach on Sunday night, and the very next evening, Andray Blatche went crazy: 11-18 for 25 PTS, 12 REB, 5 AST, and 5 BLK - he even hit a 3. 'The Big Secret' also had his best game since his Nov. 12 breakout, posting a solid 14/5 line. With the Wiz at 2-13, and a new coach, the youngster's should get some play. The Hosen boldly pulled the trigger on both.

Marbury remains on the bench, despite being asked to play by his coach, and the Rhino put up a goose-egg last night (presumably he's just way too short to guard Shaq or Amare), portending some inconsistency.

Judgment: This was certainly a high upside move, and if one or the other Wiz emerges solidly, the other can be dropped. The problem is, as with almost all young big men, that there will be several nights like tonight, they'll rack up 11 PTs and 11 PFs combined - perilously close to the dreaded double DISQ. On the other hand, Marbury's situation isn't getting any better (or clearer - though he might get released soon?), and Smith is eminently replacable -- overall, a coup for the Hosen!

Adios!

Hosen drop Spanish Chocolate, pick up Starbury

Very interesting; another quick turnaround; we've discussed Rodriguez here, and Marbury here. Certainly Sergio's in the same situation as last night. Marbury's situation is evolving. He's still under contract to, and not playing for, the Knicks, but has been discussing a buyout with them, which would leave him free to play elsewhere. The question is where...and when.

Judgment: We're not as high on Sergio as the Hosen, mostly because we don't see enough minutes in PDX for him to shine. On the other hand, unless we're not aware of some news (highly unlikely!) Marbury surely won't play at all this week, and probably not next week. How patient will the Hosens be? True, no one will snap up Sergio, but even a few weeks with a dead slot can be harmful. A few missed AST, STL, and 3s could turn a victory into loss. Still, a low-risk, high-reward move.

Good Riddance! Starbury set free.

Spoonful drops Stephon Marbury for Roger Mason Jr.

Another veteran cut loose! In our (12-team) 2005 draft, Marbury was a 2nd round pick, and Hughes a 3rd rounder.

Stephon Marbury, once a consistent 20 PT/8 AST man has been in decline for some time. His %s and his per minute PT/AST/STL numbers have faltered so that last year, even in 33 minutes per game, he only averaged 14/4.7 - not terrible, but it looks as if even that level of production is not in the cards this year. His attitude has never endeared him to coaches, and new Knicks coach D'Antoni has, for now, elected not to play him at all, so he'll be riding the pine with Eddy Curry. I assume Marbury has some stupid giant contract that makes him untradeable, but I'm not sure. Perhaps he'll find a new place, or injuries will give him a new opportunity in New York. Until then, he shall be a Spoonful no more!

Roger Mason Jr., is in his 6th year out of Virginia, and moved from the Wizards to the Spurs in the offseason. He's mostly a 3 point specialist, but contributes a tiny bit elsewhere. He really got his first chance to shine last year in Gilbert Arenas's absence. Coach Pop loves him, and, especially while Manu is out, he may see a fair bit of time at SG (sliding Finley over to SF). I think, during that period, he'll see 25 minutes, and get 10 pts with 2 3s per game.

Judgment: The Spoonful is not hesitating to cut bait this year - so watch out Hakim Warrick! Mason has a bit of upside, and will help shore up the team's woeful 3pt shooting. That said, he doesn't do a lot else, and may be quite limited when Manu returns. On the other hand, giving up a big fat zero in Starbury doesn't hurt much.