Darko Milicic’s fantasy value is skyrocketing while Jason Terry’s is dropping like a rock. See who’s hot and who’s cold in this week’s Headlines from the Fantasy Hardwood!

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On the Rise

Darko Milicic – Power Forward/Center – Grizzlies – Have you come over to the “Darko Side” yet? I can’t blame you if you are a little hesitant. He has been a disappointment of historic proportions and one of the very few mistakes that Joe Dumars has made in running the Pistons. However, since Pau Gasol was shipped westward, he has actually been pretty good. His numbers since the deal: 11 points, nine boards, and 1.6 blocked shots per game on 46% shooting. Still, with all of the other options out there at power forward and center, Darko should still only be used if you really need his rebounds and blocked shots and can stand the sub-60% from the line.

Andre Miller – Point Guard – Sixers – Miller has been rumored on his way out of Philadelphia from the moment he arrived last season in the deal that sent Allen Iverson to Denver. However, Miller has played great basketball for the Sixers, so much so that now management is beginning to think of him as a piece to build the franchise on especially considering his role in the recent hot steak the team is on. Miller turns 32 next month, so it is difficult for me to believe that he will be able to contribute much when their young stars such as Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young, Jason Smith, and Shavlik Randolph (just kidding) are hitting their prime. Fantasy owners should just sit back and enjoy the big time numbers that Miller is producing on a team that needs his scoring just as much as his assists.

Jameer Nelson – Point Guard – Magic – The Carlos Arroyo Experiment finally came to a crashing halt this week in Orlando. Nelson was inserted back into the starting rotation after languishing on the bench and even earning a couple “DNP – Coach’s Decisions” along the way. The fire appears to be back in Nelson’s game. His last two games, he is averaging 19.5 points and 6.5 assists on 48% from the field. It is now safe to insert him back into your fantasy lineup for the foreseeable future.

On the Way Down

Linas Kleiza – Shooting Guard/Small Forward – Nuggets – Klieza proved that he could be an offensive force and a reliable fantasy player while replacing Carmelo Anthony in the starting lineup. However, Anthony is back and Kleiza returns to his reduced role off the bench. He is a skilled enough offensive player to still put up a big night every now and then, even if his minutes are down, but don’t expect helpful fantasy numbers on a game-to-game basis from him unless injuries strike again or if he is involved in a trade to a non-contending team.

Kyle Lowry – Guard – Grizzlies – Lowry didn’t fair extremely well in his brief time as the starting point guard with Damon Stoudamire in San Antonio and Mike Conley injured. Here are his splits in his six starts: first three game averages – 19 points, three assists, 5.7 rebounds, and 1.7 steals. In the second three games – 7.3 points, four assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.3 steals. Those numbers have the look of a guy that you can plug in occasionally, but do not want to be the man for very long – in other words: a back-up. That is not what you want in a fantasy option.

Jason Terry – Guard – Mavericks – Terry was expected to take on a larger role for the Mavericks with Devin Harris out with injury. He has struggled with the extra workload. In the first eight games that Harris has missed, Terry is just shooting barely over 40% from the field, much different than his 46% season average. With Jason Kidd likely on his way back to Big D, Terry might just get a spark back in his fantasy value.

THE FANTASYFANATICS.COM HEAD-TO-HEAD

Player Match-up: Josh Smith vs. Shawn Marion

The History: Smith was taken with the 17th overall pick in the 2004 draft out of high school, behind such busts as Kirk Snyder, Luke Jackson, and Rafael Araujo. He made an impact immediately, averaging 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, and an impressive two blocks a game in his rookie season. Last year, he had a breakout season with per game statistics of 16.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, and almost three blocks. During his first three seasons, Smith has proven to be durable, playing 92% of his team’s games.

Marion came out of UNLV in 1999 and was taken ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns. He, too, made an impact as a rookie, posting 10.2 points and 6.5 rebounds during that season. After missing several games his rookie year, Marion missed only 12 games over his next seven seasons. He was as good as he was durable. Marion had a double-double career average going into this season with over a block and a half and almost two steals a game.

The Numbers: Smith has gotten even better this season. His scoring average is getting closer to the 20 point mark, sitting at 18 a game. However, the biggest improvement in his game is his assist average. He is approaching four assists a game, including dishing out to close to seven a game in his first four February contests. Smith’s strength is on defense. He is second in the league in blocking shots with 3.4 a game and averages two steals a game. Smith struggles at the free throw line a little, hitting on just 73% of his shots.

Marion is the prototypical stat-line filler. He helps in three point shooting (1.2), rebounds (9.9), steals (2.0), and blocks (1.5). Marion also shoots over 50% from the field. His scoring is on a downward trend over the past three seasons, currently residing at just under 16 points a game. Marion has never been much in the assists category, however, posting only two per game.

The Current Situation: Smith is one of the main cogs on a young up-and-coming team. He is counted on as a primary weapon on offense and to anchor the defense. Still, Smith would benefit by playing with a point guard that specializes at distributing the ball.

Marion’s situation is quite a bit different. After spending eight and a half seasons in Phoenix, he was shipped to Miami to team up with Dwyane Wade. He should benefit by more offensive touches for the Heat. The increase in touches will be offset some by losing Steve Nash as his point guard.

The Fantasy Winner: Shawn Marion. The defensive numbers are good with Marion, but they are absolutely great with Smith. They make this match up extremely close, as does Smith’s advantage in scoring and assists. Marion betters Smith in field goal percentage and rebounding. But most importantly, he hits over a three pointer a game – something Smith can not match. However, Smith is a lot younger than Marion and should pass him in fantasy value in a couple of years.

Top 10 Fantasy Ballers as of Week 15:

RANK LAST WEEK
1. Shawn Marion 2
2. Chris Paul 1
3. Kobe Bryant 4
4. Amare Stoudemire 3
5. Marcus Camby 8
6. Baron Davis 5
7. Dirk Nowitzki 6
8. LeBron James 9
9. Chauncey Bilups UNRANKED
10. Caron Butler 7

NO LONGER RANKED LAST WEEK
12. Allen Iverson 11

Now that Shawn Marion has played a few games with a greater role on offense, his value has spiked, bringing him back to the number one spot. Marcus Camby and Baron Davis both make the list, which further accentuates the ability that has been missing over the years thanks to injuries for both of these talents. LeBron James jumps a spot, and probably would be in the top 5, if he didn’t miss time earlier this season due to injury. There is now cause for concern with Kobe Bryant. The third best player in fantasy hoops has a torn ligament in his pinkie. We are not sure how this will impact the game’s best scorer. Caron Butler continues to see his ranking slip as he misses time due to an ailing hip. Chauncey Billups makes a return to the top ten, thanks to a 26-to-2 ratio of assists-to-turnovers in the past four games.

Written by Fantasy Fanatics Lead Expert Rob Shaw and Brian Wagoner