DAL @ LAL: Will Kobe Bryant (game-time decision, foot) be able to play? Will it even matter? The larger hole is up front for Dallas, where Dirk Nowitzki (knee) is out and Chris Kaman (calf) is doubtful. Recently-signed Eddy Curry might be starting at C for the Mavs against Dwight Howard, with Elton Brand matched up against Pau Gasol. That’s a huge advantage for the Lakers, who have Steve Nash to help exploit it.
Both teams are in the hands of new PG; Darren Collison was a value pick in many drafts and could have a career year. Newcomer O.J. Mayo will be counted on to score, even moreso until Dirk returns. The backup guard spots are a mystery, in part because of the Delonte West soap opera. Now that the Mavs have released West, Rodrigue Beaubois has the first and best chance to take advantage. Capable of playing on or off the ball, Roddy will put up juicy fantasy numbers if he gets consistent minutes.
West coast games can be tricky in daily leagues. Tonight’s 7:00 deadline is too early to know if Kobe will play or not. I’m guessing “no” or “not much” while keying on Howard and Gasol.
WAS @ CLE: Technically the first game of the season, but the least interesting of the night. It’s a great opportunity for the Cavs to get off on the right foot. Their best player Kyrie Irving against temporary Wizards starter A.J. Price is a bit of a mismatch. Anderson Varejao should be the best big man on the court. I’ll be watching Tristan Thompson, who had a couple of preseason double-doubles and a few very quiet nights. He was on my sleeper list early, but I shied away on draft day because of that inconsistency. Cleveland has a triangle of wing players. Rookie Dion Waiters is expected to start at SG, and Alonzo Gee starts at SF, leaving C.J. Miles to back up both spots. It may depend on the hot hand each game who is most productive. Tyler Zeller had a good camp; we’ll see how many minutes he’s earned.
The SG position is quite similar in Washington DC, with rookie Bradley Beal getting every chance to start, and scorer Jordan Crawford standing by. Crawford might also get some backup PG minutes until John Wall returns from his leg injury. At SF, the underachieving Trevor Ariza is being pressed by training camp surprise Martell Webster. Neither is going to get many all-star votes, but Webster might be a hot FA if he takes over as the starter. Trevor Booker is the starting PF by default. Nene (plantar fasciitis) is a long way off, and Kevin Seraphin (calf) is still sidelined. They are so thin up front that Earl Barron may be in the rotation. If and when a healthy Wall and Nene are in the lineup, the Wiz will be a lot more respectable. The next few weeks will be tough.
Streamers
Gerald Green plays three of the next four nights, against teams that are not exactly powerhouses, and Danny Granger has a sore knee. You have to be in a pretty shallow league to leave Green, a prolific scorer, in the FA pool.
Caron Butler also has a good upcoming schedule and is only 22% owned in Yahoo leagues.
Patrick Patterson is also available in most leagues, despite being the starting PF for the Rockets. Last year he looked very good, but minutes were few behind Luis Scola.
Gerald Henderson is the likely starter at SG for Charlotte; he’s a decent Saturday-Sunday spot start.
In deeper leagues, the FA pickings are pretty slim, especially because we’re still guessing about rotations. Read the Spin every morning; if I’m picking anyone up, you’ll be the first to know.