But first, one last big man.

Round 4, Pick 9:

Oct 20, 2012; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Bucks forward Ersan Ilyasova (7) shoots a jumper against Washington Wizards forward Trevor Booker (35) at the Bradley Center. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-US PRESSWIRE

Ersan Ilyasova, PF, Milwaukee.  Ilyasova is going to have a monster breakout season, and is one of several breakout candidates at power forward this season (others include second year men Kenneth Faried and Tristan Thompson).

Ilyasova posted 16.1 points per game and 9.1 rebounds per game in the last two months of the 2011-12 season, and is primed to post even bigger numbers this year with Andrew Bogut completely removed from the front court to clear the path for the Turkish big man.

Ilyasova has been playing at a high level for many years, and showed up big for Turkey in the World Championships in 2010 in his home country.  Since that time, he’s only matured as a player.  Andrew Morton of Rant Sports (@WideReceiving) even goes as far as to suggest he is actually a better NBA power forward than Blake Griffin, and when the game is looked at holistically, it’s hard to disagree with that notion.

Round 5, Pick 2:

Kyle Lowry, PG, Toronto Raptors.  Up until January 24th, in 9-cat Yahoo! leagues last season, Lowry posted the 6th highest value of all players, putting up better numbers at the point position than Derrick Rose, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Steve Nash, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and Ricky Rubio.

Oct 17, 2012; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Raptors guard Kyle Lowry (3) shoots a free throw against the Washington Wizards at the Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Wizards 104-101. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-US PRESSWIRE

Lowry was the man.  And yet, because his Houston Rockets team was so mediocre, he was left off the coaches’ picks for the reserves.  His averages as of late January were 16.5 points per game, 8.7 assists per game, and 6.9 rebounds per game.

That line is an all-around triple-double producing statistical performance.  At that time, I wrote that Lowry would “undoubtedly” be an All-Star, and yet when the team was selected a month later, his performance had leveled off, and his team was struggling.

I’m ignoring all of that.  Lowry is on a new team, and that team is more talented.  Lowry will facilitate things for big men Andrea Bargnani (who basically camps out for threes) and the athletic Jonas Valanciunas inside.

In addition to the front court, he also has DeMar DeRozan, Terrence Ross, Landry Fields and backup point guard Jose Caldedon, to help him work the open spots on the perimeter.

Lowry is the key to a very powerful engine, and should put up 15.5 points per game, 8 assists per game, and 5.5 rebounds per game this season.  That’s great value for the fifth round.

Round 6, Pick 9:  

October 24, 2012; New Orleans, LA, USA; Houston Rockets point guard Jeremy Lin (7) drives past New Orleans Hornets point guard Greivis Vasquez (21) during the second quarter of a preseason game at the New Orleans Arena. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-US PRESSWIRE

Jeremy Lin, PG, Houston Rockets

I am already regretting this pick after checking his preseason performances more.  In fact, I wish I had it to do over.  I don’t really want to go into why Lin is struggling, because it only further makes me think he was a flash in the pan.  It’s highly possible that he went off for a short tear of games and never comes anywhere near eclipsing that production—ever again.

In fact, I fear rookie Scott Machado will steal more than his fair share of minutes, in light of how the heralded Brazilian has performed so far this preseason.  Lin, avoid him.  This isn’t even good value, though most of the other guards on the board by pick 69 were of low quality.  At least I still have Lowry.

Sep 28, 2012; Waltham, MA, USA; Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce (34) during media day at the Celtics training facility. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-US PRESSWIRE

NBA Fantasy basketball is just around the corner, so it seems like a good time to turn our attention to the Boston Celtics, and specifically which guys on the roster make viable fantasy picks.  For those of you who compete for fun (and some for money), you know how great it can be to have your favorite players or at least a couple guys from your favorite team on your roster.

Here’s a look at where the C’s guys are rated this year.
Paul Pierce:  O-rank 31, last year:  22

Even with Pierce getting up in age, he is still being taken near the end of the third round in fantasy leagues.  He finished 22nd last year, at age 34, so while Pierce may be declining, he is still very good.

Kevin Garnett:  O-rank 39, last year:  18

KG consistently outperforms his average draft position.  He shoots high percentages and doesn’t turn it over much, both contribute to him being an underrated fantasy force.  People stay away from old players so often that guys like Garnett can come at a bargain basement price in drafts.

Rajon Rondo:  O-rank 45, last year:  106 (missed 13 games)

Rondo’s value is mitigated by the fact he doesn’t hit his free throws.  He can single handedly lose free throws for you team.  In head-to-head formats, Rondo will go higher as people can punt a category week in and week out, but Rondo has to hit free throws before his fantasy value will ever get near elite levels.

Jason Terry:  O-rank 98, last year:  56

Jason Terry is still going to be occupying a similar role, and he seems like a slightly better value than a 98th pick usually yields.  Terry can still fill it up and the C’s will need his bench scoring.  I like Terry to finish ranked in the late 60s/early 70s.

Avery Bradley:  O-rank 106, last year:  239

Avery Bradley could be worth significantly more if he steps up his scoring.  His steals are already a nice contribution and if his minutes increase this year (not for certain with a loaded backcourt), Bradley could easily finish top 80.

Brandon Bass:  O-rank 132, last year:  112

Brandon Bass has a game that just isn’t all that conducive to fantasy basketball.  He doesn’t get a lot of steals or blocks, and that levels his value a lot lower than it would if he were a multi-cat contributor.  He also seldom gets assists and is not a high level rebounder for a power forward.  I usually steer clear of Bass in drafts.

Courtney Lee:  O-rank 137, last year: 96

Courtney Lee will provide a nice value until about December, and then will fall off when Bradley returns.  I think that makes him worth about what Y! defaults set him at, and he’ll likely finish around 120-130 ranks.  Lee hits threes though and get steals, so he’s not without some value.

Jared Sullinger:  O-rank 195

The rookie ranks on Y! are always pretty strange.  They don’t seem to be based on much of anything past the high ranking rookies, who usually are ranked too high.  The late first round guys are just heaped into ranks, usually pretty close together.  Sullinger obviously could perform as high as 150-160, but he is just a rookie and will take time to adjust to the NBA.  In general, I don’t draft many rookies.

Darko Milicic:  O-rank 329

Darko Milicic will be a source of blocks for those in deeper leagues.

Jeff Green:  O-rank 339

I have no idea why Jeff Green is ranked this low.  He’s going to post at least 170-180 value, and he is fully recovered.  This can only be a reaction to the fact that he didn’t play last year, because his statistical impact over his career renders him a mid-round selection.