Fantasy Basketball: Rookies gone wild

By Rich Levine Sports Central Columnist

Fantasy basketball is a big part of every NBA fan's life. With us now entering into the second half of the season, rookies can sometimes make or break your fantasy season. While some first-year ballers get stronger and more productive over the long haul, others hit the wall and halt production all together. So let's take a look at this year's top-10 picks and see what they might do to help or hurt you.

1. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

13.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.6 bpg, 77% FT, 52% FG

It's been quite a first half for the number one pick. He was a bust, then he became the second coming, then he beat Shaq, and then he came back to earth, and then he hit the wall, next he was an all-star. Expect much of the same from Yao for the second half. There will be some up and certainly some downs, but when all is said and done, he will still be a solid fantasy producer. No matter how bad it might get at some points, don't lose faith because even when he is not at his best, he will still shoot a high percentage, get you blocks, and show up on TV every other commercial.

2. Jay Williams, Chicago Bulls

9.2 ppg, 5.3 apg, 1.4 spg, 56% FT, 37% FG

This is a fact, rookie point guards struggle in the NBA, and it doesn't help Jason -- oops, I mean Jay -- that he has another young point guard in Jamal Crawford to compete with. After a very promising start, Williams has had his share of problems. After recovering from a recent ankle injury, he should return to the Bulls' starting lineup, but don't expect too much from him. The steals are nice, but his shooting from the field and the foul line is gross.

3. Mike Dunleavy, Jr., Golden State Warriors

4.8 ppg, 2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 77% FT, 40% FG

ESPN The Magazine recently put it best when they wrote, "Did you know that Mike Dunleavy, Jr. is only scoring 4.8 more points per game this year than his dad?" That about sums it up for Mike this year, he is on a team loaded with young talent and doesn't play good enough defense to find his way on to the court. If he is still on your team, please get rid of him. Actually, if he is still on your team, you evidently haven't changed your roster since draft day and most likely have a starting team of Terrell Brandon, Grant Hill, Marcus Camby, Antonio McDyess, and Alonzo Mourning, so it doesn't much matter.

4. Drew Gooden, Memphis Grizzlies

12.5 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 1.3 apg, 69% FT, 45% FG

If anyone has hit the rookie wall, it has been Drew Gooden. After the first month of the season, I thought that he would run away with the Rookie of the Year, but he simply has not been able to produce on a consistent basis. He still, however, can contribute to your team. Hubie Brown will continue to let Gooden grow out on the court, and he is undoubtedly better than anyone you could get to replace him. Just be patient, there will be some great games, but also some mediocre ones.

5. Nikoloz Tskitishvili, Denver Nuggets

3.3 ppg, 1 major traffic violation

Well, Nikoloz Tskitishvili finally made his way onto SportsCenter -- unfortunately, it was for getting pulled over on the way to the airport and missing the team flight to L.A. Was he really this year's fifth pick? Who is this guy?

6. Dajuan Wagner, Cleveland Cavaliers

14.1 ppg, 2.9 apg, 1.6 rpg, 77% FT, 37% FG

After starting the season late after a bladder infection (was anyone else unaware that men could get bladder infections?), Dajuan Wagner has showed that he belongs in the NBA and on your fantasy roster. As of right now, he doesn't do much more than score and shoot threes, but as he matures, his other numbers will rise. It would be nice to see him get a little more than 2.9 assists a game, but what's really scary is that he is still second on the Cavs in apg.

7. Nene Hilario, Denver Nuggets

9.7 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.8 spg, 57% FT, 51% FG

Nene Hilario has been quite a pleasant surprise. He is making Brazilians everywhere proud with his powerful, athletic game, and not to mention his ability to make a couple steals. If he is available, then you need to pick him up. I think that he will only get better in the second half and could be a very valuable fantasy addition.

8. Chris Wilcox, L.A. Clippers

2.3 ppg, and ... umm ... a 2002 NCAA national championship ring

Sorry, Chris, but I'm not wasting my breath. I personally thought he was going to be solid this year, shows what I know.

9. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

12.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 0.9 apg, 68% FT, 45% FG

Wow, wow, and wow. This kid is unreal, and anyone who says that they knew he would be this good is lying. Never has a high-schooler come in and shown such disregard for anything in his path to the rim. I am going to stop kissing his ass now, but if by some ridiculous chance he is available in your league, please stop reading this and pick him up.

10. Caron Butler, Miami Heat

13.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 spg, 82% FT, 40% FG

He fell in the draft, but has proven that he will become a great NBA player. He is undoubtedly one of the more solid players to come out of this rookie class and can certainly help your team in the second half, unless, of course, Pat Riley falls deeper into insanity and decides to bench him.

P.S. Pickup Carlos Boozer.

Article courtesy of Sports Central.