MLB Rumors, MLB Trade Rumors

Fantasy Q&A: Ellis & James for Bryant & Gay

Posted on January 16th, 2008 by Mr. Fleece

The Trade:

JW4JW (Players to Trade)—- > my team (Tyler)

Monta Ellis (GS - PG,SG)
LeBron James (Cle - SF)

Ice Cold Beer (Players to Trade)

Kobe Bryant (LAL - SG)
Rudy Gay (Mem - SG,SF)

Fleece Factor Responds:

Tyler,

Let me start my complimenting your trading counter-part’s team name. Nothing better than an ice-cold brew.

Had to throw that in there, got side-tracked. As far as this deal is concerned, you are right, this sure is a tough one to call in favor of one team or another. When you look at the numbers of the four players involved, they’re almost mirror images of each other to some extent. Let’s take a closer look:

Lebron James is a beast, as is Kobe Bryant. Lebron has a higher scoring average (29.8 PPG vs. 27.6 PPG), averages slightly more rebounds and assists, but his free throw % can hurt at times. He will give you more of every stat category consistently. Kobe’s numbers might see a spike now, since emerging center Andruw Bynum will be out for about two months. I’ll put it like this. I’d rather have Lebron on my fantasy team, but can you really go wrong with Kobe?

The secondary players are close as well. Monta Ellis (16.7 PPG) scores about 3 PPG less than Rudy Gay (19.4 PPG). So if your team was in need of a scorer, Rudy Gay was an upgrade here. Gay has scored 30 points in a game seven times this year, to Ellis’ three. He can be more explosive. They both shoot very well from the free throw line and the field. Ellis (3.3 APG) has a slight edge in APG, but it is not significant when spanned out over the week.

I’ve been racking my brain on this one, Tyler. I don’t think any team did “poorly”, per say, and depending on team “needs” this could have made sense for both you guys. But in the end, from a pure talent perspective, you got the better end of the deal with Kobe & Gay. I think the difference between Gay and Ellis may be more significant than between James and Bryant. Ellis is a very good player, but Gay has more explosiveness. You commented on some performances by Gay and Ellis over the last week, but it’s a marathon not a sprint. I’d take Gay on my squad. Nice Ball!

Filed under: _Fantasy Fleeces

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11 Responses to “Fantasy Q&A: Ellis & James for Bryant & Gay”

  1. Old Navy King, on January 16th, 2008 at 9:22 pm Said:

    I like the Bryant and Gay side of the deal myself.

  2. Tyler, on January 16th, 2008 at 9:51 pm Said:

    The biggest weakness on my team is the long ball, and surprisingly Ellis does not shoot it, at all, and Gay actually puts up quite a few so ill be coming up in my weakest category, but im also weak in the Assist column as well, but im counting on an improving Devin Harris and a healthy Tracy McGrady to help me out there..

    He accepted the trade the day after Ellis put up those two strong games and Gay had the two weak games, which actually occurred on the same dates, kinda strange.

    So no nbafleecefactor in the future??

  3. Mr. Fleece, on January 16th, 2008 at 9:58 pm Said:

    In that case, Tyler, Kobe will give you some more three pointers than Lebron, and Gay crushes Ellis in that category, so you did very well!

    Nbafleecefactor….hmm, always a possibility in the future. Never say never!

  4. The real Tyler, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:06 pm Said:

    There is so much potential for it… I mean, Dirk Nowitzki for the one and only Robert “Tractor” Traylor. Rudy Gay for Battier (as previously mentioned). Lamarcus Aldridge for Tyrus Thomas. Just to name a couple off the top of my head..

  5. McFleece, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:08 pm Said:

    Isiah Thomas could have his own category.

  6. Mr. Fleece, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:10 pm Said:

    How about “Draft Day Blunders”, which could include Sam Bowie’s selection, Knicks trading first rd. draft pick for Antonio McDyess, among many other poor moves. Ha!

  7. The real Tyler, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:12 pm Said:

    What did they give up for Eddy Curry?

  8. The real Tyler, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:21 pm Said:

    “Draft Day Blunders”, Pistons select Darko Milicic over the likes of Camerlo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, TJ Ford, and Kris Kaman.

  9. Mr. Fleece, on January 16th, 2008 at 10:24 pm Said:

    Too much. I think the deal was Eddie Curry & Antonio Davis to NY for Tim Thomas, Michael Sweetney as well as their 2006 first rounder and the “option to swap” first rounders in the 2007 NBA draft. In ‘06, the Bulls took Aldridge (2nd) in NY’s spot. In 2007, they selected Joakim Noah (9th)

    The Knicks then traded Antonio Davis (expiring contract) for Jalen Rose and a 1st Rd. pick

    Lamarcus Aldridge
    Joakim Noah
    Michael Sweetney
    Tim Thomas

    for

    Eddie Curry
    A. Davis

  10. The real Tyler, on January 16th, 2008 at 11:32 pm Said:

    Aldridge will be the perfect compliment to Odom. I envy the Blazers.

  11. Mr. Fleece, on January 17th, 2008 at 8:09 am Said:

    Aldridge is nasty. If Greg O. can come back from his knee surgery, and all indications is he will be able to do that, that’s a nasty 1-2 punch in the middle. Throw in Brandon Roy, Martell Webster, Jarrett Jack, Outlaw, and other very decent role players like Frye & Pryzbilla…the Blazers have so much potential.

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