Team Focus: Phanatics

Here's an interesting team to look at. Ping's Phanatics had a very strong draft overall and this prognosticator really likes this team. The versatile duo of Paul Pierce and Vince Carter provide all sorts of help across the board. Tack on Richard Jefferson and the Phanatics have by far the best wingmen in the league. Versatile, and high rebounding, forward Lamar Odom really helps to complement Pierce, Carter, and Jefferson.

The addition of Marcus Camby is what really puts this team over the top for me. By taking this REB and BLK machine, Ping really solidified all of his categories, and he was able to take Camby in Rd6. Sure Camby will probably sit out 30 games or so but the other 50 games he'll bring dominance in two categories.

Young forward David West can put up 17-7 with little effort and with additional strong rebounders on board like Drew Gooden and Nazr Mohammed, it's no wonder Ping is by far first in REB. Despite just one point guard on the roster (Luke Ridnour), Ping has the capability to post some decent AST numbers, simply because Pierce, Carter, and Odom are all so well rounded. Late round pick Marcus Williams is a great selection for the future as he could take over the reins from Jason Kidd in a few years. Hedo Turkoglu brings in an additional weapon from long range.

Due to the extreme versatility of many of Ping's first few selections, there seem to be no outrageous holes on this roster. Sure, STL and 3PT are a bit of an issue, but nobody's perfect. With such clear dominance in REB, near dominance in BLK (if Camby plays), and excellent FG% and FT%, the Phanatics could be quite a handful against any matchup.

Value pick: Richard Jefferson in Rd4.
Future star: none.
Steal: Marcus Camby in Rd6.
Questionable: none.
NBA copycat: New Jersey Nets.