Threat On The NBA's Horizon: Fantasy Clicks

Recent Fantasy Clicks 7-22-08: Escape from New York 7-21-08: Breaking Down Vlad, Lee and Crawford 7-18-08: Beware of the Curse of the HR Derby 7-17-08: Best advice for season's second half 7-16-08: Biggest fantasy busts of 2008

A Looming Threat On The NBA Horizon?

Josh Childress :: Bob Rosato/SI

With word that Josh Childress has chosen a hefty, three-year contract to play in Greece vs. playing with the Hawks, or anywhere else in the NBA, a new front has opened in the free-agent sweepstakes: Europe. With a stronger Euro, and increasingly more NBA teams willing to wait out the early signing frenzy in hopes of inking a player to a cheaper deal, Childress may be the first of many players willing to move overseas for a bigger financial windfall and the bigger role an NBA background affords a player in Europe. Worst of all, the Hawks have no recourse on Childress - they can't match the offer and they can't work a sign-and-trade. Atlanta is left with nothing for the loss of the one of the league's best sixth men. While I don't foresee a tidal wave of players crossing the pond, Childress' move should serve as a wakeup call to the league that the hand it has been feeding for so many years has grown string enough to bite it, and not just in the Olympics.

Hard Questions, Intriguing Answers

Lost amid all of the bluster emanating from every training camp about how good the upcoming season can be with the right breaks are the concerns running not too deep in the recesses of every fan's brain. Is the Pats' defense good enough? Is Eli Manning now a better play than Tony Romo? SI.com contributor-to-be Cold Hard Football Facts recently took their best shot at addressing those concerns in the AFC and in the NFC. Be warned, you may not be pleased with what you read, but, deep down, you may not be able to disagree.

It's Time To Say When, Brett

The uncertainty surrounding Brett Favre has gotten so frenzied that unless a coach or GM says Favre will not be playing for my team outright, his name will be attached to it. The latest victim is the Bucs, according to Pro Football Talk. C'mon, Brett, the Lions are on the clock.

A Giant Undertaking

Jonathan O. Sanchez :: Brad Mangin/SI

Forgive us if we blow our own horn again, but SI.com contributor David Young has painstakingly evaluated each starting pitching staff to determine which team's hurlers will offer the best bang for the fantasy buck down the stretch. Quietly topping the list are the Blue Jays, what with Roy Halladay and A.J. Burnett proving a dynamic duo. Even more surprising might be the fourth-best staff on Young's list, the Giants. We all know about Tim Linecum and more than a few of us have already placed our eggs in Matt Cain's basket. But don't sleep on Jonathan O. Sanchez and his six strikeouts a game.

Fantasy Smackdown

It's rare when one fantasy site calls out another, but that's just what former, and perhaps future, SI.com contributor RotoEvil has done to Rotoworld, taking the latter to task for some of its analysis of the transactions in the NBA this summer. RotoEvil says it isn't out to badmouth Rotoworld, but focused on detailing how Rotoworld could be, well ... better.

Surprise me

Once considered the heir apparent to Jason Kidd in New Jersey, Marcus Williams is now the heir apparent to Monta Ellis in Golden State, should Ellis not return to the Warriors this summer or balk at the plan to start at the point this fall. The fact that the Warriors were able to secure the services of a recent top-10 draft pick for a pick in 2012 is what intriguesTom Ziller of the Fanhouse and Sactown Royalty.

Transaction Reactions

Does James Posey to the Hornets have you excited for fantasy hoops season? Me, neither. That doesn't mean it won't have an impact on your draft boards this fall. Scott Sargent of Dropping Dimes has thought about this even more than I have, and if you thought about hoops as much as I do, that might scare you.

Maybe That's Why The Mets Can't Beat the Phils

Who would've thought the best base-stealing team in the majors this season is the ... Phillies. Props to SI.com's David Sabino for identifying this season's most dangerous team on the basepaths. Goes to show what an old-school manager who was almost out of a job a year ago can do with the likes of Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Shane Victorino.

Come One, Come All

At long last, SI.com has a fantasy football game, complete with all of the drafts, waiver wires, stats and analysis you need. Take the grand tour here and sign up a league. Heck, sign up two leagues if you want. We'll be waiting.

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