2006 NBA Busts: Deep Six This Half Dozen by Steve Siniski

1. Tim Thomas, F, L.A. Clippers

How does one define Tim Thomas? He’s the shiny new car in the used car lot that grabs your attention when you drive by at 65 miles an hour. So you trade in your car, drive the “new” car out of the lot and four days later, the engine seizes. That’s Thomas, and the Clippers will soon find this out the hard way, much like the 76ers, Knicks, Bulls and Bucks have found out. Before lighting up the nets for Phoenix, Thomas sat at home watching games on TV before the Bulls and Scott Skiles were nice enough to release the former first-round pick from the doghouse. He should be sending Skiles a cut of his check, for sure. Once Thomas, in a contract push, was released from exile, he topped double-digits in points 15 times in 26 games and averaged nearly two threes per game (46). His heroics continued through the postseason, and now Thomas is a fat cat after inking a long-term deal for more than $20 million. Ah yes, the big pay day arrived, and of course it was the Clippers who paid the price. The cash now in hand, Thomas is nothing more than Fools’ gold. On a young team eager to make another run to the playoffs, Thomas doesn’t quite fit in. With Shaun Livingston and Sam Cassell at the point, Cuttino Mobley at the two, Elton Brand and Chris Kaman at the power spots and Corey Maggette at small forward, Thomas is nothing more than a seventh man. Don’t break your bank on Thomas, who’s never averaged more than 14.7 points or even five rebounds per game during his first nine seasons.

2. Vladimir Radmanovic, F, L.A. Lakers

The cause for the Clippers signing of Thomas was Radmanovic’s departure…well, sort of departure, anyway. Does he even change lockerrooms after moving from the Clippers to the Lakers and playing all of his home games in the Staples Center? Radmanovic joins Kobe’s Lakers, but just because he’s on a high-profile NBA team doesn’t mean his numbers are set to skyrocket. Coming off a career-worst 9.8 points per game, Radmanovic moves over to a Lakers team that had four players average double figures. Bryant led the way (35.4), but not one of the other three Lakers (Lamar Odom, Smush Parker and Chris Mihm) were within 20 points. While Radmanovic has range on his jumper and averaged 1.65 threes per game in 350 games, he’ll likely fill Devean George’s role and that’s not a big one. The former Clipper still has to battle for playing time in a frontcourt that also includes Kwame Brown and Luke Walton, so nothing, other than his contract that is.

3. Boris Diaw, G/F/C, Phoenix

OK, OK, you’re surprised by Diaw’s inclusion on this list. If he somehow has guard eligibility in your league, well, he’d be worth every penny or high draft pick. But the truth is, there’s a stud by the name of Amare Stoudemire ready to return to the floor, and that’s going to change the entire complexion of the Suns offense. Like Grant Hill or Scottie Pippen, plus center eligibility, Diaw was a true diamond in the fantasy rough for most. There’s no true way to quantify his true value of 13.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, or his four triple-doubles. He also added nearly one steal per game and one block for good measure with a 52.6 field-goal percentage. That is what you call a career year by any standards, even for a 24-year old in just his third full season. Stoudemire is a 20-point, 10-rebound guy, who’s going to get his ton of touches every night. Throw in Stoudemire with Steve Nash and Shawn Marion, mix in the continued development of Leandrino Barbosa, solid defensive play of Raja Bell and even James Jones and there’s simply little room for improvement or even Diaw matching the outrageous numbers of 2005-06.

4. Tim Duncan, F, San Antonio

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Spurs, built to last through the playoffs, not the regular season, continued to run their offense through several players, not just Duncan. Is Duncan still an elite NBA player? Of course. He just doesn’t deserve that moniker in the fantasy realm any more, and the proof is in the pudding. His scoring has dropped in each of the last five years (25.5, 23.3, 22.3, 20.3, 18.6), and the rebounding numbers have dropped in four straight (12.9, 12.4, 11.1, 11.0). The same goes for Duncan’s blocks (2.9, 2.7, 2.6, 2.0). Over the course of a full season, we’re talking the loss of seven points per game (574 total points, 156 total rebounds and 82 blocks). A major drop in even one category could mean the difference in a fantasy title. Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili continue to become big factors in the San Antonio game plan, and head coach Gregg Popovich isn’t afraid to limit Duncan’s minutes for stretches, either. And what’s the deal with his free-throw percentage? After shooting a career-high 79.9 percent in 2001-02, we’re back to Shaq-lite. He nailed just 62.9 of his 1185 attempts, and absolute anchor for any fantasy team. Don’t pay for the name, pay for the production.

5. Marcus Camby, C, Denver

If only Camby could stay healthy, he’d be a border-line first-round pick in fantasy circles. Though he doesn’t score much—his 12.8 points last season was the second highest total of his career—Camby is a dominating force on the glass (11.9 rebounds per game) and in the paint (3.3 blocks per game). Unfortunately, the 10-year veteran has never seen action in more than 72 games, maxing out at that number in 2003-04. Since then, Camby has appeared in 66 and 56 games respectively. The Nuggets also have a truckload of bodies that currently includes Kenyon Martin, Nene, Carmelo Anthony and Eduardo Najera. For even the most optimistic Camby fan, expecting a full season of production is like hitting the fantasy lottery, a one in a million shot.

6. Zach Randolph, F, Portland

Some players are on this list after peaking, others because of recurrent visits from the injury bug. Randolph cracks this lineup because of attitude. Recent reports indicate the Blazers traded Sebastian Telfair in an effort to build the franchise around its big man, who also has a big mouth. Is that the type of player to send out as a leader on a team that’s welcoming in five rookie draft picks? It would help if Darius Miles were sent on his merry way, but that still doesn’t solve the complete problem. Randolph, for those who don’t recall, was fined and suspended for game after leaving the arena while the Blazers were still playing. Yes, he pulled a Randy Moss, except Moss had the decency to wait until the final play, even if it was the postseason. Like Duncan, Randolph’s numbers have dropped, in this case three straight campaigns. The scoring (20.1, 18.9, 18.1), rebounding (10.5, 9.6, 8.0) and field-goal percentage (48.5, 44.8, 43.6) have all been stuck in a downward spiral. So take out your nine inch nails, cut the bait and let someone else deal with this recurrent headache. Does anyone really want to bet on Randolph retaining his title of “team leader?”

Steve Siniski is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers’ Association.