Metta World Peace

World Peace had a bit of a fantasy resurgence last year, thanks to Mike D'Antoni's system, which allowed him a lot more freedom on offense. He attempted 11.0 field goals per game, the first time he took double-digit shots since 2008-09. This allowed him to set four-year highs in points (12.4 ppg) and three-pointers (1.9 per game). Considering the Knicks built their entire offense last year around hoisting three-pointers, if World Peace connects around the 34 percent rate he did last season, he should once again get plenty of looks from outside. MWP has been good for at least 1.4 steals per game (he averaged 1.6 spg last season) in 13 of his 14 NBA seasons, with the one exception being the 2011-12 season, when World Peace was uncharacteristically bad at pretty much everything. The biggest question entering this season is going to be playing time. The Knicks brought him in to guard the LeBron James and Paul George-caliber threes and fours in the league, so it stands to reason that they would want him on the floor for those matchups. Still, Carmelo Anthony, Amar'e Stoudemire, Andrea Bargnani and Iman Shumpert will all be in the mix for minutes at those two positions, so it would be tough to predict the 34 minutes per game World Peace received last year with the Lakers. But as long as he is close to the 30 mpg threshold, he should have value in many formats.

Out of Howard, Gasol, Nash, Bryant, and World Peace, it’s pretty easy to pick the member out of this starting five that’s not headed to Springfield, Mass. He will be asked to do two things, defend and shoot wide-open threes, and if he can be successful at both and he comes to camp in shape, he will see plenty of minutes. It runs contrary to the 29.6 percent clip from downtown he posted last season, but we suspect Nash will find a way to make World Peace a long-range weapon, as he has with so many others who weren’t typical marksmen (Grant Hill, Jared Dudley, Channing Frye).

The player formerly known as Ron Artest made it well known to reporters that he drank a lot of martinis this offseason once it appeared there might not be a season. In addition, coach Brown said he noticed that World Peace came to camp out of shape. In any other situation this would mean that World Peace would be looking for a new team or at least see a reduction in minutes, but the Lakers lack depth to the point that it's conceivable he could still get close to the 29.4 mpg he averaged last season. Just don't expect World Peace to do much with those minutes. Last year he averaged just 8.5 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, both career lows.

It's too bad there's no category for Crazy in most fantasy leagues; otherwise, Artest would be considerably more valuable than he is. As it is, he's more of an end-game pick now than anything. Predictably, with his move to the stacked Lakers, Artest's offensive production declined. He averaged five fewer shots and six fewer points per game than in the previous season, with Houston. His rebound and three-point averages also slipped by about one each per game. It's hard to imagine a scenario wherein Artest, who turns 31 in November, becomes more valuable this year than last. L.A.'s version of the Big Three (Kobe Bryant, Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol) missed a total of 43 games between them, which means Artest probably had more shots in 2009-10 than he otherwise would have. Therefore, Artest's value is limited to steals – where he's likely to be above average again – and threes.

Artest joins the Lakers this season in a bold but somewhat dangerous move for the defending champs. Artest has had excellent success in the past on contending teams (NBA Defensive Player of the Year award with the ’04 Pacers), but his instability has also destroyed contenders (the Malice at the Palace). That sums up the risk/reward in dealing with Artest, even on a fantasy front. Artest is one of the most physical small forwards in the NBA, able to overpower many of his opponents down low for easy buckets (career-high 17.1 ppg) and solid rebounds (5.2 rpg). He also uses his strength and quickness on defense, where he is generally among the league leaders in steals (1.5 spg). On the down side, Artest is an injury risk (missed at least 25 games three times in the past five years) and should lose some shot attempts playing next to big scorers like Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. Artest also likes to play in isolation, dribbling the ball a lot and forcing shots, but in LA he will be expected to keep the ball moving and take fewer but higher quality shots. Artest has true fantasy impact player potential, but with the instabiliåty that he brings to any situation and the likelihood that he will be a role player for the Lakers he should not be relied upon as a key fantasy starter.

How will Ron Artest react to playing for a contender again? Let’s look at his recent history. In 2004 with the Pacers, he was highly motivated on both ends of the floor and came away with NBA Defensive Player of the Year honors. Of course, the following year he instigated the legendary Pacers/Pistons brawl, which essentially ended the Pacers’ run as an Eastern Conference contender. What does that tell us? Artest will either lead the Pistons to big things… or destroy the team from within. There’s very little in-between with this guy. Best case scenario, he’ll be a valuable wing scorer and on-ball defender to a team that still plays Jeff Van Gundy-style defense, and give a squad that has been far too dependent on a couple of brittle superstars – Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming – a third player with the ability to carry the team if need be. Worst case? Things could get real, real ugly. We’re going to be optimistic, based on the fact that Artest will be reunited with Rick Adelman, a coach he reportedly likes and respects, and the fact that he knows this is his last, best shot at a ring. Pencil him in for consistent scoring, with respectable rebounding numbers and a steal average among the league’s best.

How many “ifs” can we fit into one profile? Let’s see… Ron Artest might be an excellent fantasy player this year if he can keep his head on straight. And if he embraces his role as defensive stopper and secondary scorer. And if he recognizes that he’s most successful overpowering weaker twos and threes and doesn’t fall in love with his suspect jump shot. And if he can get along with new Kings coach Reggie Theus. Of course, that goes out the window if he’s traded, to New York or Miami or one of the other rumored destinations. How many ifs was that? Quite a few. Proceed with caution – which is probably good advice for any interaction with Ron Artest.

Artest’s most important statistic to fantasy owners last year was 0 – as in 0 games missed as a King in the regular season due to suspension. Artest joined the Kings in January after being traded for Peja Stojakovic and immediately put his defensive stamp on the team. Artest averaged 2.0 steals in his 40 games with the Kings, but never really found his groove offensively. He shot a career-low 38.8% from the field and only averaged 16.9 ppg. Artest should be much more comfortable in the Kings offensive and will be a match-up problem for every opponent he faces this year. His ability to post up his 6-7, 260-lb. frame as well as hit the three (1.5 threes per game last year) makes him almost impossible to guard. The upside is obvious with Artest, the downside is that he has played in only 63 games over the past two years due to various league- and team-imposed suspensions. Drafting Artest is risky; but if he’s on his best behavior, he’s a solid early to middle round pick.

Usually when we say a player has to stay on the court, it's injury issues keeping him off of it, but with Artest, it's the much-publicized decision-making skills. What's for sure is that he's a physical player, intense from one baseline to the other and from 0:00 to 48:00. Expect some of the best steals numbers in the game, but also, yes, some injuries, because of his intensity. He's played more than 70 games just three times in seven pro seasons. He can knock down threes, rebound and dish, but won't score more than 20 ppg unless the shooting percentages improve. Not so likely, there, since his game is more muscle than finesse.

If one-on-one shut down defense counted as a fantasy category, Artest would be atop that list. Unfortunately, stopping your man on defense doesn’t count in fantasy, but that doesn’t mean Artest doesn’t have anything to contribute in legitimate fantasy categories. Artest is simply a possessed player on defense, doing anything at anytime to get his team the ball. For that reason, Artest should be great for steals. Also, Artest can knock down the three and score points when the Pacers need a clutch shot. The offseason signing of Stephen Jackson will cut into Artest’s shots some, but Jackson is more likely to play the shooting guard spot and split time with Reggie Miller. Artest should again log heavy minutes and be a productive component of the Pacers' attack. Just don’t expect him to improve on his career year.

An erratic shooter, but a tenacious defensive player and rebounder. When he's on his game, he'll help you in rebounds and steals, and qualifies at guard and forward. Health an issue, as is his uneven temperament. He'll get a new start under new head coach Rick Carlisle.